Strong Second-Harmonic Generation Induced by a Triphenylamine-Based Bismuth-Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Activity Enhancement.

Taking advantage of the well-defined geometry of metal centers and highly directional metal-ligand coordination bonds, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. In this work, taking a photoresponsive carboxylate triphenylamine derivative as an organic ligand, a bismuth-based MOF, Bi-NBC, NBC = 4',4‴,4‴″-nitrilotris(([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid)) is obtained. Structure determination reveals that it is a potential NLO material derived from its noncentrosymmetric structure, which is finally confirmed by its rarely strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect. Theoretical calculations reveal that the potential difference around Bi atoms is large; therefore, it leads to a strong local built-in electric field, which greatly facilitates the charge separation and transfer and finally improves the photocatalytic performance. Our results provide a reference for the exploration of MOFs with NLO properties.

"All in One" Strategy for Achieving Superprotonic Conductivity by Incorporating Strong Acids into a Robust Imidazole-Linked Covalent Organic Framework.

The fabrication of solid-state proton-conducting electrolytes possessing both high performance and long-life reusability is significant but challenging. An "all-in-one" composite, H3PO4@PyTFB-1-SO3H, including imidazole, sulfonic acid, and phosphoric acid, which are essential for proton conduction, was successfully prepared by chemical post-modification and physical loading in the rationally pre-synthesized imidazole-based nanoporous covalent organic framework (COF), PyTFB-1. The resultant H3PO4@PyTFB-1-SO3H exhibits superhigh proton conductivity with its value even highly up to 1.15 × 10-1 S cm-1 at 353 K and 98% relative humidity (RH), making it one of the highest COF-based composites reported so far under the same conditions. Experimental studies and theoretical calculations further confirmed that the imidazole and sulfonic acid groups have strong interactions with the H3PO4 molecules and the synergistic effect of these three groups dramatically improves the proton conductivity properties of H3PO4@PyTFB-1-SO3H. This work demonstrated that by aggregating multiple proton carriers into one composite, effective proton-conducting electrolyte can be feasibly achieved.

Robust links in photoactive covalent organic frameworks enable effective photocatalytic reactions under harsh conditions.

Developing heterogeneous photocatalysts for the applications in harsh conditions is of high importance but challenging. Herein, by converting the imine linkages into quinoline groups of triphenylamine incorporated covalent organic frameworks (COFs), two photosensitive COFs, namely TFPA-TAPT-COF-Q and TFPA-TPB-COF-Q, are successfully constructed. The obtained quinoline-linked COFs display improved stability and photocatalytic activity, making them suitable photocatalysts for photocatalytic reactions under harsh conditions, as verified by the recyclable photocatalytic reactions of organic acid involving oxidative decarboxylation and organic base involving benzylamine coupling. Under strong oxidative condition, the quinoline-linked COFs show a high efficiency up to 11831.6 µmol·g-1·h-1 and a long-term recyclable usability for photocatalytic production of H2O2, while the pristine imine-linked COFs are less catalytically active and easily decomposed in these harsh conditions. The results demonstrate that enhancing the linkage robustness of photoactive COFs is a promising strategy to construct heterogeneous catalysts for photocatalytic reactions under harsh conditions.

Highly Enhancing CO2 Photoreduction by Metallization of an Imidazole-linked Robust Covalent Organic Framework.

Converting CO2 into value-added chemicals to solve the issues caused by carbon emission is promising but challenging. Herein, by embedding metal ions (Co2+ , Ni2+ , Cu2+ , and Zn2+ ) into an imidazole-linked robust photosensitive covalent organic framework (PyPor-COF), effective photocatalysts for CO2 conversion are rationally designed and constructed. Characterizations display that all of the metallized PyPor-COFs (M-PyPor-COFs) display remarkably high enhancement in their photochemical properties. Photocatalysis reactions reveal that the Co-metallized PyPor-COF (Co-PyPor-COF) achieves a CO production rate as high as up to 9645 µmol g-1 h-1 with a selectivity of 96.7% under light irradiation, which is more than 45 times higher than that of the metal-free PyPor-COF, while Ni-metallized PyPor-COF (Ni-PyPor-COF) can further tandem catalyze the generated CO to CH4 with a production rate of 463.2 µmol g-1 h-1 . Experimental analyses and theory calculations reveal that their remarkable performance enhancement on CO2 photoreduction should be attributed to the incorporated metal sites in the COF skeleton, which promotes the adsorption and activation of CO2 and the desorption of generated CO and even reduces the reaction energy barrier for the formation of different intermediates. This work demonstrates that by metallizing photoactive COFs, effective photocatalysts for CO2 conversion can be achieved.

From Supramolecular Organic Cages to Porous Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhancing Iodine Adsorption Capability by Fully Exposed Nitrogen-Rich Sites.

In order to overcome the limitations of supramolecular organic cages for their incomplete accessibility of active sites in the solid state and uneasy recyclability in liquid solution, herein a nitrogen-rich organic cage is rationally linked into framework systems and four isoreticular covalent organic frameworks (COFs), that is, Cage-TFB-COF, Cage-NTBA-COF, Cage-TFPB-COF, and Cage-TFPT-COF, are successfully synthesized. Structure determination reveals that they are all high-quality crystalline materials derived from the eclipsed packing of related isoreticular two-dimensional frameworks. Since the nitrogen-rich sites usually have a high affinity toward iodine species, iodine adsorption investigations are carried out and the results show that all of them display an enhancement in iodine adsorption capacities. Especially, Cage-NTBA-COF exhibits an iodine adsorption capacity of 304 wt%, 14-fold higher than the solid sample packed from the cage itself. The strong interactions between the nitrogen-rich sites and the adsorbed iodine species are revealed by spectral analyses. This work demonstrates that, utilizing the reticular chemistry strategy to extend the close-packed supramolecular organic cages into crystalline porous framework solids, their inherent properties can be greatly exploited for targeted applications.

Age-related reference intervals for serum phytosterols in children by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and its application in diagnosing sitosterolemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Serum phytosterol profiles are essential for the diagnosis and management of sitosterolemia. However, pediatric reference interval (RI) studies are scarce and various mass spectrometry (MS) approaches for phytosterol analysis still face multiple limitations. Therefore, an optimized gas chromatography (GC)-MS assay and age-related RIs in children are both required. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cholesterol and phytosterols (sitosterol, campesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, and sitostanol) were simultaneously determined by optimized GC-MS and performance was verified by the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), linearity, precision, recovery, matrix effects, and method comparison. Healthy children (247 males and 263 females) were recruited, sex and age dependence were assessed using quantile regression (2.5th percentile and 97.5th percentile), and RIs were established according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Association guideline C28-A3. These RIs were validated in 19 patients with sitosterolemia and 23 patients with hypercholesterolemia. RESULTS: The optimized method shortened the sample processing time by approximately 60 min. Among the five phytosterols, all precision, recoveries (ranging from 89.97% to 104.94%), and relative matrix effects (%CV: ranging from 0.08% to 13.88%) met the specifications. GC-MS showed good agreement with lower cholesterol concentrations compared to conventional enzymatic methods. No significant differences between males and females were observed for all phytosterols, but age dependency was found and age-related RIs were established accordingly. Five phytosterols were significantly higher than RIs in patients with sitosterolemia. CONCLUSION: We established age-related RIs for five phytosterols in children based on an optimized GC-MS assay, providing a screening tool for the diagnosis of sitosterolemia in children.

Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking verification of the mechanism of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsule in the adjuvant treatment treatment of AIDS / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To analyze the molecular mechanism of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS by network pharmacology method and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active components and targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were obtained through TCMSP, and the AIDS-related targets were obtained through GeneCards, OMIM and DrugBank databases. The intersection target PPI network was constructed through STRING 11.5 database, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used for network topology analysis; Metascape database was used for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of core targets; Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules component-target-pathway network; Autodock Tools software was used to carry out molecular docking of core targets and active components.Results:Totally 31 active components and 180 targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were screened out. TNF, IL6, AKT1, IL1B, TP53, VEGFA, RELA, EGFR and CASP3 were identified as the core targets. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 1 436 biological processes, 53 cellular components, and 117 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 167 pathways, which were related to pathways in cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and IL-17 signaling pathway was closely related. Molecular docking results showed that core targets such as AKT1 and TNF had good binding activity to quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin.Conclusion:The main active components of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS are quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin, which may treat AIDS through the IL-17 signaling pathway.

Highly Effective Generation of Singlet Oxygen by an Imidazole-Linked Robust Photosensitizing Covalent Organic Framework.

Developing effective photosensitizers to initiate the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) is of great significance in both chemistry and physiology. Herein, linking the photoactive porphyrin moieties by in situ-formed robust imidazole groups, a covalent organic framework (COF), PyPor-COF, was successfully designed and synthesized. Detailed characterizations reveal that it not only possesses high crystallinity, permanent porosity, and robust stability but also shows a semiconductive photoresponse activity. As demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance experiments, the COF can initiate the generation of 1O2 efficiently under visible-light irradiation, the efficiency of which is higher than that of the pristine porphyrin-based reactant and even higher than some commonly used commercially available photosensitizing agents. Anticancer experiments prove that it can efficiently trigger the production of 1O2 in a physiological environment. This work demonstrates that the imidazole-linked porphyrin-incorporated COF is a highly promising photosensitizer that can even be applied in photodynamic therapy.

SK3 in POMC neurons plays a sexually dimorphic role in energy and glucose homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons play a sexually dimorphic role in body weight and glucose balance. However, the mechanisms for the sex differences in POMC neuron functions are not fully understood. RESULTS: We detected small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) current in POMC neurons. Secondary analysis of published single-cell RNA-Seq data showed that POMC neurons abundantly express SK3, one SK channel subunit. To test whether SK3 in POMC neurons regulates POMC neuron functions on energy and glucose homeostasis, we used a Cre-loxP strategy to delete SK3 specifically from mature POMC neurons. POMC-specific deletion of SK3 did not affect body weight in either male or female mice. Interestingly, male mutant mice showed not only decreased food intake but also decreased physical activity, resulting in unchanged body weight. Further, POMC-specific SK3 deficiency impaired glucose balance specifically in female mice but not in male mice. Finally, no sex differences were detected in the expression of SK3 and SK current in total POMC neurons. However, we found higher SK current but lower SK3 positive neuron population in male POMC neurons co-expressing estrogen receptor α (ERα) compared to that in females. CONCLUSION: These results revealed a sexually dimorphic role of SK3 in POMC neurons in both energy and glucose homeostasis independent of body weight control, which was associated with the sex difference of SK current in a subpopulation of POMC + ERα + neurons.

Gabra5 plays a sexually dimorphic role in POMC neuron activity and glucose balance.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons are important for the regulation of body weight and glucose balance. The inhibitory tone to POMC neurons is mediated primarily by the GABA receptors. However, the detailed mechanisms and functions of GABA receptors are not well understood. The α5 subunit of GABAA receptor, Gabra5, is reported to regulate feeding, and we found that Gabra5 is highly expressed in POMC neurons. To explore the function of Gabra5 in POMC neurons, we knocked down Gabra5 specifically from mature hypothalamic POMC neurons using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 strategy. This POMC-specific knock-down of Gabra5 did not affect body weight or food intake in either male or female mice. Interestingly, the loss of Gabra5 caused significant increases in the firing frequency and resting membrane potential, and a decrease in the amplitude of the miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSC) in male POMC neurons. However, the loss of Gabra5 only modestly decreased the frequency of mIPSC in female POMC neurons. Consistently, POMC-specific knock-down of Gabra5 significantly improved glucose tolerance in male mice but not in female mice. These results revealed a sexually dimorphic role of Gabra5 in POMC neuron activity and glucose balance, independent of body weight control.

Highly Effective Proton-Conductive Matrix-Mixed Membrane Based on a -SO3H-Functionalized Polyphosphazene.

A polyphosphazene with in-built -SO3H moieties (PP-PhSO3H) was facilely synthesized by the polymeric combination of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and sulfonate p-phenylenediamine. Characterization reveals that it is a highly stable amorphous polymer. Proton conductivity investigations showed that the synthesized PP-PhSO3H exhibits a proton conductivity of up to 6.64 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K and 98% relative humidity (RH). This value is almost 2 orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding value for its -SO3H-free analogue, PP-Ph, which is 1.72 × 10-4 S cm-1 when measured under the same condition. Consequently, matrix-mixed membranes (labeled PP-PhSO3H-PAN) were further prepared by mixing PP-PhSO3H with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios to test its potential application in the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The analysis results indicate that when the weight ratio of PP-PhSO3H/PAN is 3:1 [named PP-PhSO3H-PAN (3:1)], its proton conductivity can reach up to 5.05 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K and 98% RH, which is even comparable with those of proton-conductive electrolytes currently used in PEM fuel cells. Furthermore, the continuous test demonstrates that the PP-PhSO3H-PAN (3:1) has long-life reusability. This research reveals that by using phosphazene and sulfonated multiple-amine modules as precursors, organic polymers with excellent proton conductivity for the assembly of matrix-mixed membranes in PEM fuel cells can be easily synthesized by a simple polymeric process.

Facile construction of a highly proton-conductive matrix-mixed membrane based on a -SO3H functionalized polyamide.

Developing a facile strategy to construct low-cost and efficient proton-conductive electrolytes is pivotal in the practical application of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Herein, a polyamide with in-built -SO3H moieties, PA(PhSO3H)2, was synthesized via a simple one-pot polymeric acylation process. Investigations via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA(PhSO3H)2 displays a proton conductivity of up to 5.54 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO3H-free analogue PA(Ph)2 (2.38 × 10-4 S cm-1) under the same conditions. Therefore, after mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at different ratios, PA(PhSO3H)2-based matrix-mixed membranes were subsequently made and the analysis results revealed that the proton conductivity can reach up to 5.82 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K and 98% RH when the weight ratio of PA(PhSO3H)2 : PAN is in 3 : 1 (labeled as PA(PhSO3H)2-PAN(3 : 1)), the value of which is comparable even to those of commercially available electrolytes that are used in PEM fuel cells. In addition, continuous testing shows that PA(PhSO3H)2-PAN(3 : 1) possesses long-life reusability. This work demonstrates that, utilizing the simple reaction of polymeric acylation with a sulfonated module as a precursor, highly effective proton-conductive membranes for PEM fuel cells can be achieved in a facile manner.

Inhibition of astrocytic DRD2 suppresses CNS inflammation in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.

Astrocyte activation is associated with progressive inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The molecular mechanisms underlying astrocyte activation remain incompletely understood. Recent studies have suggested that classical neurotransmitter receptors are implicated in the modulation of brain innate immunity. We investigated the role of dopamine signaling in the process of astrocyte activation. Here, we show the upregulation of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) in reactive astrocytes in MS brain and noncanonical role of astrocytic DRD2 in MS pathogenesis. Mice deficient in astrocytic Drd2 exhibit a remarkable suppression of reactive astrocytes and amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mechanistically, DRD2 regulates the expression of 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase, which modulates NF-κB activity through protein kinase C-δ. Pharmacological blockade of astrocytic DRD2 with a DRD2 antagonist dehydrocorybulbine remarkably inhibits the inflammatory response in mice lacking neuronal Drd2. Together, our findings reveal previously an uncharted role for DRD2 in astrocyte activation during EAE-associated CNS inflammation. Its therapeutic inhibition may provide a potent lever to alleviate autoimmune diseases.

Highly Effective Proton-Conduction Matrix-Mixed Membrane Derived from an -SO3H Functionalized Polyamide.

Developing a low-cost and effective proton-conductive electrolyte to meet the requirements of the large-scale manufacturing of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is of great significance in progressing towards the upcoming "hydrogen economy" society. Herein, utilizing the one-pot acylation polymeric combination of acyl chloride and amine precursors, a polyamide with in-built -SO3H moieties (PA-PhSO3H) was facilely synthesized. Characterization shows that it possesses a porous feature and a high stability at the practical operating conditions of PEM fuel cells. Investigations of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA-PhSO3H displays a proton conductivity of up to 8.85 × 10-2 S·cm-1 at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO3H-free analogue, PA-Ph (6.30 × 10-4 S·cm-1), under the same conditions. Therefore, matrix-mixed membranes were fabricated by mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in different ratios, and the EIS analyses revealed that its proton conductivity can reach up to 4.90 × 10-2 S·cm-1 at 353 K and a 98% relative humidity (RH) when the weight ratio of PA-PhSO3H:PAN is 3:1 (labeled as PA-PhSO3H-PAN (3:1)), the value of which is even comparable with those of commercial-available electrolytes being used in PEM fuel cells. Additionally, continuous tests showed that PA-PhSO3H-PAN (3:1) possesses a long-life reusability. This work demonstrates, using the simple acylation reaction with the sulfonated module as precursor, that low-cost and highly effective proton-conductive electrolytes for PEM fuel cells can be facilely achieved.

Nationwide Trends of Pediatric Obesity and BMI z-Score From 2017-2021 in China: Comparable Findings From Real-World Mobile- and Hospital-Based Data.

Introduction: Lifestyle changes including COVID-19 lockdown cause weight gain and may change obesity trends; however, timely changes are largely unknown and monitoring measures are usually lack. This first large-scale study aimed to analyze the real-world national trends of obesity prevalence of Chinese children in the past five years, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric obesity development through both mobile- and hospital-based data. Methods: This study included children aged 3 to 19 years old all over China from January 2017 to April 2021. Hospital-measured and parent-reported cases from XIGAO database were analyzed. Body mass index (BMI) z-score calculation and obesity status evaluation were made according to Chinese standards. We evaluated obesity/overweight prevalence over the past five years and the changes of BMI z-score during COVID-19 lockdown. Results: A total of 656396 children from 31 provinces were involved, including 447481 hospital-measured cases and 208915 parent-reported cases. The obesity and overweight prevalence were 8.05% (95%CI 7.76%-8.39%) and 10.06% (95%CI 10.79%-11.55%), comparable to those of China National Nutrition Surveys during 2015-2019. Northern China had the highest obesity prevalence. Parent-reported data had higher obesity/overweight prevalence than hospital-measured data (18.3% [95%CI 17.7%-18.9%] vs. 21.7% [95%CI 20.7%-23.0%]). The trend of obesity prevalence remained stable with slight decrease, but COVID-19 lockdown caused a significant increase of 1.86% in 2020. Both mobile- and hospital-based data showed weight gain in the first half of 2020. High BMI z-score increase were found among primary and junior middle school children, and children in northeast area during lockdown. Conclusion: Weight gain during COVID-19 among Chinese children had regional differences and mainly affect primary and junior middle school children, thus warrants targeted interventions. The mobile growth assessment based on parent-reported data was a feasible, efficient and timely way for obesity monitoring among Chinese children, especially during epidemic.

Risk assessment and analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine intervention in coronavirus disease.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in "prevention" and "control" of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: In this paper, we wish to estimate the effect on the virus transmission of scenarios assuming TCM were used to build the first defense line at the very early stage of the spread in Wuhan. We therefore first developed a classic susceptible infected removed (susceptible infected removed, SIR) transmission model based on the national data in China and then updated it to a TCM-SIR model to assess the potential impact of such assumptions, i.e. the underlying risk of lives lost and social economy loss. RESULTS: (a) With the nationwide community lockdown, the risk value was from 90 000 to 250 000 without TCM intervention and the risk value was from 70 000 to 220 000 with TCM intervention; (b) Based the risk assessment method, we forecasted that the infections peak would be 58016 without TCM intervention, which happened on February 17 2020. However, the infections peak would be 45713 with TCM intervention, which happened on 16 February 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of nationwide community lockdown is conducive to timely control the epidemic and protect people's lives and safety. At the same time, we can get lower infections if TCM intervention can be considered. We can also get the benefits from TCM prevention of COVID-19 pandemic by the basic number of infections.

Highly Effective Photocatalytic Radical Reactions Triggered by a Photoactive Metal-Organic Framework.

On account of their inherent reactive properties, radical reactions play an important role in organic syntheses. The booming photochemistry provides a feasible approach to trigger the generation of radical intermediates in organic reaction processes. Thus, developing effective photocatalysts becomes the key step in radical reactions. In this work, the triphenylamine moiety with photoactivity is successfully embedded in a highly porous and stable metal-organic framework (MOF), and the obtained MOF, namely, Zr-TCA, naturally displays a photoactive property derived from the triphenylamine-based ligand. In photocatalytic studies, the triphenylamine-based Zr-TCA not only exhibits a high catalytic activity on the aerobic oxidation of sulfides via the generation of the superoxide radical anion (O2•-) under light irradiation but also shows good efficiency in the trifluoromethylation of arenes and heteroarenes by the formation of the trifluoromethyl radical (CF3•) as an intermediate. Moreover, the high performance of Zr-TCA can be well maintained over a wide range of substrates in these radical reactions, and the recycled Zr-TCA still retains its excellent photocatalytic activity. The high recyclability and catalytic efficiency to various substrates make the constructed triphenylamine-based Zr-TCA a promising photocatalyst in diverse radical reactions.

Novel NPR2 Gene Mutations Affect Chondrocytes Function via ER Stress in Short Stature.

Natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) plays a key role in cartilage and bone morphogenesis. The NPR2 gene mutations result in acromesomelic dysplasia, Maroteaux type (AMDM), short stature with nonspecific skeletal abnormalities (SNSK), and epiphyseal chondrodysplasia, Miura type (ECDM). However, the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. In our study, we identified one de novo (R557C) and six novel variants (G602W, V970F, R767*, R363*, F857S, and Y306S) in five independent Chinese families with familial short stature. Three patients with heterozygous mutations (G602W, V970F, and R767*) were diagnosed with SNSK (height SD score ranged from -2.25 to -5.60), while another two with compound heterozygous mutations (R363* and F857S, R557C and Y306S) were diagnosed with AMDM (height SD score ranged from -3.10 to -5.35). Among three patients with heterozygous status, two patients before puberty initiation with rhGH treatment significantly improved their growth (height velocity 7.2 cm/year, 6.0 cm/year), and one patient in puberty had a poor response to the rhGH treatment (height velocity 2.5 cm/year). Seven NPR2 gene variants were constructed and overexpressed in HEK293T and ATDC5 cells, and we found that ATDC5 cells with mutant NPR2 gene showed decreased differentiation, as evidenced by lower expression of ColII, ColX, and BMP4 and higher expression of Sox9. Moreover, the apoptosis rate was elevated in ATDC5 cells expressing the mutant NPR2 gene. N-glycosylation modification, plasma membrane localization, and ER stress resulted from the accumulation of mutant protein in ER, as shown by the higher expression of GRP78 and p-IRE1α. Overall, our results provide a novel insight into NPR2 loss of function, which could promote chondrocyte apoptosis and repress cell differentiation through ER stress and the unfolded protein response.

Salicylate and glutamate mediate different Cd accumulation and tolerance between Brassica napus and B. juncea.

Most hyperaccumulator plants have little economic values, and therefore have not been widely used in Cd-contaminated soils. Rape species are Cd hyperaccumulators with high economic values. Black mustard seed (Brassica juncea) has a higher accumulation ability and a higher tolerance for Cd than oilseed rape (Brassica napus), but its biomass is relatively low and its geographical distribution is limited. However, it is unknown why B. juncea (Bj) is more tolerant to and accumulates more Cd than B. napus (Bn). Here, we found that the differences in Cd accumulation and tolerance between the two species is mainly because Bj plants have higher levels of salicylic acid and glutamic acid than Bn plants. Exogenous salicylate and glutamate treatments enhanced Cd accumulation (salicylate + glutamate co-treatment doubled Cd accumulation level in Bn seedlings) but reduced oxidative stresses by increasing glutathione biosynthesis and activating phytochelatin-based sequestration of Cd into vacuoles. Our results provide a new idea to simultaneously improve Cd accumulation and Cd tolerance in B. napus.

Correlation between physical fitness and reading ability among school aged children / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To determine the association between physical health fitness with Chinese reading ability of schoolaged children, so as to provide evidence for improving children s reading ability.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 923 school aged children in grades 2-6 in a primary school in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The questionnaire included basic demographic information and Dyslexia Checklist for Chinese Children and the Pupil Rating Scale Revised Screening. At the same time, participants underwent physical fitness tests which included an assessment of height, weight, and lung capacity, as well as a 50 meter run, sit forward bend, one minute skipping rope task, sit ups, and a 50 × 8 round trip.@*Results@#A total of 59 children were identified with dyslexia. Normal children achieved higher scores than children with dyslexia in the total physical health score, as well as the one minute skipping rope score, one minute sit up score, and sitting forward score ( P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the reading ability of girls was higher than that of boys ( β =-3.04, P <0.01), and the children who regularly participated in more intense physical activity and who had higher fitness scores had a higher reading ability ( β =-1.68, -0.08, P <0.01). Children s reading ability increased significantly with parental educational level( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Gender, parents education level, physical exercise intensity, and children s physical fitness were identified as influencing factors of school age children s reading ability. A positive correlation was found between children s physical health level and reading ability.