A Redox-Active Covalent Organic Framework with Highly Accessible Aniline-Fused Quinonoid Units Affords Efficient Proton Charge Storage

Owing to their intrinsic safety and sustainability, aqueous proton batteries have emerged as promising energy devices. Nevertheless, the corrosion or dissolution of electrode materials in acidic electrolytes must be addressed before practical applications. In this study, a cathode material based on a redox-active 2D covalent organic framework (TPAD-COF) with aniline-fused quinonoid units featuring inherently regular open porous channels and excellent stability is developed. The TPAD-COF cathode delivers a high capacity of 126 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 , paired with long-term cycling stability with capacity retention of 84% after 5000 cycles at 2 A g-1 . Comprehensive ex situ spectroscopy studies correlated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that both the -NH- and C=O groups of the aniline-fused quinonoid units exhibit prominent redox activity of six electrons during the charge/discharge processes. Furthermore, the assembled punch battery consisting of a TPAD-COF//anthraquinone (AQ) all-organic system delivers a discharge capacity of 115 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 after 130 cycles, implying the potential application of the TPAD-COF cathode in aqueous proton batteries. This study provides a new perspective on the design of electrode materials for aqueous proton batteries with long-term cycling performance and high capacity.

A brick-wall topological 2D covalent organic framework constructed from an H-shaped "two-in-one" monomer

As an emerging porous crystalline material, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have received considerable research interests in terms of exploring new architectures and functions. Herein, we developed an unprecedented "H-shaped" monomer, upon self-polycondensation, which facilely produced a benzoimidazole-based COF (H-BIm-COF) with a rarely reported "brick-wall" topology. H-BIm-COF displayed high crystallinity, nano-sized porosity, large BET surface area of 507 m2 g-1, and high thermal and chemical stabilities. Interestingly, H-BIm-COF based membranes showed selective permeability towards different solvents related to the size and polarity of the guest molecule. Additionally, initial study suggested the COF displayed excellent rejection efficiency towards ionic dyes, e.g. chromium black T (99.7%) and rhodamine B (97.3%). This work provides insights into developing new topological COFs by designing monomers with new configuration.

Visible-light-promoted acridine red catalyzed aerobic oxidative decarboxylative acylation of α-oxo-carboxylic acids with quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

Visible-light-mediated procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 3-acyl quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones through acridine red catalyzed decarboxylative acylation of α-oxo-carboxylic acids with quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Thiocarbamates Using Sodium Sulfinates as the Sulfur Source

A novel molecular iodine-catalyzed protocol for the construction of thiocarbamates from readily available sodium sulfinates, isocyanides, and water has been described. The present methodology offers a facile and practical route to a variety of thiocarbamates in moderate to good yields with favorable functional group tolerance by use odorless sodium sulfinates as the sulfur source. The mechanistic studies suggest the present transformation involves a radical process.

Selective assembly of N1- and N2-alkylated 1,2,3-triazoles via copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of alkynyl carboxylic acids with ethers and azidotrimethylsilane

An efficient and regiocontrolled method for the synthesis of various N1- and N2 alkylated 1,2,3-triazoles via copper-catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of alkynyl carboxylic acids with ethers and azidotrimethylsilane.

Imatinib inhibits CSF1R that stimulates proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of imatinib on the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell (RA-FLS) and inflammatory responses by regulating CSF1R. Differential genes were screened via microarray analysis, followed by being analysed through the weighted co-expression network (WGCNA) network, that included module and cluster analysis. The relationship between imatinib and genes was visualized using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STITCH) database. Expressions of mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability was examined via clone formation assay, while cell cycle and apoptosis were analysed through flow cytometry analysis. The hub gene CSF1R was ultimately determined by microarray analysis and WGCNA analysis. Colony-stimulating-factor receptor-1 (SF1R) was highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis tissues and cells, and CSF1R over-expression could promote inflammatory responses. Moreover, CSF1R could promote RA-FLS proliferation, inhibit apoptosis and accelerate the cell cycle. The targeting relationship between imatinib and CSF1R was also validated in this study. Imatinib attenuated RA-FLS inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, imatinib could inhibit RA-FLS proliferation and promote apoptosis, ultimately reducing the damage of RA-FLS. Over-expression of CSF1R accelerated the cell cycle and proliferation of RA-FLS, while inhibiting cell apoptosis. Conversely, imatinib could significantly restrain the cell cycle and viability of RA-FLS and accelerated apoptosis via suppression of CSF1R expression. Further, histological and serological assay investigated and proved the proinflammatory effects of CSF1R in RA rabbits.

Controlling transmembrane protein concentration and orientation in supported lipid bilayers

The trans-membrane protein - proteorhodopsin (pR) has been incorporated into supported lipid bilayers (SLB). In-plane electric fields have been used to manipulate the orientation and concentration of these proteins, within the SLB, through electrophoresis leading to a 25-fold increase concentration of pR.

Intrinsic Ferromagnetism in the Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Co:TiO_{2}

Here we present a study of magnetism in Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.95}O_{2-δ} anatase films grown by pulsed laser deposition under a variety of oxygen partial pressures and deposition rates. Energy-dispersive spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that a high deposition rate leads to a homogeneous microstructure, while a very low rate or postannealing results in cobalt clustering. Depth resolved low-energy muon spin rotation experiments show that films grown at a low oxygen partial pressure (≈10^{-6}  torr) with a uniform structure are fully magnetic, indicating intrinsic ferromagnetism. First principles calculations identify the beneficial role of low oxygen partial pressure in the realization of uniform carrier-mediated ferromagnetism. This work demonstrates that Co:TiO_{2} is an intrinsic diluted magnetic semiconductor.

Breast cancer incidence and mortality: trends over 40 years among women in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer incidence rates are increasing among Asian women, likely due to the changes in risk factors caused by globalization. Trends in breast cancer rates among Chinese women may differ from other Asian regions due to the implementation of a nationwide family planning program and resulting changes in women's reproductive practices. Appraisal of cancer trends can direct cancer control and public health planning, but relevant studies in China are scarce due to a lack of long-term data. We sought to evaluate secular time trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality using 40 years of cancer registry data for women in urban Shanghai.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on invasive breast cancer incidence and mortality were collected by the Shanghai Cancer Registry. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence and mortality were calculated using the Segi/Doll 1960 world standard population. Age, period, and birth cohort effects were evaluated using age-period-cohort (APC) Poisson regression models. Overall linear trends, interpreted as the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), were derived from the net drift in age-drift models.

RESULTS

A total of 53 885 breast cancer cases and 17 235 breast cancer-specific deaths were documented among women in urban Shanghai between 1 January 1973 and 31 December 2012. Breast cancer incidence and mortality ASRs increased by 141.2% and 26.6%, respectively. Significant age, cohort, and period effects were identified in both incidence and mortality APC models; cohort effects were pronounced. Overall, a substantial increase in breast cancer incidence (EAPC = 2.96%/year) and a moderate increase in breast cancer mortality (EAPC = 0.87%/year) was observed. A notable downward trend in mortality was identified among younger women born after 1960.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty years of cancer registry data document a tremendous increase in incidence and a slight increase in mortality for breast cancer among women in Shanghai. Effective, appropriate, and affordable breast cancer prevention and control strategies are urgently needed in China.

Association between IL-6 and related risk factors of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in young rats

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is conceived as the pathogenic basis of an increased cardiovascular burden. We investigate the correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the risk factors of MS and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diet-induced model of MS and determined whether IL-6 was associated with the prevalence of MS and cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

A total of 40 Spague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into high-fat and high salt (FSC) group, high-fat (FC) group and normal control (NC) group. After feeding for 7 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FIN) were measured at the 60 min, 120 min and 180 min after the glucose administration. Blood pressure, body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), liver weight, visceral fat weight as well as blood lipid profile were determined at the end of 7-week. Furthermore, IL-6 levels from adipose tissues were analyzed using ELISA, and the correlation between IL-6 and the risk factors of MS and cardiovascular disease was investigated.

RESULTS

After treatment with different diets, significant difference was noted in the WC, body mass index (BMI), visceral fat weight and liver weight of FSC group compared with those of NC group (P<0.05). The levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were markedly elevated in FSC group compared with those in NC group, while the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) was remarkable lower in FSC group (P<0.05). After glucose administration, the concentrations of blood glucose and insulin were significant higher in FSC group than those in NC group at different time points (P<0.05). Moreover, high-fat and high salt diet brought about significant elevation of IL-6 compared with that with normal or high-fat diet in SD rats. Furthermore, IL-6 was significantly associated with FIN, HOMA-IR, LDL, TC, TG, HDL, visceral fat mass and body weight in FSC group, while IL-6 was markedly correlated with TC, LDL, TG, visceral fat mass and body weight (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

A characteristic rat model of MS may be induced by the high-fat and high-salt diet. IL-6 may be considered as an early and representative marker in the pathogenesis of MS and related cardiovascular burden.

Correlation between exon 3 polymorphism of growth hormone receptor gene and the responses to rhGH therapy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation between the exon 3 polymorphism of growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene and the responses to the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in children with short stature.

METHODS

Forty-five growth hormone deficiency (GHD) children (male: 30, female: 15, aged 10.39 ± 2.73 yrs) and twenty-five idiopathic short stature (ISS) children (male: 15, female: 10, aged 10.58 ± 2.56 yrs) admitted to our hospital were included. The polymorphism of exon 3 of GHR gene was determined using multiple PCR amplification. Treatment duration for each subject was at least 12 months. On this basis, we evaluated the correlation between treatment efficiency of rhGH therapy and GHR exon 3 polymorphism, GHD, and treatment duration.

RESULTS

Significant difference was noted in the growth velocity (GV) of GHD children with a genotype of GHRfl compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3 (9.44 ± 2.35 vs. 11.36 ± 2.49, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the GV of ISS patients with a genotype of GHRfl were remarkably decreased compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3 (8.74 ± 2.36 vs. 11.18 ± 2.44, P < 0.05). For the children with peak GH response of less than 5 ng/ml, statistical difference was noted in the GV of children with a genotype of GHRfl compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3 (9.55 ± 2.76 vs. 10.84 ± 1.53, P < 0.05). For the patients with peak GH response to clonidine or pyridostigmine bromide of > 5 ng/ml, a satisfactory response to rhGH therapy was noted in children with a genotype of GHRd3 compared with those of GHRfl (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

GHRd3 was correlated with the response to rhGH therapy in children with short stature. For the patients with the same genotype, GHD caused no obvious effects on the final height. However, for the patients with peak GH response of > 5 ng/ml, a satisfactory response to rhGH therapy was noted in children with a genotype of GHRd3 compared with those of GHRfl (P < 0.05). A higher treatment efficiency was obtained in those received rhGH at an early age.

Quantitative assessment of new MRI-based measurements to differentiate low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse using support vector machines

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the ability of new MRI-based measurements to differentiate low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse. New measurements representing pelvic structural characteristics are proposed and analyzed using support vector machines (SVM).

METHODS

This retrospective study used data from 207 women with different types and stages of prolapse. Their demographic information, clinical history, and dynamic MRI data were obtained from the database. New MRI measurements were extracted and analyzed based on these reference lines: pubococcygeal line (PCL), mid-pubic line (MPL), true conjugate line (TCL), obstetric conjugate line (OCL), and diagonal conjugate line (DCL). A classification model using SVM was designed to assess the impact of the features (variables) in classifying prolapse into low or high stage.

RESULTS

The classification model using SVM can accurately identified anterior prolapse with very high accuracy (>0.90), and apical and posterior prolapse with good accuracy (0.80 - 0.90). Two newly proposed MRI-based features were found to be significant in the identification of anterior and posterior prolapse: the angle between TCL and MPL for anterior prolapse, and the angle between DCL and PCL for posterior prolapse. The overall accuracy of posterior prolapse identification increased from 47% to 80% when the newly proposed MRI-based features were taken into consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed MRI-based measurements are effective in differentiating low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse, particularly for posterior prolapse.

On the roles of graphene oxide doping for enhanced supercurrent in MgB2 based superconductors

Due to their graphene-like properties after oxygen reduction, incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) sheets into correlated-electron materials offers a new pathway for tailoring their properties. Fabricating GO nanocomposites with polycrystalline MgB2 superconductors leads to an order of magnitude enhancement of the supercurrent at 5 K/8 T and 20 K/4 T. Herein, we introduce a novel experimental approach to overcome the formidable challenge of performing quantitative microscopy and microanalysis of such composites, so as to unveil how GO doping influences the structure and hence the material properties. Atom probe microscopy and electron microscopy were used to directly image the GO within the MgB2, and we combined these data with computational simulations to derive the property-enhancing mechanisms. Our results reveal synergetic effects of GO, namely, via localized atomic (carbon and oxygen) doping as well as texturing of the crystals, which provide both inter- and intra-granular flux pinning. This study opens up new insights into how low-dimensional nanostructures can be integrated into composites to modify the overall properties, using a methodology amenable to a wide range of applications.

Assessment of a semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model for evaluating pelvic organ prolapse on MRI

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a semiautomated pelvic floor measurement algorithmic model on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images compared with manual pelvic floor measurements for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) evaluation.

METHODS

We examined 15 MRIs along the midsagittal view. Five reference points used for pelvic floor measurements were identified both manually and using our semiautomated measurement model. The two processes were compared in terms of accuracy and precision.

RESULTS

The semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model provided highly consistent and accurate locations for all reference points on MRI. Results also showed that the model can identify the reference points faster than the manual-point identification process.

CONCLUSION

The semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model can be used to facilitate and improve the process of pelvic floor measurements on MRI. This will enable high throughput analysis of MRI data to improve the correlation analysis with clinical outcomes and potentially improve POP assessment.

The association between metabolic syndrome and vascular endothelial dysfunction in adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and vascular endothelial cell dysfunction (ECD) in adolescents. Sixty obese pediatric inpatients at the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from February 2011 to February 2012 were included. Among these, 30 patients were obese and 30 patients were diagnosed with MS. Thirty healthy subjects were randomly selected as the control group. A series of indices, including height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip circumference and body mass index (BMI), as well as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were evaluated. von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were determined using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlation analysis between height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip circumference, BMI, TC, TG, LDL, HDL and PAI-1, as well as vWF was performed. Significant increases of vWF and PAI-1 levels were observed in the MS group compared with the control group (P<0.05). For the adolescents in the obese group, a significant increase of PAI-1 level was observed compared with the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the vWF levels in the obese and control groups. PAI-1 was positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip circumference, TC, TG, LDL, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), respectively (P<0.05). In addition, PAI-1 was negatively associated with HDL levels (P<0.05). PAI-1 and vWF may be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of ECD. ECD in individuals with MS may be associated with obesity, blood fat, blood sugar and blood pressure. FPG, TC and TG may be risk factors for ECD.

A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the <i>IGF1R</i> gene and the association with growth traits in yak (Brief Report)

Abstract. The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF1) is a peptide growth factor that exerts mitogenic and metabolic activities, which are regulators of growth, survival and cell differentiation in a number of cell and tissue types. To elicit its effects, IGF1 must bind its receptors. The insulinlike growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is similar to insulin receptor (INSR) and it mediates the growth-promoting effect of IGF1. The IGF1R gene, therefore, was selected as a biological candidate gene for growth, body composition, metabolic, and skeletal traits in animals (Rothschild et al. 1997). By now, no polymorphism of yak (Bos grunniensL) IGF1R gene is reported. In the present paper, the partial exon 1 region of IGF1R was screened to detect the SNPs in Chinese yak breeds. Associations of SNP of IGF1R with growth traits were analysed.

Diphenhydramine modulates cytokines and induces apoptosis in experimental acute pancreatitis

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of diphenhydramine (DPH), a H(1) receptor antagonist, on taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and the underlying mechanisms involved. Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, DPH-treated, octreotide-treated and the DPH plus octreotide combination therapy groups (n = 30 per group). Animals were sacrificed 3, 6 and 24 h after modeling and drug administration (n = 10 per time point) and sera, pancreas and lungs were harvested for further studies. DPH and octreotide monotherapy relieved histopathological injuries in multiple organs when compared to the model group. Combination therapy (DPH + octreotide) demonstrated better therapeutic potential than monotherapy. Data indicated that combination therapy had a better ability to reduce average mortality rates in rats, decrease the number of inflammatory cells, attenuate necrosis, upregulate the levels of amylase, TNF-alpha and IL-8 and downregulate the levels of IL-10 in the serum. Moreover, enhanced expression of Bax in the pancreas and lung were recorded suggesting a pro-apoptotic mechanism involved in the therapeutic potential of DPH. Our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of DPH in acute pancreatitis and suggested a novel strategy for clinical management of this disease.

Ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers and applications in pharmaceutical discovery and development. Example application to rat cardiac troponin I assay via nanoparticle probes

e14594

Although specific to heart, rat cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is an example of an important biomarker for assessing drug-induced cardiotoxicity in animal models used in various phases of drug discovery and development. Current commercially available assays can only detect 10 ∼ 100 pg/mL in serum at the lowest limits. To improve the sensitivity of rat cTnI assay, we have developed a generically applicable, microarray based nano-probe test. Our rat cTnI assay algorithm uses a multi-step robotic process, which relies on non- isotropically oriented antibodies on functionalized glass as multiplexed microarrays to capture cTnI from serum. Functionalized, 130 angstrom diameter gold nano-probes (measured by static light scattering, 5 nm S.D.) also bind to the troponin through a molecular-scale complex containing antibodies. The troponin-bound molecular complex is then quantified through silver enhancement of the functionalized gold. Assays in this format can be rapidly configured and implemented for a wide array of potential biomarkers. For cTnI we have demonstrated a robust and ultra-sensitive assay with an LOD of less than 500 femtograms of rat cTnI per mL serum, and an overall CV of less than 20%. The assay also shows very low background, a broad dynamic range and over 3 logs of linear dose response. As an example of the potential of high sensitivity, the nanoparticle-based rat cTnI assay could significantly increase the effectiveness of measuring drug-induced heart damage at very low drug dosages and early times. Such sensitive and early measurements can improve examination of the safety of drug candidates while correspondingly reducing drug development time and cost.

[Table: see text]

Breast cancer mortality trends in the WEST compared to the EAST: lives gained, lives lost

Abstract #6082

INTRODUCTION: Breast Cancer (BrCa) Mortality trends between 1950 – 2005 were reviewed between the Western (WEST) and Eastern Asian (EAST) countries, with the objective to gain understanding between therapeutic and diagnostic interventions and underlying epidemiology factors determining BrCa outcomes.&#x2028; METHODOLOGY: We compared BrCa mortality trends in the WEST (Canada, UK, USA) and in the EAST (Japan and China-Shanghai). Data were obtained from WHO - IARC, Lyon (Canada, USA, UK, Japan); and from the Shanghai Cancer Registry (China-Shanghai). We analyzed age-standardized annual mortality rates per 100,000 / population (as per 1960 world standard population). Mortality trends were expressed relative to the baseline (year 1950 for all, year 1973 for China-Sha).&#x2028; RESULTS: The baseline mortality rates were: 22.5 for Canada; 23.5 for UK; 21.6 for USA, 4.1 for Japan; and 7.3 for China-Shanghai.&#x2028; &#x2028; CONCLUSION. These data confirm a substantial mortality reduction in the WEST evident after the 1980's - 1990's, likely reflecting the interaction of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (mammography, education, systemic / locoregional therapies, etc). The different timing and extent of mortality reduction in the WEST probably reflect different degree of implementation of the interactive factors.&#x2028; On the other hand, mortality is increasing in the EAST, in parallel with the “westernization” of those regions (industrialization, diet, etc, Ref. [NEJM; 2008:358;3)]. For the EAST, our data also support a correlation between the timing / extent of the “westernization” and mortality trend dynamics (i.e. mortality increase in Japan 20 years earlier than China).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6082.