Reversible Photochromic Coordination Polymer by Phototriggered Subtle Molecular Conformation Variations.

Photochromic materials are constructed with molecules accompanied by structural change after triggering by light, which are of great importance and necessity for various applications. However, because of space-confinement effects, molecule stacking of these photoresponsive chromophores within coordination polymers (CPs) always results in an efficiency decrement and a response delay, and this phenomenon will lead to a poor photochromic property. Herein, a CP (named CIT-E) with a 3-fold-interpenetrating network structure, which was prepared with (Z)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-bis[4-(pyridin-3-ylmethoxy)phenyl]ethene (1Z) and a CuI cluster, showed fast reversible photochromic behavior. Under UV-light illumination, the color of CIT-Z changed from pale yellow to reddish brown. With the illumination of green light, the polymer could return to its initial color within 10 s. To reveal the mechanism of reversible photochromic behavior of CIT-Z, single-crystal structures of each color state were fully studied, and other scientific study methods were also used, such as time-dependent density functional theory calculation and control experiments. It was found that, with light illumination, this behavior of CIT-Z was the result of a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer process, and this process was triggered by subtle molecular conformation variation of tetraphenylethylene. It should be noted that CIT-Z has high thermal and chemical stability, which are excellent advantages as smart photoresponsive materials. As a proof of concept, a uniform thin film with such a fascinating photochromic property allows applications in invisible anticounterfeiting and dynamic optical data storage. Overall, the present study opens up a new avenue toward reversible photochromic materials.

Adiponectin regulates bone mass in AIS osteopenia via RANKL/OPG and IL6 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia have been well documented in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Adiponectin has been shown to be inversely proportional to body mass index and to affect bone metabolism. However, the circulating levels of adiponectin and the relationship between adiponectin and low bone mass in AIS remain unclear. METHODS: A total of 563 AIS and 281 age-matched controls were recruited for this study. Anthropometry and bone mass were measured in all participants. Plasma adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the AIS and control groups. An improved multiplex ligation detection reaction was performed to study on single nucleotide polymorphism. Facet joints were collected and used to measure the microstructure, the expression of RANKL, OPG, osteoblast-related genes, inflammatory factors, adiponectin and its receptors by qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, primary cells were extracted from facet joints to observe the reaction after adiponectin stimulation. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, lower body mass index and a marked increase in circulating adiponectin were observed in AIS osteopenia (17.09 ± 1.09 kg/m2 and 21.63 ± 10.30 mg/L). A significant difference in the presence of rs7639352was detected in the AIS osteopenia, AIS normal bone mass and control groups. The T allele showed a significant higher proportion in AIS osteopenia than AIS normal bone mass and control groups (41.75% vs 31.3% vs 25.7%, p < 0.05). micro-CT demonstrated that the AIS convex side had a significant lower bone volume than concave side. RNA and protein analyses showed that in cancellous bone, higher RANKL/OPG and adipoR1 levels and lower runx2 levels were observed, and in cartilage, higher adipoR1 and IL6 levels were observed in AIS. Furthermore, convex side had higher RANKL/OPG, IL6 and adipoR1 than concave side. Compared with normal primary cells, convex side primary cells showed the most acute action, and concave side primary cells showed the second-most acute action when exposed under same adiponectin concentration gradient. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that high circulating adiponectin levels may result from gene variations in AIS osteopenia. Adiponectin has a negative effect on bone metabolism, and this negative effect might be mediated by the ADR1-RANKL/OPG and ADR1-IL6 pathways.

P2X7 receptor in spinal tuberculosis: Gene polymorphisms and protein levels in Chinese Han population.

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for 1%-5% of all TB infections. Host genetic variation influences susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expressed on cells has been identified as a regulatory molecule in cell death/apoptosis, killing of intercellular pathogens, and bone turnover. This study investigated the P2X7 gene polymorphisms and protein levels in spinal TB. P2X7 gene -762C>T and 489C>T polymorphisms were genotyped. The expression of P2X7R in bone or intervertebral disc (ID) tissues was analyzed by Western blot assay. The -762C>T and 489C>T polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to spinal TB. Having the -762CC genotype and -762C allele increased the risk of developing spinal TB (CC vs. TT: P=0.031, OR [95%CI]=1.865 [1.053-3.304]; C vs. T: P=0.028, OR [95%CI]=1.355 [1.034-1.775]). The presence of the 489T allele was associated with an increased risk of developing spinal TB (TT vs. CC: P=0.004, OR [95%CI]=2.248 [1.283-3.939]; CT vs. CC: P=0.044, OR [95%CI]=1.755 [1.011-3.047]; T vs. C: P=0.004, OR [95%CI]=1.482 [1.134-1.936]; TT+CT vs. CC: P=0.010, OR [95%CI]=1.967 [1.171-3.304]; TT vs. CT+CC: P=0.037, OR [95%CI]=1.489 [1.023-2.167]). The expression of P2X7R in TB-induced bone lesions increased significantly among spinal TB patients (t=0.011). Carrying the P2X7 -762CC genotype and 489T allele is associated with an increased risk of developing spinal TB in a Southern Chinese Han population.

Polymorphisms in the SP110 and TNF-α Gene and Susceptibility to Pulmonary and Spinal Tuberculosis among Southern Chinese Population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SP110 gene and TNF-α gene among pulmonary TB (PTB) and spinal TB (STB) patients. METHODS: In a total of 190 PTB patients, 183 STB patients were enrolled as the case group and 362 healthy individuals at the same geographical region as the control group. The SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and the promoter -308G>A (rs1800629) and -238G>A (rs361525) polymorphisms in TNF-α were genotyped. Results. TNF-α -238G>A polymorphism was involved in susceptibility to STB, but not to PTB. The TNF-α -238 A allele was a protective factor against STB (A versus G: OR [95% CI] = 0.331 [0.113-0.972], P = 0.044). Furthermore, the presence of the -238 A allele was considered a trend to decrease the risk of STB (AG versus GG: P = 0.062, OR [95% CI] = 0.352 [0.118-1.053]; AA + AG versus GG: P = 0.050, OR [95CI%] = 0.335 [0.113-0.999]). However, SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and TNF-α -308G>A (rs1800629) showed no association with PTB and STB in all genetic models. CONCLUSION: The TNF-α -238 A allele appeared a protective effect against STB, whereas the SP110 SNPs (rs722555 and rs1135791) and TNF-α -308G>A (rs1800629) showed no association with susceptibility to PTB and STB patients in southern China.

Comparison of Three Surgical Approaches for Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis in Adult: Minimum 5-Year Follow Up.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the minimum 5-year follow up outcomes of the surgical management of adults with thoracic tuberculosis by comparing posterior only (PO), anterior only (AO), and combined posterior and anterior (AP) surgical approaches. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgeons use multiple methods to treat spinal tuberculosis, including an anterior, posterior, and combined anterior and posterior approach. However, there are a few reports comparing the mid- and long-term outcomes of these surgical methods. METHODS: The medical records for 184 patients treated for thoracic tuberculosis between January 2003 and November 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 62 patients were treated with a single-stage posterior debridement and interbody fusion with instrumentation (Group A), 65 patients with posterior instrumentation, anterior debridement, and bone graft in a single or two-stage procedure (Group B), and 57 patients with anterior debridement and strut grafting with instrumentation (Group C). Operative time, blood loss, Visual Analog Scale for pain, complications, recovery of neurological function, Cobb angle, correction rate, and loss angle were compared among all groups. RESULTS: Groups A, B, and C were followed for 72.7 ±â€Š3.8 months, 74.3 ±â€Š4.2 months, and 73.6 ±â€Š4.5 months, respectively. The operative time, blood loss, and rate of complications for Group A were significantly less than Groups B and C (P < 0.05). The correction rate and loss angle were superior in Groups A and B compared with C, whereas the Visual Analog Scale for pain and fusion time showed no statistically significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with thoracic tuberculosis, use of the AO approach should be limited. Although the AP approach produced satisfactory outcomes, it remains more traumatic. Therefore, the PO approach is recommended, not only because it achieves good results, but because it has reduced complications, operative time, and blood loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Leptin Receptor Metabolism Disorder in Primary Chondrocytes from Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Girls.

To investigate the underlying mechanisms of low metabolic activity of primary chondrocytes obtained from girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); AIS is a spine-deforming disease that often occurs in girls. AIS is associated with a lower bone mass than that of healthy individuals and osteopenia. Leptin was shown to play an important role in bone growth. It can also regulate the function of chondrocytes. Changes in leptin and Ob-R levels in AIS patients have been reported in several studies. The underlying mechanisms between the dysfunction of peripheral leptin signaling and abnormal chondrocytes remain unclear; The following parameters were evaluated in AIS patients and the control groups: total serum leptin levels; Ob-R expression in the plasma membrane of primary chondrocytes; JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation status. Then, we inhibited the lysosome and proteasome and knocked down clathrin heavy chain (CHC) expression in primary chondrocytes isolated from girls with AIS and evaluated Ob-R expression. We investigated the effects of leptin combined with a lysosome inhibitor or CHC knockdown in primary chondrocytes obtained from AIS patients; Compared with the controls, AIS patients showed similar total serum leptin levels, reduced JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, and decreased cartilage matrix synthesis in the facet joint. Lower metabolic activity and lower membrane expression of Ob-R were observed in primary chondrocytes from the AIS group than in the controls. Lysosome inhibition increased the total Ob-R content but had no effect on the membrane expression of Ob-R or leptin's effects on AIS primary chondrocytes. CHC knockdown upregulated the membrane Ob-R levels and enhanced leptin's effects on AIS primary chondrocytes; The underlying mechanism of chondrocytes that are hyposensitive to leptin in some girls with AIS is low plasma membrane Ob-R expression that results from an imbalance between the rate of receptor endocytosis and the insertion of newly synthesized receptors into the membrane.