Solibacillus ferritrahens sp. nov., a novel siderophore-producing bacterium isolated from Wumeng Mountain National Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province.

A gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterial strain capable of producing siderophores, named YIM B08730T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Wumeng Mountain National Nature Reserve, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. Growth occurred at 10-45 °C (optimum, 35-40 â„ƒ), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-1 %, w/v). A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence (1558 bp) of strain YIM B08730T showed the highest similarity to Solibacillus isronensis JCM 13838T (96.2 %), followed by Solibacillus silvestris DSM 12223T (96.0 %) and Solibacillus kalamii ISSFR-015T (95.4 %). The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and one unidentified lipid. The main respiratory quinone of strain YIM B08730T was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 and C16:1ω7c alcohol. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain YIM B08730T and the reference strain S. isronensis JCM 13838T were 24.8 % and 81.2 %, respectively. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 37.1 mol%. The genome of the novel strain contained genes associated with the production of siderophores, and it also revealed other functional gene clusters involved in plant growth promotion and soil bioremediation. Based on these phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YIM B08730T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Solibacillus, for which the name Solibacillus ferritrahens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B08730T (= NBRC 116268T = CGMCC 1.60169T).

Psychromicrobium Xiongbiense sp. nov., an Actinobacterium Isolated from Forest Soil.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, oval-shaped, and non-flagellated bacterial strain YIM S02556T was isolated from forest soil in Xiongbi Town, Shizong County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The strain exhibited high pairwise 16 S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Psychromicrobium lacuslunae (97.3%) and Psychromicrobium silvestre (96.3%). Strain YIM S02556T exhibited an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 72.5% with P. lacuslunae IHBB 11,108T and 72.8% ANI with P. silvestre AK 20-18T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value between strain YIM S02556T and P. lacuslunae IHBB 11,108T was 20.2%, while with P. silvestre AK 20-18T, the dDDH value was 20.8%. Strain YIM S02556T exhibited optimal growth at 28 °C, pH 7.0, without NaCl. Growth occurred within 10-37 ℃, pH 5.0-8.0, and in the presence of up to 5% w/v NaCl concentration. The genome size was 3.1 Mbp with 64.2% G + C content. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0. Based on the polyphasic analysis, strain YIM S02556T (= KCTC 49,805T = CCTCC AB2020166T) represents a novel Psychromicrobium species in which the name Psychromicrobium xiongbiense sp.nov. was proposed.

Pseudomonas subflava sp. nov., a new Gram-negative bacterium isolated from Guishan in Yunnan province, south-west China.

A new Gram-negative, rod-shaped, flagellated bacterium was isolated from soil in the Guishan, Xinping County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, China, and named YIM B01952T. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and with up to ≤ 5.0% (w/v) NaCl on Tryptic Soy Broth Agar (TSA) plates. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and draft-genome sequence showed that strain YIM B01952T belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, and was closely related to the type strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes (sequence similarity was 98.8%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value between strain YIM B01952T and the parallel strain P. alcaligenes ATCC 14909T was 49.0% based on the draft genome sequence. The predominant menaquinone was Q-9. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c) and C16:0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genome size of strain YIM B01952T was 4.341 Mb, comprising 4156 predicted genes with a DNA G + C content of 66.4 mol%. In addition, we detected that strain YIM B01952T had some traditional functional genes (plant growth promotion and multidrug resistance), unique genes through genome comparison and analysis with similar strains. Based on genetic analyses and biochemical characterization, the strain YIM B01952T was identified as a novel species in the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas subflava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B01952T (=CCTCC AB 2021498T = KCTC 92073T).

Chitinolyticbacter albus sp. Nov., A Novel Chitin-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Ancient Wood Rhizosphere Soil.

In this study, a novel aerobic mesophilic bacterial strain with capable of degrading chitin, designated YIM B06366T, was isolated and classified. The rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, on-spore-forming bacterium originated from rhizosphere soil sample collected in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, southwest PR China. Strain YIM B06366T exhibited growth at temperatures between 20 and 35 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0). The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that strain YIM B06366T was most closely related to type strain Chitinolyticbacter meiyuanensis SYBC-H1T (98.9%). Phylogenetic analysis based on genome data indicated that strain YIM B06366T should be assigned to the genus Chitinolyticbacter. The Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA Hybridization (dDDH) values between strain YIM B06366T and the reference strain Chitinolyticbacter meiyuanensis SYBC-H1T were 84.4% and 27.7%, respectively. The major fatty acids included Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c), Summed Feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c/C18:1 ω7c), and C16:0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipids, and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinone was Q-8, and the genomic DNA G + C content was 64.1%. Considering the polyphasic taxonomic evidence, strain YIM B06366T is proposed as a novel species within the genus Chitinolyticbacter, named Chitinolyticbacter albus sp. nov. (type strain YIM B06366T = KCTC 92434T = CCTCC AB 2022163T).

Cohnella mopanensis sp. nov., a new Gram-negative bacterium isolated from soil in Xinping Mountain National Forest Park.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria strain, named YIM B01951T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Mopan Mountain National Forest Park, Xinping City, Yunnan Province, southwest PR China (101°58'06" N, 23°03'02" E). Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5) and with up to ≤ 3.0% (w/v) NaCl on Nutrient Agar plates. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain YIM B01951T was closely related to the type strain of Cohnella arctica M9-62T (96.5%) and Cohnella lupini RLAHU4BT (96.3%). YIM B01951T contains anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids; the main polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysylphosphatidylglycerol (PGL) and five aminophospholipids (APL). The MK-7 is the major respiratory quinone and the DNA G + C content is 49.2 mol%. Based on these phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YIM B01951T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Cohnella, and named Cohnella mopanensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM B01951T (= NBRC 115331T = KCTC 43370T).

Brevibacillus daliensis sp. nov., Isolated From Soil in Machangqing Nature Reserve.

A new aerobic bacterial strain, designated strain YIM B02290T, was isolated from the soil of Machangqing, Dali city, Yunnan Province, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, sporogenous, rod-shaped, and motile with peritrichous flagella. Strain YIM B02290T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Brevibacillus laterosporus (97.6%) and Brevibacillus halotolerans (97.6%). The ANI and dDDH values between strain YIM B02290T and the two reference strains Brevibacillus laterosporus LAM00312T and Brevibacillus halotolerans DSM 25T are 72.6% and 72.2%, 20.2% and 19.5% based on the draft genome sequence, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids contain anteiso-C15: 0 and iso-C15: 0. The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was identified as menaquinone-7. The main polar lipids of strain YIM B02290T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, phosphatidyl monomethylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G + C content was 40.6 mol%. All results showed that strain YIM B02290T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacillus, for which the name Brevibacillus daliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02290T (= CCTCC AB 2021094T = CGMCC 1.18802T = KCTC 43376T).

Viridibacillus soli sp. nov., isolated from forest soil in Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve.

A Gram stain-positive, rod-shaped, and subterminal endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain YIM B01967T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected in Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve, Yuxi City, Xinpin county, Yunnan province, China. Strain YIM B01967T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Viridibacillus arvi (99.1%) and Viridibacillus arenosi (98.9%). Based on the phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence results, strain YIM B01967T was affiliated to the genus Viridibacillus. The growth of YIM B01967T was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in 2% NaCl). The cell wall sugars include ribose, glucose, arabinose, galactose, and mannose. The quinone system consisted of the major compound MK-8 and moderate amounts of MK-7. The major fatty acids (> 10%) included iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C16:1 ω10c. The major polar lipids profile included DPG, PME. The cell wall peptidoglycan was most likely of the type A4α with an L-Lys-D-Asp interpeptide bridge. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain YIM B01967T was 36.3 mol%. The ANI and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain YIM B01967T and Viridibacillus arvi DSM 16317 T, Viridibacillus arenosi DSM 16319 T were 61.0% and 32.1%, 60.0% and 33.1% based on the draft genome sequence. The results support the conclusion that strain YIM B01967T represents a novel species of the genus Viridibacillus, for which the name Viridibacillus soli sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is YIM B01967T (= KCTC 43249 T = CGMCC 1.18436 T).

Aestuariimicrobium ganziense sp. nov., a new Gram-positive bacterium isolated from soil in the Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, China.

A novel Gram-stain positive, oval-shaped, and non-flagellated bacterium, designated YIM S02566T, was isolated from alpine soil in Shadui Towns, Ganzi County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, PR China. Growth occurred at 23-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C) in the presence of 0.5-4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%) and at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain YIM S02566T was most closely related to the genus Aestuariimicrobium, with Aestuariimicrobium kwangyangense R27T and Aestuariimicrobium soli D6T as its closest relative (sequence similarities were 96.3% and 95.4%, respectively). YIM S02566T contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acid patterns were anteiso-C15:0 (60.0%). The major polar lipid was DPG. The genome size of strain YIM S02566T was 3.1 Mb, comprising 3078 predicted genes with a DNA G + C content of 69.0 mol%. Based on these genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic evidences, strain YIM S02566T was identified as a novel species in the genus Aestuariimicrobium, for which the name Aestuariimicrobium ganziense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM S02566T (= CGMCC 1.18751 T = KCTC 49,477 T).

Propioniciclava soli sp. nov., isolated from forest soil, Yunnan, China, and reclassification of the genus Brevilactibacter into the genus Propioniciclava, and Brevilactibacter sinopodophylli, Brevilactibacter flavus, and Brevilactibacter coleopterorum as Propioniciclava sinopodophylli comb. nov., Propioniciclava flava comb. nov., and Propioniciclava coleopterorum comb. nov., respectively.

A Gram-stain-positive, coccus-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, designated YIM S02567T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Gejiu City, Yunnan Province, southwest PR China. Growth was observed at 10-45 °C, at pH 6.0-9.5, in the presence of up to 4.0% (w/v) NaCl on R2A medium. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain YIM S02567T was most closely related to the type strain of Brevilactibacter sinopodophylli (95.4%) and Propioniciclava tarda (94.7%), and phylogenetic analysis based on genome data showed that strain YIM S02567T should be assigned to the genus Propioniciclava. The cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0 and C16:0, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and two unidentified glycolipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The genomic DNA G + C content was 71.2 mol%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic evidence, strain YIM S02567T is assigned to a novel member of the genus Propioniciclava, for which the name Propioniciclava soli sp. nov., (type strain YIM S02567T = CCTCC AB 2020128T = CGMCC 1.18504T = KCTC 49478T) is proposed. Furthermore, we propose the reclassification of Brevilactibacter as Propioniciclava gen. nov.

Correlation between Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome and Prokineticin Receptor 2 and Prokineticin 2 Mutations.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2) and prokineticin 2 (RROK2) mutations. METHODS: PROKR2 and RROK2 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis with exon-flanking primers and by automated sequencing techniques with peripheral blood DNA samples from 59 patients with PSIS. RESULTS: Of these 59 PSIS patients, 6 showed intragenic deletions at the PROKR2 locus. Of them, 5 patients exhibited intragenic subsititution of exon 2 (c.991G>A), and the remaining one patient exhibited intragenic subsititution of exon 2 (c.1057C>T). No PROK2 mutation was found in these PSIS patients. CONCLUSION: PROKR2 may be the susceptibility gene of PSIS.

Clinical Features of Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome in 114 Cases.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome(PSIS). Methods The clinical data including clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,and imaging findings of 114 PSIS patients in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of these 114 PSIS patients,102 cases (89.4%) were male. The average age was 21.1?6.1 years. A history of breech delivery was documented in 91 cases (91.9%). Short stature was found in 89 cases (71.8%) and bone age delayed (6.1?5.1) years. Secondary sex characteristics were poor or undeveloped in most patients. The prevalence of deficiencies in growth hormone,gonadotropins,corticotropin,and thyrotropin were 100.0%,94.0%,84.2%,and 74.6%,respectively. Hyperprolactinemia was found in 28.1% of patients. Three or more pituitary hormone abnormalities were found in 105 cases(92.1%). Compared with the 5 cases with history of cephalic delivery,no difference were found in the aspects of height(t=0.297,P=0.634),penile length(t=1.205,P=0.882),testicular volume (U=99.000,P=0.348),growth hormone peak (U=89.000,P=0.186),adrenocorticotropic hormone peak(U=131.000,P=0.967),luteinizing hormone peak(U=98.500,P=0.582),thyroid-stimulating hormone (U=82.000,P=0.162),and the height of anterior pituitary (t=1.676,P=0.107) in the 53 cases with history of breech delivery. Conclusions The clinical manifestations,symptoms,hormone deficiencies were severe in our series. The condition severities were not remarkably different in patients with different delivery ways.

Regiospecific Hetero-Assembly of DNA-Functionalized Plasmonic Upconversion Superstructures.

We report a novel strategy for regiospecific hetero-assembly of DNA-modified gold nanoparticles (DNA-AuNPs) onto upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) into hybrid lab-on-a-particle systems. The DNA-AuNPs have been assembled onto the hexagonal plate-like UCNPs with well-regulated stoichiometry and controlled organization onto the different facets of UCNP, forming various addressable superstructures. The fine-tuning of stoichiometry and organization is realized by biorecognition specificity of DNA toward specific crystal facets of UCNPs. Such a hetero-assembled DNA-AuNP/UCNP system maintains both plasmonic resonance of AuNPs and fluorescent properties of UCNPs, allowing targeted dual-modality imaging of cancer cells using an aptamer.

The development of a complementary pathway for the synthesis of aliskiren.

The synthesis of aliskiren (1), a recently marketed drug for the treatment of hypertension, is presented. The focus of our synthetic effort is to develop an efficient pathway for the synthesis of (2S,7R,E)-2-isopropyl-7-(4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy) benzyl)-N,N,8-trimethylnon-4-enamide (2a), which has been used as the advanced intermediate toward aliskiren. After an extensive investigation of three different strategies designed to construct the E-olefin functionality in 2a by employing the olefin cross-metathesis, Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE), and Julia-type olefinations, we have established a new protocol for the synthesis of 2a with a substantially improved overall efficiency in terms of the yield (ca. 33%), and diastereo- and E/Z-selectivity. The key transformations were the Evans chiral auxiliary-aided asymmetric allylation for the synthesis of the appropriate chiral intermediates in excellent enantiomeric purity of higher than 97% ee and a modified Julia-Kocienski olefination for the highly selective construction of E-2a with up to 13.6:1 E/Z ratio from the chiral intermediates. Consequently, the results provide an appealing option for the synthesis of aliskiren.

An exceptionally simple strategy for DNA-functionalized up-conversion nanoparticles as biocompatible agents for nanoassembly, DNA delivery, and imaging.

Lanthanide-doped up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have shown promise in biomedical applications. However, as the UCNPs are normally capped with hydrophobic ligands, it remains challenging to prepare biocompatible UCNPs with specific molecular recognition capabilities. We herein report an exceptionally simple strategy to prepare uniform DNA-modified UCNPs as versatile bioprobes. The approach can directly convert as-prepared hydrophobic UCNPs into water-soluble DNA-UCNPs without any chemical modification of UCNPs or oligonucleotides. Furthermore, DNA molecules on the DNA-UCNPs retain their biorecognition ability, allowing programmable assembly of hybrid nanostructures. More importantly, we show that these DNA-UCNPs are capable of crossing cell membranes without the need of transfection agents, and their use as agents for bioimaging and DNA delivery are also demonstrated. Finally, DNA aptamer-conjugated UCNPs can be readily used for targeted imaging of cancer cells.

Biomechanical and histomorphological analysis of the mandible in rats with chronic kidney disease.

The present study aimed to investigate the biomechanical and histomorphological features of mandibles in an adenine-induced chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) rat model of CKD. A total of 14 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into the following two groups: control group and CKD group. At the end of the sixth week, all rats were euthanized, and serum was collected for biochemical marker tests. Macroscopic bone growth and biomechanical parameters were measured in the right hemimandible, while the left hemimandible was used for bone histomorphometric analysis. Compared to the control group, the CKD group showed a significant increase in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and serum parathyroid hormone at the end of the sixth week. The biomechanical structural properties significantly decreased in the CKD group compared to the control group. Bone histomorphometric analysis indicated that the trabecular bone volume of rats in the CKD group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In the CKD groups, the bone formation parameters of the trabecular bone were significantly increased, while the bone mineralization apposition rates of both the trabecular bone and periosteal cortical bone were significantly increased. The rat CKD model showed deteriorated structural mechanics, low trabecular bone volume, high trabecular bone formation, increased trabecular bone mineralization apposition rate, and increased cortical bone mineralization apposition rate, which met the characteristics of osteitis fibrosa, indicating that this model is a useful tool for the study of mandible diseases in CKD patients.

Direct detection of adenosine in undiluted serum using a luminescent aptamer sensor attached to a terbium complex.

Aptamers, single-stranded nucleic acids that can selectively bind to various target molecules, have been widely used for constructing biosensors. A major challenge in this field, however, is direct sensing of analytes in complex biological media such as undiluted serum. While progress has been made in developing an inhomogeneous assay by using a preseparation step to wash away the interferences within serum, a facile strategy for direct detection of targets in homogeneous unprocessed serum is highly desired. We herein report a turn-on luminescent aptamer biosensor for the direct detection of adenosine in undiluted and unprocessed serum, by taking advantage of a terbium chelate complex with long luminescence lifetime to achieve time-resolved detection. The sensor exhibits a detection limit of 60 µM adenosine while marinating excellent selectivity that is comparable to those in buffer. The approach demonstrated here can be applied for direct detection and quantification of a broad range of analytes in biological media by using other aptamers.

A facile route to ordered mesoporous-alumina-supported catalysts, and their catalytic activities for CO oxidation.

Well-dispersed noble metal nanoparticles can be synthesized, and further stabilized under high treatment temperature, by the confinement effect of ordered mesoporous alumina.

Hierarchical self-assembly of superlattice hybrids consisting of periodic and alternating cores of porphyrin molecules separated by nanoscale silica walls.

Molecularly engineered superlattice hybrids consisting of periodic and alternating cores of porphyrin molecules separated by nanoscale silica walls were synthesized through a one-step organic-inorganic hierarchical self-assembly approach. The self-assembly process not only could lock both porphyrin and inorganic building blocks into ordered 3D nanostructure but also could allow for the molecular-level controllable organization of porphyrin molecules in the central regions of the silica pore channels, which leads to the formation of porphyrin core-silica wall superlattice hybrids with molecular-scale and mesoscale ordering. It was demonstrated that both the mesostructure and morphology of the hybrids can be finely tailored by turning the cooperative self-assembly process. It is significant that the hybrids show self-assembled optical properties consistent with the orientational arrangement of the porphyrins within periodic nanoscale silica channels. The methodology introduced herein demonstrates high versatility with respect to the self-assembly of optical active macrocycles into highly ordered superlattice hybrid architectures.

Ionic liquid-based route to spherical NaYF4 nanoclusters with the assistance of microwave radiation and their multicolor upconversion luminescence.

An ionic liquid (IL) (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate)-based route was introduced into the synthesis of novel spherical NaYF(4) nanoclusters with the assistance of a microwave-accelerated reaction system. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and upconversion (UC) luminescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the obtained products. Interestingly, these spherical NaYF(4) nanoclusters with diameters ranging from 200 to 430 nm are formed by the self-assembly of small nanoparticles. The diameters of the nanoclusters could be easily tuned just by changing the amounts of the precursors. By conducting the control experiments with different ILs or precursors, it is proven that the ILs have played key roles, such as the solvents for the reaction, the absorbents of microwave irradiation, and the major fluorine sources for the formation of the NaYF(4) nanocrystals. The UC luminescence properties of the Ln(3+) codoped NaYF(4) were measured, and the results indicate that the nanoclusters obtained in BmimBF(4) exhibit excellent UC properties. Since this IL-based and microwave-accelerated procedure is efficient and environmentally benign, we believe that this method may have some potential applications in the synthesis of other nanomaterials.

Facile synthesis of macrocellular mesoporous foamlike Ce-Sn mixed oxides with a nanocrystalline framework by using triblock copolymer as the single template.

Macrocellular mesoporous foamlike cerium-tin mixed oxide materials with well-defined porous structure and nanocrystalline frameworks are synthesized through a simple one-step self-assembly process using an amphiphilic triblock copolymer as the single template. The macrocellular pores are synthesized without the addition of any swelling agent or hazardous acids. The final mixed oxide possesses a hierarchically porous structure including macrocellular foam with ultralarge cell size, closed windows, and mesopores on the walls. This indicates that the porous structure can be notably stabilized and improved by the incorporation of Sn in the CeO(2). The materials are expected to be good candidates in catalysis, since the hierarchical porosity enables high surface areas and hence more chemically active sites associated with the mesopores, combined with the high efficiency of mass transport from the macrocellular foam. The catalytic characteristics are discussed in relation to the architectures of the materials, and it is revealed that the macrocellular/mesoporous materials would be an efficient catalyst for CO oxidation.