Design and Construction of the Uranyl Coordination Polymer with Multifunction Stimulus Response: Fluorescent Sensors for Halide Ions and Photochromism.

It can provide ideas for the use of uranium elements in the treatment of spent fuel from nuclear wastewater to explore the application potential of uranium element. Thus, it is necessary to research the structure and properties of a novel uranyl coordination polymer (CP) for uranium recovery and reuse. Herein, we designed and prepared a new uranyl CP U-CMNDI based on UO22+ and H2CMNDI (H2CMNDI = N, N'-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide). Structural analysis shows that two uranyl ions are connected by two parallel deprotonated CMNDI ligands to form a discrete uranyl dimer structure. U-CMNDI can act as a potential stimulus-responsive halide ion sensor by a fluorescence "turn on" response in water. The limit of detection for fluoride (F-), bromide (Br-), iodide (I-), and chloride (Cl-) is 5.00, 5.32, 5.49, and 5.73 µM, respectively. The fluorescence "turn on" behavior is based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism between halide ions and electron-deficient NDI cores. In addition, U-CMNDI demonstrates a color response to ultraviolet light, exhibiting reversible photochromic behavior with a notable color change. The color change mechanism can contribute to the PET process and the radical process.

A UOF based on a cyclotriphosphazene skeleton: fluorescence sensing of different substituted aldehydes and NACs.

A novel uranyl organic framework (U-hdpcp) based on flexible cyclic triphosphazene polycarboxylate ligands was prepared, which possesses the ability to sense aromatic aldehyde solutions (benzaldehyde, salicylaldehyde and 2-bromobenzaldehyde) and nitro compounds (2,4,6-trinitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol and o-nitrophenol). A fluorescent thin film based on U-hdpcp@PVA with the ability to sense aldehyde vapors was prepared via a spin coating method. The work expands the library of UOF materials based on large-sized carboxylic acid ligands and demonstrates promising applications in the field of fluorescent sensors.

HCR/DNAzyme-triggered cascaded feedback cycle amplification for self-powered dual-photoelectrode detection of femtomolar HPV16.

For high-performance dual-photoelectrode assay, developing a pair of photoactive materials with well-matched band structure and the design of a powerful sensing strategy are highly desirable. Herein, the Zn-TBAPy pyrene-based MOF and BiVO4/Ti3C2 Schottky junction were employed as photocathode and photoanode to form an efficient dual-photoelectrode system. The integration of the cascaded hybridization chain reaction (HCR)/DNAzyme-assisted feedback amplification with DNA walker-mediated cycle amplification strategy realizes femtomolar HPV16 dual-photoelectrode bioassay. Through the activation of the HCR cascaded with the DNAzyme system in the presence of HPV16, plentiful HPV16 analogs are generated that leads to exponential positive feedback signal amplification. Meanwhile on the Zn-TBAPy photocathode, the NDNA hybridizes with the bipedal DNA walker followed by circular cleavage by Nb.BbvCI NEase, producing a dramatically enhanced PEC readout. The achieved ultralow detection limit of 0.57 fM and a wide linear range of 10-6 nM-103 nM showcase the excellent performance of the developed dual-photoelectrode system.

Effects of Dietary Isoleucine Supplementation on the Production Performance, Health Status and Cecal Microbiota of Arbor Acre Broiler Chickens.

A total of 24,000 healthy 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers with similar initial weights were used in this study and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 400 and 800 mg/kg isoleucine (Ile), denoted CON, ILE400 and ILE800, respectively. Results revealed that the final body weight, average daily weight gain, and eviscerated carcass rate, of broiler chickens in the ILE400 group were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the ILE400 and ILE800 groups had a lower feed conversion rate and a higher survival rate and breast muscle rate (p < 0.05), while the abdominal fat rate was significantly lower than the CON group (p < 0.05). There were significantly lower serum concentrations of UREA, glucose (GLU) and total cholesterol (TCHO) in the ILE400 and ILE800 groups than in the CON group (p < 0.05); glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly higher in the ILE400 group than in the other groups, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration was considerably lower than in other groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, interleukin (IL)-10 concentration in the ILE800 group was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The ILE400 group significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of fatty-acid synthase (FASN) and solid alcohol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) (p < 0.05). The ILE400 group had significantly higher intestinal villus height than the CON and ILE800 groups, while the ILE800 group had significantly lower intestinal villus height/crypt depth (p < 0.05). Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing showed that the Shannon index, and Verrucomicrobiota, Colidextribacter and Bacteroides abundances were significantly higher in the ILE400 group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the ILE800 group reduced the Simpson index, phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidota abundances (including genera Colidextribacter, Butyricicoccus, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Barnesiella and Butyricimonas), and increased Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria (including genera Dyella, Devosia, unidentified_Chloroplast and Hyphomicrobium) (p < 0.05). Overall, our study showed that adding 400 mg/kg Ile to the diet (diets total Ile levels at 1.01%, 0.90% and 0.87% during the starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively) increased production performance and improved the health status in broiler chickens.

Stimulus-Responsive Lanthanide MOF Materials Encapsulated with Viologen Derivatives: Characterization, Photophysical Properties and Sensing on Nitrophenols.

Viologens (1,1'-disubstituted 4,4'-bipyridyls) possessing electron-deficient properties and redox activity are a class of suitable chromophores to assemble metal-organic hybrid photochromic materials. Thus, viologen-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention for their photochromic properties; however, the syntheses of lanthanide-viologen hybrid crystalline photochromic materials still face many challenges. For example, the structures and properties of the final products are difficult to predict and are limited by molecular configurations. In this work, host-guest composite-material Ln-NH2 BDC-pbpy MOFs were constructed by encapsulating viologen derivative pbpyCl2 . The pbpy2+ moieties are uniformly embed by their π-π conjugation in the pores of the 3D structure by electrostatic interactions. Due to the encapsulation of the chromophore pbpy2+ moieties, Ln-NH2 BDC-pbpy MOFs have reversible photochromic properties: they can change color after irradiation and can return to the original color after being protected from light or heating. Interestingly, the fluorescence intensity decreases with illumination time and recovers in the dark. As a result, Ln-NH2 BDC-pbpy MOFs show both photochromic and photomodulated fluorescence. Based on the outstanding fluorescence performance of the Ln-NH2 BDC-pbpy MOFs, they also show a wonderful effect for detecting nitrophenols, especially TNP.

Dietary Galla Chinensis tannic acid supplementation in the diets improves growth performance, immune function and liver health status of broiler chicken.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA) on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. A total of 288 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly divided into two groups in a 42-days study. The two groups were a basal diet (CON group) and a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg Galla Chinensis tannic acid (TA group). The results showed that the TA group had significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). The levels of total protein, albumin, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, urea, total cholesterol, and glucose in the TA group were significantly higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and complements (C3, C4) levels in the TA group were significantly higher than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the hepatic interleukin-6, interleukin-18, NLRs family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and caspase-3 in the TA group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Besides, TA group had significantly lower mRNA expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and NLRP3 in liver (P < 0.05). The TA group had significantly higher the mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 than CON group in liver (P < 0.05). Moreover, TA group tended to decrease Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in liver (P < 0.10). To sum up, dietary supplemented with microencapsulated TA from Galla Chinensis had beneficial effects on growth performance, immune function, and liver health status in broilers. The protective role of TA from Galla Chinensis in liver health of broilers might be related to the inhibition of hepatic apoptosis and pyroptosis via inactivation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of dietary Bopu powder supplementation on intestinal development and microbiota in broiler chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Bopu powder on intestinal development and bacterial community composition in broiler chickens. A total of 486 1-day-old arbor acres broilers were fed a basal diet (CON group), a basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg aureomycin (AB group), or a basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg Bopu powder (BP group). The results showed that the BP group had significantly lower serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and diamine oxidase concentrations and had significantly higher serum IL-10 concentrations than CON group (p < 0.05). Groups AB and BP had a significantly higher weight per unit length of the small intestine and villus height than the CON group (p < 0.05), and BP group had a significantly higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth than groups CON and AB (p < 0.05). Compared to the CON group, dietary Bopu powder or aureomycin supplementation significantly increased transforming growth factor-α concentration and mRNA expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, and decreased intestinal mucosal concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, caspase-3, and caspase-8 and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-kappa-B and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, BP group had significantly higher ZO-1, secretory immunoglobulin A, interferon-γ concentrations, and mRNA expressions of glucose transporter type-2 and sirtuin-1, and significantly lower IL-1ß concentration than groups CON and AB in intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Dietary Bopu powder supplementation significantly increased the concentration of trefoil factor family member and mRNA expressions of superoxide dismutase-1 and bcl-2 associated X, and significantly reduced casepase-9 concentration and myeloid differentiation primary response-88 expression in the intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens relative to CON group (p < 0.05). Moreover, results of high-throughput sequencing showed that broilers in the BP group had microbial community structure distinct from that in CON group, and the addition of Bopu powder increased the abundances of Faecalibacterium and Colidextribacter (p < 0.05). Therefore, our study suggests a synergic response of intestinal development and microbiota to the Bopu powder, and provides a theoretical basis as a potential substitute for antibiotics.

Effect of Different Cooking Methods on Nutrients, Antioxidant Activities and Flavors of Three Varieties of Lentinus edodes.

This work evaluated the effect of different cooking methods (boiling, steaming, microwaving, frying and pressure cooking) on the nutrients, antioxidant activities, volatile and nonvolatile taste-active components of three varieties of Lentinus edodes (808, 0912 and LM) from Guizhou Province. The results showed that LM had the most polysaccharides, 0912 had the most minerals, but LM, 808 and 0912 had low amounts of polyphenols, dietary fiber and proteins, respectively. The dietary fiber and protein were decreased by 4.1~38.7% and 4.1~44.0% during cooking, while microwaving improved the nutritional value of the Lentinus edodes by increasing the polysaccharide (88~103 mg/g to 93~105 mg/g) and polyphenol content (6.4~8.1 mg/g to 7.5~11.2 mg/g), thereby strengthening the antioxidant activity. The nucleotides were all destroyed after cooking, especially frying or boiling. The glutamate content was the highest in LM and 808, and the methionine content appeared to be the highest in 0912. Pressure cooking and frying increased the proportions of sweet and umami amino acids and decreased the proportion of bitter amino acids, creating more aroma-active compounds. In summary, microwaving increased the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities, and it preserved nonvolatile taste-active components, while pressure cooking and frying were the best methods for increasing the flavor compounds.

Cage Bismuth Metal-Organic Framework Materials Based on a Flexible Triazine-Polycarboxylic Acid: Subgram Synthesis, Application for Sensing, and White Light Tuning.

Bismuth-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have always attracted the attention of many researchers. Here, we first report a crystalline Bi-MOF (Bi-TDPAT) based on a flexible triazine-polycarboxylic linker 2,4,6-tris(3,5-dicarboxylphenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (H6TDPAT) and bismuth nitrate; its crystallite quality is adequately good and the diffraction data can be collected directly by single crystal X-ray diffraction rather than 3D electron diffraction. The structure of Bi-TDPAT belongs to a novel topology type btt. Notably, the synthesis scale of Bi-TDPAT can be expanded, and sub-gram synthesis can be realized. At the same time, we synthesized a microcrystalline material Bi-TATAB utilizing 2,4,6-tris(4-carboxylphenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (H3TATAB). The structures of the two materials were characterized by several microanalysis tools. Considering that Bi-TDPAT is a blue light-emitting material with a broad emission peak, we prepared a white light emitting composite material Eu/Tb@Bi-TDPAT by encapsulating Eu(III)/Tb(III) in Bi-TDPAT. In addition, the fluorescence sensing functions of Bi-TDPAT and Bi-TATAB were explored. The results showed that they could detect and recognize various nitrophenols, and the optimal limit of detection is as low as 0.21 µM, which can be reused even after five cycles. Energy competitive absorption (CA) and photo-induced electron transfer are the main sensing mechanisms. By comparing and analyzing the properties of these two bismuth-based crystalline materials, we believe that this work also provides inspiration for the synthesis and development of bismuth-based MOF in the future.

Switchable Multiplex Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay of Aß42 and Aß40 Based on a pH-Responsive i-Motif Probe and Pyrene-Based MOF Photocathode.

In accurately diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and distinguishing AD from other dementia, the concentration ratio of amyloid-beta 42 (Aß42) to Aß40 is more reliable than the concentration of Aß42 alone. For the multiplex PEC assay, generating an independent photocurrent of multiple targets on a single interface is a great challenge. Herein, an i-motif-based switchable sensing approach is proposed to construct a pH-regulated multiplex PEC immunosensor for Aß42 and Aß40 by using Bi-TBAPy as an efficient photoactive cathode material. An independent photocurrent signal of Aß42 and Aß40 is produced through the regulation of the electron-transfer tunneling distance by a pH-dependent configuration transition of the i-motif DNA. In a 96-well plate, immunological recognition of Aß42 (or Aß40) coupled with an enzymatic catalytic reaction produces an acidic (or alkaline) lysis solution, which triggers the formation and unravelment of the i-motif structure. The above configuration transition regulates the distance between Au NPs labeled SH-DNA and Bi-TBAPy, leading to PEC signal switching. Smart integration of the pH-responsive switchable DNA probe with a high-efficiency photocathode enables the precise monitoring of Aß42 and Aß40 at a single interface in a wide detection range (10 fg/mL ∼ 1 µg/mL and 1 pg/mL ∼ 1 µg/mL) with detection limit of 4.5 fg/mL and 0.52 pg/mL, respectively. The proposed i-motif-based switchable sensing strategy paves a new avenue for a multiplex PEC assay on a single interface, showing great prospects in bioanalysis and early disease diagnosis.

Does Twisted π-Conjugation Framework Always Induce Efficient Intersystem Crossing? A Case Study with Benzo[b]- and [a]Phenanthrene-Fused BODIPY Derivatives and Identification of a Dark State.

The photophysical properties, especially the intersystem crossing (ISC) of two heavy-atom-free BODIPY derivatives with twisted π-conjugated frameworks (benzo[b]-fused BODIPY, BDP-B; and [a]phenanthrene-fused BODIPY, BDP-P), are studied with steady-state and time-resolved optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopic methods as well as with ADC(2) theoretical investigations. Interestingly, BDP-B has a planar π-conjugation framework, but it displays weaker UV-vis absorption (ε = 3.8 × 104 M-1 cm-1 at 569 nm) and fluorescence (ΦF < 0.1%), a short-lived singlet-excited state (fluorescence lifetime, τF = 0.2 ns), and a long-lived triplet state (τT = 132.3 µs). In comparison, the more twisted BDP-P shows stronger UV-vis absorption (ε = 9.8 × 104 M-1 cm-1 at 640 nm) and fluorescence (ΦF = 70%), longer singlet-excited-state lifetime (τF = 6.4 ns), and shorter triplet-state lifetime (τT = 18.9 µs). In contrast to helicenes (ΦT = ca. 90%), the ISC of BDP-P and BDP-B is nonefficient (ΦT < 23%). The electron spin selectivity of the ISC of the derivatives is different, manifested by the phase pattern of the TREPR spectra as AAEAEE and EEEAAA for BDP-B and BDP-P, respectively. The spatially confined T1 state wave function of the twisted molecule keeps the T1 state energy high (1.44-1.61 eV). A dark S1 state was identified for BDP-B. This work demonstrated that the twisted π-conjugated framework does not necessarily induce efficient ISC and we found a dark singlet state for BODIPY, which is rare.

Integrated Photoresponsive Alkaline Earth Metal Coordination Networks: Synthesis, Topology, Photochromism and Photoluminescence Investigation.

Photoresponsive materials are a key part of the age of smart technology that have potential in a broad range of applications. Coordination networks (CNs) are widely used due to their designability and stability. In this work, three novel alkaline earth metal coordination networks (AEM-CNs): [Mg(CMNDI)(H2 O)2 ], [Ca(CMNDI)(H2 O)2 ]⋅H2 O, and [Sr(CMNDI)(H2 O)(DMF)] with fsl, cds, and scn topology nets were synthetized via N,N'-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide (H2 CMNDI); the scn net is not found in the Reticular Chemistry Structure Resource or ToposPro. The reusable and sensitive photochromic properties of the three CNs enable them to be used as secret inks or ultraviolet detectors. In addition, the CNs also exhibited reusable photoluminescent turn-off toward the drug molecules, balsalazide disodium (Bal.) and colchicine (Col.), with good limits of detection of 0.16 and 0.70 µM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of a fluorescence sensor for Bal. Thus, the AEM-CNs provide a design idea for integrated photoresponsive materials that could be further improved in the near future by further study.

Polyiodine-Modified 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic Acid Framework Zn(II)/Cd(II) Complexes as Highly Selective Fluorescence Sensors for Thiamine Hydrochloride, NACs, and Fe3+/Zn2.

Four new complexes, [Zn(TIBTC)(DMA)]·[NH2(CH3)2] (1), [Cd(TIBTC)(H2O)]·[NH2(CH3)2]·DMA (2), [Cd2(TIBTC)(2,2'-bipy)2(HCOO)] (3), and [Cd2(DIBTC)(2,2'-bipy)2(HCOO)] (4) (H3TIBTC = 2,4,6-triiodo-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, H3DIBTC = 2,4-diiodo-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and DMA = dimethylacetamide), were successfully synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 are three-dimensional supramolecular network structures, while complex 4 has a two-dimensional network structure. We preliminarily studied the fluorescence properties of the complexes and found that complexes 1-3 can detect thiamine hydrochloride, NACs, and Fe3+/Zn2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Clinical Effects of CpG-Based Treatment on the Efficacy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Skewing Polarization Toward M1 Macrophage from M2.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of CpG-based therapy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by skewing polarization toward M1 macrophage from M2. METHODS: Pulmonary metastasis rate, overall survival time, and remission rate of 10 patients with HCC treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with CpG therapy and 10 age-, gender-, and TNM0-matched patients treated with TACE (control group) were compared. RESULTS: No pulmonary metastasis rate was 70% in the combined treatment group and 40% in the control group, respectively; and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Median overall survival time was 22 months in the combined treatment group, compared with 6.65 months in the control group (p < 0.05). Remission rate in the combined treatment group (70%) was higher than in the control group (30%), but the differences between these two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with TACE, CpG combined with TACE can decrease the pulmonary metastasis rate. This combined therapy can also improve the overall survival time of patients.

Reversing the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages inhibits tumor metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: The M2 phenotype is dominant in tumor associated macrophages (TAM), and plays a key role in promoting tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Converting TAM polarization from M2 to M1 may contribute to eliciting anti-tumor-specific immune responses and inhibiting tumor metastasis. In this study, the effect of reversing the polarization of TAM on tumor metastasis was investigated. METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from BABL/c mice, and M2 polarization was induced by IL-4. In an in vivo experiment, BABL/c mice were transplanted with 4T1 tumor cells. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies, M2 macrophage polarization was reversed with CpG-DNA or CpG-DNA combined with anti-IL-10R Ab. CD68, MHCII and FRß molecular expression in macrophages were examined with immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA expression of IL-2, IL-6, IL-13, VEGF and MMP-9 were detected with RT-PCR. VEGF and MMP-9 protein expression of tumors in situ was measured by western blot assay. Lung-metastasis of the tumor was observed and assessed by micro-CT. RESULTS: CpG-DNA and CpG-DNA combined with anti-IL-10R Ab could promote MHCII, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-13 molecular expression, and suppress the expression of FRß, MMP-9 and VEGF, in both freshly isolated peritoneal macrophages and M2 macrophages. In the CpG-DNA combined with anti-IL-10R Ab injecting group, the percentage of CD68+ MHCII+ cells were significantly higher than that of CD68+FRß+ cells (P<0.05). This was distinct from the result of the control group, which CD68+ FRß+ was higher than CD68+MHCII+cells (P<0.01). Furthermore, VEGF-A and MMP-9 level in primary tumor tissues in the experimental group was significantly lower (P<0.01), compared to the control group. Moreover, the number of detectable lung-metastasis foci was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Reversing the polarization of TAM from M2 to M1 phenotype can inhibit tumor metastasis.

Specific cellular immune response elicited by the necrotic tumor cell-stimulated macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the necrotic tumor cell-stimulated macrophages (NTCSM) could elicit specific immune response. METHODS: Mice were immunized with the necrotic H22 tumor cell lysate-stimulated macrophages and the specific immune responses against the same tumor challenge were examined. The morphologic characteristics were observed with the transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The expression of CD14, CD68, CD80 and CD86 were detected with the flow cytometer. The cytotoxicity and cytokine production of splenocytes were measured with the MTT assay and ELISA assay respectively. RESULTS: Our research results reveal that NTCSMs are larger cells which generally generate spherical and elongated protrusions, folding membrane, and vesicles on their surface. Also, abundant lysosomes, secondary lysosomes, phagosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid bodies were found in their cytoplasm. The flow cytometry results show that the necrotic H22 tumor cell lysate could enhance the expression of CD14 and CD86 molecules and the NTCSM was characterized by the expression of CD14+/-CD68+CD80-CD86+. After the mice were vaccinated with NTCSMs, the tumor forming rate, tumor volume and weight of the NTCSM-vaccinated group were significantly lower than those of the sterile saline-injected group and untreated macrophage-vaccinated group (p<0.05). The cytotoxicity to H22 tumor cells of the splenocytes obtained from the NTCSM-immunized group was higher than that of the sterile saline-injected group and untreated macrophage-vaccinated group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the culture supernatant of the NTCSM-immunized group were higher significantly than those of the saline-injected group and untreated macrophage-vaccinated group. The level of IL-4 of the NTCSM-immunized group was significantly lower than those of the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that NTCSMs could elicit specific cellular immune responses in vivo.

Potential Neurogenesis of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Electrospun Catalpol-Loaded Composite Nanofibrous Scaffolds.

Catalpol, a natural active ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine, was verified exhibiting beneficial effects on neural differentiation compared with commonly used chemical inducers by our previous studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of catalpol-loaded scaffold on guiding neuronal differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs). Fabrication technique of catalpol loading into the electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds was successfully established. The topographical and mechanical properties of the nanofibers scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and tensile instrument, respectively. In vitro catalpol release was studied in phosphate-buffered solution at 37 °C. Immunnocytochemistry, RT-PCR, and western blot assays were performed to estimate hASCs neuronal differentiation, and it was shown that catalpol has significantly upregulated the expressions of ßIII-tubulin and Nissl. Our experiments demonstrated that catalpol, as a traditional Chinese medicine extract, could be encapsulated into composite nanofibers and induce differentiation of hASCs into neural-like cells, which might offer new avenues in nerve regeneration.

Synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence property and photoelectronic behavior of two uranyl-organic frameworks constructed from 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as ligand.

By using 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as organic ligands, two uranyl coordination complexes, (UO2)2(bta)(DMA)2 (1) and [(UO2)2(bta)(µ3-OH2)]·2[HN(CH3)2]·H2O (2) (H4bta=1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, DMA=N,N-Dimethylacetamide) were synthesized. The X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that complex 1 exhibits a 3-demensional framework, while complex 2 exhibits a 2-demensional framework. In order to furthermore characterize the two complexes and extend their functional properties, spectroscopies of IR, UV-vis, photoluminescence and surface photovoltage were also studied primarily. In addition, thermogravimetric analyses and photocatalytic studies for complexes 1 and 2 were discussed in detail.

Application of multiple parallel perfused microbioreactors: Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity testing of the novel rare earth complexes with indole acid as a ligand.

Three novel complexes, [La(phen)2(IAA)2]·NO3 (1), [Sm(phen)2(IAA)2]·NO3 (2) and [Sm(IBA)3(phen)]·phen·HNO3·H2O (3) (phen: 1,10-phenanthroline, IAA: indole-3-acetic acid, IBA: indole-3-butyric acid), were synthesized and characterized with spectroscopy (infrared and UV-visible), X-ray crystal diffraction and elemental analysis. Structural analysis revealed that each lanthanide atom in complexes 1-3 held a distorted tricapped trigonal prism geometry in a nine-coordinate mode. There were two types of coordination modes of the IAA ligand in complexes 1 and 2: a µ2-η(1):η(2) bridging mode linking two lanthanide atoms and a µ2-η(1):η(1) double monodentate bridging mode. There were three types of coordination modes of the IBA ligand: a µ2-η(1):η(1) double monodentate bridging mode, a µ1-η(2) bridging mode and a µ2-η(1):η(2) bridging mode linking two lanthanide atoms. Adjacent Sm atoms were linked via the µ2-bridging carboxylate groups of the IBA ligands to generate a binuclear building unit. The biological activity of the complexes was evaluated in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) and Chang liver cells using a multiple parallel perfused microbioreactor. The results showed that cytotoxicity increased as the concentrations of complexes 1-3 increased.

Synthesis, structures and properties of the catalytic bromination reaction of a series of novel scorperate oxidovanadium complexes with the potential detection of hydrogen peroxide in water.

A series of scorpionate oxovanadium (IV) complexes: [VO(Tp(4I))(pz)(SCN)]·1/2CH2Cl2 (1), [VO(Tp)(pzTp)]·2H2O (2), [VO(Bp)(Tp(4I))] (3) and [VO(C5H7O2)(Tp(4I))]·CH3OH (4) (Bp: [H2B(pz)(2-)], Tp: [HB(pz)(3-)], Tp(4I): [HB(4I-pz)(3-)], pzTp: [B(pz)(4-)]) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis (TG). Structural analysis shows that the coordination environment of vanadium atom is N5O, to form a distorted octahedron geometry. In addition, the catalytic activities of the bromination reactions for complexes 1 and 2 in phosphate buffer with phenol red as a trap were evaluated primary by UV/Vis spectroscopy, and a practical application of H2O2 detection was firstly observed in the catalytic reaction system.