Geochemical and Geological Characteristics of the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Shales in the Upper Yangtze Basin, South China: Implication for the Shale Gas Exploration.

Shale gas exploration in the Upper Yangtze Basin has been conducted for over ten years. The successful drillings in the region suggest that well-planned geological survey and reservoir evaluation are indispensable for the success of these drillings. In this study, the shale gas potential of Late Ordovician to Early Silurian mudstones/shales of the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations in the Upper Yangtze Basin was evaluated. First, all of the available geochemical and petrological data from Late Ordovician to Early Silurian mudstones/shales in the region were compiled. Distributional patterns of total organic carbon (TOC) values, thickness, thermal maturity, and burial depth of organic-rich mudstones/shales from the targeted formations were then analyzed. Our results show that TOC values range from 1.20 to 5.12%; R o values range from 1.92 to 2.86%; porosity varies from 0.77 to 9.2%; permeability varies from 0.015 to 1.99 md; the composition of quartz group of mineral component ranges from 18 to 85%, 59% in average; and clay mineral component ranges from 7 to 56%, 31% in average. Finally, based on these comprehensive analysis, three areas with great potential, that is, Luzhou-Xishui, western Chongqing, and Wulong-Shizhu, were selected as targets for further shale gas exploration and exploitation.

A GLO10 score for the prediction of prognosis in high grade gliomas.

Gliomas are the most common lethal brain tumours and remain great heterogeneity in terms of histopathology and clinical outcomes. Among them, glioblastomas are the most aggressive tumours that lead to a median of less than one-year survival in patients. Despite the little improvement of in diagnosis and treatments for last decades, there is an urgent need for prognostic markers to distinguish high- and low-risk patients before treatment.Here, we generated a list of genes associated with glioblastoma progressions and then performed a comprehensive statistical modelling strategy to derive a 10-gene (GLO10) score from genome wide expression profiles of a large glioblastoma cohort (n=844). Our study demonstrated that the GLO10 score could successfully distinguish high- and low-risk patients with glioblastomas regardless their traditional pathological factors. Validated in four independent cohorts, the utility of GLO10 score could provide clinicians a robust prognostic prediction tool to assess risk levels upfront treatments.

Gene expression profile for predicting survival of patients with meningioma.

Current staging methods are inadequate for predicting the overall survival of meningioma. DNA microarray technologies improve the understanding of tumour progression. We analysed genome wide expression profiles of 119 meningioma samples from two previous published DNA microarray studies. The Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to identify overall survival related gene signature. A total of 449 genes (109 upregulated and 340 downregulated) were identified as differentially expressed in meningioma. Among these differentially expressed genes, 37 genes were identified to be related to meningioma overall survival. Our 37-gene signature is closely associated with overall survival among patients with meningioma. This gene expression profile could provide an optimization of the clinical management and development of new therapeutic strategies for meningioma.

2,5-Bis[2-(4-methyl-phen-yl)ethyn-yl]benzyl methacrylate.

In the title bis-tolane derivative, C(29)H(24)O(2), the central benzene ring forms dihedral angles of 29.12 (9) and 26.46 (9)° with the other two benzene rings. The dihedral angle between two terminal benzene rings is 55.58 (8)°.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel 3-amino-4-indolylmaleimide derivatives.

In an attempt to develop potent and selective antitumor agents, a series of novel 3-amino-4-indolylmaleimides were designed and synthesized. The reaction showed high regioselectivity. The structure of compound 7a was determined by an X-ray single crystal diffraction method. The cytotoxicities of the title compounds were evaluated against HeLa, SMMC 7721 and HL 60 cancer cell lines by a standard MTT assay in vitro. The pharmacological results showed that some of the title compounds displayed moderate or high cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines. Compound 7d was the most promising compound against the tested cancer cell lines. Structure-activity relationships are discussed based on the experimental data obtained. A hydroxyethylamino group at the 3-position in the side chain of indolylmaleimide is associated with an increase in cytotoxicity.

2',10'-Dibromo-spiro-[cylohexane-1,6-di-benzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepine].

In the title compound, C(18)H(16)Br(2)O(2), the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 35.55 (17)° and the cyclohexyl ring adopts a chair-like conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by van der Waals forces.

[SSR mapping of stripe rust resistance gene from Ae. tauschii].

A dominant wheat stripe rust resistance gene, temporarily designated as YrY201, was identified in an accession Y201 of Aegilops tauschii. By bulk segregation analysis, three microsatellite markers Xgwm273b, Xgwm37 and Wmc14 were found to be linked to YrY201 with genetic distance of 11.5, 5.8 and 10.9 cM , respectively. According to the locations of the linked markers, the resistance gene was located on chromosome 7DL. Based on the chromosomal location and the resistance pattern of the gene, we proposed that YrY201 was a novel stripe rust resistance gene, and could be selected by marker-assisted selection.

2,10-Dibromo-6,6-dimethyl-dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepine.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(15)H(12)Br(2)O(2), which was synthesized from 2,10-dibromo-2,2'-dihydroxy-biphenyl and 2,2-dimethoxy-propane, the aromatic rings are twisted by 35 (1)°. The heterocyclic ring exhibits a twisted conformation.

2,2'-Bi[6,6'-dimethyl-dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepine].

The title compound, C(30)H(26)O(4), is a dimer of 6,6'-dimethyl-dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepine linked by formation of a C-C bond in the para position with respect to one O atom. The dimer is arranged around an inversion centre. As is usually observed in related compounds, the dibenzo group is twisted, the two benzene rings making a dihedral angle of 41.56 (9)°. The seven-membered ring exhibits a twisted conformation.

2,10-Dibromo-6-isobutyl-6-methyl-dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepine.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(18)H(18)Br(2)O(2), the two benzene rings of the bridged biphenyl unit are twisted by 38.0 (1)°.

3,9-Dibromo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[c,e]thiepine.

In the title mol-ecule, C(14)H(10)Br(2)S, the two benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 48.35 (14)°. The seven-membered ring adopts a boat conformation. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are related by translation along the b axis and exhibit C-H⋯π inter-actions.

3,9-Dibromo-5,7-dihydro-dibenzo[c,e]oxepine.

The title compound, C(14)H(10)Br(2)O, is a biphenyl derivative containing a -CH(2)-O-CH(2)- bridge in the 2,2'-position. The compound displays a twisted conformation with the two benzene rings making a dihedral angle of 45.02 (5)°, while the central seven-membered ring is in a boat conformation. The mol-ecule lies on a crystallographic twofold axis of symmetry passing through the O atom and bis-ecting the 1,1' C-C bond.