Humidity-sensitive irreversible phase transformation of open-framework zinc phosphate and its water-assisted high proton conduction properties.

Open-framework zinc phosphate (NMe4)(ZnP2O8H3) undergoes irreversible phase transformation. Structural transformation with α (NMe4·Zn[HPO4][H2PO4] the low-temperature phase) and ß (NMe4·ZnH3[PO4]2 the high-temperature phase) (Tc = 149 °C) and conduction properties were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and alternating current (ac) impedance. The open-framework material was sensitive to humidity and ß proton conductivity was higher than 10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature and 98% relative humidity (RH). Given that the high proton conductivity of the open-framework material can compete with that of many advanced proton conductors based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), it has broad application prospects in various electrochemical devices.

Design and Preparation of a Superior Proton Conductor by Confining Tetraethylenepentamine in the Pores of ZIF-8 To Induce Further Adsorption of Water and Carbon Dioxide.

In this work, we present a new strategy toward the design and preparation of a metal-organic framework- or porous coordination polymer-based superior proton conductor. We chose a robust metal-organic framework, ZIF-8, as the host and a flexible aliphatic alkylpolyamine, tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), as the guest, and we successfully prepared an encapsulation compound TEPA@ZIF-8 via the facile insertion of TEPA into the pores of ZIF-8, which was characterized by microanalysis, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy, N2, water vapor adsorption-desorption, and other methods. Each cage in ZIF-8 is occupied by ∼1.44 TEPA molecules, and the introduced TEPA further adsorbs H2O and CO2 from air to offer a superior proton conductor, TEPA@ZIF-8-H2CO3, with σ = 2.08 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 293 K and 99% relative humidity, and excellent proton conduction durability. Regarding ZIF-8, the proton conductivity of TEPA@ZIF-8-H2CO3 increases by 3 orders of magnitude at the same condition, and the activation energy decreases by 0.91 eV. Remarkably, TEPA@ZIF-8-H2CO3 also shows promising features for the detection of aqueous ammonia. This work provides more opportunities to achieve superior protonic conducting materials and suggests that MOF-based proton conductors possess great potential for applications in ammonia sensing.

High quantum yield pure blue emission and fast proton conduction from an indium-metal-organic framework.

A multifunctional material, with two or more types of functionalities in a single material, might give new phenomena and novel applications. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) can be utilized as a highly versatile and tunable platform for exploring multifunctional materials. In this study, an extra thermally stable indium-MOF (1) was synthesized via self-assembly of 1,1'-ethynebenzene-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylic acid (H4EBTC) with an indium salt under solvothermal conditions. MOF 1 crystallizes in a tetragonal space group P4/mmm and shows a three-dimensional (3D) anionic framework with one-dimensional (1D) channels along the c-axis direction, and charge-balancing [(CH3)2NH2]+ cations together with lattice DMF and water molecules are accommodated in channels. This multifunctional MOF emits pure blue luminescence under ambient conditions, arising from the π* →π electron transition in EBTC4-, with CIE coordinates of (0.16, 0.07), and shows the highest quantum yield of 61.4% among indium-MOFs. Alternatively, 1 features fast proton conductivity with σ = 3.49 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 25 °C and 99% RH, attributed to the efficiently synergistic proton transfer in the H-bond networks constructed by [NH2(CH3)2]+ cations, lattice water molecules in channels and carboxylate groups in the framework. The notable level of performance of 1, combined with good hydrolytic and extra thermal stability, offers great opportunities for its future applications, and it may behave as a kind of promising multifunctional MOF material.

[Role of prostaglandin E2 receptor EP4 in the regulation of adipogenesis and adipose metabolism].

Adipose tissue is the energy storage organ of the body, and excess energy is stored in adipocytes in the form of lipid droplets. The homeostasis of adipose tissue is the basis for the body to maintain normal metabolic activity. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an important lipid mediator in the body. It is synthesized in almost all tissues and participates in the regulation of many physiological processes such as blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation. PGE2 is abundant in white adipose tissue, where it is involved in the regulation of fat metabolism. PGE2 plays its biological role through binding to four G protein coupled receptors (prostaglandin E2 receptors), including EP-1, -2, -3, and -4. The EP4 subtype has been proved to play an important role in adipogenesis and adipose metabolism: it could inhibit adipogenesis while it was activated, whereas its knockout could promote lipolysis. This review summarized the relationship between EP4 and adipose metabolism, hoping to identify new targets of drug development for metabolic disorders.

[Expression of the NMDA receptor in the rat model of orchialgia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the rat model of orchialgia and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: According to Yoshioka's method, the male rats in the control group were injected with 0.2 ml saline, and those in the experimental group with 0.2 ml 2% acetic acid solution. Then we tested the behavioral responses of the rats and determined the expressions of the subunits NR1 and NR2B of the NMDA receptor in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal dorsal horn by Western blot, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The withdrawal latency was decreased in the model rats, reaching the lowest value at 4 hours after modeling, significantly lower than in the controls (ï¼»4.15 ± 0.84ï¼½ vs ï¼»12.32 ± 1.05ï¼½, P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the model rats showed remarkably increased mRNA and protein expressions of NR2B in the dorsal root ganglion (P < 0.05) but not in the spinal dorsal horn at 4 hours. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the expression of NR1 either in the dorsal root ganglion or in the spinal dorsal horn between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The NMDA receptor plays an important role in pathogenesis of orchialgia in rats. In the early stage of pain, upregulating the expression of the subunit NR2B of the NMDA receptor can mediate peripheral hyperalgesia and consequently orchialgia.

A novel experience of deferential vessel-sparing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy.

Microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) has been widely used to treat epididymal obstructive azoospermia since 2004. Although the deferential vasculature plays an important role in supplying blood to the testis and epididymis, little attention has been paid to the potential benefits of sparing the deferential vessels during the anastomosis in LIVE. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferential vessel-sparing LIVE in humans. From December 2013 to December 2015, 69 azoospermic men with epididymal obstruction due to a genital infection, trauma, or idiopathic factors underwent deferential vessel-sparing LIVE in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. The outcomes of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 31.1 years for men and 28.3 years for their partners. Fifty-nine (85.5%, 59/69) men were followed up after surgery for approximately 16 months. Patency was noted and confirmed by semen analysis (>10 000 sperm/ml) in 83.1% (49/59) of men. The natural pregnancy rate was 40.7% (24/59) by the end of the study, with 87.5% (21/24) of these natural pregnancies achieved within 12 months after surgery. No severe adverse events or complications were observed. In this study, we present a novel technique for sparing the deferential vessels during LIVE. The preliminary outcomes show this technique to be safe with favorable patency and pregnancy rates.

Cryopreservation of virus: a novel biotechnology for long-term preservation of virus in shoot tips.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of plant virus is a fundamental requirement in all types of virus-related research and applied applications. Development of efficient, reliable strategies for long-term preservation of plant virus would largely assist these studies. RESULTS: The present study reported a novel biotechnology allowing cryopreservation of Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) in living shoot tips. Following cryopreservation by droplet-vitrification or encapsulation-dehydration, about 62-67% of shoot regrowth and 100% of ASGV cryopreservation were obtained. Although shoot proliferation and virus concentration were reduced in cryopreserved diseased shoots after 8 weeks of shoot regeneration, continuous subculture for 4 times (16 weeks) increased shoot proliferation and virus concentration to comparative levels as those produced by shoot tip culture (as a control to shoot tip cryopreservation). Cryopreserved ASGV was efficiently transmitted to a woody plant by micrografting and to a herbaceous indicator by mechanical inoculation. Gene sequencing in three fragments of ASGV genome including coat protein and movement protein showed that cryopreserved ASGV shared 99.87% nucleotide identities with shoot tip culture-preserved virus, indicating cryopreserved virus is genetically stable. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates ASGV, a representative virus that can infect meristematic cells of shoot tips, can be efficiently cryopreserved in shoot tips. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on plant virus cryopreservation in living tissues, and has great potential applications to long-term preservation of plant viruses.

Dimensionality of luminescent coordination polymers of magnesium ions and 1,1'-ethynebenzene-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylic acid modulated by structural inducing agents.

Solvothermal reactions of aromatic 1,1'-ethynebenzene-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylic acid (H4EBTC) and Mg2+ salts in the presence of different supporting ligands afforded the coordination polymers [Mg(H2EBTC)(DMF)2(H2O)2] (1), [Mg3(HEBTC)2(H2O)4]·solvent (2) and [Mg2(EBTC)(H2O)5]·solvent (3). The crystal structures of 1-3 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique, where CP 1 showed a one-dimensional zigzag MgO6 coordination octahedral chain structure; 2 exhibited a two-dimensional MgO6 coordination octahedral framework with trinuclear [Mg3(COO)6] SBUs, and 3 featured a three-dimensional MgO6 coordination octahedral framework with binuclear [Mg2O(COO)2] SBUs. The various structures in CPs 1-3 of Mg2+ ions with the H4EBTC ligand were ascribed to the conformational flexibility and the coordination mode diversity of the H4EBTC ligand. Interestingly, the zwitterionic supporting ligand 2-aminoterephthalic acid or 4-aminobenzenesulphonic acid played a vital role in the initial formation process of nuclear crystals but only as a structural induction agent, which modulated the dimensionality of these Mg2+-based CPs. Additionally, the three CPs emitted bright blue luminescence at ambient conditions, and the emission lifetimes and absolute quantum yields were also investigated.

Subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy with intraoperative microvascular Doppler ultrasound leads to the pain-free outcome after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of intraoperative microvascular Doppler ultrasound in assisting subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy for pain relief in the treatment of painful varicoceles, compared to the microsurgery without Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: Total 153 patients underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy were randomly allocated to two groups: Groups 1 and 2 included 82 and 71 patients monitored with and without using intraoperative microvascular Doppler ultrasound, respectively. The assessments were compared between two groups, including intraoperative parameters (vessel numbers and operative time) and postoperative outcomes (pain resolution, complications and recurrence). RESULTS: The average numbers of internal spermatic veins ligated (13.87±6.43 vs 11.72±5.66) and arteries preserved (1.96±0.87 vs 1.73±0.86) were significantly greater in Group 1 with Doppler ultrasound. Precisely, the smaller size of the internal spermatic veins was ligated and the more encircled arteries were also preserved in Group 1. In two groups with and without using Doppler ultrasound, 56 (68.3%) and 36 (50.7%) patients experienced a complete resolution of pain, 21 (25.6%) and 29 (40.9%) patients experienced partial resolution, whereas 5 (6.1%) and 6 (8.5%) patients experienced no change in the chronic pain, respectively. Thus, patients in Group 1 had a better outcome in chronic pain resolution (P = 0.033). The operative time, complications and recurrence rate were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy is an effective method to treat painful varicoceles. With the assistance of Doppler Ultrasound monitoring, greater numbers of vessels were identified and a better outcome of pain resolution was achieved.

[Expressions of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in the dorsal root ganglion in the rat model of orchialgia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expressions of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and their action mechanisms in the rat model of orchialgia. METHODS: The models of orchialgia were established in male SD rats by injection of 2% acetic acid into the testis. Then the number of spontaneous pain responses and withdrawal latency in the model rats were recorded by behavioral tests and the expressions of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in T13－L1 DRGs determined by RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control rats, the orchialgia models showed a significant increase in the number of spontaneous pain responses (0.13 ± 0.35 vs 22.63 ± 3.42, P<0.01) and a decrease in the withdrawal latency at 4 hours after injection (ï¼»12.75 ± 1.50ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.85 ± 1.00ï¼½ s, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of both TRPV1 and TRPA1 were observed in the membrane of the neurons in the DRG, the former increased by 1.77 times and the latter by 1.75 times that of the control (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TRPV1 and TRPA1 were up-regulated in the DRG of the rat models of orchialgia, which may be involved in the allodynia and hyperalgesia of the rats.

[Updated diagnosis and management of chronic orchialgia].

Chronic orchialgia (CO) is a common complaint in urology or andrology. Due to its complicated pathogenesis, the diagnosis and treatment of CO are quite challenging. Based on different etiologies, CO can be idiopathic or secondary. Idiopathic CO accounts for approximately 50% of the cases and is probably associated with Wallerian degeneration in the spermatic cord nerves and peripheral sensitization. Secondary CO can be attributed to direct causes and its treatment focuses on the pathologic condition identified. The main methods for the treatment of CO include conservative and surgical strategies, among which microsurgical spermatic cord denervation ( MSCD) is an effective and minimally invasive option, while orchiectomy is but the last alternative when no other means is left.

Weight loss correlates with macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 expression and might influence outcome in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss during chemotherapy has not been exclusively investigated. Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) might play a role in its etiology. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of weight loss before chemotherapy and its relationship with MIC-1 concentration and its occurrence during chemotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 157 inoperable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC patients receiving first-line chemotherapy. Serum MIC-1 concentrations were assessed before chemotherapy. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their weight loss before or during chemotherapy: >5% weight loss group and≤5% weight loss group. RESULTS: Patients with weight loss>5% before chemotherapy had shorter progression-free survival period (5.8 months vs. 8.7 months; p=0.027) and overall survival (10.8 months vs. 20.0 months; p=0.010). Patients with weight loss>5% during chemotherapy tended to have shorter progression-free survival (6.0 months vs. 8.1 months; p=0.062) and overall survival (8.6 months vs. 18.0 months; p=0.022), and if weight loss was reversed during chemotherapy, survival rates improved. Furthermore, serum MIC-1 concentration was closely related to weight loss before chemotherapy (p=0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss both before and during chemotherapy predicted poor outcome in advanced ESCC patients, and MIC-1 might be involved in the development of weight loss in such patients.

[Study on composing prescription laws of treating aplastic anemia by Chinese medicine using applying data mining technique].

OBJECTIVE: To explore composing prescription laws of treating aplastic anemia (AA) by Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: The literatures on treating AA by CM were recruited from various medical periodicals at home from 1979 to 2009 including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information network, and Wangfang data knowledge service platform. The database correlated to CM features was established using the technique of computer data bank. The data mining (DM) technique was applied to analyze drugs sorts, frequency of drug application, and association degree. RESULTS: Three hundred and eleven pertinent literatures including 677 prescriptions and 254 Chinese herbs (CHs) were screened. There were 69 CHs for invigorating deficiency, 42 for heat clearing, 20 for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, 16 for arresting bleeding, and 16 for relieving exterior syndrome, which occupied the top 5. The frequency of drug application of 254 CHs amounted to 7 547, in which the frequency of drug application of Mongolian milkvetch root, Rehmannia root, Suberect spatholobus stem, Hairyvein agrimonia herb, and Chinese thorowax root were 379, 248, 167, 85, and 13 respectively, and they occupied the first place of CHs for invigorating deficiency, heat clearing, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, arresting bleeding, and relieving exterior syndrome, respectively. The number of the prescriptions containing 12, 10, and 11 CHs was occupied the top 3. The coverage rate of the prescription including Mongolian milkvetch root and Chinese angelica was 60%, and thus 4 core drugs groups were established covering invigorating qi and enriching the blood, reinforcing Shen and supporting yang, replenishing yin to tonify Shen, tonifying Shen to replenish essence, and invigorating qi and enriching blood respectively. Summarized were six potential composing prescription laws covering invigorating qi and enriching blood, reinforcing Shen and supporting yang, replenishing yin to tonify Shen, strengthening Pi and harmonizing Wei, tonifying the blood and promoting blood circulation, clearing away heat and toxic materials, and removing heat from the blood to stop bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Applying DM technique, the fundamental core drugs groups consisting of Mongolian milkvetch root and Chinese angelica were discovered. The 4 core drugs groups established were in accordance with the realization of modern CM for the pathomechanism of AA. The 6 composing prescription laws summarized revealed the rules of drug application.

Thymidine Phosphorylase/ß-tubulin III expressions predict the response in Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients receiving first-line capecitabine plus paclitaxel.

BACKGROUND: To assess the role of Thymidine Phosphorylase and ß-tubulin III in clinical outcome of Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients receiving first-line capecitabine plus paclitaxel. METHODS: The clinical data and tumor biopsies prior treatment from 33 advanced gastric cancer patients receiving capecitabine plus paclitaxel (cohort 1, experimental group) and 18 patients receiving capecitabine plus cisplatin (cohort 2, control group) in Beijing Cancer Hospital from July 2003 to December 2008 were retrospectively collected and analyzed for Thymidine Phosphorylase and ß-tubulin III expressions by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between expressions of biomarkers and response or survival were determined by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median age of 51 patients was 57 years (range, 27-75) with male 34 and female 17, and the response rate, median progression-free survival and overall survival were 43.1%, 120d and 265d. Among cohort 1, the response rate, median progression-free survival and overall survival in ß-tubulin III positive (n = 22) and negative patients (n = 11) were 36.4%/72.7% (positive vs negative, P = 0.049), 86d/237d (P = 0.046) and 201d/388d (P = 0.029), respectively; the response rate (87.5% vs 14.3%, P = 0.01) and median progression-free survival (251d vs 84d, P = 0.003) in Thymidine Phosphorylase positive & ß-tubulin III negative patients (n = 8) were also significantly higher than those in Thymidine Phosphorylase negative & ß-tubulin III positive patients (n = 7). There was no correlation between ß-tubulin III expression and response or survival among cohort 2 (n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese advanced gastric cancer, Thymidine Phosphorylase positive & ß-tubulin III negative might predict response and prognosis to capecitabine plus paclitaxel chemotherapy. Further prospective evaluation in large samples should be performed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Wild-Type KRAS and BRAF Could Predict Response to Cetuximab in Chinese Colorectal Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between KRAS, BRAF mutations and the response toCetuximab in Chinese colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: A total of273 Chinese colorectal cancer patients were evaluated for KRAS and BRAF mutations by Sanger sequencing. Among them, 59 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were treated with Cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy from August 2005 to July 2009. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between KRAS, BRAF mutations and the response or survival of 59 mCRC patients. RESULTS: KRAS and BRAF mutation rates were 38.5% (105/273) and 5.1% (14/273), respectively, and KRAS/BRAF mutations were mutually exclusive. Among 59 patients treated with Cetuximab plus chemotherapy, KRAS and BRAF mutations were identified in 11and 5 patients, respectively. The response rates and median progression-free survivals (PFS) in KRAS wild-type and mutant patients were 35.4% (17/48) vs. 9.1% (1/11) (P=0.054) and 153 days vs. 99 days (P=0.01), respectively.Also, the response rates and median PFS in BRAF wild-type and mutant patients were 37.2% (16/43) vs. 20% (1/5) (P=0.016) and 138 days vs. 90 days (P=0.036), respectively. CONCLUSION: Besides KRAS, assessing BRAF mutation should also be required to select patients eligible for Cetuximab. Further prospective evaluation in large samples should be performed to confirm these preliminary findings.