Absolute Structures of a Mirror Pair of Infinite Na(H2O)4 + -Connected ε-Keggin-Al13 Species.

The absolute structures of a pair of infinite Na(H2O)4+-connected ε-Keggin-Al13 species (Na-ε-K-Al13) that were inversion structures and mirror images of each other were determined. Single crystals obtained by adding A2SO4 (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs) solution to NaOH-hydrolyzed AlCl3 solution were subjected to X-ray structure analyses. The statistical results for 36 single crystals showed that all the crystals had almost the same unit cell parameter, belonged to the same F4̅3m space group, and possessed the same structural formula [Na(H2O)4AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12](SO4)4·10H2O. However, the crystals had two inverse absolute structures (denoted A and B), which had a crystallization ratio of 1:1. From Li+ to Cs+, with increasing volume of the cation coexisting in the mother solution, the degree of disorder of the four H2O molecules in the Na(H2O)4+ hydrated ion continuously decreased; they became ordered when the cation was Cs+. Absolute structures A and B are the first two infinite aluminum polycations connected by statistically occupied [(Na1/4)4(H2O)4]+ hydrated ions. The three-dimensional structure of the infinite Na-ε-K-Al13 species can be regarded as the assembly of finite ε-K-Al13 species linked by [(Na1/4)4(H2O)4]+ in a 1:1 ratio. In this assembly, each [(Na1/4)4(H2O)4]+ is connected to four ε-K-Al13 and each ε-K-Al13 is also connected to four [(Na1/4)4(H2O)4]+ in tetrahedral orientations to form a continuous rigid framework structure, which has an inverse spatial orientation between absolute structure A and B. This discovery clarifies that the ε-K-Al13 (or ε-K-GaAl12) species in Na[MO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12](XO4)4·nH2O (M = Al, Ga; X = S, Se; n = 10-20) exists as discrete groups and deepens understanding of the formation and evolution process of polyaluminum species in forcibly hydrolyzed aluminum salt solution. The reason why Na+ statistically occupies the four sites was examined, and a formation and evolution mechanism of the infinite Na-ε-K-Al13 species was proposed.

Intraoperative Oxygen Concentration and Postoperative Delirium After Laparoscopic Gastric and Colorectal Malignancies Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Postoperative delirium (POD) is common in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastric and colorectal malignancies. POD may be affected by different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different FiO2 on POD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed in Qingdao Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University. A total of 662 patients aged 65 to 85 years old underwent isolated laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, radical resection of colon cancer, or radical resection of rectal cancer only. A random number table method was used to divide the patients into two groups: 40% FiO2 (group A) and 80% FiO2 (group B). The primary endpoint was the incidence of POD, which was assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) twice daily during the first 7 postoperative days, and POD severity was measured by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). The secondary endpoints were the intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), Bispectral (BIS) index, invasive arterial blood pressure (IABP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PETCO2), the number of atelectasis cases and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores on days 1-7 after surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of POD was 19.37% (122/630), including 20.38% (64/314) in group A and 18.35% (58/316) in group B. No statistical significance was found in the incidence of POD between the two groups (P > 0.05); compared with group B, SpO2, rSO2 and PaO2 decreased at T2 to T4 time point (P < 0.01), and the incidence of postoperative atelectasis decreased (P < 0.05) in group A. CONCLUSION: The incidence of POD was not significantly affected by different FiO2 and the incidence of postoperative atelectasis was decreased at low FiO2.

Novel role of Snail 1 in promoting tumor neoangiogenesis.

Snail1 plays an important role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumor metastasis; however, whether Snai1 potentiates the process of neoangiogenesis is completely unknown. In the present study, tube formation assay was used to evaluate neoangiogenesis in vitro The expression of Snai1 and other pro-neoangiogenic factors was measured by quantitative real time PCR. Tumor derived endothelial cells (TDECs) were stimulated with fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) or VEGF and formed more tubes compared with untreated, whereas cells treated with Sulforaphane had less tube formation. Silencing SNAI1 significantly attenuated tube formation accompanied by decreased CD31, CD34, and VWF expression in TDECs compared with control. In contrast, overexpression of Snai1 led to more CD31, CD34, and VWF expression and tube formation. To determine if the observed effects of SNAI1 on tube formation was a global phenomenon, the same assay was conducted in normal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). SNAI1 silencing did not have any effect on tube formation in MSCs. The expression of TIMP2, ENG, and HIF1A was up-regulated 3-fold or higher after silencing SNAI1, and ID1, VEGFA, PLG, LECT1, HPSE were shown down-regulated. Taken together, our study elucidates an important role of EMT inducer Snai1 in regulating tumor neoangiogenesis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for overcoming tumor EMT.

Competition between strain and dimensionality effects on the electronic phase transitions in NdNiO3 films.

Transition metal oxides host an array of exotic electronic phases, including superconductivity, ferroelectricity, quantum spin liquid and Mott insulators. Their extreme sensitivity to external stimuli enables various routes to manipulate the ground state, which greatly improves our understanding of the physics involved. Here, we report the competition between strain and dimensionality effects on the phase evolution in high quality NdNiO3 films down to several unit cells. While both compressive and tensile strains increase the Ni 3d band width and favor the metallic phase, reducing dimensionality, on the other hand, decreases the covalent band width and favors the insulating phase in NdNiO3. The experimental observations are well supported by ab initio calculations and improve our understanding of the electronic behavior in strongly correlated electron systems.

Soy Saponins Meditate the Progression of Colon Cancer in Rats by Inhibiting the Activity of ß -Glucuronidase and the Number of Aberrant Crypt Foci but Not Cyclooxygenase-2 Activity.

Objective. The effect of extracted crude soybean saponins on preneoplastic lesions, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and the related mechanism were investigated. Research Methods and Procedures. Rats were assigned into five groups according to different doses of extracted crude soybean saponins and received 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection in week 5. In week 15, all rats were sacrificed. The number of ACFs, the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression, the level of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2), and the activity of ß -glucuronidase were examined. Results. Results revealed that the consumption of extracted crude soybean saponins decreased the number of ACFs and the activity of ß -glucuronidase in rats, while the expression of COX-2 protein and PGE2 level were not affected. Conclusions. Soybean saponins were effective in inhibiting colon cancer by downregulating the activity of ß -glucuronidase in colonic mucosa but not the COX-2 protein expression and PGE2 level.