A near-infrared fluorescent probe for the detection of Cu2+ in Chinese herbal medicine and imaging in living cells.

Copper is one of the common among the heavy metal pollution in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). So, it is essential to develop rapid and accurate testing method to quantify the Cu2+ content in CHM. Herein, we prepared a coordination-based near-infrared fluorescent probe (NRh6G-FA) by introducing a hemicyanine dye in rhodamine 6G scaffold. NRh6G-FA had a high sensitivity, anti-interference performance, fast response (within 60 s), visualization (from light yellow to green) for Cu2+ and excellent sensing performance for the detection of Cu2+ at low concentrations (LOD = 0.225 µM). The most likely mechanism was verified on the basis of Job's plot, ESI-HRMS and DFT calculations. NRh6G-FA could be successfully applied for the detection and "naked eye" recognition of Cu2+ in CHM samples. Moreover, NRh6G-FA was used to visualize Cu2+ in living MCF-7 cells by confocal fluorescence imaging.

Novel tetranuclear grid-like Zn(II) complexes derived from dihydrazone pyrimidine derivatives as antitumor agents.

Due to the antitumor properties, Zn(II) complexes have attracted more and more attention. Herein, three novel tetranuclear Zn(II) complexes 1-3 based on dihydrazone pyrimidine derivatives H2L1-H2L3 were synthesized and characterized using IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, XRD, TG and elemental analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1-3 all displayed a [2 × 2] grid-like topology. The stability in solution, lipophilicity, confocal imaging and antitumor activities were investigated. Complexes 1-3 displayed high structural stability, membrane permeability and different lipophilicities. They can target mitochondria due to the cation charge. The MTT assay indicated that all of them exhibited stronger antiproliferative activity than the corresponding derivatives H2L1-H2L3 and the well-known cisplatin against all the selected tumor cells (BGC-823, BEL-7402, MCF-7 and A549), with IC50 values ranging from 2.83 µM to 7.97 µM. AO/EB double staining, flow cytometry and ROS detection suggested that complexes 1 and 2 could induce BGC-823 apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. UV-Vis spectra, CD spectra, viscosity analysis and molecular docking revealed that complexes 1 and 2 interact with DNA mainly via partial intercalation and groove binding. Tetranuclear [2 × 2] grid-like Zn(II) complexes have the potential to be promising antitumor agents in the future.

Lotus-Flower- and Lotus-Seedpod-Derived Polysaccharide: Structural Characterization and Biological Activity.

Lotus flower polysaccharide (LFP) and lotus seedpod polysaccharide (LSP) were separated by water extract-alcohol precipitation, and their structures and biological activities were investigated. The results of monosaccharide composition showed that LFP and LSP were composed of nine monosaccharides, fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid, with the molar percentages of 0.18: 0.43: 2.26: 45.22: 32.14: 4.28: 8.20: 6.28: 1.01 and 2.70: 1.02: 8.15: 45.63: 20.63: 1.44: 2.59: 16.45. LSP and LFP exhibited molecular weights of 9.37 × 104 Da and 1.24 × 106 Da, respectively. SEM showed that LFP and LSP have similar structures; XRD analysis showed that both polysaccharides had crystalline structure and amorphous structure. The results of ABTS+, DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging experiment, and a reducing power experiment showed that LFP and LSP had good antioxidant capacity. Cell viability findings showed that polysaccharide concentrations of lotus flower and lotus seedpod could enhance cellular proliferation ranging from 25 to 400 µg/mL without cytotoxicity. By inducing the production of crucial proteins in the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, LFP and LSP were able to induce autophagy in RAW264.7, according to the results of the RT-PCR and Western blotting assays.

Preparation, identification, and application of PEG/ZIF-8@ Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles loaded with polysaccharides are excellent drug-delivery carriers with high loading capacity and pH sensitivity. This study describes the one-step encapsulation of Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharides (DHP) in ZIF-8. The resultant PEG6000/ZIF-8@DHP complex exhibited drug release properties in acidic microenvironments, possessed water solubility, demonstrated high drug loading capacity, and displayed effective encapsulation. The effects of PEG6000/ZIF-8@ DHP administration on immunoregulation, antioxidant activities, and resistance against Aeromonas veronii in channel catfish were assessed. The study revealed that the PEG6000/ZIF-8@DHP complex stimulated cellular proliferation and phagocytosis, while also inducing the production of cytokines and nitric oxide. Additionally, the complex exhibited improved antioxidant properties and increased serum lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase activities. PEG6000/ZIF-8@DHP exhibited efficacy in vivo against Aeromonas veronii infection. These results indicate that PEG6000/ZIF-8@DHP is an efficient immunostimulant and vaccine adjuvant for enhancing immunity in channel catfish.

Layered lanthanide phosphonates Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm): polymorphism and magnetic properties.

Polymorphic layered lanthanide coordination polymers provide opportunities to study the effect of intralayer and interlayer interactions on their magnetic dynamics. Herein we report a series of layered lanthanide phosphonates, namely, α-Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln = Sm) (α-Ln), ß-Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm) (ß-Ln) and γ-Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) (γ-Ln) (2-qpH2 = 2-quinolinephosphonic acid), which crystallize in monoclinic P21/c (α-Ln), triclinic P1̄ (ß-Ln) and orthorhombic Pbca (γ-Ln) space groups, respectively. The structural differences between the ß- and γ-phases lie not only in the intralayer but also in the interlayer. Within the layers, the Ln2O2 dimers are aligned parallel in the ß-phase, but are non-parallel in the γ-phase. In the interlayer, there are π-π interactions between the quinoline groups in the α- and ß-phases but not in the γ-phase. Magnetic studies reveal a field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetisation at low temperatures for compounds γ-Ce, ß-Nd, and γ-Nd, and the impact of polymorphism on the magnetic dynamics of Nd(III) compounds is discussed.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, DNA Binding, and Molecular Docking of Hybrid 4,6-Dihydrazone Pyrimidine Derivatives as Antitumor Agents.

In the present paper, on the basis of molecular hybridization, a series of 4,6-dihydrazone pyrimidine derivatives containing the pyridine moiety were synthesized, structurally characterized, and evaluated in vitro for their antitumor activity. According to the results, all the tested compounds demonstrated broad-spectrum antitumor activity against selected tumor cell lines (MCF-7, BGC-823, A549, and BEL-7402) and no obvious toxicity toward normal cells HL-7702. In particular, compounds 10a and 10f were found to be the most promising antitumor agents among the tested compounds against BGC-823 cells (IC50 = 9.00 µM and 7.89 µM) and BEL-7402 cells (IC50 = 6.70 µM and 7.66 µM), respectively. Compounds 10a and 10f exhibited higher potency against BGC-823 and BEL-7402 than the positive control 5-FU (IC50 = 15.18 µM and 15.81 µM). Further mechanism investigations demonstrated that compounds 10a and 10f could significantly increase the level of cellular ROS and induce early apoptosis of BGC-823 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the DNA binding results from UV/Vis, CD spectroscopy, and molecular docking studies indicated that 10a and 10f bind with DNA via groove binding and partial intercalation. These results demonstrated that 10a and 10f may serve as novel lead compounds for the discovery of more dihydrazone pyrimidine derivatives with improved antitumor potency and selectivity.

Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes Incorporating Aromatic Phosphonate Ligands: Syntheses, Structures, and Tunable Optical Properties.

The incorporation of phosphonate ligands into the cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes can not only tune their electronic and optical properties but also provide the possibility of anchoring these molecules on the semiconductor surfaces for further applications. Herein, we report the first examples of mononuclear cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes incorporating phosphonate ligands, namely, [Ir(ppy)2(HL1)]·0.5H2O (1), [Ir(ppy)2(HL2)]·0.5H2O (2), [Ir(dfppy)2(HL1)] (3), and [Ir(dfppy)2(HL2)]·3.5H2O (4) (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, dfppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine, H2L1 = 2-pyridylphosphonic acid, H2L2 = 2-quinolinephosphonic acid). Luminescent spectra are studied both in solution and in the solid state, and significantly red-shifted broad emission bands are observed in complexes 2 and 4. The experimental and density functional theory (DFT) time-dependent-DFT calculation results indicate that the expansion of the aromatic conjugation length in the ancillary phosphonate ligands decreases the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels of the systems, originating from the triplet state associated with the ancillary ligand such as 3MLCT, 3LC, and 3LLCT charge-transfer transitions.

Chiral expression from molecular to macroscopic level via pH modulation in terbium coordination polymers.

Chiral expression from the molecular to macroscopic level is common in biological systems, but is difficult to realise for coordination polymers (CPs). The assembly of homochiral CPs in both crystalline and helical forms can provide a bridge for understanding the relationship between the molecular and macroscopic scales of chirality. Herein, we report homochiral helices of [Tb(R- or S-pempH)3]∙2H2O (R - or S -1) (pempH2 = (1-phenylethylamino)methylphosphonic acid) and their crystalline counterparts (R - or S -3), which are formed at different pH of the reaction mixtures under hydrothermal conditions. By combining the experiments and molecular simulations, we propose that the formation of helices of R -1 or S -1 occurs via a hierarchical self-assembly route, which involves twisted packing due to the geometric incompatibility of the different types of chains. The observed chiral transcription from molecules to morphologies is significant for understanding bio-related self-assembly processes on the nano- to macro-scale.

Polymorphic Lanthanide Phosphonates Showing Distinct Magnetic Behavior.

A series of layered lanthanide phosphonates α-Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (α-Ln; Ln = Gd, Tb, Ho, Er) and ß-Ln(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (ß-Ln; Ln = Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Yb) (2-qpH2 = 2-quinolinephosphonic acid) have been synthesized and characterized. Compounds α-Ln crystallize in monoclinic space group P21/c, while compounds ß-Ln crystallize in triclinic space group P1̅. Magnetic studies reveal that dominant ferromagnetic interactions are propagated between the magnetic centers in all cases. Field-induced magnetic relaxation is observed in compounds ß-Er and ß-Yb.

Development and Validation of an UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Method for Quantification of Fuziline in Beagle Dog After Intragastric and Intravenous Administration.

A specific and sensitive UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method operated in the positive ion mode was developed and validated for the quantification of Fuziline in Beagle dog plasma. Fuziline and Neoline internal standard were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column with the total running time of 4 min using gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The calibration curves for Fuziline showed good linearity in the concentrations ranging from 2 to 400 ng/mL with correlation coefficients (r) greater than 0.9971. The lower limit of quantification was 0.8 ng/mL. Intra- and interbatch relative standard deviations ranged from 2.11 to 3.11% and 3.12 to 3.81%, respectively. Fuziline was stable under different sample storage and processing conditions. The developed method was successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic study of Fuziline in Beagle dog after intravenous and oral administration. Low absolute bioavailability of Fuziline (1.45 ± 0.76%) suggested a significant metabolism transformation extent in Beagle dog.

The Influence of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. on the Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Main Components in Rheum palmatum L.

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines, and the compatibility of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata was the basic herb pair applied in many Chinese traditional prescription. Rhubarb anthraquinones were the main bioactive materials of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. To elucidate the compatibility of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, the pharmacokinetics of rhubarb anthraquinones as the main marker constituents were investigated. In the present study, pharmacokinetic differences of rhubarb anthraquinones were detected after oral administration of extract of Rheum palmatum L. and compatibility with Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. After oral administration, no difference of peak time can be found for anthraquinones between rhubarb group and compatibility group. But Cmax and area under the curve of aloe-emodin, emodin and chrysophanol in compatibility group were significantly higher than that in rhubarb group. Although the Cmax of rhein in compatibility group was much lower than that in rhubarb group, the area under the curve value was similar in two groups. The clearance and t1/2 of rhubarb anthraquinone were also changed after compatibility. The change of pharmacokinetics characteristics of rhubarb anthraquinone after compatibility may be caused by the drug-drug interaction medicated by chemical reaction and cytochromes P450.

pH-controlled polymorphism in a layered dysprosium phosphonate and its impact on the magnetization relaxation.

Two polymorphic layered dysprosium phosphonates α-Dy(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (α-Dy) and ß-Dy(2-qpH)(SO4)(H2O)2 (ß-Dy) (2-qpH2 = 2-quinolinephosphonic acid) which crystallize in monoclinic P21/c and triclinic P1̄ space groups, respectively, are reported. Both exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization at low temperature. The energy barrier for ß-Dy is nearly three times that for α-Dy, attributed to the structural differences in the two phases.

Exfoliated layered copper phosphonate showing enhanced adsorption capability towards Pb ions.

Copper 5-(2-bromothienyl)phosphonate (1) with a layered structure is obtained via solvothermal reaction. The layers can be successfully exfoliated using a "top-down" approach, resulting in 2D nanosheets. The exfoliated sample shows an enhanced adsorption capability to the Pb(II) ions in aqueous solution compared with that of the bulk material.

A luminescent heptanuclear DyIr6 complex showing field-induced slow magnetization relaxation.

The first example of iridium/lanthanide phosphonates, i.e. [DyIr6(ppy)12(bpp)2(bppH)4](CF3SO3)·8H2O (1) (ppy(-) = 2-phenylpyridine, bpp(2-) = 2-pyridylphosphonate) is reported. It shows dual functions with the photoluminescence and field-induced slow magnetization relaxation originating from the Ir and Dy moieties, respectively.

Tuning the coordination geometries and magnetic dynamics of [Ln(hfac)4](-) through alkali metal counterions.

Four lanthanide compounds with formulas [Cs{Dy(hfac)4}] (1), [Cs{Er(hfac)4}] (2), [K{Dy(hfac)4}] (3), and [K{Er(hfac)4}] (4) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone) are reported. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the orthorhombic Pbcn space group, while 3 and 4 are in the triclinic P1̅ space group. All display chain structures in which the mononuclear [Ln(hfac)4](-) anions are linked by alkali metal ions. However, the coordination geometries around the Ln atoms are quite different depending on the cation. They adopt a distorted dodecahedron with pseudo-D2d symmetry in the cesium compounds 1 and 2, while a distorted square-antiprism with pseudo-D4d symmetry is adopted in the potassium compounds 3 and 4. The latter compounds show distinct field-induced slow magnetization relaxation. The energy barriers are 23.95 and 20.21 K for compounds 3 and 4, respectively.

Enhanced magnetic hardness in a nanoscale metal-organic hybrid ferrimagnet.

A new layered metal-organic hybrid compound, namely, [Co(3)(µ(3 -OH)(2)(BTP)(2)] (1; BTP=4-(3-bromothienyl)phosphonate), is reported. The inorganic layer can be viewed as a pseudo-Kagomé lattice composed of corner-sharing irregular triangles of Co(3) (µ(3)-OH), with the cavities filled with the PO(3) groups. The interlayer space is occupied by the 3-bromothienyl groups of BTP(2-). The bulk sample of compound 1 experiences a long-range ferromagnetic ordering below 30.5 K, with a coercivity (H(c)) of 5.04 kOe at 5 K. A systematic study on the size-dependent magnetic coercivity of 1 reveals that the coercivity of 1 increases with reduced particle size from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. When the particle size is about 50-200 nm, the coercivity reaches 24.2 kOe at 5 K. The results demonstrate that compound 1 can vary from a soft magnet to one of the hardest molecule-based magnets, simply by reducing the particle size to nanoscale region.

Characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes/subgenotypes in 1,301 patients with chronic hepatitis B in North China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There is still a paucity of data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype prevalence in North China based on sequencing of large-size samples. In addition, whether HBV genotypes impact drug-resistance-associated and HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-loss-associated mutations in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is still under investigation. This study aimed to disclose clinical prevalence of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes in North China and the clinical implications of HBV genotype classification in respect to HBeAg loss and drug-resistant occurrence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sera were collected from 1301 nucleos(t)ide analog-experienced CHB patients. Viral DNA was extracted and used as template for HBV genome amplification by nested PCR. DNA sequencing was performed for the analysis of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes, drug-resistance-associated mutations in polymerase gene and HBeAg-loss-associated mutations in precore/basal core promoter (BCP) regions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBV/B, HBV/C, and HBV/D were detected in 190 (14.6%), 1096 (84.2%), and 15 (1.2%) patients, respectively. HBV/B2 (182/190), HBV/C2 (1069/1096), and HBV/D1 (12/15) were predominant subgenotypes within individual genotypes. By contrast, C2 prevalence is relatively lower in Beijing area (77.2%) than in other north areas (84.9% - 87.4%). HBV/C-infected patients had an older age and a lower serum albumin level but similar HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to HBV/B-infected patients. HBV/C infection had a higher incidence of lamivudine-resistant mutations rtM204I/V (44.9% vs. 30.2%, P < 0.01) and BCP mutations A1762T+G1764A (65.8% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.01) compared with HBV/B infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>C2 is the most prevalent HBV subgenotype followed by B2 in CHB patients in North China; and HBV genotype prevalence is influenced by immigrant population. HBV/C infection is likely to have longer disease duration and severer liver functional impairment and might be more susceptible to develop lamivudine resistance compared to HBV/B infection.</p>

Epitope screening of influenza A (H3N2) by using phage display library / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the influenza A (H3N2) mimotopes by using phage display library.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using influenza A (H3N2) monoclonal antibody as selective molecule, a 7 mer phage peptide library was biopanned and positive clones were selected by ELISA, competition assay and DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>21 positive clones were chosen for DNA sequencing. From the experiment and sequencing comparison results, one epitope was comfirmed as mimotope of influenza A (H3N2).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Influenza A (H3N2) mimotope was obtained by phage peptide library screening. The result provide a new approach for new Influenza virals vaccine development.</p>

Multiple-site analysis of HBV drug-resistant mutations in 340 patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To analyze HBV drug-resistant mutations against nucleos(t)ide analogues at 12 reported sites in 340 patients with chronic hepatitis B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum HBV DNA was extracted and a nested PCR assay was employed for the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene amplification. Direct sequencing of PCR product was performed. The significance of detected mutations was analyzed in view of clinical data of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Drug-resistant mutations were detected in 68 patients taking lamivudine (LAM), 10 taking adefovir (ADV), 8 taking entecavir, and 1 taking telbivudine (LdT). M204V and M204I were the most common LAM-resistant mutations. The former usually emerged with L180M while the latter often emerged alone. N236T +/- A181 substitution was the most frequently seen ADV-resistant mutation. ETV-resistant mutations occurred on the basis of LAM-resistant mutations and T184 change was the most common form. LdT-resistance was observed as M204I. Interestingly, these drug-resistant mutations were detected in a few patients who had not been treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Detection of HBV drug-resistant mutations at multiple sites of the viral RT gene is valuable for discovering and verifying drug resistance and thus is very helpful in planning anti-HBV therapy.</p>

Screening and identification of proteins interacting with HCV NS4A via yeast double hybridization in leukocytes and gene cloning of the interacting protein / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen proteins interacting with HCV NS4A protein in leukocytes by yeast-double hybridization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The bait plasmid pGBKT7-NS4A was transformed into yeast AH109 was transformed, and the expressing of the fusion protein was identified by SDS-page. The transformed yeast was mated with yeast Y187 containing leukocytes cDNA library plasmid in 2xYPDA medium. Diploid yeast was plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) and synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) containing x-alpha-gal for selecting two times and screening. After extracting and sequencing of plasmid from blue colonies, analysis was conducted by bioinformatics. And, the gene encoding the interesting protein was cloned, and back-cross was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-five colonies were sequenced, among them, 29 colonies were human calcium modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML). The gene encoding CAML was cloned, and the interaction between NS4A and CAML was ensured.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Seven kinds of proteins interacting with NS4A in leukocytes were successfully screened and the results brought some new clues for studying the pathogenesis of HCV.</p>