Earth's early continental crust formed from wet and oxidizing arc magmas.

Formation of continental crust has shaped the surface and interior of our planet and generated the land and mineral resources on which we rely. However, how the early continental crust of Earth formed is still debated1-7. Modern continental crust is largely formed from wet and oxidizing arc magmas at subduction zones, in which oceanic lithosphere and water recycle into the mantle8-10. The magmatic H2O content and redox state of ancient rocks that constitute the early continental crust, however, are difficult to quantify owing to ubiquitous metamorphism. Here we combine two zircon oxybarometers11,12 to simultaneously determine magmatic oxygen fugacity (fO2) and H2O content of Archaean (4.0-2.5 billion years ago) granitoids that dominate the early continental crust. We show that most Archaean granitoid magmas were ≥1 log unit more oxidizing than Archaean ambient mantle-derived magmas13,14 and had high magmatic H2O contents (6-10 wt%) and high H2O/Ce ratios (>1,000), similar to modern arc magmas. We find that magmatic fO2, H2O contents and H2O/Ce ratios of Archaean granitoids positively correlate with depth of magma formation, requiring transport of large amounts of H2O to the lower crust and mantle. These observations can be readily explained by subduction but are difficult to reconcile with non-subduction models of crustal formation3-7. We note an increase in magmatic fO2 and H2O content between 4.0 and 3.6 billion years ago, probably indicating the onset of subduction during this period.

Evaluation of the efficacy of trigger points combined with extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: heel temperature and plantar pressure.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain. Among conservative treatments, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is considered effective for refractory PF. Studies have shown that applying ESWT to the trigger points (TrPs) in the triceps surae may play an important role in pain treatment in patients with PF. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to combine the concept of trigger points and ESWT to explore the effect of this combination on plantar temperature and pressure in patients with PF. METHODS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 86 patients with PF were recruited from the pain clinic of Huadong Hospital, Fudan University and randomly divided into experimental (n = 43) and control groups (n = 43). The experimental group was treated with extracorporeal shock waves to treat the medial heel pain point and the gastrocnemius and soleus TrPs. The control group was only treated with extracorporeal shock waves at the medial heel pain point. The two groups were treated twice with an interval of 1 week. Primary measurements included a numerical rating scale (NRS) score (overall, first step, heel pain during daily activities), and secondary measurements included heel temperature, Roles-Maudsley score (RMS), and plantar pressure. All assessments were performed before treatment (i.e., baseline) and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: During the trial, 3 patients in the experimental group withdrew from the study, 2 due to interruption of the course of treatment by the COVID-19 epidemic and 1 due to personal reasons. In the control group, 3 patients fell and were removed due to swelling of the heel. Therefore, only 80 patients with PF were finally included. After treatment, the two groups showed good results in NRS score (overall, first step, heel pain during daily activities), RMS, and plantar temperature, especially in the experimental group, who showed a significantly better effect than the control group. CONCLUSION: ESWT of the heel combined with the triceps trigger point of the calf can more effectively improve the pain, function and quality of life of refractory PF than ESWT of the heel alone. In addition, ESWT of the heel combined with the triceps trigger point of the calf can effectively reduce the skin temperature of the heel on the symptomatic side, indicating that the heel temperature as measured by infrared thermal imaging may be used as an independent tool to evaluate the therapeutic effect for patients with chronic PF. Although extracorporeal shock waves combined with TrPs treatment can cause changes in the patients' gait structure, plantar pressure is still difficult to use as an independent tool to evaluate the therapeutic effect for PF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ) on 12/17/2021 with the following code: ChiCTR-INR-2,100,054,439.

Strong External Electric Fields Reduce Explosive Sensitivity: A Theoretical Investigation into the Reaction Selectivity in NH2NO2∙∙∙NH3.

Controlling the selectivity of a detonation initiation reaction of explosive is essential to reduce sensitivity, and it seems impossible to reduce it by strengthening the external electric field. To verify this, the effects of external electric fields on the initiation reactions in NH2NO2∙∙∙NH3, a model system of the nitroamine explosive with alkaline additive, were investigated at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,p) levels. The concerted effect in the intermolecular hydrogen exchange is characterized by an index of the imaginary vibrations. Due to the weakened concerted effects by the electric field along the -x-direction opposite to the "reaction axis", the dominant reaction changes from the intermolecular hydrogen exchange to 1,3-intramolecular hydrogen transference with the increase in the field strengths. Furthermore, the stronger the field strengths, the higher the barrier heights become, indicating the lower sensitivities. Therefore, by increasing the field strength and adjusting the orientation between the field and "reaction axis", not only can the reaction selectivity be controlled, but the sensitivity can also be reduced, in particular under a super-strong field. Thus, a traditional concept, in which the explosive is dangerous under the super-strong external electric field, is theoretically broken. Compared to the neutral medium, a low sensitivity of the explosive with alkaline can be achieved under the stronger field. Employing atoms in molecules, reduced density gradient, and surface electrostatic potentials, the origin of the reaction selectivity and sensitivity change is revealed. This work provides a new idea for the technical improvement regarding adding the external electric field into the explosive system.

Molecular recognition between bacterial phosphorothioate DNA and sulfur-binding domain (SBD): competition between the water cage and chalcogen-hydrophobic packet.

Bacterial DNA phosphorothioation (PT) physiologically and stereo-specifically replaces a non-bridging oxygen in a phosphate link with a sulfur atom, which can be recognized by a highly conserved sulfur-binding domain (SBD). Here we conducted thermodynamic integration (TI), molecular dynamics simulation, and quantum chemical calculations to decipher the specific molecular interactions between PT-DNA and SBD in Streptomyces coelicolor type IV restriction enzyme ScoMcrA. The TI-calculated binding affinity of (5'-CCGRp-PSGCCGG-3')2 is larger than that of (5'-CCGGCCGG-3')2 by about 7.4-7.7 kcal mol-1. The binding difference dominantly stems from hydration energy of non-phosphorothioate DNA (9.8-10.6 kcal mol-1) in aqueous solution, despite the persistent preference of 2.6-3.2 kcal mol-1 in the DNA-SBD MD simulations. Furthermore, the quantum chemical calculations reveal an unusual non-covalent interaction in the phosphorothioate-binding scenario, where the PS⋯NP165 chalcogen bond prevails the PS⋯HCß vdW interactions from the adjacent residues H116-R117-Y164-P165-A168. Thus, the chalcogen-hydrophobic interaction pulls PT-DNA into the SBD binding pocket while the water cage pulls a normal DNA molecule out. The synergetic mechanism suggests the special roles of the proline pyrrolidine group in the SBD proteins, consistent with the experimental observations in the X-ray crystallography and structural bioinformatics analysis.

Perceived uncertainty stress and its predictors among residents in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of and risk factors for uncertainty stress among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore and identify the risk factors for high perceived uncertainty stress among the general public in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Information about the respondents' socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge of and attitudes towards COVID-19, perceived uncertainty stress, social capital, anxiety, and depressive symptoms was collected and analysed. Among the 1205 respondents, 45.3% (546) reported a high level of uncertainty stress. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that anxiety (ß=3.871,P<0.001) and depression symptoms (ß=2.458, P<0.001), family residence (in towns or rural areas) (ß=0.947, P<0.001), lack of support for local epidemic control strategies (ß=1.253, P<0.001), worry about the pandemic (ß=1.191, P<0.001), and symptoms of weakness among family members (ß=1.525, P=0.002) were positively associated with perceived uncertainty stress. Cognitive social capital (ß=-0.883, P<0.001) and social networks (ß=-0.726, P<0.001) were negatively, but social participation (ß=0.714, P<0.001) was positively associated with perceived uncertainty stress. Our findings identify factors associated with a higher level of uncertainty stress and should be helpful in the consideration of effective policies and interventions for uncertainty stress during the initial phases of public health emergencies.

Molecular Design, Preparation, and Characterization of Fluoro-Containing Polyimide Ultrafine Fibrous Membranes with High Whiteness, High Thermal Stability, and Good Hydrophobicity.

Polymeric ultrafine fibrous membranes (UFMs) with high thermal stability and high whiteness are highly desired in modern optoelectronic applications. A series of fluoro-containing polyimide (FPI) UFMs with high whiteness, good thermal stability, and good hydrophobicity were prepared via a one-step electrospinning procedure from the organo-soluble FPI resins derived from a fluoro-containing dianhydride, 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), and various diamines containing either pendant trifluoromethyl (-CF3) groups or alicyclic units in the side chains. The obtained FPI UFMs, including FPI-1 from 6FDA and 3,5-diaminobenzotrifluoride (TFMDA), FPI-2 from 6FDA and 2'-trifluoromethyl-3,4'-oxydianiline (3FODA), FPI-3 from 6FDA and 1,4-bis[(4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]benzene (6FAPB), FPI-4 from 4,4'-bis[(4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]biphenyl (6FBAB), and FPI-5 from 6FDA and 4'-tert-butyl-cyclohexyl-3,5-diaminobenzoate (DABC) showed whiteness indices (WI) higher than 87.00 and optical reflectance values higher than 80% at the wavelength of 457 nm (R457), respectively. The FPI-5 UFM, especially, showed the highest WI of 92.88. Meanwhile, the prepared PI UFMs exhibited good hydrophobic features with water contact angles (WCA) higher than 105°. At last, the PI UFMs exhibited good thermal stability with glass transition temperatures (Tg) higher than 255 °C, and the 5% weight-loss temperatures (T5%) higher than 510 °C in nitrogen.

Stepwise Dielectric Switching Occurs in Two Photo-Responsive Complexes Possessing Two-Dimensional Structures.

Two organic-inorganic hybrid complexes, (CH3NH3)Na[Fe(CN)5NO]·H2O (1) and (CH3NH3)2[Fe(CN)5NO] (2), which exhibit stepwise dielectric switching as well as photo-induced structural transformation, are synthesized and examined. In these two compounds, the photo-responsive complex anions, [Fe(CN)5NO]2-, connected by Na+ through N-Na coordination bonds or CH3NH3+ through N···H-N hydrogen bonds, form two-dimensional structures. One organic cation, CH3NH3+, that resides in the intralaminar cavity and plays a role as a template, undergoes a temperature-controlled order-disorder structural phase transition. As the frozen-thawed state change of the polar organic cations modifies the polarizability of materials, stepwise dielectric switching is observed at the phase transition temperature. Furthermore, the photo-induced linkage isomerism of [Fe(CN)5NO]2- building block survives in the new compounds at the low-temperature range, which is verified by variable-temperature IR spectra after photo-irradiation. The coexistence of switchable dielectric properties and photo-induced structural variation suggests multiple optical-electric roles of the present materials.

Bessel-like beams with controllable rotating local linear polarization during propagation.

Bessel-like beams with controllable rotation of local linear polarization upon propagation are generated, which in fact achieve the evolution of polarization states along the equator of the Poincaré sphere during propagation. Based on the amplitude-phase joint modulation method, the rotation direction and rate of polarizations of the Bessel-like beam can be controlled easily by adjusting the radial indices and intensity ratio of two superposed beams. A rotation angle of $\sim$∼800 deg has been achieved after a propagation distance of 120 mm, corresponding to a rotation rate of $\sim$∼6.7 deg/mm, which is about three times higher than in previous works.

Giant Single-Crystal Shape Transformation with Wide Thermal Hysteresis Actuated by Synergistic Motions of Molecular Cations and Anions.

Manipulating the collective molecular movements to implement macroscopic mechanical response of bulk material is attractive and challenging. Here, an organic-inorganic hybrid single crystal is synthesized, which exhibits a giant macroscopic shape transformation with a remarkable thermal hysteretic feature. The colossal anisotropic shape change, which manifests as an abrupt elongation of ca. 9 % along the crystallographic c-axis and a concomitant contraction of ca. 9 % in a perpendicular direction, is induced by a significant reorientation of imidazolium, accompanied with a substantial configurational variation in CuBr4 2- complex anions. The synergistic motions of both the molecular cations and anions engender a remarkable large thermal hysteresis (>30 K) in the shape transformation of the single crystal, implying that this material may play a role in alternating memory media. Furthermore, due to the stable crystal lattice, a single crystal that demonstrates naked-eye detectable large shape transformation was used as a thermal actuator to spontaneously control an electric circuit by temperature variation.

The implications of childcare on grandparents' health self-management in a Chinese elderly population.

Grandparents caring for grandchildren has become a common experience in China. However, the health implications of grandparenting, especially for health self-management, remain unclear. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the effects of grandparenting on health self-management in older adults in China. Information on socioeconomic characteristics, grandparenting, and health self-management was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Age less than 50, male gender, higher education level, being a local resident, having a chronic illness, and supporting themselves financially were all factors that were significantly positively associated with health self-management (P < .05) in grandparents. Grandparenting characteristics, including caring for grandchildren at night, a caregiving burden of more than 50%, poorly behaved grandchildren, caring for grandchildren more than 6 hours per day, and caring for grandchildren less than 1 year in age were significantly negatively associated with health self-management in grandparents (P < .05). Multiple regression analyses indicated that grandparent age, receiving financial support from children, being a local resident, education level, grandchild behavior and age, and being an urban resident were all statistically significant factors associated with health self-management in grandparents involved in grandparenting. Taken together, these results suggested that financial condition and caregiving burden might be the major factors affecting health self-management in grandparents involved in grandparenting.

Treatment of Retroperitoneal Cavernous Lymphangioma: A Case Report.

A 32-year-old man who complained of recurrent nauseat and vomiting was admitted to our hospital. The contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a cystic mass located behind the duodenum which was suggestive of lymphangioma. Laparoscopic resection of the retroperitoneal mass was successfully performed. The postoperatively pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous lymphangioma. Ultrasound and enhanced CT can be used for making a preoperative diagnosis. Once symptoms of the disease develop, complete surgical resection should be performed.

THZ1 suppresses human non-small-cell lung cancer cells in vitro through interference with cancer metabolism.

Cancer cells always require more nutrients, energy, and biosynthetic activity to sustain their rapid proliferation than normal cells. Previous studies have shown the impact of THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), on transcription regulation and cell-cycle arrest in numerous cancers, but its effects on cellular metabolism in cancer cells remain unknown. In this study we elucidated the anticancer mechanism of THZ1 in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We showed that treatment with THZ1 (10-1000 nM) dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of human NSCLC cell lines H1299, A549, H292, and H23, and markedly inhibited the migration of these NSCLC cells. Furthermore, treatment with THZ1 (50 nM) arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in these NSCLC cell lines. More importantly, we revealed that treatment with THZ1 (50 nM) blocked the glycolysis pathway but had no effect on glutamine metabolism. We further demonstrated that THZ1 treatment altered the expression pattern of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) isoforms through promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of NUDT21. Combined treatment of THZ1 with a glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 (500 nM) exerted a more potent anti-proliferative effect in these NSCLC cell lines than treatment with THZ1 or CB-839 alone. Our results demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of THZ1 on the growth of human NSCLC cells is partially attributed to interfering with cancer metabolism. Thus, we provide a new potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment by combining THZ1 with the inhibitors of glutamine metabolism.

CD38 deficiency suppresses adipogenesis and lipogenesis in adipose tissues through activating Sirt1/PPARγ signaling pathway.

It has been recently reported that CD38 was highly expressed in adipose tissues from obese people and CD38-deficient mice were resistant to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. However, the role of CD38 in the regulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis is unknown. In this study, to explore the roles of CD38 in adipogenesis and lipogenesis in vivo and in vitro, obesity models were generated with male CD38-/- and WT mice fed with HFD. The adipocyte differentiations were induced with MEFs from WT and CD38-/- mice, 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 cells in vitro. The lipid accumulations and the alternations of CD38 and the genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis were determined with the adipose tissues from the HFD-fed mice or the MEFs, 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 cells during induction of adipocyte differentiation. The results showed that CD38-/- male mice were significantly resistant to HFD-induced obesity. CD38 expressions in adipocytes were significantly increased in WT mice fed with HFD, and the similar results were obtained from WT MEFs, 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 during induction of adipocyte differentiation. The expressions of PPARγ, AP2 and C/EBPα were markedly attenuated in adipocytes from HFD-fed CD38-/- mice and CD38-/- MEFs at late stage of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, the expressions of SREBP1 and FASN were also significantly decreased in CD38-/- MEFs. Finally, the CD38 deficiency-mediated activations of Sirt1 signalling were up-regulated or down-regulated by resveratrol and nicotinamide, respectively. These results suggest that CD38 deficiency impairs adipogenesis and lipogenesis through activating Sirt1/PPARγ-FASN signalling pathway during the development of obesity.

Ancylomarina psychrotolerans sp. nov., isolated from sediments of Fildes Peninsula and emended the description of genus Ancylomarina.

A Gram-stain negative, obligately anaerobic, non-motile, asporogenous long rod-shaped and non-flagellated bacterial strain, designated 4SWWS2-6T, was isolated from sediment in the intertidal zone of Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 4SWWS2-6T belongs to the genus Ancylomarina and showed high sequence similarity with Ancylomarina subtilis FA102T (96.5%). Optimal growth occurred at pH 6.5, 16 °C and in the presence of 3% (w/v) NaCl. Strain 4SWWS2-6T contained menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the major respiratory quinone and held iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an aminolipid, two unidentified lipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G + C content of strain 4SWWS2-6T was 37.6 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic analyses, strain 4SWWS2-6T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Ancylomarina, for which the name Ancylomarina psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4SWWS2-6T (= KCTC 15504T = MCCC 1K01618T).

CD38 promotes angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiac hypertrophy is an early hallmark during the clinical course of heart failure and regulated by various signalling pathways. Recently, we observed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts from CD38 knockout mice were significantly resistant to oxidative stress such as H2 O2 -induced injury and hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury. In addition, we also found that CD38 knockout mice protected heart from ischaemia reperfusion injury through activating SIRT1/FOXOs-mediated antioxidative stress pathway. However, the role of CD38 in cardiac hypertrophy is not explored. Here, we investigated the roles and mechanisms of CD38 in angiotensin II (Ang-II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Following 14 days of Ang-II infusion with osmotic mini-pumps, a comparable hypertension was generated in both of CD38 knockout and wild-type mice. However, the cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were much more severe in wild-type mice compared with CD38 knockout mice. Consistently, RNAi-induced knockdown of CD38 decreased the gene expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and reactive oxygen species generation in Ang-II-stimulated H9c2 cells. In addition, the expression of SIRT3 was elevated in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, in which SIRT3 may further activate the FOXO3 antioxidant pathway. The intracellular Ca2+ release induced by Ang-II markedly decreased in CD38 knockdown H9c2 cells, which might be associated with the decrease of nuclear translocation of NFATc4 and inhibition of ERK/AKT phosphorylation. We concluded that CD38 plays an essential role in cardiac hypertrophy probably via inhibition of SIRT3 expression and activation of Ca2+ -NFAT signalling pathway. Thus, CD38 may be a novel target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.

Inhibition of the SOCS1-JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Pathway Confers Neuroprotection in Rats with Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of the SOCS1-JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway on neurons in a rat model of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Our study was conducted using an ischemic stroke rat model. After the microglia were extracted, 40 neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned into the blank, AG490, model and negative control (NC) groups. The neurological function of all the rats was evaluated. Histopathological changes were observed. qRT-PCR and western blotting were applied to measure the expression of genes and proteins in the SOCS1-JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway and related to apoptosis. The TUNEL assay was conducted to calculate the cellular morphology and apoptosis of neuronal cells. Cell viability was detected using the MTT assay. In addition, immunoassays were used to measure the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as the levels of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the model and NC groups showed higher neurological function scores-the cytoplasm of the neurons were cavitated, the organelles were reduced with unclear margins, some of the neurons were necrotic, and apoptosis was increased. In addition, the NC and model groups exhibited decreased cell viability, lower mRNA and protein expression of SOCS1 SOCS3 and bcl-2 and reduced SOD and GSH levels but higher mRNA and protein expression levels of AK2, STAT3,Bax and caspase-3 as well as increased protein expression of P-JAK2, P-STAT3 and activated caspase-3 (c-caspase-3). Moreover, the MDA levels were up-regulated in the NC and model groups. In contrast, opposing trends were found in the AG490 group compared with the NC and model groups. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that inhibiting the SOCS1-JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway can reduce the loss of nerve function and apoptosis of neuronal cells, which provides a new target for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.

Multi-wavelength Yb:YAG/Nd3+:YVO4 continuous-wave microchip Raman laser.

Multi-wavelength continuous-wave (CW) Raman lasers in a laser diode pumped Yb:YAG/Nd3+:YVO4 microchip Raman laser have been demonstrated for the first time to our best knowledge. The multi-wavelength laser of the first Stokes radiation around 1.08 µm has been achieved with a Raman shift of 261 cm-1 for a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal corresponding to the fundamental wavelength at 1.05 µm. Multi-wavelength laser operation simultaneously around 1.05 and 1.08 µm has been achieved under the incident pump power between 1.5 and 1.7 W. Multi-wavelength Raman laser with frequency separation of 1 THz around 1.08 µm has been obtained when the incident pump power is higher than 1.7 W. The maximum Raman laser output power of 260 mW at 1.08 µm is obtained and the corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 4.2%. Elliptically polarized fundamental laser and linearly polarized Raman laser were observed in an Yb:YAG/Nd:YVO4 CW microchip Raman laser. The experimental results of linearly polarized, multi-wavelength Yb:YAG/Nd:YVO4 CW microchip Raman laser with adjustable frequency separation provide a novel approach for developing potential compact laser sources for Terahertz generation.

Multicomponent kinetic analysis and theoretical studies on the phenolic intermediates in the oxidation of eugenol and isoeugenol catalyzed by laccase.

Laccase catalyzes the oxidation of natural phenols and thereby is believed to initialize reactions in lignification and delignification. Numerous phenolic mediators have also been applied in laccase-mediator systems. However, reaction details after the primary O-H rupture of phenols remain obscure. In this work two types of isomeric phenols, EUG (eugenol) and ISO (trans-/cis-isoeugenol), were used as chemical probes to explore the enzymatic reaction pathways, with the combined methods of time-resolved UV-Vis absorption spectra, MCR-ALS, HPLC-MS, and quantum mechanical (QM) calculations. It has been found that the EUG-consuming rate is linear to its concentration, while the ISO not. Besides, an o-methoxy quinone methide intermediate, (E/Z)-4-allylidene-2-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone, was evidenced in the case of EUG with the UV-Vis measurement, mass spectra and TD-DFT calculations; in contrast, an ISO-generating phenoxyl radical, a (E/Z)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl) phenoxyl radical, was identified in the case of ISO. Furthermore, QM calculations indicated that the EUG-generating phenoxyl radical (an O-centered radical) can easily transform into an allylic radical (a C-centered radical) by hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) with a calculated activation enthalpy of 5.3 kcal mol(-1) and then be fast oxidized to the observed eugenol quinone methide, rather than an O-radical alkene addition with barriers above 12.8 kcal mol(-1). In contrast, the ISO-generating phenoxyl radical directly undergoes a radical coupling (RC) process, with a barrier of 4.8 kcal mol(-1), while the HAT isomerization between O- and C-centered radicals has a higher reaction barrier of 8.0 kcal mol(-1). The electronic conjugation of the benzyl-type radical and the aromatic allylic radical leads to differentiation of the two pathways. These results imply that competitive reaction pathways exist for the nascent reactive intermediates generated in the laccase-catalyzed oxidation of natural phenols, which is important for understanding the lignin polymerization and may shed some light on the development of efficient laccase-mediator systems.

[Association between toll-like receptors 2 and 5 polymorphisms and neonatal sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) in toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 5 genes and the susceptibility to neonatal sepsis. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen newborn infants who were diagnosed with clinical sepsis (case group) between May 2011 and January 2014 and 172 newborn infants without infection(control group) were enrolled in this study. The polymorphisms of TLR2 (rs5743708 and rs3804099) and TLR5 (rs5744105) were analyzed using a SNaPshot multiplex reaction to compare the genotypic and allelic frequencies between two groups. The relationship between TLR genotypes and susceptibility to sepsis was analyzed by logistic regression models. RESULTS: Significant differences in genotypic frequencies of TLR2 rs3804099 (C/T) and TLR5 rs5744105 (C/G) were found between the two groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in allelic frequencies of all the SNPs above between the two groups (P>0.05). The genotype on TLR2 rs5743708 was GG and no mutation was found in both groups. In regression models, birth weight (OR=3.065; P<0.05) and gestational age (OR=3.301; P<0.05) were closely associated with neonatal sepsis. Sex (OR=1.107, P>0.05), polymorphisms in rs3804099 (OR=0.876; P>0.05) and polymorphisms in rs5744105 (OR=0.820; P>0.05) genes were not risk factors for neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: TLR2 and 5 polymorphisms (rs5743708, rs3804099 and rs5744105) may not serve as the susceptible gene for sepsis in newborn infants.

[Epidemiological survey of Haemophilus influenzae-positive hospitalized children: a retrospective analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the basic clinical characteristics and drug resistance of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) infection in hospitalized children in the past two years. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze Hi strains isolated from the sputum and pharyngeal swabs of children aged 0-17 years who were hospitalized in the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu between June 2011 and May 2013. RESULTS: A total of 117 strains were isolated from 111 hospitalized children. There were 102 cases (91.9%) of respiratory infection and 9 cases (8.1%) of other diseases. The positive rates of Hi in children with bronchopneumonia or pneumonia (50.8%, 30/59) and in children with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (50.0%, 2/4) were relatively high, followed by in children with capillary bronchitis (34.6%, 9/26), in children with acute bronchitis (24.2%, 32/132), in children with herpangina (19.0%, 4/21), in children with asthmatoid bronchitis (17.9%, 5/28), in children with acute upper respiratory tract infection (11.8%, 9/76), in children with acute tonsillitis (8.2%, 7/85), and in children with neonatal pneumonia (5.6%, 3/54). There were significant differences in the rates of resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate (15% vs 23%; P=0.010) and chloramphenicol (25% vs 8%; P=0.015) between the two survey years. The frequencice of ß-lactamase-nonproducing-ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) strains and ß-lactamase-producing-amoxicilli/clavulanate-resistant (BLPACR) strains increased from 12% to 21% and from 13% to 19% respectively during the two survey years (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hi plays an important role in the respiratory tract infection of children aged 0-17 years. The increasing trend of BLNAR and BLPACR rates makes it harder for antibiotic selection in clinical practice.