Associations of residential greenness with bone mineral density and osteoporosis: the modifying effect of genetic susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations of residential greenness with bone mineral density and incident osteoporosis, and further evaluate the potential modifying effect of genetic susceptibility. METHODS: We used the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at various buffer distances, including 300 m (NDVI300m), 500 m (NDVI500m), 1000 m (NDVI1000m) and 1500 m (NDVI1500m), to serve as indicators of greenness. We fitted linear regression, logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models to assess the associations of residential greenness with estimated bone mineral density (eBMD), prevalent osteoporosis and incident osteoporosis, respectively. With the Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) for osteoporosis, we further assessed the joint effects of genetic risk and greenness on the risk of osteoporosis. We conducted causal mediation analyses to explore potential mediators. RESULTS: Each IQR increase in NDVI300m was associated with 0.0007 (95% CI 0.0002 to 0.0013) increase in eBMD, 6% lower risk of prevalent osteoporosis (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.97) and 5% lower risk of incident osteoporosis (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93 to 0.98). The joint effects of greenness and PRS on the risk of osteoporosis displayed a clear dose-response pattern. Compared with individuals exposed to low NDVI levels and high genetic risk, those exposed to high NDVI levels and low genetic risk had a 56% (95% CI 51% to 61%) lower risk of osteoporosis. The primary mediators in the association between greenness and incident osteoporosis were identified as PM2.5 and NO2. CONCLUSIONS: Residential greenness was associated with higher bone mineral density and decreased risk of incident osteoporosis.

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation in the distal ulna where the lesion is continuous with the medullary cavity: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) is a rare benign bone tumor, it is also called "Nora's lesion". The lesion is characterized by heterotopic ossification of the normal bone cortex or parosteal bone. The etiology of BPOP is unclear and may be related to trauma. In most BPOPs, the lesion is not connected to the medullary cavity. Here we report an atypical case, characterized by reversed features compared to the typical BPOP, which demonstrated continuity of the lesion with the cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old female child had a slow-growing mass on her right wrist for 8 months with forearm rotation dysfunction. Plain X-rays showed an irregular calcified mass on the right distal ulna, and computed tomography (CT) showed a pedunculated mass resembling a mushroom protruding into the soft tissue at the distal ulna. The medulla of this lesion is continuous with the medulla of the ulna. A surgical resection of the lesion, together with a portion of the ulnar bone cortex below the tumor was performed, and the final pathology confirmed BPOP. After the surgery, the child's forearm rotation function improved significantly, and there was no sign of a recurrence at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is scarce for BPOP lesions to communicate with the medullary cavity. However, under-recognition of these rare cases may result in misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment thereby increasing the risk of recurrence. Therefore, special cases where BPOP lesions are continuous with the medulla are even more important to be studied to understand better and master these lesions. Although BPOP is a benign tumor with no evidence of malignant transformation, the recurrence rate of surgical resection is high. We considered the possibility of this particular disease prior to surgery and performed a surgical resection with adequate safety margins. Regular postoperative follow-up is of utmost importance, without a doubt.

Endoprosthetic replacement with preservation of the epiphysis for proximal tibial reconstruction after osteosarcoma resection in children: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Limb salvage surgery is an important method for treating malignant tumors of the bone involving the adjacent parts of the major joints in children. This technique allows for preservation of limb function, especially in the lower limb. However, the reconstruction of the proximal end of the tibia after removing the tumor mass with a rational scale to preserve the total knee joint and reduce limb length discrepancy presents a challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia. After being treated with an extended tumor resection, the proximal tibia of the child was restructured using endoprosthetic replacement with epiphyseal preservation. This procedure preserves the entire articular surface and growth plate of the knee joint of the affected limb and provides a feasible alternative protocol for retaining the function and growth potential of the affected limb. The patient remained disease-free and normal limb motor function was observed during the 3.5 year follow-up since the initial surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the epiphysis enabled our patient to perform better limb function after limb-saving surgery as a result of his undamaged knee joint and minimized limb-length discrepancy. We believe that endoprosthetic replacement with preservation of the epiphysis can provide the best strategy for reconstruction after resection of focal malignant tumors in long bones without epiphytic involvement.

Photoinduced Borylation for the Synthesis of Organoboron Compounds.

Organoboron compounds have important synthetic value and can be applied in numerous transformations. The development of practical and convenient ways to synthesize boronate esters has thus attracted significant interest. Photoinduced borylations originated from stoichiometric reactions of alkanes and arenes with well-defined metal-boryl complexes. Now, photoredox-initiated borylations, catalyzed by either transition metal or organic photocatalysts, and photochemical borylations with high efficiency have become a burgeoning area of research. In this Focus Review, we summarize research on photoinduced borylations, especially emphasizing recent developments and trends. This includes the photoinduced borylation of arenes, alkanes, aryl/alkyl halides, activated carboxylic acids, amines, alcohols, and so on based on transition metal catalysis, metal-free organocatalysis, and direct photochemical activation. We focus on reaction mechanisms involving single-electron transfer, triplet-energy transfer, and other radical processes.

Transition-Metal-Free, Site-Selective C-F Arylation of Polyfluoroarenes via Electrophotocatalysis.

Direct CAr-F arylation is effective and sustainable for synthesis of polyfluorobiaryls with different degrees of fluorination, which are important motifs in medical and material chemistry. However, with no aid of transition metals, the engagement of CAr-F bond activation has proved difficult. Herein, an unprecedented transition-metal-free strategy is reported for site-selective CAr-F arylation of polyfluoroarenes with simple (het)arenes. By merging N,N-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-bis(dicarboximide)-catalyzed electrophotocatalytic reduction and anodic nitroxyl radical oxidation in an electrophotocatalytic cell, various polyfluoroaromatics (2F-6F and 8F), especially inactive partially fluorinated aromatics, undergo sacrificial-reagents-free C-F bond arylation with high regioselectivity, and the yields are comparable to those for reported transition-metal catalysis. This atom- and step-economic protocol features a paired electrocatalysis with organic mediators in both cathodic and anodic processes. The broad substrate scope and good functional-group compatibility highlight the merits of this operationally simple strategy. Moreover, the easy gram-scale synthesis and late-stage functionalization collectively advocate for the practical value, which would promote the vigorous development of fluorine chemistry.

Visible-Light-Induced Ni-Catalyzed Radical Borylation of Chloroarenes.

A highly selective and general photoinduced C-Cl borylation protocol that employs [Ni(IMes)2] (IMes = 1,3-dimesitylimidazoline-2-ylidene) for the radical borylation of chloroarenes is reported. This photoinduced system operates with visible light (400 nm) and achieves borylation of a wide range of chloroarenes with B2pin2 at room temperature in excellent yields and with high selectivity, thereby demonstrating its broad utility and functional group tolerance. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the borylation reactions proceed via a radical process. EPR studies demonstrate that [Ni(IMes)2] undergoes very fast chlorine atom abstraction from aryl chlorides to give [NiI(IMes)2Cl] and aryl radicals. Control experiments indicate that light promotes the reaction of [NiI(IMes)2Cl] with aryl chlorides generating additional aryl radicals and [NiII(IMes)2Cl2]. The aryl radicals react with an anionic sp2-sp3 diborane [B2pin2(OMe)]- formed from B2pin2 and KOMe to yield the corresponding borylation product and the [Bpin(OMe)]•- radical anion, which reduces [NiII(IMes)2Cl2] under irradiation to regenerate [NiI(IMes)2Cl] and [Ni(IMes)2] for the next catalytic cycle.

Ni-Catalyzed Traceless, Directed C3-Selective C-H Borylation of Indoles.

A highly efficient and general protocol for traceless, directed C3-selective C-H borylation of indoles with [Ni(IMes)2] as the catalyst is reported. Activation and borylation of N-H bonds by [Ni(IMes)2] is essential to install a Bpin moiety at the N-position as a traceless directing group, which enables the C3-selective borylation of C-H bonds. The N-Bpin group which is formed is easily converted in situ back to an N-H group by the oxidative addition product of [Ni(IMes)2] and in situ-generated HBpin. The catalytic reactions are operationally simple, allowing borylation of a variety of substituted indoles with B2pin2 in excellent yields and with high selectivity. The C-H borylation can be followed by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of the C-borylated indoles in an overall two-step, one-pot process providing an efficient method for synthesizing C3-functionalized heteroarenes.

Alterations in Regional Homogeneity Assessed by fMRI in Patients with Migraine Without Aura.

The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in regional homogeneity assessed by fMRI in patients with migraine without aura (MWoA). Fifty-six eligible MWoA patients and 32 matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. MWoA patients were divided into three groups according to the headache days per month within 3 months: infrequent episodic migraine (IEM) group, frequent episodic migraine (FEM) group, and chronic migraine (CM) group. Data collection and rest-state fMRI examination were performed in all cases. The ReHo method was used to analyze the blood oxygen level dependent (BLOD) signals of the adjacent voxels in the brain regions of each patient, and the consistency of their fluctuations in the sequences of same time. Compared with normal controls, ReHo values of bilateral thalami, right insula and right middle temporal gyrus increased and both precentral gyri decreased in the IEM group; ReHo values of bilateral thalami and the right middle temporal gyrus increased; ReHo values of both anterior cingulate cortex, precentral gyri and putamen decreased in the FEM group. Compared with control group, ReHo values of left olfactory cortex, right hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, suboccipital gyrus and precuneus increased, both precentral gyri, precuneus, putamen and anterior cingulate cortex decreased in the CM group. Compared with IEM group, ReHo values of both putamen, left middle frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus increased, and the left precuneus decreased in the FEM group. Compared with FEM group, ReHo values of left olfactory and left precuneus increased, and the right superior frontal gyrus, insula, middle temporal gyrus, thalami, both superior temporal gyri decreased in the CM group. In the IEM group, the changes of function focus on the regions associated with coding, conduction and regulation of pain signals. In the FEM group, functional alterations mainly concentrated on the regions associated with pain regulation and emotion cognition. In the CM group, the changes focus on the regions related to spatial attention and cognition, affective disorders and pain feedback, which may be associated with migraine production, development and chronification.

Selective Photocatalytic C-F Borylation of Polyfluoroarenes by Rh/Ni Dual Catalysis Providing Valuable Fluorinated Arylboronate Esters.

A highly selective and general photocatalytic C-F borylation protocol that employs a rhodium biphenyl complex as a triplet sensitizer and the nickel catalyst [Ni(IMes)2] (IMes = 1,3-dimesitylimidazoline-2-ylidene) for the C-F bond activation and defluoroborylation process is reported. This tandem catalyst system operates with visible (blue, 400 nm) light and achieves borylation of a wide range of fluoroarenes with B2pin2 at room temperature in excellent yields and with high selectivity. Direct irradiation of the intermediary C-F bond oxidative addition product trans-[NiF(ArF)(IMes)2] leads to very fast decomposition when B2pin2 is present. This destructive pathway can be bypassed by indirect excitation of the triplet states of the nickel(II) complex via the photoexcited rhodium biphenyl complex. Mechanistic studies suggest that the exceptionally long-lived triplet excited state of the Rh biphenyl complex used as the photosensitizer allows for efficient triplet energy transfer to trans-[NiF(ArF)(IMes)2], which leads to dissociation of one of the NHC ligands. This contrasts with the majority of current photocatalytic transformations, which employ transition metals as excited state single electron transfer agents. We have previously reported that C(arene)-F bond activation with [Ni(IMes)2] is facile at room temperature, but that the transmetalation step with B2pin2 is associated with a high energy barrier. Thus, this triplet energy transfer ultimately leads to a greatly enhanced rate constant for the transmetalation step and thus for the whole borylation process. While addition of a fluoride source such as CsF enhances the yield, it is not absolutely required. We attribute this yield-enhancing effect to (i) formation of an anionic adduct of B2pin2, i.e., FB2pin2-, as an efficient, much more nucleophilic {Bpin-} transfer reagent for the borylation/transmetalation process, and/or (ii) trapping of the Lewis acidic side product FBpin by formation of [F2Bpin]- to avoid the formation of a significant amount of NHC-FBpin and consequently decomposition of {Ni(NHC)2} species in the reaction mixture.

[Study on biocompatibility of carbon-based composites].

Silicon carbide (SiC) film and silicon dioxide (SiO 2) film were deposited on the surface of carbon/carbon composite (C/C) by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The biocompatibility of the three carbon-based composites, e. g. C/C, C/C-SiC, C/C-SiO 2 were investigated by cytotoxicity test, cell direct contact and cell adhesion experiments. Cytotoxicity, cell direct contact and cell adhesion showed that the three materials had no toxic effect on mouse fibroblasts (L929 cells). However, the particles dropped off from the three materials had a great impact on evaluation accuracy of the thiazolyl blue (MTT) test. More the particles were lost, more growth inhibition to L929 cells. The evaluation accuracy of MTT method can be kept with the filtered extract of materials. Furthermore, the results of surface particles shedding experiment showed that the amount of surface particles shed from C/C-SiO 2 was the most, followed by C/C and C/C-SiC in 72 hours. Particles shedding curves showed there was a peak reached at eighth hour and then declined to the thirty-sixth hour. The filtrate analysis showed that there was no ion exchange between the three materials and simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. The results of this study on biocompatibility of carbon-based composites have certain guiding significance for their future application in clinical filed.

Single-base resolution methylomes of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) reveal epigenome modifications in response to drought stress.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation, with a cryptic role in genome stability, gene transcription and expression, is involved in the drought response process in plants, but the complex regulatory mechanism is still largely unknown. RESULTS: Here, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and identified long non-coding RNAs on cotton leaves under drought stress and re-watering treatments. We obtained 31,223 and 30,997 differentially methylated regions (representing 2.48% of the genome) after drought stress and re-watering treatments, respectively. Our data also showed that three sequence contexts, including mCpG, mCHG, mCHH, all presented a hyper-methylation pattern under drought stress and were nearly restored to normal levels after the re-watering treatment. Among all the methylation variations, asymmetric CHH methylation was the most consistent with external environments, suggesting that methylation/demethylation in a CHH context may constitute a novel epigenetic modification in response to drought stress. Combined with the targets of long non-coding RNAs, we found that long non-coding RNAs may mediate variations in methylation patterns by splicing into microRNAs. Furthermore, the many hormone-related genes with methylation variations suggested that plant hormones might be a potential mechanism in the drought response. CONCLUSIONS: Future crop-improvement strategies may benefit by taking into account not only the DNA genetic variations in cotton varieties but also the epigenetic modifications of the genome.

Pasteurized autograft reconstruction after resection of periacetabular malignant bone tumours.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of periacetabular malignant bone tumours is challenging. Many methods of reconstruction after internal hemipelvectomy have been reported and each method has its own limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes of pasteurized autograft reconstruction after resection of periacetabular malignant bone tumours. METHODS: Ten patients (six male, four female) with periacetabular malignant tumours, who underwent resection and reconstruction with pasteurized autograft, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' average age at diagnosis was 40 years (range 13-65 years). There were five patients with chondrosarcoma, three with osteosarcoma, one with Ewing's sarcoma, and one with solitary metastatic thyroid carcinoma. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive (six with no evidence of the primary disease and one with lung metastasis for 5 months). The three other patients died of metastasis of the primary disease with a mean survival time of 12 (range 8-17) months postoperatively. The mean follow-up time for all patients was 45 (range 8-87) months. Local recurrence rate was 10%. The mean time of bone union was 12 (range 6-21) months after the operation. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for all living patients at the last follow-up was 70.5% (range 43.3-86.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction with pasteurized autograft is a feasible method for treating periacetabular malignant bone tumours, with satisfactory oncological and functional outcomes and a relatively low incidence of complications.

Visible-Light-Driven Selective Photocatalytic Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde over Au/SiC Catalysts.

Highly selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol with 2-propanol was achieved using SiC-supported Au nanoparticles as photocatalyst. The hydrogenation reached a turnover frequency as high as 487 h(-1) with 100% selectivity for the production of alcohol under visible light irradiation at 20 °C. This high performance is attributed to a synergistic effect of localized surface plasmon resonance of Au NPs and charge transfer across the SiC/Au interface. The charged metal surface facilitates the oxidation of 2-propanol to form acetone, while the electron and steric effects at the interface favor the preferred end-adsorption of α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes for their selective conversion to unsaturated alcohols. We show that this Au/SiC photocatalyst is capable of hydrogenating a large variety of α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes to their corresponding unsaturated alcohols with high conversion and selectivity.

"Secretory" Carcinoma of the Skin Mimicking Secretory Carcinoma of the Breast: Case Report and Literature Review.

Secretory carcinoma is a unique kind of adenocarcinoma. It has distinct histological features and a special genetic change, that is, t (12; 15) (p13; q25) translocation which leads to the expression of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene. Secretory carcinoma has been found to occur both in the breast and salivary gland. Here the authors present a case of 22-year-old woman with a unique cutaneous neoplasm located at the axilla. The tumor was characterized histologically with the formation of round to ovoid microcysts and papillary structure, which was similar to the secretory carcinoma of the breast and salivary gland. Furthermore, the gene sequence analysis of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction products demonstrated the expression of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of secretory carcinoma from the skin which has the same genetic change as those from the breast and salivary gland. Local excision was performed on this patient. She had been followed up for nearly 1 year. No recurrence or metastasis was found yet.

Total femoral reconstruction with custom prosthesis for osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess total femur replacement for the treatment of femoral osteosarcomas. METHODS: Between January 1995 and January 2012, 21 patients with a mean age of 21.8 years old were treated for femoral osteosarcomas with total femur replacement. All tumors were staged according to Enneking's criteria with one stage IIA case and 20 stage IIB cases. RESULTS: The survival of patients with osteosarcoma without metastases was 66.7% at 5 years. Twelve patients were alive with an overall mean follow-up of 71.2 months, and the mean postoperative functional score was 72.5% at their last follow-up. Superficial infection occurred in two patients, which were resolved by changing dressing and intravenous antibiotics. Deep infection occurred in one patient, which was an amputation by hip disarticulation. Patella fracture occurred in one patient, which was treated by open reduction and tension band fixation. Local recurrence was seen in one patient, which was an amputation by hip disarticulation. Pulmonary metastases were observed in nine patients and all the patients subsequently died of disease within 12 months. Aseptic loosening in tibial stem occurred in three patients, whose whole prosthesis was revised. CONCLUSIONS: Total femur replacement is a reliable method to restore mechanical and functional results after extensive resection of the femur.

[Therapeutic effect analysis for open resection in osteoid osteoma around lesser trochanter of femur].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the radiological features of osteoid osteoma around lesser trochante of femur, and to analyze the outcomes of treatment with open surgery.
 Methods: From July 2013 to August 2015, 14 patients (9 males, 5 females) with osteoid osteoma around lesser trochanter were retrospectively reviewed. The ages of patients were 9-44 (average 20) years old. The duration of symptom was 3-36 (average 8) months. After the X-ray plain radiography, CT and MR, all patients underwent open resection. No intense exercise was allowed in the first three months after the operation.
 Results: There were 9 cases of cortical type, and 5 cases of subperiosteal type. The niduses were found by plain radiographs in 9 patients. By CT scan, the niduses were found in all 14 patients. The average pre-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) without NSAIDs was 6.5. One month after the operation, the average VAS was 0 for all patients. The follow up time for all patients was 9-34 (average 20) months. No recurrence, infection, neurovascular injury or fracture was found during the follow up.
 Conclusion: Open resection is a feasible method for osteoid osteoma around lesser trochanter of femur with satisfied outcome and low complication rate.

[Efficacy of reconstruction with modular endoprosthesis after resection of periacetabular malignant tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of the resection of periacetabular malignant tumors and the reconstruction with modular endoprosthesis.
 METHODS: From August 2006 to December 2012, 22 patients with periacetabular malignant tumors, who received the resection and reconstruction with modular prosthesis, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 11 males and 11 females, and the average age was 44 (16-65) years old. Pathological results showed there were 13 cases of chondrosarcoma, 5 cases of osteosarcoma, 2 cases of Ewing's sarcoma, 1 case of maligant fibrous histiocytoma, and 1 case of giant cell tumor. According to the classification system by Enneking, there were 11 cases of Type II+III resection, 5 cases of Type I+II+III resection, 3 cases of Type I+II resection, and 3 cases of Type II resection.
 RESULTS: All patients were followed up. The average time for follow-up was 49 (11-103) months. At the last time of follow-up, 13 patients (59%) were still alive, 9 patients (41%) died due to their primary disease. Metastasis occurred in 8 patients (36%), and local recurrence occurred in 5 patients (23%). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score for 13 cases of alive patients at the latest time of follow-up was (18.5±5.7) months. The mean score for 11 patients, whose limb salvage were successful, was 20.7±2.0.
 CONCLUSION: Reconstruction with modular prosthesis after wide resection for periacetabular malignant tumor can achieve satisfied outcome.

Treatment and outcome of malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus: biological versus endoprosthetic reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome, complications and survival of the commonly used surgical reconstructions of the proximal humerus after intrarticular tumour resection in our hospital. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2010, 41 consecutive proximal humeral reconstructions using prosthesis (group P, n = 25) or recycled pasteurized autograft combined with non-vascularised fibula autograft (group B, n = 16) were performed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 57.7 months. Fourteen patients (8 patients in group P and 6 in group B) died during the follow-up period, the disease-specific survival of patients in group P was 74.5% at 5 years and in group B was 67.0%. Local recurrences were occurred in 3 cases (12.0%) in group P and 2 (12.5%) in group B. Pulmonary metastases were observed in 4 patients (16.0%) in group P and 4 (25.0%) in group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of local recurrence, pulmonary metastasis or death of disease. Revisions were indicated in 9 patients (36.0%) in group P and 5 (31.25%) in group B. Thought the incidence of revisions was higher in group P, there was no significant difference in these two groups. The Kaplan-Meier 5-year implant survival estimates, with revision for any reason as the end point, were 80.6% and 68.8% for group P and group B, respectively. The mean MSTS Score was 63.6% in group P and 63.0% in group B. These differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The study could show that prosthetic reconstruction and reconstruction with recycled pasteurized autograft are similar in terms of their local recurrence and metastasis, while the incidence of revisions was higher for patients with prosthetic reconstruction.

Copper nanoparticles on graphene support: an efficient photocatalyst for coupling of nitroaromatics in visible light.

Copper is a low-cost plasmonic metal. Efficient photocatalysts of copper nanoparticles on graphene support are successfully developed for controllably catalyzing the coupling reactions of aromatic nitro compounds to the corresponding azoxy or azo compounds under visible-light irradiation. The coupling of nitrobenzene produces azoxybenzene with a yield of 90 % at 60 °C, but azobenzene with a yield of 96 % at 90 °C. When irradiated with natural sunlight (mean light intensity of 0.044 W cm(-2) ) at about 35 °C, 70 % of the nitrobenzene is converted and 57 % of the product is azobenzene. The electrons of the copper nanoparticles gain the energy of the incident light through a localized surface plasmon resonance effect and photoexcitation of the bound electrons. The excited energetic electrons at the surface of the copper nanoparticles facilitate the cleavage of the NO bonds in the aromatic nitro compounds. Hence, the catalyzed coupling reaction can proceed under light irradiation and moderate conditions. This study provides a green photocatalytic route for the production of azo compounds and highlights a potential application for graphene.