Advanced oxidation protein products trigger apoptosis and block epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in crypt epithelial cells.

Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are uremic toxins. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of AOPPs on the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis of rat crypt epithelial cells, and to assess the signaling pathways involved. The oxidized rat serum albumin was obtained by sodium hypochlorite modification as AOPPs, and the rat serum albumin (RSA) without sodium hypochlorite modification was set as the control. Different concentrations of AOPPs or RSA were incubated with rat crypt epithelial cells (IEC-6 cells). After culturing for 48 and 72 h, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. IEC-6 cells were divided into three groups: A normal group, an AOPPs group and an RSA group. Three groups of cells were collected following treatment for 2 h, and the phosphorylation levels of Akt and p65 NF-κB were detected by western blotting. After 72 h of treatment, the cells were collected and the apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of EMT-related proteins was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The apoptotic rate of IEC-6 cells increased with the concentration of AOPPs, and the apoptotic rate of the AOPPs group was higher than that of the RSA group. The expression of fibronectin, snail, slug and collagen I in the AOPPs group was lower than that in the RSA group, while the expression of E-cadherin was not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, the expression of fibronectin, snail, slug and collagen I genes in the AOPPs-treated group was equal to or lower than that in the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the Akt phosphorylation level was decreased and the p65 phosphorylation level was increased in the AOPPs- or RSA-treated groups. Compared with the AOPPs-treated group, Akt and p65 phosphorylation levels in RSA-treated group were slightly higher. In conclusion, AOPPs trigger apoptosis and inhibit the EMT of rat crypt epithelial cells, which may be associated with the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and the promotion of p65 phosphorylation.

A microporous metal-organic framework containing an exceptional four-connecting 4(2)6(4) topology and a combined effect for highly selective adsorption of CO2 over N2.

Reported here is a new microporous metal-organic framework, namely [Zn(2)(L)(btc)(Hbtc)] [NH(2)(CH(3))(2)]·(DMF)(2)(H(2)O)(4) (1), which is synthesized solvo(hydro)thermally by the self-assembly of Zn(NO(3))(2), N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-3-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-dicarboxamide (L) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate acid (H(3)btc). Its topology can be described as a four-connecting 4(2)6(4) matrix containing both tetrahedral metal and ligand nodes. Interestingly, such a matrix has the same topology symbol as that observed in the well known sodalite (SOD) net, but the td10 of 434 is different from the td10 of 791 for the SOD net, indicative of an exceptional four-connecting 4(2)6(4) net. Another outstanding point is the highly selective adsorption of CO(2) over N(2), possibly contributed by a combined effect from the charged skeleton, the existence of functional groups of -CONH- and -COOH in 1.

Solvent-induced supramolecular isomers, structural diversity, and unprecedented in situ formation of both inorganic and organic ions in inorganic-organic mercury(II) complexes.

Reported here is, for the first time, an important study of solvent effect on structural diversity in inorganic-organic mercury(II) complexes. As a result, the first supramolecular isomer in mercury(II) complexes is obtained. Importantly, a previously unobserved in situ generation of both inorganic (Cl(-)) and organic ([CH(3)-L1-CH(3)](2+)) ions was also observed.

A self-catenated network containing unprecedented 0D + 2D → 2D polycatenation array.

Herein, we report a new acylamide ligand and its application in the construction of a metal-organic framework. The resultant acylamide metal-organic framework, namely [Zn(2)(L)(OH)(btc)](n) (1, L = N(1),N(4)-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl) naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxamide, H(3)btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid), was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. The outstanding structural feature of it is the 0D + 2D → 2D polycatenation array containing a self-catenated feature which has never previously been observed. To the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of self-catenation and polycatenation phenomena is highly exceptional.

A series of 1D Dy(III) compound showing slow magnetic relaxation: synthesis, structure, and magnetic studies.

In this work, we present the synthesis, structure, and magnetic studies of three 1D homo-spin Dy(III) compounds in detail. For 1, one crystallography-independent Dy(III) site is contained and the coordination surrounding is a distorted square-antiprism geometry. Within 2, four crystallography-independent Dy(III) sites with largely distorted square-antiprism geometry are observed. As for 3, two crystallography-independent Dy(III) sites showing bicapped triangular-prism geometry are involved. The magnetic studies suggest weak ferromagnetic interactions for 1 and weak antiferromagnetic interactions for 2 and 3. Their dynamic magnetic properties are investigated by means of alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurement, revealing their slow magnetic relaxation. Moreover, a field-dependent ac signal is observed in 1, when by applying a static dc = 1000 Oe field, strong frequency-dependent ac signals and the peak of out-of-phase (χ'') can be clearly found. Ultimately, by fitting the Arrhenius law the energy barrier and relaxation time are estimated.

[Pattern of lymph node metastasis and extent of lymphadenectomy for distal gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze lymph node (LN) metastasis patterns and determine the appropriate extent of LN dissection in distal-third gastric cancer. METHODS: Clinical data of 545 patients with distal third gastric cancer undergoing radical operation in the Fujian Provincial Hospital between 2001 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. The metastasis rate for each LN station was analyzed stratified by the depth of tumor invasion. RESULTS: The incidence of LN metastasis in this cohort was 38.2% (208/545). LN metastasis rate in mucosal cancer was 2.0% (2/99) and involved LNs were limited to station 1 LN stations. LN metastasis rate in submucosal cancer was 18.9% (18/95), significantly higher than that in mucosal cancer (P<0.01). The metastasis rates to groups No.7, 8 and 9 in station 2 were 5.3% (5/94), 3.2% (3/94), and 1.1% (1/89) respectively. In addition, 3 cases (3.2%) had metastasis in station 2 outside the range of groups 7, 8 and 9 including groups No.1, 11p and 12. Gastric cancer invading the muscularis propria or deeper layers showed an significant increased rate of metastasis (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: D1 dissection seems to be sufficient for mucosal cancer. Standard D2 dissection should be performed for cancers of the muscularis propria or deeper. For submucosal cancer, an extended D1+ dissection is required for complete removal of metastatic nodes.

Chiral 1D Dy(III) compound showing slow magnetic relaxation.

Herein, we present one chiral Dy(III) compound, namely Dy(L)(3)(1, HL = 2-methylbenzoic acid), synthesized from the achiral HL ligand. Within 1, along a direction the seven-coordinated Dy(III) ion are bridged by double L carboxylate and single L oxygen to give rise to the 1D helical chain. The magnetic studies suggest small intra-chain ferromagnetic interactions. Alternating current (AC) magnetic measurements show a frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibilities in both in-phase, χ', and out-of-phase, χ''. However, no obvious peak can be found even under 1000 Oe static field, suggesting the prevalence of quantum tunnelling effect at low temperature.

[Effect of polydatin on lipopolysaccharide-induced leucocyte chemotaxis].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the action mechanisms of polydatin (PD) in the treatment of septic shock in view of its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chemotaxis of the leucocytes. METHOD: Chemotactic chamber assay was used to investigate the regulative role of PD in chemotaxis of the neutrophils in response to LPS stimulation. RESULTS: The chemotactic index of normal neutrophils was 4.96+/-0.69, which was significantly increased by LPS stimulation. LPS stimulation at the doses of 10, 100, and 1000 ng/ml resulted in the elevation of the chemotactic index of the neutrophils to 8.94+/-1.73, 10.31+/-1.180 and 7.12+/-1.46 respectively (P<0.05), an effect potently reversed by the application of PD at the concentrations ranging from 0.008 to 0.8 mg/ml, of which 0.08 mg/ml was the most effective concentration that produced a decrease of the chemotactic index to 1.95+/-0.17. In addition, PD exhibited obvious anti-LPS effect after treatment for 5 to 60 min (P<0.05), while showing no influence on the chemotaxis of normal neutrophils (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PD can regulate neutrophil chemotaxis in inflammatory reactions and may play a crucial role in the treatment of infections and inflammation.

Protective effect of polydatin against lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on actin cytoskeleton of rat cardiac myocytes and the intervention effect of polydatin against this effect. METHODS: Rat cardiac myocytes were isolated from newborn SD rats (3 days old) and cultured in vitro, which were then divided into control group (treated with D-Hank's solution for 30 min), polydatin group (with 0.2 mmol/L polydatin treatment for 10 min), LPS group (with 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation for 30 min), and LPS/polydatin group (with 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation for 30 min followed by incubation with 0.2 mmol/L polydatin for 10 min). When the treatments were completed, the cells were analyzed for myocardial F-actin by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: In the control group, F-actin was localized in the cortex of cardiac myocytes and the cells were filled with F-actin organized into reticular structures. After LPS stimulation, the staining for F-actin was faint or even invisible in the cortex, with the formation of stress fibers observed in the cells, which disappeared upon the 10-min polydatin treatment and the F-actin resumed normal arrangement. No obvious difference was found between the control and polydatin groups. CONCLUSION: LPS may directly induce stress fiber formation, therefore cause damages to rat cardiac myocytes, which can be reverted by polydatin through the mechanism of participating in the F-actin organization.