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Two metal coordination polymers, namely {[Co(MIBA)2]·2H2O}n (SNUT-3) and {[Cu(MIBA)2]·2H2O}n (SNUT-4), where HMIBA = 4-(1H-2-methylimidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid, were prepared by hydrothermal methods. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the structure of SNUT-3 exhibits a 3D→3D fourfold interpenetrating structure with diamondoid frameworks, while SNUT-4 shows a 2D + 2D → 3D inclined polycatenation structure. The gas adsorption property of SNUT-3 and photocatalytic activity of SNUT-4 for the degradation of Rhodamine B has been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel bilayer fibrous membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) was prepared via two-step electrospinning process, subsequent crosslinking and surface conjugation with heparin. The bilayer membrane consists of upper layer polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/Gel) membrane for soft tissue regeneration and lower layer PCL/Gel/nano-hydroxyapatite (PCL/Gel/n-HA) membrane for hard tissue regeneration. The results indicated that the physicochemical and biological properties of the membrane were strongly influenced by the crosslinking time and by the heparin conjugation. Crosslinking effectively prolonged the degradation time while maintaining the membrane barrier function, and the surface heparin conjugation obviously improved the biological performance of the membrane. An enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation were observed on the heparin-conjugated fibrous membranes, which also showed good histocompatibility and favorable in vivo degradability. The electrospun bilayer fibrous membrane may have promising prospect for modulation of cell response and simultaneous regeneration of soft and hard tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite nanowires (NWs) were synthesised by an in-plane selfassembly method. With the assistance of saturated solvent vapour, perovskite microparticles selfassembled into NWs. By stoichiometric adjustment of the halogen anion components in the NWs, their photoluminescence could be tuned to span the entire visible range. A detailed investigation of the lasing properties of the in-situ perovskite NWs and microplates revealed a lasing range of 420-560 nm, with typical thresholds of 18.8µJ cm-2 for CsPbBr3 NWs and 8.87µJ cm-2 for CsPbBrxCl3-x microplates. The NWs exhibited robust stability under extended laser pumping in ambient atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To minimize the part distortion and investment in the E-coat oven in adhesive bonding of metals for automotive applications, lowering the curing temperature of adhesive without apparent loss of the joint strength is desirable. The key to lower the curing temperature of adhesive bonding of lightweight materials is to accelerate the curing process of structural adhesives. In this study, curing agent (i.e., aliphatic polyamine) and curing accelerator (i.e., acetylacetone salt) were added into commercial Henkel 5089 adhesive and the effect of these curing additives on the curing temperature of Henkel 5089 in adhesive bonding of aluminum AA6061-T4 was studied. The test results showed that the addition of a curing agent and accelerator in Henkel 5089 lowered the curing temperature from 177°C to 130°C without sacrificing the strength of the adhesive-bonded aluminum AA6061-T4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Rana wuyiensis (Anura, Ranidae) was sequenced and annotated. The circular complete mitogenome was 17,779 bp in length (OL467321) and constituted of 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a D-loop region. The result of Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicated that R. wuyiensis exhibits a close relationship with R. johnsi. R. wuyiensis was recently discovered and therefore holds a lot of potential for future research studies. Our study added a new mitochondrial data and provided valuable reference material to the taxonomy of Rana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed tourmaline/chitosan (Tur/CS) composite films for wound healing applications. The characteristics of composite films were studied by optical microscope, infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction. Tur particles were uniformly distributed in the CS film and the crystal structure of CS was not remarkably changed except the decrease of crystallinity. The influence of Tur on wound healing applications was characterized by modulating Tur concentrations in the Tur/CS composite film prepared by loading Tur powder into CS matrix with different proportion (0, 1/40 and 1/10). Then L929 cells were co-cultured on the composite films to access the cytotoxicityin vitro. Tur concentrations strongly influenced cell process extension. Tur/CS composite film with 1/40 mass ratio could promote the cell adhesion and proliferation. Fewer and shorter processes were observed at high Tur density. When the composite films were transplanted on porcine full-thickness burn wounds, histological results demonstrated that the Tur/CS group with 1/40 mass ratio had a significantly higher number of newly-formed and mature blood vessels, and fastest regeneration of dermis. Based on the observed facts these films can be tailored for their potential utilization in wound healing and skin tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study is to select a native isolate ofArthrobotrys thaumasia(Monacrosporium thaumasium), a nematophagous fungus that shows potential for use in biocontrol programmes for ruminants. First, we looked for native isolates ofA. thaumasiaand characterised them using light microscopy and molecular markers. Then, we determined the effect of temperature, pH and nutrition on the growth rate and trap formation of a representative isolate. Of the 1532 samples of different types related to sheep and cattle, 11 isolates ofA. thaumasiawere isolated, and their occurrence frequency in the samples was 0.71% (11/1532). We sequenced the rDNA internal transcribed spacer of isolate NBS005, submitted it to GenBank (ID: KX640093) and then sequenced it using BLAST. The NBS005 could not grow at 37.5°C but could grow from 11°C to 35°C, and it exhibited its optimum growth at 30°C on 1% corn meal agar (CMA). Over 4 days, the fungus did not grow in the pH interval from 1 to 3 or from 13 to 14 but did grow in the pH interval from 4 to 12 and exhibited its optimum growth between pH 9 and 10 on 2% CMA. The factors responsible for the trap formation of NBS005 in liquid culture were identified. Trap formation was induced only by contact with L3 lysate. The concentrations of sucrose, ammonium chloride and tryptone of 0.4, 0.2 and 0.2%, respectively, promoted trap formation, and there were higher numbers of trapping nets in 2% wheat bran liquid medium containing L3 lysate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 are two important tyrosine kinases that play crucial roles in signal transduction pathways that regulate numerous cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis. In the past 20 years, many proteomic methods have emerged as powerful methods to evaluate proteins in biological processes and human disease states. Among them, activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is one useful approach for the functional analysis of proteins. In this study, a novel photoaffinity probe11was designed and synthesised to assess the target profiling of the reactive group in the photoaffinity probe11. Biological evaluation was performed, and the results showed that the novel photoaffinity probe binds to EGFR and HER2 proteins and it hits targets by the reactive group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Opisthotropis kuatunensis is classified in the family Natricidae and is widespread in southern China. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the circular mitochondrial genome of O. kuatunensis from the Fujian Province, China. The complete mitogenome is 17,279 bp in length, and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNA, 1 non-coding region of an L-strand replication origin and 2 control regions (D-loop1 and D-loop2). Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete mitochondrial genome supported Opisthotropis as monophyletic and sister to Nerodia and fully resolved O. kuatunensis on a branch with O. latouchii. This study contributes to the systematics, phylogeny and taxonomy of the Natricidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced the complete 17,209 bp mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Gonyosoma frenatum (Squamata: Colubridae) using next-generation sequencing. It consists of 13 PCGs, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, one non-coding region of an L-strand replication origin, and two control regions. The overall nucleotide composition was 34.7% of A, 24.8% of T, 12.3% of G, and 28.1% of C. The result of the phylogenetic analysis showed that G. frenatum, a member of Colubridae, is sister to other New World and Old World ratsnakes. The new data could help better understand the phylogenetic status of the genus Gonyosoma and the evolutionary history of Colubridae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Neuroglobin (Ngb), an identified globin in vertebrate brain, is a potential novel protective protein against brain ischemia. In our previous study, the human immunodeficiency virus trans-activator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain successfully delivered exogenous Ngb into neurons in the mouse, and protected the brain from cerebral ischemia-induced apoptosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of TAT-Ngb in attenuating oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced apoptosis and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods: Nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced PC12 cells were divided into (1) the control group, (2) the OGD group (just OGD), (3) the Ngb treatment group (OGD and Ngb treatment), and (4) the TAT-Ngb treatment group (OGD and TAT-Ngb treatment). Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by the MTT assay and the AnnexinV/propidium iodide (PI) staining, respectively. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was measured by JC-1 staining. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, Stat3, Jak2, and Akt were determined by western blot analysis. Results: Trans-activator of transcription effectively delivered Ngb into NGF-induced PC12 cells. Neuroglobin-mediated neuroprotection rescued cultured cells from OGD. We also confirmed previous findings that TAT-Ngb inhibited mitochondrial apoptosis following OGD. Inhibition of apoptosis by A.-DEVD-CHO showed that caspase-3 was a crucial factor in OGD-induced apoptosis cascades. AG490, a specific Jak2 inhibitor, attenuated the protective effects of TAT-Ngb. The TAT-Ngb promoted expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 through the Jak2/Stat3 signal pathway, and inhibited apoptosis by blocking caspase-3 activation, while the Jak-Akt-Stat3 signal network was not involved. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that TAT-Ngb can protect neuron-like cells against OGD-induced apoptosis by activating the Jak2/Stat3 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, CELSR1 was identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as a susceptibility gene for ischaemic stroke (IS) in Japanese individuals. Aim: The goal was to examine whether CELSR1 variants are associated with IS in the Chinese Han population. Subjects and methods: This study genotyped two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CELSR1, rs6007897 and rs4044210, in a Chinese sample of 569 IS cases and 581 controls and assessed their genotype and allele associations with IS. Results: The results showed that rs6007897 and rs4044210 variants of CELSR1 were significantly ( p < 0.01) associated with IS. These associations remained after adjustment for age, gender, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. In addition, a significant association was observed of rs6007897 and rs4044210 of CELSR1 with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), a sub-type of IS ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Taken together, the present study has proven for the first time that CELSR1 is a susceptibility gene for IS in the Chinese Han population, especially for LAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of 2.0˜0.8 mm or 0.8˜0.5 mm size fraction of tribocharged organic coal, pyrite, and calcite particles were studied under the electric field using the high-speed dynamic camera combined with high-speed motion analysis system. Motion images of these particles were obtained and used to analyze their dynamic parameters. Organic coal particles tribocharged positively move to the negative plate, while pyrite and calcite particles reach the positive plate under the influence of electric force. These results indicate that the trajectories of all 2.0˜0.8 mm particles are similar to parabolic curves. For 0.8˜0.5 mm particles, the trajectories are approximate straight line, except for the calcite. The vertical velocities of all particles increase with a fluctuant acceleration as a result of gravity and drag force. The horizontal velocities of all particles vary slightly. The dynamics of 0.8˜0.5 mm particles prove that size is very important for the triboelectric separation. The actions of electric force and drag force are increased with the decrease of particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We, the Editors and Publisher of the Journal of Receptors and Signal Transduction, have retracted the below article: Baicalin suppresses the progression of preeclampsia via regulating miR-155-5p/FOXO3 axis; Bin Caia, Yali Hua, Jihong Peng & Ting Song; Journal of Receptors and Signal Transduction; Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors checked their data and confirmed there are fundamental errors present. Therefore, they have agreed to the retraction of this article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Terbinafine is an established drug for the treatment of toenail onychomycosis. Minimizing the total dose of terbinafine and giving it intermittently could improve tolerability as well as compliance, provided efficacy is not compromised. Objective : Two identical trials were conducted to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the current standard regimen of terbinafine 250 mg daily with a new formulation of terbinafine given intermittently for three cycles of 2 weeks of treatment (350 mg daily) followed by 2 weeks off treatment. Methods : A total of 2005 patients with a clinical diagnosis of subungual onychomycosis of the large toenail confirmed by microscopy and culture for a dermatophyte were recruited into the two trials and treated for 12 weeks. Results : Patients with onychomycosis of prolonged duration (mean 9 years) and a median nail involvement of 63% with or without spikes, lateral involvement and white superficial onychomycosis (WSO) were included in the trial. The studies found a significant difference ( p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new furostanol glycosides, 26- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-3β,26-dihydroxy-23( S )-methoxyl-25( R )-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β- d -glucopyranosyl(1→3)]-β- d -glucopyranoside (dioscoreside E, 1 ) and 26- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-3β,26-dihydroxy-25( R )-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β- d -glucopyranosyl (1→3)]-β- d -glucopyranoside (prtotogracillin, 2 ), together with 11 known furostanol glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea futshauensis R. Kunth. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (NMR and FABMS). Their anti-fungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Pyricularia oryzae and cytotoxic activity on K562 cancer cell line were evaluated in vitro . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core-binding factor 1 (Cbfa1; also called Runx2) is a transcription factor belonging to the Runt family of transcription factors that binds to an osteoblast-specific cis-acting element (OSE2) activating the expression of osteocalcin, an osteoblast-specific gene. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a transcriptional coactivator, TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif), that binds to Cbfa1. A functional relationship between Cbfa1 and TAZ is demonstrated by the coimmunoprecipitation of TAZ by Cbfa1 and by the fact that TAZ induces a dose-dependent increase in the activity of osteocalcin promoter-luciferase constructs by Cbfa1. A dominant-negative construct of TAZ in which the coactivation domains have been deleted reduces osteocalcin gene expression down to basal levels. NIH 3T3, MC 3T3, and ROS 17/2.8 cells showed the expected nuclear localization of Cbfa1, whereas TAZ was distributed throughout the cytoplasm with some nuclear localization when transfected with either Cbfa1 or TAZ. Upon cotransfection by both Cbfa1 and TAZ, the transfected TAZ shows predominant nuclear localization. The dominant-negative construct of TAZ shows minimal nuclear localization upon cotransfection with Cbfa1. These data indicate that TAZ is a transcription coactivator for Cbfa1 and may be involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the industrialization of higher education in China. Benefits of the cooperation of banks and institutions of higher learning; Account on the progress in higher education in 1997; Details on the proportion of college students and the population in 1997.

Two triterpenoid acids, betulinic acid and ursolic acid, were purified from the ethanol extract ofEngelhardtia serrataBl. by bioassay-guided isolation. Their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities on the K562 cell line were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometric analysis. Betulinic acid and ursolic acid inhibited the growth of K562 tumor cell line with IC 50 values of 6.25 and 12.5&ThickSpace;μg/ml and also induced 35%and 13%apoptosis at 25&ThickSpace;μg/ml, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of an important melanoma disease model inbred rat strain for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,309 bp and coding 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses in a study conducted by the researchers at the Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing, China on 61 familial patient (FALS) and 100 healthy control subjects to detect the repeat expansion of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene. The study reveals that samples of deoxyribonucleic acid were collected from control subjects and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis' patients. The study further reveals that the repeat expansion was identified 21.7-57.9 percent in FALS.