The proton-controlled synthesis of unprecedented diol functionalized Anderson-type POMs

By addition of excess acid into the reaction mixture, a series of organically-derived Anderson-type polyoxometalates, {[R1CR2(CH2O)2]CrMo6O18(OH)4}(3-), with diols as the ligands are reported herein. Such a diol functionalization mode not only works for some specific triol ligands but also can readily be extended to the diol ligands, which will greatly enrich the species of alkoxo-derivatized Anderson POM clusters.

Molecular targets of Chinese herbs: a clinical study of hepatoma based on network pharmacology

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat tumors for years and has been demonstrated to be effective. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of herbs remain unclear. This study aims to ascertain molecular targets of herbs prolonging survival time of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on network pharmacology, and to establish a research method for accurate treatment of TCM. The survival benefit of TCM treatment with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was proved by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis among 288 patients. The correlation between herbs and survival time was performed by bivariate correlation analysis. Network pharmacology method was utilized to construct the active ingredient-target networks of herbs that were responsible for the beneficial effects against HCC. Cox regression analysis showed CHM was an independent favorable prognostic factor. The median survival time was 13 months and the 5-year overall survival rates were 2.61% in the TCM group, while there were 6 months, 0 in the non-TCM group. Correlation analysis demonstrated that 8 herbs closely associated with prognosis. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the 8 herbs regulated multiple HCC relative genes, among which the genes affected proliferation (KRAS, AKT2, MAPK), metastasis (SRC, MMP), angiogenesis (PTGS2) and apoptosis (CASP3) etc.

Effects of Statins on Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk: A PRISMA-compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although observational studies have identified the protective effect of statins on bone health, the effects remain controversial in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a meta-analysis of RCTs to evaluate the effects of statins on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk among adults.We searched electronic databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and conducted a bibliography review to identify articles published until May, 2015.Studies included in this meta-analysis should be randomized controlled trials conducted in adults, using statins in the intervention group. Information on changes in BMD or odds ratio, relative risk or hazard ratio (HR) for fracture risk with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was provided.Two investigators independently reviewed the title or abstract, further reviewed the full-texts and extracted information on study characteristics and study outcomes. Net change estimates of BMD and pooled HR of fracture risk comparing the intervention group with the control group were estimated across trials using random-effects models.Of the relevant 334 citations, 7 trials (including 27,900 randomized participants in total) meeting the eligibility criteria were included. Of the 7 trials, 5 were conducted to assess the association of statins use with BMD change and 2 with fracture risk. Compared with the control group, statins use was associated with significant increase in BMD of 0.03 g/cm (95% CI: 0.006, 0.053; I = 99.2%; P < 0.001), but null association with fracture risk, with the pooled HR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.15; I = 0; P = 0.396). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the associations were consistent and robust.The effect of statins use on bone health among subpopulation could not be identified due to limited number of trials.These findings provide evidence that statins could be used to increase BMD other than decreasing fracture risk in participant with dyslipidemia. In addition, further trials with the primary outcome of bone health-related measurements in subpopulation are warranted to ensure the effect of statins use.

A closure study of aerosol optical properties at a regional background mountainous site in Eastern China

There is a large uncertainty in evaluating the radiative forcing from aerosol-radiation and aerosol-cloud interactions due to the limited knowledge on aerosol properties. In-situ measurements of aerosol physical and chemical properties were carried out in 2012 at Mt. Huang (the Yellow Mountain), a continental background mountainous site in eastern China. An aerosol optical closure study was performed to verify the model outputs by using the measured aerosol optical properties, in which a spherical Mie model with assumptions of external and core-shell mixtures on the basis of a two-component optical aerosol model and high size-segregated element carbon (EC) ratio was applied. Although the spherical Mie model would underestimate the real scattering with increasing particle diameters, excellent agreement between the calculated and measured values was achieved with correlation coefficients above 0.98. Sensitivity experiments showed that the EC ratio had a negligible effect on the calculated scattering coefficient, but largely influenced the calculated absorption coefficient. The high size-segregated EC ratio averaged over the study period in the closure was enough to reconstruct the aerosol absorption coefficient in the Mie model, indicating EC size resolution was more important than time resolution in retrieving the absorption coefficient in the model. The uncertainties of calculated scattering and absorption coefficients due to the uncertainties of measurements and model assumptions yielded by a Monte Carlo simulation were ±6% and ±14% for external mixture and ±9% and ±31% for core-shell mixture, respectively. This study provided an insight into the inherent relationship between aerosol optical properties and physicochemical characteristics in eastern China, which could supplement the database of aerosol optical properties for background sites in eastern China and provide a method for regions with similar climate.

The Antitumor Effect of Gekko Sulfated Glycopeptide by Inhibiting bFGF-Induced Lymphangiogenesis

Objective. To study the antilymphangiogenesis effect of Gekko Sulfated Glycopeptide (GSPP) on human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLECs). Methods. MTS was conducted to confirm the antiproliferation effect of GSPP on hLECs; flow cytometry was employed to detect hLECs cycle distribution; the antimigration effect of GSPP on hLECs was investigated by wound healing experiment and transwell experiment; tube formation assay was used to examine its inhibitory effect on the lymphangiogenesis; western blotting was conducted to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (Erk1/2) and p-Erk1/2 after GSPP and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment. Nude mice models were established to investigate the antitumor effect of GSPP in vivo. Decreased lymphangiogenesis caused by GSPP in vivo was verified by immunohistochemical staining. Results. In vitro, GSPP (10 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL) significantly inhibited bFGF-induced hLECs proliferation, migration, and tube-like structure formation (P < 0.05) and antagonized the phosphorylation activation of Erk1/2 induced by bFGF. In vivo, GSPP treatment (200 mg/kg/d) not only inhibited the growth of colon carcinoma, but also inhibited the tumor lymphangiogenesis. Conclusion. GSPP possesses the antitumor ability by inhibiting bFGF-inducing lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, which may further inhibit tumor lymphatic metastasis.

Integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies and gene expression profiles identified candidate genes for osteoporosis in Kashin-Beck disease patients

SUMMARY

The molecular mechanism of osteoporosis (OP) in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients was unclear. Our results suggest that KBD and OP shared some common causal genes, functionally involved in skeletal growth and development and chronic inflammation. Our results provide novel clues for clarifying the molecular mechanism of OP in KBD patients.

INTRODUCTION

KBD is a chronic skeletal disorder with osteopenia and OP. The pathogenesis of OP in KBD patients remains elusive.

METHODS

A total of 1717 subjects participated in this study. KBD was diagnosed according to the clinical diagnosis criteria of China (GB16395-1996). The bone mineral density (BMD) and bone areas of the ulna and radius, hip, and lumbar (L1-L4) were measured with a Hologic 4500 W dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. Genotyping was conducted using Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of KBD and OP patients were compared using Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 arrays and Agilent Human 1A arrays, respectively. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted by PLINK. SCEA and DAVID were applied for pleiotropy and functional enrichment analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

SCEA analysis observed significant pleiotropic effects between KBD and the ulna and radius BMD (P value = 5.99 × 10(-3)). GWAS meta-analysis identified six candidate genes with pleiotropic effects, including PDGFD, SOX5, DPYD, CTR9, SPP1, and COL4A1. GO analysis identified 16 significant GO shared by KBD and the ulna and radius BMD, involved in cell morphogenesis and apoptosis. Pathway enrichment analysis detected two common pathways for KBD and the ulna and radius BMD, including calcium signaling pathway and vascular smooth muscle contraction pathway. Gene expression analysis detected three up-regulated inflammation-related genes for KBD and OP, including IL1B, IL8, and CCL1.

CONCLUSION

This study reported several candidate genes involved in the development of OP in KBD patients.

Unprecedented χ isomers of single-side triol-functionalized Anderson polyoxometalates and their proton-controlled isomer transformation

The μ2-O atom in Anderson polyoxometalates was regioselectively activated by the introduction of protons, which, upon functionalization with triol ligands, could afford a series of unique χ isomers of the organically-derived Anderson cluster {[RCC(CH2O)3]MMo6O18(OH)3}(3-). Herein proton-controlled isomer transformation between the δ and χ isomer was observed by using the fingerprint region in the IR spectra and (13)C NMR spectra.

A first-principles study of orthorhombic CN as a potential superhard material

Using first-principles calculations, we have investigated the structural, electronic, dynamical and mechanical properties of a recently synthesized Pnnm-CN. Phonon dispersion and elastic constant calculations were carried out to demonstrate the dynamical and mechanical stabilities of the Pnnm structure of CN at ambient pressure. The electronic band structure suggests that Pnnm-CN is an insulator with an indirect band gap of about 3.7 eV. First-principles strain-stress relationships at large strains were also simulated to examine the structural and mechanical properties of Pnnm-CN. The established ideal tensile strength of ∼41 GPa in the 〈100〉 direction suggests that CN is a potential superhard material. The present results provide deep insights for understanding the mechanical properties of CN and thus are helpful to explore the potential industrial applications of CN.

Silver-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation of difluoroacetates: efficient access to C–CF2 bond formation

Ag(i)-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative gem-difluoromethylenation of difluoroacetates with isonitriles has been developed for the formation of C–CF₂ bonds.

Convertible resistive switching characteristics between memory switching and threshold switching in a single ferritin-based memristor

The coexistence and inter-conversion between threshold and memory resistance switching in a ferritin memristor makes it a promising candidate for physiological applications.

Nucleophilic substitution reaction for rational post-functionalization of polyoxometalates

Substitution reactions of polyoxometalate–organic hybrid materials provide a post-functionalization protocol to bring in various additional functional groups.

Electrodeposition of Three Dimensionally Ordered Macroporous Germanium from Two Different Ionic Liquids

Three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Ge films have been made via ordered polystyrene (PS) templates by electrodeposition from ionic liquids 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tris (pentafluoroethyl) trifluorophosphate at room temperature. We discuss the possibility of obtaining high quality 3DOM Ge films from two different ionic liquids by the simple and inexpensive template-assisted electrochemical pathway. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the quality of the samples, and the optical measurements demonstrate that 3DOM Ge made electrochemically shows photonic crystal behavior. Such a material has the potential to make 3DOM Ge feasible for electrical, optical applications and for photonic crystal solar cells.

A new method to access triazole-fused spiro-guanidines from the reaction of isothiocyanates tethered N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and amines

The reaction of isothiocyanate tethered N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and amines afforded asymmetrical guanidines in fair to excellent yields through a two-component tandem reaction process.

Latent Fairness in Adults' Relationship-Based Moral Judgments

Can adults make fair moral judgments when individuals with whom they have different relationships are involved? The present study explored the fairness of adults’ relationship-based moral judgments in two respects by performing three experiments involving 999 participants. In Experiment 1, 65 adults were asked to decide whether to harm a specific person to save five strangers in the footbridge and trolley dilemmas in a within-subject design. The lone potential victim was a relative, a best friend, a person they disliked, a criminal or a stranger. Adults’ genetic relatedness to, familiarity with and affective relatedness to the lone potential victims varied. The results indicated that adults made different moral judgments involving the lone potential victims with whom they had different relationships. In Experiment 2, 306 adults responded to the footbridge and trolley dilemmas involving five types of lone potential victims in a within-subject design, and the extent to which they were familiar with and affectively related to the lone potential victim was measured. The results generally replicated those of Experiment 1. In addition, for close individuals, adults’ moral judgments were less deontological relative to their familiarity with or positive affect toward these individuals. For individuals they were not close to, adults made deontological choices to a larger extent relative to their unfamiliarity with or negative affect toward these individuals. Moreover, for familiar individuals, the extent to which adults made deontological moral judgments more closely approximated the extent to which they were familiar with the individual. The adults’ deontological moral judgments involving unfamiliar individuals more closely approximated their affective relatedness to the individuals. In Experiment 3, 628 adults were asked to make moral judgments with the type of lone potential victim as the between-subject variable. The results generally replicated those of the previous two experiments. Therefore, the present study shows that, in addition to apparent unfairness, latent fairness exists in adults’ relationship-based moral judgments. Moral judgments involving individuals with whom adults have different relationships have different cognitive and affective bases.

Effects of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine on myocardial injury and inflammatory mediator in unstable angina patients during perioperative of percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine on periprocedural myocardial injury and serum inflammatory mediators in unstable angina pectoris (UAP) patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

90 patients with UAP treated with conventional medications and PCI were recruited and were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group. The control group had 42 patients were treated with atorvastatin alone, while the experimental group had 48 cases treated with atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine. All the patients were checked the preoperative 24h and postoperative 24h PCI concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interlukin-10 (IL-10).

RESULTS

At the pre-PCI stage, every serum factors was no significant difference. 24 hours after the PCI intervention, the occurence of abnormal cTnI level in the experimental group was remarkable reduced than the control group. In the experimental group, the serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ significantly decreased (p < 0.05); while IL-10 was increased. In the control group, all the mediators were increased significantly except the hs-CRP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No unexpected symptom was found in patients with large dose atorvastatin combined with large dose trimetazidine. The administration of conventional medications together with the atorvastatin plus trimetazidine were able to reduce the prevalence of postoperative myocardial injury.

Comparison of online and offline tests in LED accelerated reliability tests under temperature stress

Accelerated aging tests are the main method used in the evaluation of LED reliability, and can be performed in either online or offline modes. The goal of this study is to provide the difference between the two test modes. In the experiments, the sample is attached to different heat sinks to acquire the optical parameters under different junction temperatures of LEDs. By measuring the junction temperature in the aging process (Tj1), and the junction temperature in the testing process (Tj2), we achieve consistency with an online test of Tj1 and Tj2 and a difference with an offline test of Tj1 and Tj2. Experimental results show that the degradation rate of the luminous flux rises as Tj2 increases, which yields a difference of projected life L(70%) of 8% to 13%. For color shifts over 5000 h of aging, the online test shows a larger variation of the distance from the Planckian locus, about 40% to 50% more than the normal test at an ambient temperature of 25°C.

Combined application of FBG and PZT sensors for plantar pressure monitoring at low and high speed walking

BACKGROUND

Clinical monitoring of planar pressure is vital in several pathological conditions, such as diabetes, where excess pressure might have serious repercussions on health of the patient, even to the extent of amputation.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the combined application of the Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) and the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoceramic sensors for plantar pressure monitoring during walk at low and high speeds.

METHODS

For fabrication of the pressure sensors, the FBGs are embedded within layers of carbon composite material and stacked in an arc shape. From this embedding technique, average pressure sensitivity of 1.3 pm/kPa and resolution of nearly 0.8 kPa is obtained. These sensors are found to be suitable for measuring the static and the low-speed walk generated foot pressure. Simultaneously, PZT patches of size 10 × 10 × 0.3 mm were used as sensors, utilizing the d<formula>_{33}</formula> (thickness) coupling mode. A sensitivity of 7.06 mV/kPa and a pressure resolution of 0.14 kPa is obtained from these sensors, which are found to be suitable for foot pressure measurement during high speed walking and running. Both types of sensors are attached to the underside of the sole of commercially available shoes. In the experiments, a healthy male subject walks/runs over the treadmill wearing the fabricated shoes at various speeds and the peak pressure is measured using both the sensors. Commercially available low-cost hardware is used for interrogation of the two sensor types.

RESULTS

The test results clearly show the feasibility of the FBG and the PZT sensors for measurement of plantar pressure. The PZT sensors are more accurate for measurement of pressure during walking at high speeds. The FBG sensors, on the other hand, are found to be suitable for static and quasi-dynamic (slow walking) conditions. Typically, the measured pressure varied from 400 to 600 kPa below the forefoot and 100 to 1000 kPa below the heel as the walking speed varied from 1 kilometer per hour (kmph) to 7 kmph.

CONCLUSIONS

When instrumented in combination, the two sensors can enable measurements ranging from static to high speed conditions Both the sensor types are rugged, small sized and can be easily embedded in commercial shoes and enable plantar pressure measurement in a cost-effective manner. This research is expected to have application in the treatment of patients suffering from diabetes and gonarthrosis.