Targeting P2Y14R protects against necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells through PKA/CREB/RIPK1 axis in ulcerative colitis.

Purinergic signaling plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Among purinoceptors, only P2Y14R is positively correlated with inflammatory score in mucosal biopsies of ulcerative colitis patients, nevertheless, the role of P2Y14R in ulcerative colitis remains unclear. Here, based on the over-expressions of P2Y14R in the intestinal epithelium of mice with experimental colitis, we find that male mice lacking P2Y14R in intestinal epithelial cells exhibit less intestinal injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Mechanistically, P2Y14R deletion limits the transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein through cAMP/PKA axis, which binds to the promoter of Ripk1, inhibiting necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, we design a hierarchical strategy combining virtual screening and chemical optimization to develop a P2Y14R antagonist HDL-16, which exhibits remarkable anti-colitis effects. Summarily, our study elucidates a previously unknown mechanism whereby P2Y14R participates in ulcerative colitis, providing a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease.

Mesoporous Mo-doped PtBi intermetallic metallene superstructures to enable the complete electrooxidation of ethylene glycol.

Metallenes, intermetallic compounds, and porous nanocrystals are the three types of most promising advanced nanomaterials for practical fuel cell devices, but how to integrate the three structural features into a single nanocrystal remains a huge challenge. Herein, we report an efficient one-step method to construct freestanding mesoporous Mo-doped PtBi intermetallic metallene superstructures (denoted M-PtBiMo IMSs) as highly active and stable ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) catalysts. The materials retained their catalytic performance, even in complex direct ethylene glycol fuel cells (DEGFCs). The M-PtBiMo IMSs showed EGOR mass and specific activities of 24.0 A mgPt-1 and 61.1 mA cm-2, respectively, which were both dramatically higher than those of benchmark Pt black and Pt/C. In situ infrared spectra showed that ethylene glycol underwent complete oxidation via a 10-electron CO-free pathway over the M-PtBiMo IMSs. Impressively, M-PtBiMo IMSs demonstrated a much higher power density (173.6 mW cm-2) and stability than Pt/C in DEGFCs. Density functional theory calculations revealed that oxophilic Mo species promoted the EGOR kinetics. This work provides new possibilities for designing advanced Pt-based nanomaterials to improve DEGFC performance.

Azo-Cyanamide Bridged Dinuclear Iron Complexes Exhibiting no Electronic Coupling but Moderate Magnetic Coupling between the two Iron Centers.

To investigate the effect of long-distance organic ligand on electronic coupling between metallic atoms, the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes [Cp(dppe)Fe(apc)] (1), [{Cp(dppe)Fe}2(µ-adpc)] (2), [{CpMe5(dppe)Fe}2(µ-adpc) (3) and their oxidized complexes [Cp(dppe)Fe(apc)][PF6] (1[PF6]), [{Cp(dppe)Fe}2(µ-adpc)][PF6] (2[PF6]2), [{CpMe5(dppe)Fe}2(µ-adpc)][PF6]2 (3[PF6]2) (Cp=1,3-cyclopentadiene, CpMe5=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), apc-=4-azo(phenylcyanamido)benzene and adpc2-=4,4'-azodi(phenylcyanamido)) were synthesized and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectra. Electrochemical measurements showed no electronic coupling between the two terminal Fe units, However, the investigation results of the magnetic properties of the two-electron oxidized complexes indicate the presence of moderate antiferromagnetic coupling across 18 Šdistance.

Delayed Leaf Senescence Improves Radiation Use Efficiency and Explains Yield Advantage of Large Panicle-Type Hybrid Rice.

Super hybrid rice with predominantly large panicle types has achieved remarkable success in enhancing crop yield. However, when compared with multi-panicle-type varieties, the yield stability of large panicle-type varieties remains a challenge, and limited information is available on the comparative advantages of multi-panicle types. Consequently, a two-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the grain yield, biomass production, leaf area index (LAI), and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of large panicle-type hybrid rice (Y-liangyou 900, YLY900) and multi-panicle-type hybrid rice (C-liangyouhuazhan, CLYHZ) under three nitrogen (N) treatments (0, 180, 270 kg N ha-1). The effects of increased N fertilization were more pronounced in the large panicle-type varieties. YLY900 outperformed CLYHZ in terms of average yield (6% higher), and its yield advantage was attributed to higher spikelets per panicle (28%). Due to YLY900's RUE being 9% higher than CLYHZ, it results in a 12% greater accumulation of dry matter than CLYHZ. Furthermore, YLY900 exhibited significant improvements of 16%, 4%, and 14% in specific leaf weight, effective leaf area ratio, and LAI at 20 days after the heading stage (20DAH), respectively, compared with CLYHZ. YLY900 also demonstrated a stronger correlation between rice yield and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) compared with CLYHZ, with R2 values of 0.80 and 0.66, respectively. These findings highlight the superior performance of YLY900, resulting from higher light interception percentage (IP) and IPAR values, which consequently led to enhanced RUE and grain yield. Our research reveals that delayed leaf senescence by increasing LAI at the post-heading stage for large panicle-type hybrid rice, thereby contributing to greater RUE, led to higher biomass production and grain yield.

Triphenylamine-Functionalized Coordination Cage as a Supramolecular Fluorescence Sensor for Sequential Detection of Aluminum Ions and Nitrofurantoin.

Coordination cages with a well-defined nanocavity are a class of promising supramolecular materials for molecular recognition and sensing. However, their applications in sequential sensing of multiple types of pollutants are highly desirable yet extremely limiting and challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a convenient strategy to develop a supramolecular fluorescence sensor for sequentially detecting environmental pollutants of aluminum ions and nitrofurantoin. A coordination cage (Ni-NTB), adopting an octahedral structure with triphenylamine chromophores occupying on the faces, is weakly emissive in solution due to the intramolecular rotations of the phenyl rings. Ni-NTB exhibits sensitive and selective fluorescence "off-on-off" processes during consecutive sensing of Al3+ and nitrofurantoin, an antibacterial drug. These sequential detection processes are highly interference-tolerant and visually observable with the naked eye. Mechanism studies reveal that the fluorescence switch is controllable by tuning the degree of intramolecular rotations of the phenyl rings and the pathway of intermolecular charge transfer, which is associated with the host-guest interaction. Moreover, the fabrication of Ni-NTB on test strips enabled a quick naked-eye sequential sensing of Al3+ and nitrofurantoin in seconds. Hence, this novel supramolecular fluorescence "off-on-off" sensing platform provides a new approach to developing supramolecular functional materials for monitoring environmental pollution.

Four sesquiterpenes isolated from Taraxacum mongolicum.

One new sesquiterpene, (6S,7R,11S)-13-carboxy-1(10)-en-dihydroartemisinic acid (1), together with three known sesquiterpenes, ainsliaea acid B (2), mongolicumin B (3), and 11ß,13-dihydroxydeacetylmatricarin (4) were isolated from Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. The structures were established on the basis of UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, ECD spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 was found to have potential anti-inflammatory activity and could reduce LPS-induced NO levels in murine macrophage, with inhibitory rate of 37%.

Coexistence of Three Different Spin States in a Cyanido-Bridged Trinuclear Iron(III) Complex with an Unusual FeIII to Ligand Charge Transfer.

We report a trinuclear iron(III) cyanido-bridged complex trans-[CpMe3 FeIII (dppe)(CN)]2 [FeIII (LN4 )][PF6 ]4 (2[PF6 ]4 ) as the oxidation product of binuclear complex [CpMe3 (dppe)FeII CN-FeIII (LN4 )][PF6 ] (1[PF6 ]) (CpMe3 =1, 2, 4-trimethyl-1,3-cyclo-pentadienyl, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, LN4 =pentane-2,4-dione-bis(S-methylisothiosemicarbazonato). Complex 1[PF6 ] possesses an intermediate-spin five-coordinated FeIII (S=3/2) which couples antiferromagnetically to the π-radical ligand (L⋅N4 )2- and shows a LMCT (ligand to metal charge transfer) transition from (L⋅N4 )2- to FeIII and the FeII →FeIII MMCT transition. Upon oxidation of 1[PF6 ], (L⋅N4 )2- loses one electron to be the strong electron-attracting ligand (LOx N4 )- and the intermediate-spin five-coordinated FeIII (S=3/2) becomes a low-spin six-coordinated FeIII (S=1/2) in 2[PF6 ]4 . Also interestingly, 2[PF6 ]4 presents the coexistence of three different spin states (one S=3/2 and two S=1/2) and an uncommon FeIII →(LOx N4 )- MLCT transition, confirmed by the experimental results and supported by the TDDFT calculations.

A case with type â ¡ vesicouterine fistula.

Here, we report a 41-year-old female with type II VUF after hysteromyomectomy.We report the diagnosis of VUF by imaging method, and provide a feasible treatment for this complication after pelvic surgery.

Global and Current Research Trends of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy/Biportal Endoscopic Spinal Surgery in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study.

The study aimed to make a bibliometric analysis of the current research situation in unilateral biportal endoscopy/biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (UBE/BESS). Research data sets were acquired from the Web of Science database. The study chosed "biportal endoscopic spinal surgery" OR "two portal endoscopic spinal surgery" OR "percutaneous biportal endoscopic decompression" OR "unilateral biportal endoscopy" OR "irrigation endoscopic discectomy" as the search terms. The literature search was limited to articles published before March 5, 2021. We only included original articles and reviews. VOS viewer and Citespace software were used to analyze the data and generate visualization knowledge maps. Annual trend of publications, distribution, H-index status, co-authorship status, and research hotspots were analyzed. A total of 74 publications met the requirement. The sum number of citations was 31,204, in which 19,336 were no self-citations. The average citation of all the papers was 21.84 times. The H-index of all the publications was 85. South Korea's total number of articles was far higher than that of other countries and regions (61, 82.4%), followed by United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Peoples Republic of China (three, ranking second, accounting for 12.2% of the total). For the most productive authors, Choi ranked first with 21 articles, Kim ranked second with 16 articles, and Heo ranked third with 12 articles. The journal with the greatest number of publications was World Neurosurgery, with a total of 18 (39.1%) papers. Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery ranked second with six (13.0%) papers. In third place, there were fix articles published by Asian Spine Journal and Neurospine, accounting for 21.8% of the total articles. These top three journals accounted for 73.9% of all the papers. Spondylolisthesis and endoscopic decompression were the research hotspots in recent years. The number of publications has showed an upward trend with a stable rise in recent years. South Korea is the country with the highest productivity, not only in quality, but also in quantity. Barun Hosp and Leon Wiltse Mem Hosphave published most articles. Choi is the most productive author. World Neurosurgery is the most productive journal. Spondylolisthesis and endoscopic decompression are the research hotspots in recent years. Indeed, this study provides new insight into the growth and development of UBE/BESS.

Two new sesquiterpene dimers isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa (Yunmuxiang).

Two new sesquiterpene dimers, lappadimers A and B, were isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa (Yunmuxiang). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. They were found to have potential anti-inflammatory activity at 10 µM and could reduce LPS-induced NO levels in murine macrophage, with inhibitory rates of 67% and 47%, respectively.

Efficient electrocatalytic water splitting by bimetallic cobalt iron boride nanoparticles with controlled electronic structure.

Developing an efficient bifunctional catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in water splitting technology is very attractive for clean energy. Here, a new Co-Fe-B ternary catalyst with improved crystallinity is successfully synthesized by combining the chemical reduction and subsequent solid-state reaction method. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate the electronic structure redistribution is favor for the improved performance. The overpotential is only 129 mV and 280 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline condition, the corresponding Tafel slope is 67.3 mV dec-1 and 38.9 mV dec-1. Density functional theory calculations distinguish that the ternary crystalline Co-Fe-B catalysts are thermodynamically favorable for HER and OER. The actual active species of the ternary catalyst in OER is the CoOOH and FeOOH as indicated in ex situ Raman spectra. The present work may introduce promising crystallinity borides material for the anode and cathode of water splitting device.

Iron Doped in the Subsurface of CuS Nanosheets by Interionic Redox: Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts toward the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Modifying the electronic structure of electrocatalysts by metal doping is favorable to their electrocatalytic activity. Herein, by a facile one-pot redox process of Fe(III) and Cu(I), Fe(II) was successfully doped into the subsurface of CuS nanosheets (NSs) for the first time to obtain a novel electrocatalyst (Fesub-CuS NSs) that possesses not only subtle lattice defects but also an atomic-level coupled nanointerface, greatly enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performances. Meanwhile, Fe(II) and Fe(III) coexisting in Fesub-CuS nanosheets are favorable to OER through valence regulation. As expected, by simultaneously controlling the abovementioned three factors to optimize Fesub-CuS nanosheets, they display a lower overpotential of 252 mV at a current density of 20 mA cm-2 for OER, better than 389 mV for pristine CuS nanosheets. This discovery furnishes low-cost and efficient Cu-based electrocatalysts by metal doping. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further verify that Fesub-CuS(100) is thermodynamically stable and is more active for OER. This research provides a strategy for the atomic-scale engineering of nanocatalysts and also sheds light on the design of novel and efficient electrocatalysts.

Effect of prostate volume on f/tPSA value: A cross-sectional study.

Previous studies have suggested that there is a positive correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and prostate volume (PV). A better understanding of the possible influence of PV on a ratio of free to total PSA (f/tPSA) may improve the diagnostic value of the prostate disease. The study group consisted of 342 men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). All patients underwent urinary tract ultrasonography and had tests carried out on PSA, serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and blood pressure. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the associations between prostate volume and f/tPSA value. We found no obvious relationship between prostate volume and f/tPSA value when PSA >10 ng/ml but did observe a positive correlation when 4 ng/ml < PSA ï¼œ 10 ng/ml (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.0012; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0009-0.0248). With increasing prostate volume, multivariate analysis showed an obvious increase in f/tPSA value (HR: 0.0011; 95% CI: 0.0007-0.0015) (p ≤ .0001). We confirmed that prostate volume could affect the f/tPSA levels in serum. There was an obvious positive correlation between prostate volume and f/tPSA level when PSA levels were between 4 and 10ng/dl. There was no significant correlation between prostate volume and f/tPSA value when PSA >10 ng/ml.

Unfractionated heparin attenuates endothelial barrier dysfunction via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/serine/threonine kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B pathway.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial dysfunction is considered a key pathophysiologic process for the development of acute lung injury. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and the potential underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into three groups: vehicle, LPS, and LPS + UFH groups. Intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg LPS was used to induce sepsis. Mice in the LPS + UFH group received subcutaneous injection of 8 U UFH 0.5 h before LPS injection. The lung tissue of the mice was collected for assessing lung injury by measuring the lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio and observing histological changes. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were cultured and used to analyze the effects of UFH on LPS- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced vascular hyperpermeability, membrane expression of VE-cadherin, p120-catenin, and phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC), and F-actin remodeling, and on the LPS-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. RESULTS: In vivo, UFH pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathological changes (neutrophil infiltration and erythrocyte effusion, alveolus pulmonis collapse, and thicker septum), decreased the lung W/D, and increased protein concentration (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.57 ±â€Š0.04 vs. 0.32 ±â€Š0.04 mg/mL, P = 0.0092), total cell count (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 9.57 ±â€Š1.23 vs. 3.65 ±â€Š0.78 × 10/mL, P = 0.0155), polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 88.05% ±â€Š2.88% vs. 22.20% ±â€Š3.92%, P = 0.0002), and TNF-α (460.33 ±â€Š23.48 vs. 189.33 ±â€Š14.19 pg/mL, P = 0.0006) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In vitro, UFH pre-treatment prevented the LPS-induced decrease in the membrane expression of VE-cadherin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.368 ±â€Š0.044 vs. 0.716 ±â€Š0.064, P = 0.0114) and p120-catenin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.208 ±â€Š0.018 vs. 0.924 ±â€Š0.092, P = 0.0016), and the LPS-induced increase in the expression of p-MLC (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.972 ±â€Š0.092 vs. 0.293 ±â€Š0.025, P = 0.0021). Furthermore, UFH attenuated LPS- and TNF-α-induced hyperpermeability of HPMECs (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 8.90 ±â€Š0.66 vs. 15.84 ±â€Š1.09 Ω·cm, P = 0.0056; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 11.28 ±â€Š0.64 vs. 18.15 ±â€Š0.98 Ω·cm, P = 0.0042) and F-actin remodeling (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 56.25 ±â€Š1.51 vs. 39.70 ±â€Š1.98, P = 0.0027; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 55.42 ±â€Š1.42 vs. 36.51 ±â€Š1.20, P = 0.0005) in vitro. Additionally, UFH decreased the phosphorylation of Akt (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.977 ±â€Š0.081 vs. 0.466 ±â€Š0.035, P = 0.0045) and I kappa B Kinase (IKK) (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.023 ±â€Š0.070 vs. 0.578 ±â€Š0.044, P = 0.0060), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.003 ±â€Š0.077 vs. 0.503 ±â€Š0.065, P = 0.0078) in HPMECs, which was similar to the effect of the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of UFH against LPS-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction involves VE-cadherin stabilization and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling.

Relationship between penile erection and the ratio of estradiol to testosterone: A retrospective study.

Previous studies have found that the ratio of estradiol to testosterone (E2/T ratio) has a negative effect on sexual function, but the relationship between the E2/T ratio and erection of the penis is not clarified. We conducted a retrospective study of 183 patients with erectile dysfunction and 52 healthy men to investigate the relationship between penis base erection and tip erection. All participants underwent nocturnal penile tumescence tests and medical history checks and had relevant biochemical and endocrine indicators measured. The ratio of estradiol to testosterone was calculated. The relationship between E2/T ratio and erectile time of penile tip and penile base was determined by univariate analysis, multivariate analysis and stratification analysis. After adjusting for mixed factors, the results showed that the E2/T ratio had a more significant negative effect on the base of the penis compared with the tip of the penis (Hazard ratio: -4.34 95% CI: -6.52, -2.16 p = .0001). Moreover, when the effective erection time was ≥10 min, the negative effect of E2/T on penile root erection was more obvious (HR ratio: -4.46 95% CI: -6.50, -2.43 p < .0001). In summary, our study demonstrated a negative relationship between E2/T ratio and penile erection, particularly at the root of the penis.

[Application of Intermediate Mesoderm-like Cells in Kidney Regeneration].

Objective To induce adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into intermediate mesoderm (IM)-like cells in vitro,with IM-like cells for recellularizing kidney scaffolds,and then to obtain a tissue-engineering kidney with renal structures and functions through co-culture.Methods After inguinal fat pads of Wistar rats were surgically harvested,the primary ADSCs were isolated,induced,and cultured for stem cell identification. ADSCs were inducted to differentiate into IM-like cells by adding glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor (CHIR99021) and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) at different stages. Seven days later,the IM-like cells were identified. The induced IM-like cells and well-prepared kidney decellularized scaffolds were co-cultured for 10 days to obtain recellularized tissue-engineered kidneys and their differentiation was identified.Results The ADSCs harvested had osteogenic and adipogenic abilities and could express the stem cell surface markers. After 7 days of in vitro induction,the positive expressions of odd-skipped related 1 and paired-box 2 were observed in IM-like cells by immunofluorescence technique. After 10 days of co-culture with kidney decellularized scaffolds,the positive expressions of Wilms'tumor 1,GATA-binding protein-3,and E-cadherin were observed by immunofluorescence technique.Conclusion ADSCs can be induced into IM-like cells,and renal cell differentiation can be observed through combining the induced IM-like cells with kidney decellularized scaffolds.

Discovery of potent necroptosis inhibitors targeting RIPK1 kinase activity for the treatment of inflammatory disorder and cancer metastasis.

Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrosis controlled by receptor-interacting kinase 1 (RIPK1 or RIP1), RIPK3 (RIP3), and pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). Increasing evidence suggests that necroptosis is closely associated with pathologies including inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer metastasis. Herein, we discovered the small-molecule PK6 and its derivatives as a novel class of necroptosis inhibitors that directly block the kinase activity of RIPK1. Optimization of PK6 led to PK68, which has improved efficacy for the inhibition of RIPK1-dependent necroptosis, with an EC50 of around 14-22 nM in human and mouse cells. PK68 efficiently blocks cellular activation of RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL upon necroptosis stimuli. PK68 displays reasonable selectivity for inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Importantly, PK68 provides strong protection against TNF-α-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome in vivo. Moreover, pre-treatment of PK68 significantly represses metastasis of both melanoma cells and lung carcinoma cells in mice. Together, our study demonstrates that PK68 is a potent and selective inhibitor of RIPK1 and also highlights its great potential for use in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancer metastasis.

The application of laparoscopic Doppler ultrasound during laparoscopic varicocelectomy in infertile men.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits of laparoscopic Doppler ultrasound (LDU) application during laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV), and to compare the surgical outcomes and complications between LDU-assisted LV (LDU-LV) and conventional LV for infertile patients with varicoceles; 147 infertile patients were randomly divided into two groups. Operative and postoperative parameters, semen parameters, and the pregnancy rate were compared. There were no differences in baseline demographics. The operative time was significantly longer in LDU-LV group than LV group. The incidence of postoperative hydrocele was 1.4% (1/72) in LDU-LV group versus 10.7% (8/75) in LV group, which showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). However, other surgical outcomes, such as postoperative hospital stay, postoperative recurrence, and testicular atrophy, were similar between the two groups. Sperm concentration and sperm motility were significantly increased in both groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery (P < 0.01), and they were higher in LDU-LV than LV group in 12 months after surgery (34.21 ± 6.36 vs 29.99 ± 6.04 for concentration, P < 0.05; 40.72 ± 8.12 vs 37.31 ± 6.12 for motility, P < 0.05). Sperm morphology was comparable between the two groups. The pregnancy rate showed no significant difference (44.4% of the LDU-LV vs 37.3% of the LV, P > 0.05). In conclusion, compared with LV, LDU-LV could safely and effectively ligate all spermatic veins and preserve spermatic arteries without leading to high varicocele recurrence and postoperative hydrocele. Given the benefits that sperm counts as well as sperm motility favoring LDU-LV, we recommend that LDU should be routinely used as an effective tool to improve outcomes and safety of laparoscopic varicocelectomy.

Serum Cystatin C can detect impaired graft function early after renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To study the significance of Cystatin C (Cys C) in early detection of the graft function after renal transplantation. MATERIAL: The concentrations of Cys C, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Serum creatinine (SCr), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. According to the results of the post-transplantation GFR; Seventy renal post-transplanted patients were assigned into 3 groups: group A (31 cases with the normal range of the renal function, GFR≥90 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), group B (27 cases with Scr<133 µmol/L and 60

Synthesis, spectral and redox switchable cubic NLO properties of chiral dinuclear iron cyanide/isocyanide-bridged complexes.

Two chiral dinuclear cyanide/isocyanide-bridged complexes (R)-[Cp(dppe)Fe-CN-Fe(dppp)Cp]PF6 (1[PF6]) and (R)-[Cp(dppe)Fe-NC-Fe(dppp)Cp]PF6 (2[PF6]), and their mono-oxidation products (R)-[Cp(dppe)Fe(II)-CN-Fe(III)(dppp)Cp] [PF6]2 (1[PF6]2) and (R)-[Cp(dppe)Fe(III)-NC-Fe(II)(dppp)Cp][PF6]2 (2[PF6]2) were synthesized and fully characterized. The electronic spectra of both the mixed-valence complexes 1[PF6]2 and 2[PF6]2 exhibit a strong and broad absorption band with two discernable peaks in the NIR region, which are attributed to Fe(II)-Fe(III) IVCT transitions. The attributions are supported by the DFT calculations. Under irradiation with a nanosecond laser at 1064 nm, the measured third-order NLO results of all four cyanide-bridged complexes showed that complexes 1(+) and 2(+) do not exhibit an NLO response, but their one-electron oxidation complexes 1(2+) and 2(2+) exhibit a strong NLO response due to a resonance enhanced effect. In addition, both complexes 1(2+) and 2(2+) display RSA and self-defocusing effects and show good optical limiting behavior in a broadband range.