Two-Fold Interpenetrated Binuclear Nickel Metal-Organic Framework as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for N-Heterocycle Synthesis.

A binuclear Ni(II)-based metal-organic framework {[Ni2(btb)1.333(H2O)3.578(py)1.422]·(DMF)(H2O)3.25}n (Nibtb) was solvothermally synthesized (H3btb = 1,3,5-tri(4-carboxylphenyl)benzene, py = pyridine, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). Nibtb shows a rare 2-fold interpenetrating (3,4)-connected 3D network with a point symbol of (83)4(86)3 based on binuclear Ni(II) clusters. Nibtb as a heterogeneous catalyst combines the high stability of MOFs and excellent catalytic activity of nickel, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and pyrazoles under mild conditions. Moreover, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused for seven successive cycles and maintains high catalytic activity.

Genome sequences of five Sitopsis species of Aegilops and the origin of polyploid wheat B subgenome.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum, BBAADD) is a major staple food crop worldwide. The diploid progenitors of the A and D subgenomes have been unequivocally identified; that of B, however, remains ambiguous and controversial but is suspected to be related to species of Aegilops, section Sitopsis. Here, we report the assembly of chromosome-level genome sequences of all five Sitopsis species, namely Aegilops bicornis, Ae. longissima, Ae. searsii, Ae. sharonensis, and Ae. speltoides, as well as the partial assembly of the Amblyopyrum muticum (synonym Aegilops mutica) genome for phylogenetic analysis. Our results reveal that the donor of the common wheat B subgenome is a distinct, and most probably extinct, diploid species that diverged from an ancestral progenitor of the B lineage to which the still extant Ae. speltoides and Am. muticum belong. In addition, we identified interspecific genetic introgressions throughout the evolution of the Triticum/Aegilops species complex. The five Sitopsis species have various assembled genome sizes (4.11-5.89 Gb) with high proportions of repetitive sequences (85.99%-89.81%); nonetheless, they retain high collinearity with other genomes or subgenomes of species in the Triticum/Aegilops complex. Differences in genome size were primarily due to independent post-speciation amplification of transposons. We also identified a set of Sitopsis genes pertinent to important agronomic traits that can be harnessed for wheat breeding. These newly assembled genome resources provide a new roadmap for evolutionary and genetic studies of the Triticum/Aegilops complex, as well as for wheat improvement.

Misdiagnosis of appendiceal abscess with intestinal malrotation: A case report.

Here, we report the case of a 75-year-old male with abdominal pain who was admitted to our Emergency Department. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed torsion of the mesenteric root with fluid surrounding the area. Emergency laparotomy, performed under general anesthesia, revealed appendiceal abscess with intestinal malrotation. Appendicectomy was performed after the torsional mesentery restoration. Antibiotics and other symptomatic treatments were administered postoperatively. The patient recovered well and was discharged one week after surgery. Intestinal malrotation is more common in neonates than in adults. The diagnosis of appendicitis could be further obscured by intestinal malrotation. Therefore, the rare situation of intestinal malrotation and ectopic appendicitis in the abdomen should be considered in cases with an absence of right lower abdominal pain, where preoperative abdominal CT shows mesenteric volvulus and the surrounding intestinal wall is thickened and demonstrating exudation.

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 serves as a target of miR542 to promote glioblastoma proliferation and invasion.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is strongly linked with tumor invasion and metastasis, which performs a vital role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) expression are closely associated to EMT by regulating targeted genes. MiR542 has been found to be involved in the EMT program and bound up with various cancers. However, the functions of miR542 and its underlying mechanism in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remain largely unknown. In the current study, we investigated the effect of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) on U251 cells aggressiveness, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle. METHODS: The screening of targeted miRNAs was performed, as well as the functional roles and mechanisms of miR542 were explored. RESULTS: MiR542 was selected as the target because of the most significantly differential expression and this high level of expression negatively correlated with cell migration and proliferation, which suggested that miR542 could be a novel tumor suppressor. Moreover, we confirmed that AEG-1 was a direct targeted gene of miR542 by luciferase activity assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblotting analysis. Furthermore, miR542 suppressed the expression of AEG-1, which upgraded the level of E-cadherin and degraded Vimentin expression contributing to retraining EMT. CONCLUSION: The in vitro findings demonstrated that miR542 inhibited the migration and proliferation of U251 cells and suppressed EMT through targeting AEG-1, indicating that miR542 may be a potential anti-cancer target for GBM.

[Effect of Magnetic Zirconium/Iron-Modified Bentonite Addition on Phosphorus Mobilization and Species Transformation in River Sediments].

A magnetic zirconium/iron-modified bentonite (ZrFeBT) was prepared, and the effect of ZrFeBT addition on the mobilization and species transformation of P in river sediments was investigated using incubation sediment core experiments. The results showed that, under anoxic conditions, P could be released from river sediments into the pore water, and then P in the pore water could be released into the overlying water. The addition of ZrFeBT into river sediments could greatly suppress the release of P from river sediments into the pore water under anoxic conditions. Therefore, the release of P from the pore water into the overlying water could be significantly suppressed by the addition of ZrFeBT. After the addition of ZrFeBT into river sediments, the transformation of loosely sorbed P (Labile-P) and BD extractable P (BD-P) to NaOH extractable P (NaOH-rP) and residual P (Res-P) in the sediments was observed. The decrease of bioavailable P (BAP) including water soluble P (WSP), readily desorbable P (RDP), NaHCO3 extractable P (Olsen-P), algal available P (AAP), and Fe oxide-paper extractable P (FeO-P) in the sediments was also observed. A certain amount of P in the ZrFeBT after the incubation experiment was present in the form of mobile P (Labile-P and BD-P), Olsen-P, and FeO-P, which could be re-released into the pore water and overlying water when the environmental conditions change in the future. The control of P release from river sediment into the overlying water by the addition of ZrFeBT could be mainly attributed to the reduction of P in the pore water as well as the reduction of mobile P and BAP in the sediments after ZrFeBT amendment. The results of this study inidcated that ZrFeBT is a promising amendment for the regulation of P release from river sediments into the overlying water.

[Influence of Calcium Ion Pre-treatment on Phosphate Adsorption onto Magnetic Zirconium/Iron-modified Bentonite].

Two kinds of magnetic zirconium/iron-modified bentonites (ZrFeBTs), including magnetic zirconium/iron modified raw bentonite (ZrFeRBT) and magnetic zirconium/iron-modified Ca2+-pretreated bentonite, (ZrFeCaBT) were prepared and characterized. Their phosphate adsorption characteristics were compared to determine the effect of the Ca2+ pre-treatment on the adsorption of phosphate onto ZrFeBTs. The results showed that the as-prepared ZrFeBTs contained Fe3O4 and Zr, and the content of exchangeable Ca2+ in ZrFeCaBT was much higher than that in ZrFeRBT. The adsorption isotherm data exhibited good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum monolayer phosphate adsorption capacities of 8.70 mg·g-1 and 11.5 mg·g-1 for ZrFeRBT and ZrFeCaBT, respectively. The isotherm and kinetics studies showed that the adsorption of phosphate on ZrFeBTs was a chemisorption process. The phosphate adsorption capacities for ZrFeBTs decreased with increasing solution pH. The ZrFeBTs exhibited a high selective adsorption for phosphate in the presence of anions and cations, including Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+. Furthermore, coexisting Ca2+ greatly enhanced the adsorption of phosphate onto ZrFeBTs. The pre-treatment of raw bentonite with Ca2+ significantly improved the adsorption of phosphate onto ZrFeBTs.

Protective role of normothermic machine perfusion during reduced-size liver transplantation in pigs.

The purpose of this study is to explore whether normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) preservation is superior to cold preservation during reduced-size liver transplantation (RSLT) in pigs. Twenty-four healthy Ba-Ma mini pigs were used (aged >13 months; weight 25-35 kg; regardless of sex). The animals were randomized into 2 groups. In group A (NMP), donor livers were harvested without warm ischemia time and heartbeats and then were connected to the NMP system to reduce the livers' size under the normothermic condition. In group B (University of Wisconsin [UW] solution), donor livers were harvested without warm ischemia time and heartbeats after being perfused by UW solution and were then preserved in 0°C-4°C UW solution to reduce the livers' size under cold conditions. After that, liver transplantation without venovenous bypass was performed. General RSLT information of the pigs from the 2 groups was recorded; the serological indices were measured; and routine pathological examination of liver tissue was observed. A significant difference was observed in the intraoperative bleeding between the 2 groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in the other indices (all P > 0.05). Significant differences of alanine aminotransferase levels, aspartate aminotransferase levels, and lactate dehydrogenase levels between the 2 groups were observed between postoperative days 3 and 5 (P < 0.05). Significant differences of lactic acid levels between the 2 groups were observed between postoperative days 2 and 5 (P < 0.05). Compared with the cold preservation group, the liver tissues of the NMP preservation group only rarely experienced liver cell necrosis and maintained integrities in the hepatic sinusoid spaces and endothelial cells. In conclusion, NMP preservation is superior to cold preservation during RSLT in pigs. Liver Transplantation 22 968-978 2016 AASLD.

Preoperative differential diagnosis between intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma: a single-center experience.

AIM: To investigate preoperative differential diagnoses made between intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma and intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patient data was performed, which included 21 cases of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma and 25 cases of intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma diagnosed between April 2003 and April 2013 at the General Hospital of PLA. Potential patients were excluded whose diagnoses were not confirmed pathologically. Basic information (including patient age and gender), clinical manifestation, duration of symptoms, serum assay results (including tumor markers and the results of liver function tests), radiological features and pathological results were collected. All patients were followed up. RESULTS: Preoperative levels of cancer antigen 125 (12.51 ± 9.31 vs 23.20 ± 21.86, P < 0.05) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (22.56 ± 26.30 vs 72.55 ± 115.99, P < 0.05) were higher in the cystadenocarcinoma subgroup than in the cystadenoma subgroup. There were no statistically significant differences in age or gender between the two groups, or in pre- or post-operative levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) between the two groups. However, eight of the 21 patients with cystadenoma and six of the 25 patients with cystadenocarcinoma had elevated levels of TBIL and DBIL. There were three cases in the cystadenoma subgroup and six cases in the cystadenocarcinoma subgroup with postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Preoperative differential diagnosis relies on the integration of information, including clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and imaging results.

Protective role of hydrogen sulfide against noise-induced cochlear damage: a chronic intracochlear infusion model.

BACKGROUND: A reduction in cochlear blood flow plays an essential role in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The timely regulation of cochlear perfusion determines the progression and prognosis of NIHL. Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has attracted increasing interest as a vasodilator in cardiovascular systems. This study identified the role of H(2)S in cochlear blood flow regulation and noise protection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The gene and protein expression of the H(2)S synthetase cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) in the rat cochlea was examined using immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. Cochlear CSE mRNA levels varied according to the duration of noise exposure. A chronic intracochlear infusion model was built and artificial perilymph (AP), NaHS or DL-propargylglycine (PPG) were locally administered. Local sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) significantly increased cochlear perfusion post-noise exposure. Cochlear morphological damage and hearing loss were alleviated in the NaHS group as measured by conventional auditory brainstem response (ABR), cochlear scanning electron microscope (SEM) and outer hair cell (OHC) count. The highest percentage of OHC loss occurred in the PPG group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that H(2)S plays an important role in the regulation of cochlear blood flow and the protection against noise. Further studies may identify a new preventive and therapeutic perspective on NIHL and other blood supply-related inner ear diseases.

Effects of liandou qingmai recipe (see text) on endothelin-1, nitric oxide, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels in patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of Liandou Qingmai Recipe (see text) on endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 levels in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: Total 101 cases with coronary heart disease were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 45) treated by Liandou Qingmai Recipe and a standard treatment group (control group, n = 56), with a normal group of 16 health persons set up. Changes of ET-1, NO, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured before treatment and after treatment for two weeks. And the data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 statistic software. RESULTS: Before treatment, the levels of ET-1, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher and NO was significantly lower in the patients with coronary heart disease than those in the normal group (90.7 +/- 12.7 ng/L vs 41.8 +/- 13.5 ng/L, 9.17 +/- 0.18 ng/L vs 1.10 +/- 0.08 ng/L, 1.94 +/- 0.26 ng/L vs 1.09 +/- 0.06 ng/L, and 92.2 +/- 17.7 micromol/L vs 124.5 +/- 27.2 micromol/L; all P < 0.05), with no significant differences in the levels of ET-1, NO, IL-6 and IL-10 between the treatment group and the control group (P > 0.05); After treatment, ET-1 and IL-6 significantly decreased in the treatment group and the control group, and NO increased in the treatment group; And IL-6 level was significantly lower and NO level was higher in the treatment group than those in the control group (4.48 +/- 1.22 ng/L vs 5.13 +/- 1.85 ng/L, 117.4 +/- 22.3 micromol/L vs 92.4 +/- 17.1 micromol/L; both P < 0.05); There was a positive correlation between IL-6 and IL-10, and a negative correlation between NO and IL-10 (r = 0.142, r = -0.152; both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Liandou Qingmai Recipe can decline IL-6, IL-10 and ET-1 levels, and raise NO level in patients with coronary heart disease on the basis of standard treatment, so as to inhibit endothelial inflammatory response, improve vascular endothelial function, with stronger anti-AS action; And vascular endothelial lesion is related with inflammatory response.

Knockdown of TRPC3 with siRNA coupled to carbon nanotubes results in decreased insulin-mediated glucose uptake in adult skeletal muscle cells.

The involvement of Ca(2+) in the insulin-mediated signaling cascade, resulting in glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, is uncertain. Here, we test the hypothesis that Ca(2+) influx through canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channels modulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake in adult skeletal muscle. Experiments were performed on adult skeletal muscle cells of wild-type (WT) and obese, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice. Application of the diacylglycerol analog 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) induced a nonselective cation current, which was inhibited by the addition of anti-TRPC3 antibody in the patch pipette and smaller in ob/ob than in WT cells. Knockdown of TRPC3, using a novel technique based on small interfering RNA (siRNA) coupled to functionalized carbon nanotubes, resulted in pronounced (approximately 70%) decreases in OAG-induced Ca(2+) influx and insulin-mediated glucose uptake. TRPC3 and the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) coimmunoprecipitated, and immunofluorescence staining showed that they were colocalized in the proximity of the transverse tubular system, which is the predominant site of insulin-mediated glucose transport in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, our results indicate that TRPC3 interacts functionally and physically with GLUT4, and Ca(2+) influx through TRPC3 modulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Thus, TRPC3 is a potential target for treatment of insulin-resistant conditions.

(2,2'-Bipyridine)(2-formyl-6-methoxy-phenolato)nickel(II) perchlorate.

In the title compound, [Ni(C(8)H(7)O(3))(C(10)H(8)N(2))]ClO(4), the Ni(II) atom is in a slightly distorted square-planar coordination by two N atoms from the 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) ligand and two O atoms from the deprotonated 2-formyl-6-methoxy-phenolate (mbd) ligand. The bipy ligand is nearly coplanar with the Ni(II) square plane, the Ni atom being only 0.042 (2) Šfrom the mean plane, whereas the benzaldehyde plane is folded with respect to the square plane, making a dihedral angle of 19.17 (8)°. One of the O atoms of the perchlorate anion is involved in a weak inter-action with the Ni atom, with an Ni-O distance of 2.5732 (18) Å. The packing is stabilized by weak C-H⋯O inter-actions.

Seasonal changes in chronic social interactions and physiological states in female rat-like hamsters (Tscheskia triton).

We examined the behavioral characteristics and physiological states related to solitary lifestyle and dominant-subordinate relationships in female rat-like hamsters (Tscheskia triton), formerly known as Cricetulus triton. Wild adult hamsters were captured and caged singly in the laboratory during the non-breeding and breeding seasons. The experimental hamsters were subjected to 5 min staged dyadic encounters every day for 28 consecutive days by pairing two unfamiliar and weight matched females in a neutral arena. Aggressive behavior, defense and flank marking were quantified everyday within the first week and once each week during the last 3 weeks. Animals were then autopsied and their physiological and reproductive state assessed. Our results suggested that dominant-subordinate relationships could be established especially in non-breeding conditions, where the dominant displayed higher aggression and flank marking, and lower defense than its opponent. The breeding females followed this pattern except there was no difference in aggressive behavior, between the partners. The repeated encounters did not appear to reduce aggression or lead to amiable behavior or bonding. At the end of the experiment breeding females exhibited higher levels of serum estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone than non-breeding females. Both dominant and subordinate females in non-breeding condition had atrophied ovaries and uteri, whereas both dominant and subordinate females in breeding condition had hypertrophied ovaries and uteri. Non-breeding females possessed heavier and thicker flank glands than breeding females did. Dominant females displayed longer or thicker flank glands than subordinate did. Thus, our data suggest that the behavioral traits observed in our experiment support the solitary lifestyle of adult female rat-like hamsters and physiological state show some differences between social ranks or in both seasons.

Molecular cloning and assessment of the immunocontraceptive potential of the zona pellucida subunit 3 from Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti).

A full-length cDNA encoding Brandt's vole (Microtus brandti) zona pellucida glycoprotein subunit 3 (vZP3) was isolated using rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1254 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 418 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of vZP3 revealed high overall homology with hamster (82.1%), mouse (81.3%) and rat (80.6%). A synthetic vZP3 peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 328-343 was conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH-vZP3(328-343)) and used to immunise female Brandt's voles in order to test the efficacy of this peptide as a contraceptive antigen. High IgG antibody levels to the vZP3(328-343) peptide were present in the sera of female voles immunised with KLH-vZP3(328-343) and these also cross-reacted to the zona pellucida in ovaries of Brandt's vole. The fertility of the KLH-vZP3(328-343) -immunised voles was reduced by 50% compared with controls without evidence of significant ovarian pathology.