[Land Change Simulation and Grassland Carbon Storage in the Loess Plateau Based on SSP-RCP Scenarios].

Exploring the spatial distribution of land use/coverage (LUCC) and ecosystem carbon reserves in the future of climate change can provide a scientific basis for optimizing the distribution of land resources and formulating social economic sustainable development policies. In this study, we integrated the plaques generating land use simulation (PLUS) model and ecosystem services and weighing comprehensive evaluation (InVEST) model. Based on the CMIP6-based sharing socio-economic path and representative concentration path (SSP-RCP), we evaluated the Loess Plateau for time and space dynamic changes in LUCC and ecosystem carbon reserves, analyzed the impact of driving factors on different regions, and explored the correlation between carbon reserves in various regions. The results showed:① In the future, the three scenarios were similar to the LUCC changes. The area of cultivated land, grassland, and unused land would be reduced to varying degrees, and the construction land had expanded sharply. The increase in the three scenarios was 29.23%-53.56% (SSP126), 34.59%-63.28% (SSP245), and 42.80%-73.27% (SSP585). ② Compared with that in 2020, the carbon reserves of SSP126 sites in 2040 increased by 1.813 8×106 t, and in the remaining scenarios it would continue to decline. By 2060, the grassland carbon reserves in the three scenarios decreased by 13.391×106, 33.548×106, and 85.871×106 t, respectively. ③ From the perspective of space correlation, the carbon reserves of the Loess Plateau were correlated between cities. The difference in future scenarios was not significant. The hotspots were distributed in the middle and north of the research area. There was no obvious cold spot area. ④ The changes in land use were predicted to increase or lose carbon reserves. Forestry, cultivated land, and grassland had more carbon reserves those in than other land types. Increasing their area and restrictions on the conversion of other land types should increase the ecosystem carbon reserves.

US exceptionalism? International trends in midlife mortality.

BACKGROUND: Rising midlife mortality in the USA has raised concerns, particularly the increase in 'deaths of despair' (due to drugs, alcohol and suicide). Life expectancy is also stalling in other countries such as the UK, but how trends in midlife mortality are evolving outside the USA is less understood. We provide a synthesis of cause-specific mortality trends in midlife (25-64 years of age) for the USA and the UK as well as other high-income and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. METHODS: We document trends in midlife mortality in the USA, UK and a group of 13 high-income countries in Western Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan, as well as seven CEE countries from 1990 to 2019. We use annual mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database to analyse sex- and age-specific (25-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years) age-standardized death rates across 15 major cause-of-death categories. RESULTS: US midlife mortality rates have worsened since 1990 for several causes of death including drug-related, alcohol-related, suicide, metabolic diseases, nervous system diseases, respiratory diseases and infectious/parasitic diseases. Deaths due to homicide, transport accidents and cardiovascular diseases have declined since 1990 but saw recent increases or stalling of improvements. Midlife mortality also increased in the UK for people aged 45-54 year and in Canada, Poland and Sweden among for those aged 25-44 years. CONCLUSIONS: The USA is increasingly falling behind not only high-income, but also CEE countries, some of which were heavily impacted by the post-socialist mortality crisis of the 1990s. Although levels of midlife mortality in the UK are substantially lower than those in the USA overall, there are signs that UK midlife mortality is worsening relative to that in Western Europe.

Bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis combined with optic perineuritis associated with atezolizumab treatment for small cell lung carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular immune-related adverse events (OirAEs) associated with novel cancer therapies of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are emerging. Retrobulbar optic neuritis (ON) combined with optic perineuritis (OPN), associated with atezolizumab, has been rarely reported and has a unique clinical manifestation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. As maintenance therapy, atezolizumab was administered continuously for 10 cycles for approximately 14 months. One week after the administration of the tenth dose of atezolizumab, the patient experienced a bilateral, successive painless visual decline. The fundus and the retinal nerve fiber layer revealed no abnormalities, but the ganglion cell of the macula disappeared loss. The concentric shrinking of the peripheral visual field of the left eye was noticed. Orbital MRI revealed bilateral optic nerve thickening and peripheral optic nerve sheath enhancement ("tram-track" and "doughnut" signs). Serology, cerebrospinal fluid results, and image examination ruled out common causes of vision decline, and the condition was identified as bilateral retrobulbar ON combined with OPN as a probable atezolizumab-related immune adverse event. Thereafter, atezolizumab was discontinued, and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse (IVMP) (160 mg/day for 5 days) plus intravenous immunoglobulin (20 g/day for 3 days) was administered. The patient's visual function considerably improved after three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Retrobulbar ON and OPN associated with atezolizumab are rare side effects that are easily overlooked. Immune-related ON has unique features and requires early identification. The primary treatment for optic nerve irAEs is corticosteroids, but this is not standardized and should be used with caution.

Expression and possible role of Smad3 in postnecrotizing enterocolitis stricture.

Objective: To investigate the expression of Smad3 (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3) protein in postnecrotizing enterocolitis stricture and its possible mechanism of action. Methods: We used immunohistochemistry to detect the expression characteristics of Smad3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins in human postnecrotizing enterocolitis stricture. We cultured IEC-6 (crypt epithelial cells of rat small intestine) in vitro and inhibited the expression of Smad3 using siRNA technique. Quantitative PCR, western blotting, and ELISA were used to detect the changes in transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions in IEC-6 cells. CCK8 kit and Transwell cellular migration were used to detect cell proliferation and migration. Changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin and vimentin) in IEC-6 cells were detected by immunofluorescence technique. Results: The results showed that Smad3 protein and NF-κB protein were overexpressed in narrow intestinal tissues and that Smad3 protein expression was positively correlated with NF-κB protein expression. After inhibiting the expression of Smad3 in IEC-6 cells, the mRNA expressions of NF-κB, TGF-ß1, ZO-1, and VEGF decreased, whereas the mRNA expression of TNF-α did not significantly change. TGF-ß1, NF-κB, and TNF-α protein expressions in IEC-6 cells decreased, whereas ZO-1 and intracellular VEGF protein expressions increased. IEC-6 cell proliferation and migration capacity decreased. There was no significant change in protein expression levels of EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin and also extracellular VEGF protein expression. Conclusions: We suspect that the high expression of Smad3 protein in postnecrotizing enterocolitis stricture may promote the occurrence and development of secondary intestinal stenosis. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-ß1, NF-κB, TNF-α, ZO-1, and VEGF mRNA and protein expression. This may also be related to the ability of Smad3 to promote epithelial cell proliferation and migration.

Life expectancy changes since COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented rise in mortality that translated into life expectancy losses around the world, with only a few exceptions. We estimate life expectancy changes in 29 countries since 2020 (including most of Europe, the United States and Chile), attribute them to mortality changes by age group and compare them with historic life expectancy shocks. Our results show divergence in mortality impacts of the pandemic in 2021. While countries in western Europe experienced bounce backs from life expectancy losses of 2020, eastern Europe and the United States witnessed sustained and substantial life expectancy deficits. Life expectancy deficits during fall/winter 2021 among people ages 60+ and <60 were negatively correlated with measures of vaccination uptake across countries (r60+ = -0.86; two-tailed P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, -0.94 to -0.69; r<60 = -0.74; two-tailed P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, -0.88 to -0.46). In contrast to 2020, the age profile of excess mortality in 2021 was younger, with those in under-80 age groups contributing more to life expectancy losses. However, even in 2021, registered COVID-19 deaths continued to account for most life expectancy losses.

Expression and Possible Role of Silent Mating Type Information Regulation 2 Homolog 1 in Post-necrotizing Enterocolitis Stricture in vivo and in vitro.

Purpose: To investigate the expression and possible role of Sirtuin1 or Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1) in post-necrotizing enterocolitis stricture. Materials and Methods: The expression characteristics of SIRT1 and TGF-ß1 in post-necrotizing enterocolitis stricture were detected by immunohistochemistry. The siRNA-SIRT1 was used to inhibit the expression of SIRT1 in intestinal epithelial cells-6 (IEC-6), and qRT-PCR, WB, and ELISA were utilized to detect the changes of Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tight junction protein-1 (ZO-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions. The IEC-6 cell proliferation and migration ability were tested via CCK8 kit and Transwell test. The expression of E-cadherin and Vimentin in cells was detected by immunofluorescence. Results: The CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the serum of Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) intestinal stenosis patients were significantly higher than the reference values. The SIRT1 protein was under-expressed and the TGF-ß1 protein was overexpressed in NEC intestinal stenosis tissue. And the expression of SIRT1 was negatively correlated with TGF-ß1. At the time of diagnosis of NEC, the expression of SIRT1 decreased in children with respiratory distress syndrome and CRP level increased. After inhibiting the expression of SIRT1 in IEC6 cells, the expression levels of TGF-ß1, Smad3, and NF-κB were decreased, and the expression of ZO-1 was also decreased. The proliferation and migration ability of IEC6 cells was decreased significantly, and the expression of E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in IEC6 cells did not change significantly. Conclusion: Promotion of intestinal fibrosis by inflammation may be the mechanism of post-necrotizing enterocolitis stricture. SIRT1 may be a protective protein of NEC. The probable mechanism is that SIRT1 can regulate intestinal fibrosis and can protect the intestinal mucosal barrier function to participate in the process of post-necrotizing enterocolitis stricture.

The mRNA and miRNA profiles of goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by Pasteurella multocida strains of serotype A and D.

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a zoonotic bacterium that predominantly colonizes the respiratory tract and lungs of a variety of farmed and wild animals, and causes severe respiratory disease. To investigate the characteristics of the host immune response induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D, high-throughput mRNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq were performed to analyze the changes in goat bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by these two serotypes of P. multocida for 4 h. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to validate the randomly selected genes and miRNAs. The results revealed 204 and 117 differentially expressed mRNAs (|log2(Fold-change)| ≥ 1, p-value < 0.05) in the P. multocida serotype A and D stimulated groups, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of differentially expressed miRNAs (|log2(Fold-change)| > 0.1, p-value < 0.05) were 269 and 290, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed 13 GO terms (p-value < 0.05) and four KEGG pathways (p-value < 0.05) associated with immunity. In the serotype A-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the GABAergic synapse and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, while in the serotype D-stimulated group, the immune-related pathways were the phagosome and B cell receptor signaling pathways. Based on the predicted results of TargetScan and miRanda, the differentially expressed mRNA-miRNA network of immune-related GO terms and KEGG pathways was constructed. According to the cell morphological changes and the significant immune-related KEGG pathways, it was speculated that the P. multocida serotype D strain-stimulated goat bronchial epithelial cells may induce a cellular immune response earlier than serotype A-stimulated cells. Our study provides valuable insight into the host immune response mechanism induced by P. multocida strains of serotype A and D.

Quantifying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through life-expectancy losses: a population-level study of 29 countries.

BACKGROUND: Variations in the age patterns and magnitudes of excess deaths, as well as differences in population sizes and age structures, make cross-national comparisons of the cumulative mortality impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic challenging. Life expectancy is a widely used indicator that provides a clear and cross-nationally comparable picture of the population-level impacts of the pandemic on mortality. METHODS: Life tables by sex were calculated for 29 countries, including most European countries, Chile and the USA, for 2015-2020. Life expectancy at birth and at age 60 years for 2020 were contextualized against recent trends between 2015 and 2019. Using decomposition techniques, we examined which specific age groups contributed to reductions in life expectancy in 2020 and to what extent reductions were attributable to official COVID-19 deaths. RESULTS: Life expectancy at birth declined from 2019 to 2020 in 27 out of 29 countries. Males in the USA and Lithuania experienced the largest losses in life expectancy at birth during 2020 (2.2 and 1.7 years, respectively), but reductions of more than an entire year were documented in 11 countries for males and 8 among females. Reductions were mostly attributable to increased mortality above age 60 years and to official COVID-19 deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered significant mortality increases in 2020 of a magnitude not witnessed since World War II in Western Europe or the breakup of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe. Females from 15 countries and males from 10 ended up with lower life expectancy at birth in 2020 than in 2015.

A hybrid transition metal nanocrystal-embedded graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet system as a superior oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

In this study, we, for the first time, demonstrate a general solid-phase pyrolysis method to synthesize hybrid transition metal nanocrystal-embedded graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets, namely M-CNNs, as a highly efficient oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). The ratios between metallic acetylacetonates and the g-C3N4 precursor can be controlled where Fe-CNNs-0.7, Ni-CNNs-0.7 and Co-NNs-0.7 composites have been optimized to exhibit superior ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalytic activities. Specifically, Co-CNNs-0.7 exhibited not only a comparable half-wave potential (0.803 V vs. RHE) to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.832 V) with a larger current density for the ORR but also a lower overpotential (440 mV) toward the OER compared with the commercial IrO2 catalyst (460 mV), revealing impressive application in rechargeable ZABs. As a result, ZABs using Co-CNNs-0.7 as the cathode exhibited an excellent peak power density of 85.3 mW cm-2 with a specific capacity of 675.7 mA h g-1 and remarkable cycling stability of 1000 cycles, outperforming the commercially available Pt/C + IrO2 catalysts. This study highlights the synergy from heterointerfaces in oxygen electrocatalysis, thus providing a promising approach for advanced metal-air cathode materials.

Coordinative-to-covalent transformation, isomerization dynamics, and logic gate application of dithienylethene based photochromic cages.

Photochromic coordinative cages containing dynamic C[double bond, length as m-dash]N imine bonds are assembled from a dithienylethene-based aldehyde and tris-amine precursors via metallo-component self-assembly. The resulting metal-templated cages are then reduced and demetalated into pure covalent-organic cages (COCs), which are otherwise difficult to prepare via de novo organic synthesis. Both the obtained coordinative and covalent cages can be readily interconverted between the ring-open (o-isomer) and one-lateral ring-closed (c-isomer) forms by UV/vis light irradiation, demonstrating distinct absorption, luminescence and photoisomerization dynamics. Specifically, the ring-closed c-COCs show a blue-shifted absorption band compared with analogous metal-templated cages, which can be applied in photoluminescence (PL) color-tuning of upconversion materials in different ways, showing potential for constructing multi-readout logic gate systems.

Integrated mRNA and miRNA profiling in NIH/3T3 cells in response to bovine papillomavirus E6 gene expression.

Delta bovine papillomaviruses (δBPVs) mainly infect cattle and cause fibropapillomas. δBPVs encode three oncogenes, E5, E6 and E7. The effect of E6 on microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression profiles is not well characterized. In this study, RNA sequencing and small RNA sequencing were used to explore alterations in mRNAs and miRNAs in E6 over-expressing NIH/3T3 cells (NH-E6) compared with control cells (NH-GFP). We found that 350 genes (181 upregulated and 169 downregulated) and 54 miRNAs (26 upregulated and 28 downregulated) were differentially expressed (DE) following E6 expression. The top 20 significantly enriched GO terms in "biological process" included inflammatory response, innate immune response, immune response, immune system process, positive regulation of apoptotic process, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis. We constructed a potential miRNA-gene regulatory network from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DE miRNAs. Finally, we selected 19 immune-response related DEGs and 11 DE miRNAs for qPCR validation. Of these, upregulation of 12 genes, Ccl2, Ccl7, Cxcl1, Cxcl5, Tlr2, Nfkbia, Fas, Il1rl1, Ltbp1, Rab32, and Zc3h12a, Dclk1 and downregulation of four genes, Agtr2, Ptx3, Sfrp1, and Thbs1 were confirmed. Ccl2, Ccl7, Cxcl1 and Cxcl5 were upregulated more than ten-fold in NH-E6 compared with NH-GFP. Also, upregulation of three miRNAs, mmu-miR-129-2-3p, mmu-miR-149-5p-R-2 and mmu-miR-222-3p, and downregulation of five miRNAs, mmu-miR-582-3p-R+1, mmu-miR-582-5p, mmu-miR-708-3p, mmu-miR-708-5p and mmu-miR-1197-3p, were confirmed. Our study describes changes in both mRNA and miRNA profiles in response to BPV E6 expression, providing new insights into BPV E6 oncogene functions.

Prolyl oligopeptidase regulates progesterone secretion via the ERK signaling pathway in murine luteal cells.

Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), one of the most widely distributed serine endopeptidases, is highly expressed in the ovaries. However, the physiological role of POP in the ovaries is not clear. In this study, we investigated the significance of POP in the corpus luteum. Murine luteal cells were cultured in vitro and treated with a POP selective inhibitor, (2S)-1[[(2 S)-1-(1-oxo-4-phenylbutyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl carbonyl]-2-pyrrolidinecarbonitrile (KYP-2047). We found that KYP-2047 treatment decreased progesterone secretion. In contrast, POP overexpression increased progesterone secretion. Three essential steroidogenic enzymes, including p450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), were regulated by POP. Further studies showed that POP overexpression increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased the expression of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), while KYP-2047 treatment decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and SF1 expression. To clarify the role of ERK1/2 signaling in POP-regulated progesterone synthesis, U0126-EtOH, an inhibitor of the ERK signaling pathway, was used to treat luteal cells. We found that U0126-EtOH decreased progesterone production and the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and SF1. POP overexpression did not reverse the effects of U0126-EtOH. Overall, POP regulates progesterone secretion by stimulating the expression of CYP11A, 3ß-HSD, and StAR in luteal cells. ERK signaling and downstream SF1 expression contribute to this process.

Ultrafast water sensing and thermal imaging by a metal-organic framework with switchable luminescence.

A convenient, fast and selective water analysis method is highly desirable in industrial and detection processes. Here a robust microporous Zn-MOF (metal-organic framework, Zn(hpi2cf)(DMF)(H2O)) is assembled from a dual-emissive H2hpi2cf (5-(2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid) ligand that exhibits characteristic excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). This Zn-MOF contains amphipathic micropores (<3 Å) and undergoes extremely facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation driven by reversible removal/uptake of coordinating water molecules simply stimulated by dry gas blowing or gentle heating at 70 °C, manifesting an excellent example of dynamic reversible coordination behaviour. The interconversion between the hydrated and dehydrated phases can turn the ligand ESIPT process on or off, resulting in sensitive two-colour photoluminescence switching over cycles. Therefore, this Zn-MOF represents an excellent PL water-sensing material, showing a fast (on the order of seconds) and highly selective response to water on a molecular level. Furthermore, paper or in situ grown ZnO-based sensing films have been fabricated and applied in humidity sensing (RH<1%), detection of traces of water (<0.05% v/v) in various organic solvents, thermal imaging and as a thermometer.

Homochiral D4-symmetric metal-organic cages from stereogenic Ru(II) metalloligands for effective enantioseparation of atropisomeric molecules.

Absolute chiral environments are rare in regular polyhedral and prismatic architectures, but are achievable from self-assembly of metal-organic cages/containers (MOCs), which endow us with a promising ability to imitate natural organization systems to accomplish stereochemical recognition, catalysis and separation. Here we report a general assembly approach to homochiral MOCs with robust chemical viability suitable for various practical applications. A stepwise process for assembly of enantiopure ΔΔΔΔΔΔΔΔ- and ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ-Pd6(RuL3)8 MOCs is accomplished by pre-resolution of the Δ/Λ-Ru-metalloligand precursors. The obtained Pd-Ru bimetallic MOCs feature in large D4-symmetric chiral space imposed by the predetermined Ru(II)-octahedral stereoconfigurations, which are substitutionally inert, stable, water-soluble and are capable of encapsulating a dozen guests per cage. Chiral resolution tests reveal diverse host-guest stereoselectivity towards different chiral molecules, which demonstrate enantioseparation ability for atropisomeric compounds with C2 symmetry. NMR studies indicate a distinctive resolution process depending on guest exchange dynamics, which is differentiable between host-guest diastereomers.

Dimension Increase via Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonding from Simple Pincer-like Mononuclear complexes.

A tetradentate symmetric ligand bearing both coordination and hydrogen bonding sites, N(1),N(3)-bis(1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-ethylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H2bbepd) was utilized to synthesize a series of transition metal complexes, namely [Co(H2bbepd)(H(2)O)2]·2ClO(4) (1), [Cu(H2bbepd)(OTs(-))]·OTs(-) (2),[Cu(bbepd)(CH(3)OH)] (3), [Cd(H(2)bbepd)(NO3)2]·CH(3)OH (4), [Cd(H(2)bbepd)(CH(3)OH)Cl]·Cl (5), and [Cd(bbepd)(CH(3)OH)2] (6). These complexes show similar discrete pincer-like coordination units, possessing different arrangements of hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor sites. With or without the aid of uncoordinated anions and solvent molecules, such mononuclear units have been effectively involved in the construction of hierarchical hydrogen bonding assemblies (successively via level I and level II), leading to discrete binuclear ring (complex 2), one-dimensional chain or ribbon (complexes 3, 4 and 6) and two-dimensional layer (complexes 1 and 5) aggregates.

Direct white-light and a dual-channel barcode module from Pr(III)-MOF crystals.

Direct white-light emission and further a dual-channel readable barcode module in both visible and NIR region was established by single-component homo-metallic Pr(iii)-MOF crystals for the first time.

Near-infrared (NIR) emitting Nd/Yb(III) complexes sensitized by MLCT states of Ru(II)/Ir(III) metalloligands in the visible light region.

Four Ru(II)/Ir(III) metalloligands have been designed and synthesized from polypyridine and bibenzimidazole (BiBzIm) organic ligands, which show strong visible light absorption via metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions. Nd/Yb(III) complexes were further assembled from these Ru(II)/Ir(III) metalloligands, and Ln(III)-centered NIR emissions can be efficiently sensitized by (3)MLCT states of the metalloligands in the visible-light region. The energy transfer rates for the complexes are generally in the order Nd > Yb, which is due to the better matching between (3)MLCT states of Ru(II)/Ir(III) metalloligands and densely distributed excited states of Nd(III) ions. Long decayed lifetimes on a µs scale and high quantum yields up to 1% are obtained in these lanthanide complexes, suggesting that the Ru(II)/Ir(III) metalloligands can serve as a good visible light harvesting antenna to efficiently sensitize Ln(III)-based NIR luminescence.

Activation of P2X7 receptors decreases the proliferation of murine luteal cells.

Extracellular ATP regulates cellular function in an autocrine or paracrine manner through activating purinergic signalling. Studies have shown that purinergic receptors were expressed in mammalian ovaries and they have been proposed as an intra-ovarian regulatory mechanism. P2X7 was expressed in porcine ovarian theca cells and murine and human ovarian surface epithelium and is involved in ATP-induced apoptotic cell death. However, the role of P2X7 in corpus luteum is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ATP signalling in murine luteal cells and the possible mechanism(s) involved. We found that P2X7 was highly expressed in murine small luteal cells. The agonists of P2X7, ATP and BzATP, inhibited the proliferation of luteal cells. P2X7 antagonist BBG reversed the inhibition induced by ATP and BzATP. Further studies showed that ATP and BzATP inhibited the expression of cell cycle regulators cyclinD2 and cyclinE2. ATP and BzATP also inhibited the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. These results reveal that P2X7 receptor activation is involved in corpus luteum formation and function.

Stepwise assembly of Pd(6)(RuL(3))(8) nanoscale rhombododecahedral metal-organic cages via metalloligand strategy for guest trapping and protection.

Stepwise synthesis of nanosized Pd-Ru heteronuclear metal-organic cages from predesigned redox- and photo-active Ru(II)-metalloligand and naked Pd(II) ion is described. The resulting cage shows rhombododecahedral shape and contains a 5350 Å(3) cavity and 12 open windows, facilitating effective trapping of both polar and nonpolar guest molecules. Protection of photosensitive guests against UV radiation is studied.

Highly sensitive detection of organophosphorus pesticides by acetylcholinesterase-coated thin film bulk acoustic resonator mass-loading sensor.

An acetylcholinesterase-coated thin film bulk acoustic resonator has been developed for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides. The thin film bulk acoustic resonator acts as a robust mass-sensitive transducer for bio-sensing. This device works in thickness shear mode with a resonance at 1.97 GHz. The detection is based on the inhibitory effects of organophosphorus compounds on the enzymatic activity of the acetylcholinesterase immobilized on one of the faces of the acoustic resonator. The enzyme reaction in the substrate solution and the inhibitory effect is observed are real time by measuring the frequency shift. The presence of organophosphorus pesticides can be detected from the diminution of the frequency shift compared with the levels found in their absence. The device exhibits linear responses, good reproducibility, simple operation, portability and a low detection limit of 5.3×10(-11) M for paraoxon. The detection results of organophosphorus pesticide residues in practical samples show that the proposed sensor has the feasibility and sensing accuracy comparable to gas chromatography.