Direct measurement of built-in electric field inside a 2D cavity.

The on-demand assembly of 2D heterostructures has brought about both novel interfacial physical chemistry and optoelectronic applications; however, existing studies rarely focus on the complementary part-the 2D cavity, which is a new-born area with unprecedented opportunities. In this study, we have investigated the electric field inside a spacer-free 2D cavity consisting of a monolayer semiconductor and a gold film substrate. We have directly captured the built-in electric field crossing a blinking 2D cavity using a Kelvin probe force microscopy-Raman system. The simultaneously recorded morphology (M), electric field (E), and optical spectroscopy (O) mapping profile unambiguously reveals dynamical fluctuations of the interfacial electric field under a constant cavity height. Moreover, we have also prepared non-blinking 2D cavities and analyzed the gap-dependent electric field evolution with a gradual heating procedure, which further enhances the maximum electric field exceeding 109 V/m. Our work has revealed substantial insights into the built-in electric field within a 2D cavity, which will benefit adventures in electric-field-dependent interfacial sciences and future applications of 2D chemical nanoreactors.

Establishment and validation of a nomogram for predicting overall survival of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma with bone metastasis: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Bone metastasis (BM) carries a poor prognosis for patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study aims to identify survival predictors and develop a prognostic nomogram for overall survival (OS) in UTUC patients with BM. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to select patients with UTUC between 2010 and 2019. The chi-square test was used to assess the baseline differences between the groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to assess OS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify prognostic factors for nomogram establishment. An independent cohort was used for external validation of the nomogram. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were evaluated using concordance index (C-index), area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0 and R software 4.2.2. RESULTS: The mean OS for UTUC patients with BM was 10 months (95% CI: 8.17 to 11.84), with 6-month OS, 1-year OS, and 3-year OS rates of 41%, 21%, and 3%, respectively. Multi-organ metastases (HR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.66 to 2.95, P < 0.001), surgery (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.91, P = 0.007), and chemotherapy (HR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.46, P < 0.001) were identified as independent prognostic factors. The C-index was 0.725 for the training cohort and 0.854 for the validation cohort, and all AUC values were > 0.679. The calibration curve and DCA curve showed the accuracy and practicality of the nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: The OS of UTUC patients with BM was poor. Multi-organ metastases was a risk factor for OS, while surgery and chemotherapy were protective factors. Our nomogram was developed and validated to assist clinicians in evaluating the OS of UTUC patients with BM.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid treatments for Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) remains thoroughly evaluated. We undertook a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids plus leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Eligible studies were obtained from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. We also searched the references of the included studies. Our protocol followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Eligibility criteria were defined using a PICOS framework. RESULTS: Our study included three articles presenting 342 patient cases. Findings revealed that low-dose corticosteroids combined with the leflunomide group were effective in relieving urine protein excretion (UPE) [mean difference (MD) = -0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41 to -0.30, P < 0.00001] compared with the full-dose corticosteroids group. Regarding serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete remission rate, and overall response rate, there was no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Regarding safety, low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide significantly reduced the risk of serious adverse events [odds ratio (OR): 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.91, P = 0.04]. Besides, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of respiratory infection, abnormal liver function, diarrhea, herpes zoster, alopecia, pruritus, insomnia, pneumonia, diabetes, and urinary tract infection (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide are a safe and effective treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022361883.

Perfluorooctanoic acid inhibits androgen biosynthesis in rat immature Leydig cells.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a commonly used short-chain synthetic perfluoroalkyl agent. Immature Leydig cells (ILCs) are localized in the testis and responsible for androgen biosynthesis and metabolism. Although PFOA shows toxicity in the reproductive system, it is not clear if it disrupts the function of ILCs. In the present study, primary ILCs were isolated from 35-day-old rats and exposed to a range of PFOA concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1 µM). It was determined that 0.1 or 1 µM PFOA reduced total androgen biosynthesis in ILCs. Specifically, 22R-hydroxycholesterol (22R), and pregnenolone (P5) mediated androgen biosynthesis were reduced by 0.1 µM PFOA. PFOA also selectively downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of steroidogenic enzymes including LHCGR, CYP11A1, 3ß-HSD1, and NR5A1 at 0.01, 0.1, or 1 µM. Further analysis revealed that 0.1 µM PFOA inhibited CYP11A1 and 3ß-HSD1 enzyme activities. However, PFOA did not significantly affect androgen metabolism and turnover under any of the conditions tested. And PFOA gavaging to 35-day-old rats at 5 or 10 mg/kg for 7 or 14 days also reduced serum androgen levels secreted by ILCs. Moreover, PFOA gavaging also downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of LHCGR, CYP11A1, 3ß-HSD1, and NR5A1 in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that PFOA inhibits androgen biosynthesis in ILCs by selectively targeting key enzymes in the synthesis pathway.

Phenanthroline-Mediated Photoelectrical Enhancement in Calix[4]arene-Functionalized Titanium-Oxo Clusters.

Incorporating two organic ligands with different functionalities into a titanium-oxo cluster entity simultaneously can endow the material with their respective properties and provide synergistic performance enhancement, which is of great significance for enriching the structure and properties of titanium-oxo clusters (TOCs). However, the synthesis of such TOCs is highly challenging. In this work, we successfully synthesized a TBC4A-functionalized TOC, [Ti2(TBC4A)2(MeO)2] (Ti2; MeOH = methanol, TBC4A = tert-butylcalix[4]arene). By adjusting the solvent system, we successfully introduced 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and prepared TBC4A and Phen co-protected [Ti2(TBC4A)2(Phen)2] (Ti2-Phen). Moreover, when Phen was replaced with bulky 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen), [Ti2(TBC4A)2(Bphen)2] (Ti2-Bphen), which is isostructural with Ti2-Phen, was obtained, demonstrating the generality of the synthetic method. Remarkably, Ti2-Phen demonstrates good stability and stronger light absorption, as well as superior photoelectric performance compared to Ti2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that there exists ligand-to-core charge transfer (LCCT) in Ti2, while an unusual ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) is present in Ti2-Phen, accompanied by partial LCCT. Therefore, the superior light absorption and photoelectric properties of Ti2-Phen are attributed to the existence of the unusual LLCT phenomenon. This study not only deeply explores the influence of Phen on the performance of the material but also provides a reference for the preparation of materials with excellent photoelectric performance.

Discovery and biosynthesis of bacterial drimane-type sesquiterpenoids from Streptomyces clavuligerus.

Drimane-type sesquiterpenoids (DMTs) are characterized by a distinctive 6/6 bicyclic skeleton comprising the A and B rings. While DMTs are commonly found in fungi and plants, their presence in bacteria has not been reported. Moreover, the biosynthetic pathways for DMTs have been primarily elucidated in fungi, with identified P450s only acting on the B ring. In this study, we isolated and characterized three bacterial DMTs, namely 3ß-hydroxydrimenol (2), 2α-hydroxydrimenol (3), and 3-ketodrimenol (4), from Streptomyces clavuligerus. Through genome mining and heterologous expression, we identified a cav biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of DMTs 2-4, along with a P450, CavA, responsible for introducing the C-2 and C-3 hydroxy groups. Furthermore, the substrate scope of CavA revealed its ability to hydroxylate drimenol analogs. This discovery not only broadens the known chemical diversity of DMTs from bacteria, but also provides new insights into DMT biosynthesis in bacteria.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of exercise intervention in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is uncertainty about the beneficial effects of exercise intervention for kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of our meta-analysis is to estimate the efficacy of exercise intervention in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: A database search according to the PICOS framework was performed for all published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) about exercise intervention for kidney transplant recipients. The databases involved include PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: A total of 16 RCTs (involving 827 patients) in compliance with inclusion criteria were included in our study. The results demonstrated that adequate exercise intervention improved statistically in creatinine clearance [mean difference (MD) = - 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.46 to - 0.11, p = 0.001], serum urea (MD = - 21.57, 95% CI - 35.84 to - 7.29, p = 0.003), VO2 peak (MD = 3.20, 95% CI 1.97-4.43, p < 0.00001), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0.21, 95% CI 0.04-0.37, p = 0.01), 60-s sit to stand test (60-STS) (MD = 14.47, 95% CI 8.89-20.04, p < 0.00001), 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) (MD = 91.87, 95% CI 38.34-145.39, p = 0.0008), and 6-min walk test (6-MWT) (MD = 44.08, 95% CI 20.30-67.87, p = 0.0003) of patients after kidney transplantation. No between-groups differences (p > 0.05) were observed for anthropometric characteristics, body composition, serum cytokine levels, and quality of life short form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). CONCLUSIONS: In kidney transplant recipients, appropriate exercise intervention improved renal function, cardiopulmonary function, physical performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022357574.

Synergistic Coupling of Charge Extraction and Sinking in Cu5FeS4/Ni3S2@NF for Photoassisted Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution.

Exploring low-cost and high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts has attracted great attention due to their crucial role in water splitting. Here, a bifunctional Cu5FeS4/Ni3S2@NF catalyst was in situ formed on a nickel (Ni) foam toward efficient photoassisted electrocatalytic (P-EC) OER, which displays an ultralow overpotential of 260 mV at 30 mA cm-2 in alkaline solution, outperforming most previously reported Ni-based catalysts. It also shows great potential in degradation of antibiotics as an alternative anode reaction to OER owing to the prompt transfer of photogenerated holes. The photocurrent test and transient photovoltage spectroscopy indicate that the synergistic coupling of charge extraction and sinking effects in Cu5FeS4 and Ni3S2 is critical for boosting the OER activity via photoassistance. Electrochemical active surface area and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests further prove that the photogenerated electromotive force can effectively compensate the overpotential of OER. This work not only provides a good guidance for integrating photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, but also indicates the key role of synergistic extraction and utilization of photogenerated charge carriers in P-EC.

An Automated TW3-RUS Bone Age Assessment Method with Ordinal Regression-Based Determination of Skeletal Maturity.

The assessment of bone age is important for evaluating child development, optimizing the treatment for endocrine diseases, etc. And the well-known Tanner-Whitehouse (TW) clinical method improves the quantitative description of skeletal development based on setting up a series of distinguishable stages for each bone individually. However, the assessment is affected by rater variability, which makes the assessment result not reliable enough in clinical practice. The main goal of this work is to achieve a reliable and accurate skeletal maturity determination by proposing an automated bone age assessment method called PEARLS, which is based on the TW3-RUS system (analysis of the radius, ulna, phalanges, and metacarpal bones). The proposed method comprises the point estimation of anchor (PEA) module for accurately localizing specific bones, the ranking learning (RL) module for producing a continuous stage representation of each bone by encoding the ordinal relationship between stage labels into the learning process, and the scoring (S) module for outputting the bone age directly based on two standard transform curves. The development of each module in PEARLS is based on different datasets. Finally, corresponding results are presented to evaluate the system performance in localizing specific bones, determining the skeletal maturity stage, and assessing the bone age. The mean average precision of point estimation is 86.29%, the average stage determination precision is 97.33% overall bones, and the average bone age assessment accuracy is 96.8% within 1 year for the female and male cohorts.

ATP2B3 Inhibition Alleviates Erastin-Induced Ferroptosis in HT-22 Cells through the P62-KEAP1-NRF2-HO-1 Pathway.

Ferroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of neurological disorders. Modulating ferroptosis may have therapeutic potential in nervous system diseases. Therefore, TMTbased proteomic analysis in HT-22 cells was performed to identify erastin-induced differentially expressed proteins. The calcium-transporting ATP2B3 (ATP2B3) was screened as a target protein. ATP2B3 knockdown markedly alleviated the erastin-induced decrease in cell viability and elevated ROS (p < 0.01) and reversed the up-regulation of oxidative stress-related proteins polyubiquitin-binding protein p62 (P62), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor2 (NRF2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) protein expression (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and the down-regulation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1) protein expression (p < 0.01). Moreover, NRF2 knockdown, P62 inhibition, or KEAP1 overexpression rescued the erastin-induced decrease in cell viability (p < 0.05) and increase in ROS production (p < 0.01) in HT-22 cells, while simultaneous overexpression of NRF2 and P62 and knockdown of KEAP1 partially offset the relief effect of ATP2B3 inhibition. In addition, knockdown of ATP2B3, NRF2, and P62 and overexpression of KEAP1 significantly down-regulated erastin-induced high expression of the HO-1 protein, while HO-1 overexpression reversed the alleviating effects of ATP2B3 inhibition on the erastin-induced decrease in cell viability (p < 0.01) and increase in ROS production (p < 0.01) in HT-22 cells. Taken together, ATP2B3 inhibition mediates the alleviation of erastin-induced ferroptosis in HT-22 cells through the P62-KEAP1-NRF2-HO-1 pathway.

Simulation of Water Flow in a Nanochannel with a Sudden Contraction or Expansion.

Water flow in a nanoscale channel is known to be affected by strong water-wall interactions; as a result, the flow considerably deviates from the conventional continuum flow. Nanochannel with a sudden contraction or expansion is the most fundamental morphological nanostructure in many nanoporous systems such as shale matrix, mudrock, membrane, etc. However, the nanoconfinement effects of water flow in nanoporous systems and its effect on macroscopic flow behavior are still evolving research topics. In this work, our recently developed pore-scale lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) considering the nanoscale effects is extended to directly simulate water flow in nanoporous systems. The results show that the flow rate is dramatically decreased in hydrophobic nanopores because of additional flow resistances at the contraction and expansion junctions. This indicates that the bundle of capillary models or the permeability averaging method overestimates the water flow rate in nanoporous media if the contraction/expansion effects between different nanopores are ignored. This work highlights the importance of wettability of the nanochannel in the determination of dynamic water flow behaviors in the contraction/expansion nanosystem. Other important aspects, including velocity distribution, flow patterns, and vortex characteristics as well as pressure variation along the flow direction, are for the first time revealed and quantified. Large differences can be found comparing gas or larger-scale water flows through the same system. A new type of pressure variation curve along the axis of flow direction is found in the hydrophobic nanochannel with a sudden contraction/expansion. This work provides the fundamental understanding of water transport through the nanoscale system with contraction and expansion effects, giving implications to a wide range of industry applications.

Growth performance and ecological services evaluation of razor clams based on dynamic energy budget model.

Bivalve shellfish aquaculture has been proposed to abate eutrophication and increase carbon sink in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture ecosystems. An individual growth model for razor clams Sinonovacula constricta in an integrated aquaculture pond of Portunus trituberculatus- Penaeus japonicus- S. constricta was constructed based on dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory after parameter measurement and model validation. Goodness-of-fit indices (R-squared, mean difference, and absolute and relative root mean square error) showed that the DEB model accurately reproduced razor clam growth. The growth performance evaluation of razor clams under different environmental conditions showed that warming climate and food shortages inhibited the razor clam growth. The quantification results of ecological service showed that individual razor clam have the potential for nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) removal and CO2 fixation, but exhibit a source of CO2 in individual month. The possible applications and contribution of this aquaculture model in China are also discussed, and the assessment results can provide important support for the low carbon bivalve integrated aquaculture.

[Identification of chemical constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS].

Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, composed of 13 Chinese medicinal materials, are used for treating the diseases such as hemiplegia, pain of muscles and bones, rheumatism, and joint pain. The chemical composition and pharmacodynamics of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills have not been reported. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to quickly identify the chemical components of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills, which was performed with Shim-pack GIST C_(18) column(4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 µm). The gradient elution was conducted with methanol-0.05% acetic acid as the mobile phase. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(ESI-MS) was carried out in both positive and negative ion modes. The compounds were identidied based on accurate relative molecular weight, fragment ion species, and the MS data of reference substances and in literature. In conclusion, a total of 98 compounds were identified, including 19 organic acids, 36 flavonoids, 13 volatile oils, 8 tannins, 5 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, 5 amino acids, 3 sesquiterpenoids, 3 alkaloids, and 2 other compounds. This study characte-rized the chemical components of Zhachong Shisanwei Pills rapidly for the first time, laying a foundation for further research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality evaluation.

Aminolactonization of Unactivated Alkenes Catalyzed by Aryl Iodine.

A one-step protocol of the aryl iodine-catalyzed aminolactonization of unactivated alkenes under oxidation conditions was first reported to efficiently construct diverse amino lactones in a short time using HNTs2 as the compatible nitrogen source. In addition, we investigated the influence of the reaction rate based on the structure of the iodoarene precatalyst, which revealed the selective adjustment effect on aminolactonization and oxylactonization. Finally, preliminary experiments verified the feasibility of asymmetric aminolactonization catalyzed by a chiral iodoarene precatalyst.

Impact of differential ureteral stent diameters on clinical outcomes after ureteroscopy intracorporeal lithotripsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In this meta-analysis we assessed whether the diameter of ureteral stents (4.7-5-Fr, 6-Fr) has an impact on the rate of occurrence of urinary tract symptoms and complications after successful URS and intracorporeal lithotripsy. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A rigorous search for relevant studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register was conducted to find informative randomized controlled trials. The reference lists of relevant articles were also manually searched and reviewed. The protocol was prospectively registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020202164). All statistical evaluations were performed using RevMan software version 5.3.0. Seven articles comprising 547 patients were included in the meta-analysis. After placement of ureteral stents with different diameters for approximately 1 week, we found that ureteral stents with smaller diameters (4.7-5-Fr) were associated with significant improvements in the main domain scores on the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire, such as urinary symptoms (mean difference -4.47, 95% confidence interval -5.87 to -3.08; P < 0.00001) and body pain (mean difference -2.48, 95% confidence interval -4.37 to -0.59; P = 0.01), but poor outcomes in stent migration compared to ureteral stents with a 6-Fr diameter (odds ratio 3.00, 95% confidence interval 1.06-8.51; P = 0.04). However, there were no significant differences in Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire scores with regard to work performance (mean difference -0.56, 95% confidence interval -2.52 to 1.40; P = 0.58), general health (mean difference -2.29, 95% confidence interval -4.95 to 0.37; P = 0.09), additional problems (mean difference -0.43, 95% confidence interval -1.02 to 0.15; P = 0.15), and complications such as fever (odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.24-2.39; P = 0.63). Ureteral stents with a diameter of 4.7-5-Fr have better outcomes than those with a diameter of 6-Fr, based on the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire pain and urinary tract symptoms scores. However, they are more prone to migration compared to those with a larger diameter.

Encapsulation of Porphyrin-Fe/Cu Complexes into Coordination Space for Enhanced Selective Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Aromatic Hydrazides.

The encapsulation of specific nanoentities into hollow nanomaterials derived from metal organic frameworks has attracted continuous and growing research attentions owing to their unique structural properties and unusual synergistic functions. Herein, using the phase transformation of uniform rhombi dodecahedron ZIF-67, hollow nano-shell with a well-defined morphology is successfully prepared. Particularly, the iron-oxygen complex, that is formed by the interaction between TCPP-Fe/Cu (TCPP = tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin) and oxygen, can be acted as an ideal proton acceptor for practical organic reactions. Considering the unique adaptability of hollow ZIFs (named HZ) to the transformation of encapsulated TCPP-Fe/Cu bimetallic catalytic active sites, a heterogeneous catalyst (defined as HZ@TCPP-Fe/Cu) through morphology-controlled thermal transformation and rear assemble processes is designed and constructed. Under heterogeneous conditions, HZ@TCPP-Fe/Cu serves as a multifunctional molecular selector to promote the oxidative dehydrogenation of different aromatic hydrazide derivatives with high selectivity toward primary carbon among primary, secondary, and tertiary carbons that are unachievable by other traditional homogeneous catalysts. The high catalytic activity, selectivity, and recyclability of the catalyst proposed here are attractive advantages for an alternative route to the environmentally benign transformation of aromatic hydrazides to aromatic azobenzene.

Enhancing Charge Separation through Oxygen Vacancy-Mediated Reverse Regulation Strategy Using Porphyrins as Model Molecules.

Highly efficient charge separation has been demonstrated as one of the most significant steps playing decisive roles in enhancing the overall efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes. In this study, by employing 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin-Ni (NiTCPP) as a prototype, an oxygen vacancy (Vo)-mediated reverse regulation strategy is proposed for tuning hole transfer, which in turn can accelerate the transport of electrons and thus enhancing charge separation. The optimal NiO/NiTCPP system exhibits much higher (≈40 times) photocurrent and longer (≈13 times) lifetime of charge carriers compared with those of pure NiTCPP. Furthermore, the electron transfer kinetic rate constant (Keff ) is quantitatively determined by an efficient scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy (SPECM). The Keff of the optimal system has a 5.7-fold improvement. In addition, the similar enhancement in charge separation from other semiconductors (CoTCPP and FeTCPP) are also observed, indicating that the Vo-mediated reverse regulation strategy is a promising pathway for tuning the properties of light harvesters in solar energy conversion.

Cross-Linked Surface Engineering to Improve Iron Porphyrin Catalytic Activity.

Quasi-two-dimensional (QTD) structural heterogeneous catalysts have attracted a broad interest in multidisciplinary research due to their unique structure, preeminent surface properties and outstanding catalytic performance. Herein, a HZIF@TCPP-Fe/Fe heterogeneous catalyst based on cross-linked surface engineering is constructed by supporting QTD TCPP-Fe/Fe ultra-thin metallized film (≈2 nm) on hollow skeleton of zeolite imidazolate frameworks. The designed QTD structure exhibits high efficiency for the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of aromatic hydrazides reactions which is the key technology in various industrial processes. Taking advantage of QTD structure with excellent accessibility, the metallized film with irregular defects not only enhances electron transfer during the reaction but also exposes more surface-active sites. Furthermore, the prepared HZIF@TCPP-Fe/Fe heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled and reused, which is of great significance in the field of green chemistry.

Chelerythrine suppresses proliferation and metastasis of human prostate cancer cells via modulating MMP/TIMP/NF-κB system.

Chelerythrine is a natural benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid found in many herbs and displays a wide range of antitumor activities. Here, the present study tested their effects on prostate cancer cells. The addition of chelerythrine can significantly inhibit the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer DU145 and PC-3 cells at the concentration of 5 and 10 µM, but not on androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells as well as normal prostate epithelial cell line PrEC cells. Wound migration and transwell invasion assay showed the similar inhibitory effect of chelerythrine on the migration and invasion of DU145 and PC-3 cells in the same condition. Western blot analysis further confirmed that chelerythrine not only dramatically decreased MMP-2, MMP-9, and uPA protein expression, but also augmented the expression of their endogenous inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) and plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and PAI-2) in both cancer cells. Meanwhile, NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors were all suppressed as evidenced by the decline of p-p65, c-Fos, and c-Jun protein expression in both cells. Taken together, these findings suggested that chelerythrine could reduce the metastasis of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells via modulation of MMP/TIMP system and inactivation of NF-κB pathway.

TRIM59: A membrane protein expressed on Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-activated macrophages that induces apoptosis of fibrosarcoma cells by direct contact.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-activated macrophages (BAMs) have anti-tumor effects, especially on fibrosarcoma cells. However, the mechanism governing this process has not been elucidated to date. TRIM59 is an up-regulated membrane protein expressed on the surface of BAMs. In this study, we found that up-regulated TRIM59 macrophages exhibited excellent growth inhibition on MCA207 fibrosarcoma and induced tumor apoptosis. Moreover, TRIM59 enhanced macrophage infiltration and increased the M1 phenotype macrophages inside the tumor. Furthermore, the cytotoxic T cells and B cells in the spleen and lymphnode have not been affected by TRIM59. These results showed that macrophages expressing TRIM59 exhibited the main cytotoxic effect on tumors. In vitro, we co-cultured TRIM59 up-regulated macrophages fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde or cell culture supernatant and tumor cells. We found that the killing activities of macrophages decreased after treatment with anti-TRIM59 antibody, and the supernatant of TRIM59 up-regulated macrophages had no tumoricidal effect on fibrosarcoma cells, which demonstrated that TRIM59 may be involved in tumoricidal effects via cell-cell contact. In addition, the PI3K-Akt pathway of MCA207 co-cultured with macrophages highly expressing TRIM59 was significantly inhibited, whereas the activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway in MCA207 was not affected after co-culture with TRIM59-CKO macrophages. These results define a vital role of TRIM59 as an anti-tumor effector molecule of BAMs and suggest a new therapeutic target for the treatment of fibrosarcoma.