Mechanochemical Synthesis of Cuprous Complexes for X-ray Scintillation and Imaging.

Cuprous complex scintillators show promise for X-ray detection with abundant raw materials, diverse luminescent mechanisms, and adjustable structures. However, their synthesis typically requires a significant amount of organic solvents, which conflict with green chemistry principles. Herein, we present the synthesis of two high-performance cuprous complex scintillators using a simple mechanochemical method for the first time, namely [CuI(PPh3)2R] (R = 4-phenylpyridine hydroiodide (PH, Cu-1) and 4-(4-bromophenyl)pyridine hydroiodide (PH-Br, Cu-2). Both materials demonstrated remarkable scintillation performances, exhibiting radioluminescence (RL) intensities 1.52 times (Cu-1) and 2.52 times (Cu-2) greater than those of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), respectively. Compared to Cu-1, the enhanced RL performance of Cu-2 can be ascribed to its elevated quantum yield of 51.54%, significantly surpassing that of Cu-1 at 37.75%. This excellent luminescent performance is derived from the introduction of PH-Br, providing a more diverse array of intermolecular interactions that effectively constrain molecular vibration and rotation, further suppressing the nonradiative transition process. Furthermore, Cu-2 powder can be prepared into scintillator film with excellent X-ray imaging capabilities. This work establishes a pathway for the rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective synthesis of high-performance cuprous complex scintillators.

Effect of MicroRNA145 on the multidrug resistance gene of ulcerative colitis in rats.

Multidrug resistance gene (MDR1a) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) play an important role in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) and influence the therapeutic effect of glucocorticoids, which may lead to drug resistance mechanically. UC may be related to miR-145 to some extent, and the relationship still needs further exploration. In this study we found that the expression of miR-145 was downregulated in the colonic tissues of rats with Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC. Also, the expression of MDR1a in colon tissues of each group negatively correlated with the expression of miR-145 in rats. The change in the plasma peak concentration (Cmax) in each group positively related to the miR-145 level. Mechanistically, miR-145 negatively regulated the expression and function of P-gp via acting directly on the 3'-UTR of MDR1 mRNA. Overall, these results indicated that miR-145 had a protective effect on the colorectal mucosa, and its downregulation may enhance the expression and function of MDR1a and P-gp, promoting the occurrence and development of UC. The downregulation of miR-145 reduced the drug sensitivity of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and glucocorticoids in treating UC, indicating that miR-145 might be a potential therapeutic target for UC.

Shared response to changes in drainage basin: Phylogeography of the Yunnan small narrow-mouthed frog, Glyphoglossus yunnanensis (Anura: Microhylidae).

AIM: With the late Cenozoic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), drainage of the southeastern edge of the QTP changed significantly. However, the impact of this dramatic change on the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of endemic organisms is still poorly understood. Here, we examined the geographical patterns of genetic variation in the Yunnan small narrow-mouthed frog, Glyphoglossus yunnanensis (Microhylidae), and two alternative hypotheses were tested: That is, the geographical distribution of genetic variation was determined by either the contemporary drainage basin or historical drainage basins. LOCATION: The Mountains of southwest China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyses were based on 417 specimens collected from across the distribution of the species. We reconstructed the genealogy (Bayesian and maximum parsimony methods) and assessed demographic history based on DNA sequencing data from mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We also mapped the genetic diversity and estimated the divergence times by a relaxed clock model. RESULTS: The species has maintained a relatively stable population size without recent population expansion. Four major maternal lineages were identified with good support, one representing a possible cryptic species and the other three showing further subdivision. The distribution of these deeply differentiated lineages/sublineages corresponded well to geographical regions. The secondary contact zones and phylogeographic breaks in distinct lineages of G. yunnanensis were almost concordant with those of Nanorana yunnanensis. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Lineage division conformed to the hypothesis of drainage system evolution, that is, the phylogeographic pattern of G. yunnanensis was shaped by historical drainage patterns. Concordance in phylogeographic patterns may suggest a shared response to common hydrogeological history and also might indicate that there was more contribution of the drainage history than ecological or life-history traits in structuring genetic variation between these two disparate codistributed taxa G. yunnanensis and N. yunnanensis.

[A new record of a Gekkonid (Cyrtodactylus wayakonei) from Yunnan, China].

The bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus wayakonei Nguyen, Kingsada, Rosler, Auer and Ziegler, 2010) has been recorded for the first time in China. Here, we provide descriptions of specimens from Yunnan, China. This species was distinguished from all congeners by the following characteristics: 7-8 supralabials; 9-10 infralabials; dorsal tubercles smooth to slightly keeled; 17-19 rows of dorsal tubercles; 6-8 precloacal pores in both sexes; femoral scales not enlarged; no femoral pores; subcaudals somewhat enlarged and broadened; and tail tubercles flat and smooth.