Noncentrosymmetric γ-Cs2I4O11 Obtained from IO4 Polyhedral Rearrangements in the Centrosymmetric ß-Phase.

We report the synthesis and optical properties of noncentrosymmetric (NCS) γ-Cs2I4O11 that was obtained through IO4 polyhedral rearrangements from centrosymmetric (CS) ß-Cs2I4O11. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) acts as a structure-directing agent and plays a key role in the synthesis. It is suggested that the function of TFA is to promote rearrangement reactions found in the organic synthesis of stereoisomers. γ-Cs2I4O11 crystallizes in the NCS monoclinic space group P21 (No. 4) and exhibits a strong second-harmonic-generation (SHG) response of 5.0 × KDP (KH2PO4) under 1064 nm laser radiation. Additional SHG experiments indicate that the material is type I phase matchable. First-principles calculations show that SHG intensity mainly comes from its d34, d21, and d23 SHG tensor components. The synthetic strategy of discovering γ-Cs2I4O11 provides a new way for designing novel NCS SHG materials.

Antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of extracts from Orthosiphon stamineus in hyperuricemic mice.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of Orthosiphon stamineus extracts on hyperuricemia (HUA) mice and explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Orthosiphon stamineus extracts were extracted using 50% ethanol and enriched using ethyl acetate, and characterised utilising UPLC/ESI-MS. A potassium oxonate (PO) induced hyperuricemic mouse model was used to evaluate antihyperuricemia and nephroprotective effects of O. stamineus ethyl acetate extracts (OSE). KEY FINDINGS: Eight constituents from OSE were identified and OSE treatment ameliorated HUA by regulating key indicators of kidney dysfunction and xanthine oxidase, adenosine deaminase activity and urate transporters in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, in renal histopathology analysis, OSE significantly alleviated kidney injury. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that OSE has antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects on PO-induced HUA mice and those results indicate that OSE could be a safe and effective agent or functional ingredient for treating HUA.

A(VO2F)(SeO3) (A = Sr, Ba) and Ba(MOF2)(TeO4) (M = Mo, W): first examples of alkali-earth selenites/tellurites with a fluorinated d0-TM octahedron.

Four new compounds of A(VO2F)(SeO3) (A = Sr 1, Ba 2) and Ba(MOF2)(TeO4) (M = Mo 3, W 4) oxyfluorides have been synthesized successfully by hydrothermal reactions. They represent the first examples of alkali-earth selenites or tellurites with a fluorinated d0-TM octahedron. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They exhibit two different types of structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system with the space group of Pbca (no. 61). Their structures feature a 3D network composed of 0D [V2O4F2(SeO3)2]4- dimers which are further bridged by Sr2+ or Ba2+ cations. Isostructural compounds 3 and 4 are crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group of P21/c (no. 14). Their structures can be described as 2D [(MOF2)(TeO4)]2- (M = Mo, W) anionic layers separated by Ba2+ cations. Out-of-center distortion studies show that the magnitude of the distortion of the (MOxF6-x) octahedron is comparable to that of MO6 (M = d0 transition metal). Infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability, optical property studies and theoretical calculations based on density functional theory methods were also performed.

BiFSeO3: An Excellent SHG Material Designed by Aliovalent Substitution.

The first bismuth selenite fluoride, BiFSeO3, was obtained by aliovalent substitution of 2D BiOIO3. Its structure features a 3D network composed of 1D [BiF](2+) chains interconnected by SeO3 groups. BiFSeO3 exhibits a very strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect of about 13.5 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP) under 1064 nm laser radiation and 1.1 times that of KTiOPO4 (KTP) under 2.05 µm laser radiation, which is the highest among all of the metal selenites reported. It has also very simple chemical composition and can be synthesized easily under mild hydrothermal conditions.

Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3(NO3): An Example of SHG Crystal in Metal Bromates Containing π-Conjugated Planar Triangle.

The first example of SHG crystal in the metal bromates containing π-conjugated planar triangle systems, namely, Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3(NO3), was successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Furthermore, a single crystal of centrosymmetric Pb8O(OH)6(BrO3)6(NO3)2·H2O was also obtained. Both compounds contain similar [Pb4(OH)4] cubane-like tetranuclear clusters, but they display different one-dimensional (1D) chain structures. Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3(NO3) features a zigzag [Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3](+) 1D chain, while Pb8O(OH)6(BrO3)6(NO3)2·H2O is composed of two different orthogonal chains: the linear [Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)2](2+) 1D chain along the b-axis and the zigzag [Pb4O2(OH)2(BrO3)4](2-) 1D chain along the a-axis. The NO3 planar triangles of the compounds are all isolated and located in the spaces of the structures. Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3(NO3) exhibits the first example of SHG crystal in the metal bromates with π-conjugated planar triangle. The second-harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of Pb4(OH)4(BrO3)3(NO3) is approximately equal to that of KDP and it is phase-matchable. Dipole moment and theory calculations indicate that BrO3, NO3, and PbO4 groups are the origin of its SHG efficiency, although some of the contributions cancel each other out.

Follow-up Study of Retreatment TB Patients with Sputum Smear and/or Culture Positive Two Years after They were Declared Cured with First-line Anti-TB Drugs in Shandong Province.

This study aimed to learn the recurrence rate in the retreatment TB patients with sputum smear and/or culture positive (ss+ and/or c+) two years after they were declared cured, and to explore causes of recurrence in order to improve long-time treatment outcome. 5 cities were selected as research locations. Recurrence of TB was judged by chest X-ray examination together with sputum smear and culture examination. Questionnaire was carried out to collect data on treatment history, demographics and possible risk factors. Chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS in this study. As the result, 99 active TB patients were identified and the recurrence rate was 16.67% and irregular medicine and smoking were the causes of the recurrence. The retreatment TB patients with sputum smear and/or culture positive in this study had higher recurrence rate and health education work on regular medication and smoking should be strengthened.

[The study on Delphi filtering the indicators of evaluation on the diagnosis, treatment and management of MDR-TB].

OBJECTIVE: To filter the indicators of evaluation on the diagnosis, treatment and management of MDR-TB through Delphi. METHODS: Three rounds Delphi was implemented by asking for the 30 experts'score and suggestion of 60 evaluation indicators. The experts were selected from experienced MDR-TB workers. Then the concentration degree (with each indicator's score average and full mark rate to reflect) and coordination degree (with coordination coefficient w to reflect) were analyzed, and the coefficient of variation of each indicator, enthusiasm and authority coefficient Cr etc were calculated. After that, new indicators system was constructed and the experts' were asked for suggestion again. The enthusiasm and coordinate coefficient were used to measure the effect of Delphi. RESULTS: All of the enthusiasm coefficients of experts in three rounds were 100% (30/30), and 40% (12/30), 53% (16/30) and 10% (3/30) of the experts gave suggestions. The degrees of experts' authority in the first 2 rounds were high and the averages were 0.82 and 0.86, respectively. A total of 34 indicators were left after 6 indicators modified and 26 indicators deleted. The 10 indicators were the core indicators, and the average scores of 34 indicators were all higher than 4.7 and the coefficients of variation were less than 0.1, respectively. The coordination coefficients of specialists' opinion were 0.36, 0.25 and 0.68, respectively. CONCLUSION: The final evaluation indicator system include 34 indicators, and the result of the filtering indicators on the diagnosis, treatment and management of MDR-TB through Delphi is good.

Effect of xiaokeling concentration fluid on mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in sciatic nerve of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of xiaokeling concentration fluid on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression in sciatic nerve of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, mecobalamin tablets group, and xiaokeling concentration fluid group. The IGF-1 mRNA level in sciatic nerve of each group was determined after 8 weeks by relative quantity RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#The IGF-1 mRNA level in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats between xiaokeling concentration fluid group, mecobalamin tablets group and normal group showed no significant difference ( P = 0.213, P = 0.822, P = 0.304 ), while was significantly higher than that of the model group ( P < 0.05 ). IGF-1 mRNA level was negatively correlated with the level of blood sugar (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#IGF-1 mRNA level decreased in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Xiaokeling concentration fluid can increase the IGF-1 mRNA level in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Xiaokeling concentration fluid is involved in the regulation of IGF-1 expression, and probably prevents diabetic peripheral neuropathy from deteriorating.