Iodine Adsorption-Desorption-Induced Structural Transformation and Improved Ag+ Turn-On Luminescent Sensing Performance of a Nonporous Eu(III) Metal-Organic Framework.

Posttreatment of pristine metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with suitable vapor may be an effective way to regulate their structures and properties but has been less explored. Herein, we report an interesting example in which a crystalline nonporous Eu(III)-MOF was transferred to a porous amorphous MOF (aMOF) via iodine vapor adsorption-desorption posttreatment, and the resulting aMOF showed improved turn-on sensing properties with respect to Ag+ ions. The crystalline Eu-MOF, namely, Eu-IPDA, was assembled from Eu(III) and 4,4'-{4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]pyridine-2,6-diyl}dibenzoic acid (H2IPDA) and exhibited a two-dimensional (2D) coordination network based on one-dimensional secondary building blocks. The close packing of the 2D networks gives rise to a three-dimensional supramolecular framework without any significant pores. Interestingly, the nonporous Eu-IPDA could absorb iodine molecules when Eu-IPDA crystals were placed in iodine vapor at 85 °C, and the adsorption capacity was 1.90 g/g, which is comparable to those of many MOFs with large BET surfaces. The adsorption of iodine is attributed to the strong interactions among the iodine molecule, the carboxy group, and the N-containing group and leads to the amorphization of the framework. After immersion of the iodine-loaded Eu-IPDA in EtOH, approximately 89.7% of the iodine was removed, resulting in a porous amorphous MOF, denoted as a-Eu-IPDA. In addition, the remaining iodine in the a-Eu-IPDA framework causes strong luminescent quenching in the fluorescence emission region of the Eu(III) center when compared with that in Eu-IPDA. The luminescence intensity of a-Eu-IPDA in water suspensions was significantly enhanced when Ag+ ions were added, with a detection limit of 4.76 × 10-6 M, which is 1000 times that of pristine Eu-IPDA. It also showed strong anti-interference ability over many common competitive metal ions and has the potential to sense Ag+ in natural water bodies and traditional Chinese medicine preparations. A mechanistic study showed that the interactions between Ag+ and the absorbed iodine, the carboxylate group, and the N atoms all contribute to the sensing performance of a-Eu-IPDA.

LC-UV-Guided Isolation and Structure Determination of Lancolide E: A Nortriterpenoid with a Tetracyclo[5.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7)]undecane-Bridged System from a "Talented" Schisandra Plant.

Lancolide E (1) featuring a complex tetracyclo[5.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7)]undecane-bridged system that is constructed by an eight-, a three-, and two five-membered carbon rings in a sterically congested region was obtained in trace amounts from a "talented" schinortriterpenoid producer Schisandra lancifolia. Its structure was fully characterized by combining 2D NMR spectroscopy, theoretical calculations, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The biogenetic pathway of 1 was proposed to involve a Prins cyclization.

[A multi-center clinical trial of Qianlieantong tablets for chronic prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Qianlieantong Tablets in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: A multi-center, self-controlled open clinical trial was conducted. A total of 280 subjects with chronic prostatitis were enrolled and treated by Qianlieantong Tablets, 3 times a day, 5 tablets each time. Before and after 2 and 4 weeks after the administration, NIH-CPSI scores and white blood cell counts in the prostate secretion were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 273 subjects evaluated, the rates of excellence, effectiveness and ineffectiveness were 35.2% (n = 96), 47.6% (n = 130) and 17.2% (n = 47), respectively, with a total effectiveness rate of 82.8%. After 4 weeks'medication, the scores of the subjects on NIH-CPSI pain, voiding and quality of life and white blood cell counts in prostate secretion were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.01). No adverse events or laboratory abnormality related to the medication were observed. CONCLUSION: Qianlieantong Tablets has a significant effect on chronic prostatitis with high safety, particularly indicated in chronic prostatitis with pelvic pain.

[The effect of Yunnan Baiyao on reduction of intra-operative bleeding of the patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Yunnan Baiyao on reduction of intra-operative bleeding of the patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). METHODS: A randomized placebo-control double-blind multi-center trial was conducted. 203 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), aged 50 - 80, who were to undergo TURP were randomly divided into 2 groups: Yunnan Baiyao group, given 500 mg Yunnan Baiyao four times daily since the third day before the operation for 3 days, and placebo group, given empty capsules for 3 days. The amount of intra-operative bleeding, bleeding index and bleeding intensity were compared. The side effect of Yunnan Baiyao was also evaluated. RESULTS: The amount of intra-operative bleeding of the Yunnan Baiyao group was 147 ml +/- 144 ml, significantly less than that of the control group (182 ml +/- 157 ml, P < 0.05). The amount of intra-operative bleeding of the per protocol (PP) population in the Yunnan Baiyao group (n = 58) was 146 ml +/- 116 ml, significantly less than the PP population in the control group (n = 66) (220 ml +/- 207 ml, P = 0.0361). When the weight of the resected prostate tissue was more than 20 gram, the amount of intraoperative bleeding, bleeding index, and bleeding intensity of the ITT population in the Yunnan Baiyao group (n = 60) were all significantly lower than those of the ITT population in the control group (n = 68) (all P < 0.05); the bleeding intensity of the PP population in the Yunnan Baiyao group was 2.4 ml/min +/- 1.8 ml/min, significantly lower than that of the PP population in the control group (3.6 ml/min +/- 3.7 ml/min, P = 0.0072); the bleeding index of the PP population in the Yunnan Baiyao group was 4.7 ml/g +/- 4.6 ml/g, significantly lower than that of the PP population in the control group (7.1 ml/g +/- 8.3 ml/g, P = 0.025). No side effect was found in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Yunnan Baiyao is effective on reducing the amount of intraoperative bleeding of TURP without side effect.

[Predictive factors for conversion of transurethral resection of the prostate to open prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors for the conversion of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to open prostatectomy and to provide clinical evidence for surgical options. METHODS: From January 1997 to March 2005, we performed 1 086 TURP and made retrospective analyses of 11 risk factors concerning the demographics, clinical history, laboratory data, ultrasound results, and intraoperative complications of the patients. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine those variables predicting the conversion of TURP. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (3.59%) of the TURP cases required conversion, mostly because of uncontrollable hemorrhage (71.79%). Multivariate analyses showed that a prostate volume > 85.2 ml (OR = 2.568, P < 0.01), intraoperative slit of capsula prostatic (OR = 1.916, P < 0.01) and a second midstream bladder specimen (VB2) white blood cell count of the urine > 13.5/HP (OR = 1.486, P < 0.01) predicted the conversion to open prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients with a huge prostate and those with intraoperative slit of capsula prostatic undergoing TURP are more likely to be converted. And uncontrollable hemorrhage, huge prostate and poor endoscopic vision are the major reasons for the conversion.

[A clinical study of prostat combined with an antibiotic for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Prostate in combination with an antibiotic for the treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. METHODS: A double-blind, parallel contrasted, multi-central method was applied in the study. After the Stamey test and expressed prostate secretion (EPS) examination, 160 patients with prostatitis were recruited and randomized into a trial group (80 cases with 1 case missing) and a control group (80 cases). In the trial group, the patients used the levofloxacin and Prostate during the first 4 weeks and Prostate only during the following 4 weeks. In the control group, the patients used the levofloxacin and placebo during the first 4 weeks, and placebo only during the following 4 weeks. Before and 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment, the patients were visited and evaluated by the national institute health-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), EPS, and asked about the side. RESULTS: After 4-week and 8-week treatment, the pain index dropped by 3.34 +/- 2.45 and 4.06 +/- 3.03 in the trial group, and effects. 2.28 +/- 2.42 and 3.30 +/- 3.29 in the control; the voiding index dropped by 2.22 +/- 1.79 and 2.77 +/- 2.04 in the trial group, and 1.24 +/- 1.67 and 1.83 +/- 2.25 in the control respectively. There was significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment in both the two groups (P < 0.01), while the difference was not significant between 4-week and 8-week post-treatment (P > 0.05). And there was significant difference between the two groups in the pain index and voiding index (P < 0.01), but not in the white blood cell count and lipid in the EPS (P > 0.05). No serious side effects were recorded, and the tolerance to Prostate and placebo showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Prostate in combination with an antibiotic can effectively relieve the pain and voiding symptoms and improve the life quality of the patients with nonbacterial prostatitis and well deserves to be recommended in clinical practice.