Self-assembled sonogels formed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarbonyldinicotinic acid hydrazide.

In this paper, we report self-assembled sonogels formed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarbonyldinicotinic acid hydrazide (NDC-NN3) in some liquids including ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4-dioxane, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-pentanol. When the clear solution of NDC-NN3 in the selected liquids mentioned above at a suitable concentration was irradiated with ultrasound waves at room temperature, a sonogel was formed. Upon heating, the sonogel dissolved gradually and finally became a clear solution again. Upon cooling the hot solution to room temperature, the solution state did not change even after standing for a few days. Nevertheless, if the solution underwent sonication for a certain time, a stable gel was obtained again. The critical gelation concentrations (CGCs) of NDC-NN3 in ethanol, THF, 1,4-dioxane, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-pentanol are 10, 8, 6, 8, 6 and 8 mg mL-1, respectively. The obtained sonogels display excellent mechanical properties. The crystal structure of NDC-NN3 suggests that the naphthalene ring, hydrazide group and the position of N in the pyridine ring mediate the self-assembly process. Upon sonication, the formation of suitable π-π stacking and intermolecular hydrogen bonding drives the gelator molecules to self-assemble into fibers, spheres and micro-burdock-shaped balls in various solvents, which ultimately confine the liquids.

Identification of Crucial lncRNAs for Luminal A Breast Cancer through RNA Sequencing.

Background: The growing body of evidence indicates aberrant expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in breast cancer. Nevertheless, a few studies have focused on identifying key lncRNAs for patients with luminal A breast cancer. In our study, we tried to find key lncRNAs and mRNAs in luminal A breast cancer. Methods: RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in luminal A breast cancer. The protein-protein interaction (PPI), DElncRNA-DEmRNA coexpression, DElncRNA-nearby DEmRNA interaction networks, and functional annotation were performed to uncover the function of DEmRNAs. Online databases were used to validate the RNA sequencing result. The diagnostic value of candidate mRNAs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: A total number of 1451 DEmRNAs and 272 DElncRNAs were identified. Several hub proteins were identified in the PPI network, including TUBB3, HIST2H3C, MCM2, MYOC, NEK2, LIPE, FN1, FOXJ1, S100A7, and DLK1. In the DElncRNA-DEmRNA coexpression, some hub lncRNAs were identified, including AP001528.2, LINC00968, LINC02202, TRHDE-AS1, LINC01140, AL354707.1, AC097534.1, MIR222HG, and AL662844.4. The mRNA expression result of TFF1, COL10A1, LEP, PLIN1, PGM5-AS1, and TRHDE-AD1 in the GSE98793 was consistent with the RNA sequencing result. The protein expression results of TUBB3, MCM2, MYOC, FN1, S100A7, and TFF1 were consistent with the mRNA expression result COL10A1, LEP, PLIN1, PGM5-AS1, and TRHDE-AD1 were capable of discriminating luminal A breast cancer and normal controls. Four lncRNA-nearby and coexpressed mRNA pairs of HOXC-AS3-HOXC10, AC020907.2-FXYD1, AC026461.1-MT1X, and AC132217.1-IGF2 were identified. AMPK (involved LIPE and LEP) and PPAR (involved PLIN1) were two significantly enriched pathways in luminal A breast cancer. Conclusion: This study could be helpful in unraveling the pathogenesis and providing novel therapeutic strategies for luminal A breast cancer.

Supramolecular gel formation regulated by water content in organic solvents: self-assembly mechanism and biomedical applications.

As one of the most important and fruitful methods, supramolecular self-assembly has a significant advantage in designing and fabricating functional soft materials with various nanostructures. In this research, a low-molecular-weight gelator, N,N'-di(pyridin-4-yl)-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxamide (PDA-N4), was synthesized and used to construct self-assembled gels via a solvent-mediated strategy. It was found that PDA-N4 could form supramolecular gels in mixed solvents of water and DMSO (or DMF) at high water fraction (greater than or equal to 50%). By decreasing the water fraction from 50% to 30%, the gel, suspension and solution phases appeared successively, indicating that self-assembled aggregates could be efficiently modulated via water content in organic solvents. Moreover, the as-prepared PDA-N4 supramolecular gels not only displayed solid-like behavior, and pH- and thermo-reversible characteristics, but also showed a solution-gel-crystal transition with the extension of aging time. Further analyses suggested that both the crystal and gel had similar assembled structures. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding between amide groups and the π-π stacking interactions between pyridine groups played key roles in gel formation. Additionally, the release behavior of vitamin B12 (VB12) from PDA-N4 gel (H2O/DMSO, v/v = 90/10) was evaluated, and the drug controlled release process was consistent with a first-order release mechanism. The human umbilical venous endothelial cell culture results showed that the PDA-N4 xerogel has good cytocompatibility, which implied that the gels have potential biological application in tissue engineering and controlled drug release.

Multicenter investigation of pediatric gastrointestinal tract magnets ingestion in China.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and management of gastrointestinal tract Buckyball magnets ingestions in a multicenter Chinese pediatric patient population, and discuss the preventive measures. METHODS: Medical records of 74 pediatric patients from 9 large Chinese hospitals during the past 10 years, who were diagnosed as buckyball magnets ingestion and got invasive treatment, were retrospectively studied. The follow-up was through telephone and outpatient service to estimate the post-surgery condition. Information collection was through online questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 74 cases, there were 50 boys (68%) and 24 girls (32%). The median age was 36 (interquartile range (IQR) 22-77) months, with a range of 7 months to 11 years, and it showed two peaks, the first between 1 and 3 years, and the second between 6 to 11 years. The annual case number showed a sharp increase over time, and the total case number in the last 2 years (2017 and 2018) showed a greater than 9-fold increase when compared with the first 2 years (2013 and 2014). The majority of ingestions were unintentional, with only 3 patients deliberately swallowing the Buckyball magnets. The median time of ingestion until the onset of emergent symptoms was 2 (IQR 1-5) days, and ranged from 4 h to 40 days. Twenty-one patients had no symptoms, and the remaining cases presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, abdominal distension, excessive crying, melena, and the ceasing of flatus and defecation. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy surgery were performed in accordance with the algorithm from the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). Procedural and operative findings included gastrointestinal mucosa erosion, ischemia and necrosis, perforation, and abdominal abscess, fistula and intestinal obstruction. The median number of Buckyball magnets ingested was 4 (IQR 2-8), with a range from 1 to 39. During the median follow-up period of 6 (IQR 1-15) months, 3 patients had intestinal obstruction, and one underwent a second operation. The remaining 71 patients courses were uneventful during the follow-up period. None of the 74 patients reported a second swallowing of foreign bodies. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pediatric gastrointestinal tract magnets ingestion in China is increasing. Management of such patients should follow the NASPGHAN algorithm. Preventive measures to limit children's access to Buckyball magnets should be taken from three levels, namely the national administration, producer, and consumer.

MiR-542-3p Suppresses Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Downregulation of KDM1A and ZNF346.

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common malignancies in infants and children. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as significant regulators that play important roles in neuroblastoma development. This research aimed to analyze the functional mechanism of miR-542-3p in neuroblastoma. Here, we found that miR-542-3p was downregulated and KDM1A as well as ZNF346 were upregulated in neuroblastoma tissues and cells. Both overexpression of miR-542-3p and the knockdown of KDM1A suppressed cell proliferation and invasion in neuroblastomas. Moreover, miR-542-3p reduced the levels of KDM1A and ZNF346 through interaction. Both KDM1A overexpression and ZNF346 upregulation weakened the effect of miR-542-3p on neuroblastoma cells. Besides, miR-542-3p negatively regulated tumor growth in vivo. Our results suggested that miR-542-3p suppressed cell proliferation and invasion by targeting KDM1A and ZNF346 in neuroblastomas, providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of neuroblastoma.

Supramolecular organogels fabricated with dicarboxylic acids and primary alkyl amines: controllable self-assembled structures.

Supramolecular organogels are soft materials comprised of low-molecular-mass organic gelators (LMOGs) and organic liquids. Owning to their unique supramolecular structures and potential applications, LMOGs have attracted wide attention from chemists and biochemists. A new "superorganogel" system based on dicarboxylic acids and primary alkyl amines (R-NH2) from the formation of organogels is achieved in various organic media including strong and weak polar solvents. The gelation properties of these gelators strongly rely on the molecular structure. Their aggregation morphology in the as-obtained organogels can be controlled by the solvent polarity and the tail chain length of R-NH2. Interestingly, flower-like self-assemblies can be obtained in organic solvents with medium polarity, such as tetrahydrofuran, pyridine and dichloromethane, when the gelators possess a suitable length of carbon chain. Moreover, further analyses of Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal that the intermolecular acid-base interaction and van der Waals interaction are critical driving forces in the process of organogelation. In addition, this kind of organogel system displays excellent mechanical properties and thermo-reversibility, and its forming mechanism is also proposed.

Comparative study of breast cancer with or without concomitant Paget disease: An analysis of the SEER database.

BACKGROUND: Most mammary Paget disease (MPD) is associated with underlying in situ or invasive breast cancer. The objective of this study was to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes between breast cancer with Paget disease (PD) and breast cancer alone. METHODS: From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 2000-2015, of the US National Cancer Institute, we identified 1569 women who had PD with invasive ductal carcinoma (PD-IDC) and 1489 women who had PD with ductal carcinoma in situ (PD-DCIS). Independent demographic and clinicopathological variables as well as survival outcomes of these patients were compared to patients with the corresponding breast cancer without concomitant PD. RESULTS: PD-IDC and PD-DCIS both had worse survival outcomes and poorer tumor characteristics than the corresponding disease without PD. Contrary to in the breast cancer alone groups, in the breast cancer with PD groups, the HR status (P = 0.182 in PD-IDC and P = 0.371 in PD-DCIS), HER2 status (P = 0.788 in PD-IDC and P = 0.643 in PD-DCIS), and combined molecular subtype (P = 0.196 in PD-IDC and P = 0.853 in PD-DCIS) were not found to affect disease prognosis. After matching tumor characteristics and treatment approaches, PD-IDC as well as PD-DCIS exhibited no significant difference in disease prognosis with corresponding IDC and DCIS. Finally, by comparative analysis, a kind of PD-DCIS (ICD-O-3 code 8543/3) showed many invasive behaviors (31.8% of 8543/3 patients had stage I-III cancer) and was associated with worse survival outcomes than the other type of PD-DCIS. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer with concomitant PD was associated with more aggressive tumor characteristics and worse survival outcomes. The HR status, HER2 status, and combined molecular subtype could not affect the prognosis of breast cancer with PD. Moreover, a portion of the PD-DCIS cases were invasive breast cancer cases that required special treatment.

A pH-/thermo-responsive hydrogel formed from N,N'-dibenzoyl-l-cystine: properties, self-assembly structure and release behavior of SA.

In this study, we report a pH-/thermo-responsive hydrogel formed by N,N'-dibenzoyl-l-cystine (DBC). It is difficult to dissolve DBC in water even on heating, and it exhibits no gelation ability. Interestingly, DBC is readily soluble in NaOH solution at room temperature and the self-assembled hydrogels are obtained by adjusting the basic DBC aqueous solution with HCl to achieve a given pH value (<3.5). When NaOH is added to the hydrogel (pH > 9.4), it becomes a sol again. This small-molecule hydrogel is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, rheological measurement and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicate that the DBC hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties, thermo-reversibility, and pH-responsive properties. Fortunately, the single crystal of DBC is obtained by volatilizing its acid aqueous solution. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 (Z = 2) with lattice parameters a = 10.8180 (11) Å, b = 9.0405 (9) Å, c = 10.9871 (11) Å and ß = 90.798 (3)°. By comparing the X-ray diffraction result of the DBC single crystal with that of its xerogel, the self-assembled structure of DBC in hydrogel has been ascertained. The gelators are self-assembled via strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds linking neighboring amide and carboxyl groups, π-π stacking interactions for aromatic rings, and hydrogen bonds between water molecules. In addition, the release behavior of salicylic acid (SA) molecules from the DBC gel is also investigated taking into account the DBC concentration, phosphate buffer solution (PBS) pH and SA concentration. When the concentrations of DBC and SA are 3.0 g L-1 and 200 mg L-1, respectively, the release ratio in PBS (pH = 4.0) reaches 58.02%. The diffusion-controlled mechanism is in accordance with Fickian diffusion control within the given time range.

Facile synthesis of MoO2/CaSO4 composites as highly efficient adsorbents for congo red and rhodamine B.

A novel rod-shaped MoO2/CaSO4 composite was prepared by using hexa-ammonium molybdate and flue gas desulfurization gypsum via a simple mixed-solvothermal route. In this composite, CaSO4 matrices are decorated with MoO2 nanoparticles, and non-structural mesopores are formed via particle packing. Moreover, it displays an excellent adsorption capability towards anionic congo red (CR) and cationic rhodamine B (RhB). The adsorption quantities per unit mass and removal efficiencies of the two dyes are significantly influenced by adsorbent dose, solution pH, and temperature. The adsorption isotherm data can be best fitted by the Langmuir model, and the calculated maximum adsorption quantities at 303.5 K are 853.54 mg g-1 for CR and 86.38 mg g-1 for RhB, respectively, which are superior to other common adsorbents. The corresponding kinetic data can be well matched with the pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, the CR adsorption is an exothermic process, while the RhB adsorption is an endothermic process. Both of them are multi-step chemisorption processes influenced by surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion. This MoO2/CaSO4 composite can be applied as an alternative adsorbent for removing organic dyestuffs from printing and dyeing wastewater.

Self-assembled metallogels formed from N,N',N''-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide in aqueous solution induced by Fe(III)/Fe(II) ions.

In this work, we report self-assembled metallogels formed from a ligand of trimesic amide, N,N',N''-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide (TPTA), induced by Fe(III)/Fe(II) ions. TPTA is difficult to dissolve in water even in the presence of some metal ions such as Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), K(+), Na(+) and Mg(2+) under heating, and it exhibits no gelation ability. Interestingly, upon heating TPTA can be dissolved easily in aqueous solution containing Fe(3+)/Fe(2+), and subsequently self-assembled into metallogels after cooling. The metallogels could also be formed in aqueous solutions of mixed metal ions containing Fe(3+)/Fe(2+), indicating that the other metal ions do not affect the formation of Fe(III)-TPTA and Fe(II)-TPTA metallogels. The high selectivity of metallogel formation to Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) may be used for application in the test of Fe(3+)/Fe(2+). The metallogels obtained are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, rheological measurements and scanning tunneling microscopy. The results indicate that TPTA can self-assemble into fibrous aggregates in Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) aqueous solution through the metal-ligand interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. This kind of metallogel also possesses good mechanical properties and thermoreversibility.

The influence of yttrium dopant on the properties of anatase nanoparticles and the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.

TiO2 mesoporous nanoparticles (NPs) doped with yttrium (Y) ions are fabricated via an environmentally friendly and facile solvothermal method to serve as a photoanode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption tests are used to characterize the influence of yttrium dopant on the properties of TiO2 NPs. The prepared Y-doped TiO2 NPs show the anatase phase and exhibit Ti-O-Y bonds. The photovoltaic performance is primarily associated with the morphological parameters of the NPs. At the optimum Y concentration of 3 at%, the short circuit current density increased from 13.20 to 15.74 mA cm(-2), full sun solar power conversion efficiencies increased from 6.09% up to 7.61% as compared to the blank DSSC.

A microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework: exceptional stability and highly selective adsorption of gas and liquid.

An extremely stable hydrogen-bonded organic framework, HOF-8, was fabricated. HOF-8 is not only thermally stable but also stable in water and common organic solvents. More interestingly, desolvated HOF-8 exhibits high CO2 adsorption as well as highly selective CO2 and C6H6 adsorption at ambient temperature.

[Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the advantage and disadvantage of laparoscopic abdomino-perineal resection and open abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer. METHODS: Patients with low rectal cancer, collected from July 2003 to April 2006, were randomly divided into laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection group (37 cases) and open abdominoperineal resection group (37 cases). Operation time, number of lymph node removed, intra-operative blood loss, time to pass flatus, time to ambulate, time to discharge, complications, early recurrence, and economical cost were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: All patients were performed successfully. For the first 10 patients, operation time of laparoscopic group was significantly longer than that of open group, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Intra-operative blood loss of laparoscopic group was significantly less than that of open group, but it was reverse for the first 10 patients. There was no significant difference in time to pass flatus between the 2 groups. Time to ambulate in laparoscopic group was significantly earlier than that in open group. There was no significant difference in time to discharge between the 2 groups, but it was earlier for perineum closure in laparoscopic group. Relative complications of laparoscopic group, including pulmonary infection, abdominal wound infection or split, were significantly less than those of open group. There was no significant difference in number of lymph nodes removed, early recurrence between the 2 groups. Operation cost of laparoscopic group was significantly higher than that of open group, but there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Advantages of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection were characterized for not only minimal invasion and good cosmetic outcome but also less blood loss, complications, and earlier postoperative recovery. The operation time, total costs and oncological clearance of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection patients were comparable with those of open procedure patients.

[One stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the indications, safety and difficulties of one stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out in 36 well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients so treated from 1990 to 2004. Various incisions including H, L and modified Kocher types were selected according to the location of primary tumor and status of cervical lymph node metastasis. Either total thyroidectomy or sub-total thyroidectomy combined with bilateral neck lymph node dissection according to the principles of modified radical neck lymph node dissection: preserving the internal jugular vein, spinal accessory nerve and sternocleidomastoid muscles. RESULTS: There was no operative death in this group. Postoperative complications included: 2 wound bleeding, 3 recurrent laryngeal nerve resection due to tumor involvement, 1 recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, 2 unilateral internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve injury, 9 unilateral external branch of superior laryngeal nerve injury, 3 unilateral accessory nerve injury, 5 unilateral sympathetic nerve injury, 2 unilateral phrenic nerve injury, 6 chylus fistula, 13 temporary hypoparathyroidism, 2 permanent hypoparathyroidism. The dissected lymph nodes were found to be positive from 0 to 21 in each patient with a mean of 8.3. Of the 36 patients: 31 had bilateral positive lymph nodes; 3 unilateral positive; 2 bilateral negative lymph nodes. The follow up period ranged from 1 to 13 years, Three patients died of distant metastasis, 1 died of cerebral vascular accident. 7 patients lost in follow-up. Totally, 25 patients are still alive, 3 patients had local relapse and were surgically treated again. CONCLUSION: The procedure of one-stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is safe, as it is mandatory that at least one unilateral internal jugular vein should be preserved; one unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves and accessory nerves should not be injured. Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients whose bilateral cervical lymph nodes are clinically suspected to be positive (obviously enlarged, hard, purplish grapelike lymph node) or are confirmed pathologically to be positive are indications for one-stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection. Total or sub-total thyroidectomy should be undertaken with emphasis that at least one parathyroid with blood supply should be preserved. It is of utmost importance that not only the cancer be completely resected but the function of the organs be preserved.