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Purpose: The purposes of this study was to develop a novel therapy-oriented acetabular bone defects classification system based on Statistical shape models (SSMs) and evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of its application. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and annotated pelvic Computed tomography (CT) of patients who had undergone revision total hip arthroplasty at our institution and constructed a dataset to develop the novel method for quantitatively describing acetabular bone defects that is based on SSMs. Then, using this method, classification systems are suggestive for diagnosis and corresponding treatment suggestion. In addition, the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of this classification system was calculated. Results: The novel classification based on SSMs was successfully applied to 106 hips, Incidences of type A, B, C, D and E were 16.04%, 27.36%, 34.91%, 14.15% and 7.55%, respectively. The novel classification system demonstrated a higher level of interobserver and intraobserver reliability (0.828 and 0.844). Conclusion: This classification system, which has demonstrated moderate to strong interobserver and intraobserver reliability, may be particularly useful to accurately evaluate acetabular defects and suggest surgical strategies, as a complement to the traditional Paprosky classification system in revision THA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-scale management of ditches and implementation of land projects in loess areas have increased the arable land area but have caused considerable engineering issues, resulting in severe soil erosion. In this study, field tests were performed at different time scales, a control group was established, organic material–plant joint restoration technology was proposed as an optimized management measure, and the erosion control mechanism and restoration mode of organic material–plant joint restoration technology were analyzed. Based on the obtained experimental data, a Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP)-based hydraulic erosion model was constructed, sensitivity parameters were calibrated, and the soil erosion intensity and corresponding spatial distribution in the watershed of the study area were simulated via the geo-spatial interface for WEPP (GeoWEPP) after organic material–plant joint restoration technology was adopted to predict the effect of optimized management measures. The results showed that among the slopes with different restoration measures, organic material–plant joint restoration technology effectively controlled loess slope erosion, and the average erosion modulus of the organic material–grass and shrub transplantation slope reached only 23.37 t/km2, which is a decrease of 97.68% relative to the traditional grass–shrub protection slope. Moreover, the sand content of the joint restoration slope was reduced by 392.41 g/L relative to the bare slope, reaching only 0.29 g/L, and the runoff yield was reduced by 8.88 L/min. The GeoWEPP modeling results revealed that the total runoff yield and average annual erosion modulus of the watershed were lower after joint restoration than during the prerestoration period. Similarly, the total runoff yield of the watershed was 4.6%, the simulated 10-year average annual total sand production reached 2048.3 t, and the average annual erosion modulus was 582.75 t/km2, which is 52.15% lower than that under untreated conditions. This study provides a new strategy for solving soil erosion problems and restoring the ecology of slopes after managing ditches and implementing land projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a landslide that occurred on the G213 National Highway in Songpan County, Sichuan, China. The landslide, which was triggered by heavy rainfall, led to the closure of the highway for almost 50 days and caused damage to infrastructure. The article provides a detailed analysis of the landslide, including information about the geological setting, climate conditions, and morphology. The study emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring and disaster prevention measures in landslide-prone areas and provides data that can be used for further research and awareness. [Extracted from the article]

A large number of loose piles formed by mountain hazards are highly susceptible to hydraulic erosion under rainfall conditions. The use of ecological substrate materials for erosion control and ecological restoration of gravel soil slopes has become a current research hotspot and the study difficulty. The post-earthquake slump accumulation gravel soil in Jiuzhaigou was selected as the research object, and the self-developed modified glutinous rice-based material was used to reinforce the gravel soil. The variable slope flume erosion test and rainfall simulation test were carried out to study the water erosion resistance of the material reconstructed soil under the influence of runoff erosion and raindrop splash erosion. The results show that: As the material content reached 12.5%, the reconstructed soil did not disintegrate after 24 hours of immersion, the internal friction angle was increased by 42.26%, and the cohesion was increased by 235.5%, which played a significant reinforcement effect. In the process of slope erosion, the soil rill erodibility parameter Kr was only 3‰ of the gravel soil control group, the critical shear force τ increased by 272%, and the soil erosion resistance was significantly improved. In the process of rainfall and rainfall on the slope, the runoff intensity of the reconstructed soil was stable, and the ability to resist runoff erosion and raindrop splash erosion was enhanced. The maximum value of soil loss rate on different slope slopes is 0.02–0.10 g·m−2s−1, which is significantly lower than that of the control group and has better erosion reduction effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of tin-based devices with low toxicity is critical for the commercial viability of perovskite solar cells. However, because tin halide is a stronger Lewis acid, its crystallization rate is extremely fast, resulting in the formation of numerous defects that affect the device performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells. Herein, propylamine hydrobromide (PABr) was added to the perovskite precursor solution as an additive to passivate defects and fabricate more uniform and dense perovskite films. Because propylamine cations are too large to enter the perovskite lattices, they only exist at the grain boundary to passivate surface defects and promote crystal growth in a preferred orientation. The PABr additive raises the average short-circuit current density from 19.45 to 25.47 mA·cm−2 by reducing carrier recombination induced by defects. Furthermore, the device's long-term illumination stability is improved after optimization, and the hysteresis effect is negligible. The addition of PABr results in a power conversion efficiency of 9.35%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from deep dormancy to seed germination is essential for the life cycle of plants, but how this process occurs in the gymnosperm Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis var mairei), the natural source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel, remains unclear. Herein, we analyse the transcriptome, proteome, spatial metabolome, and spatial lipidome of the Chinese yew and present the multi-omics profiles of dormant and germinating seeds. Our results show that abscisic acid and gibberellic acid 12 homoeostasis is closely associated with gene transcription and protein translation, and the balance between these phytohormones thereby determines if seeds remain dormant or germinate. We find that an energy supply of carbohydrates from glycolysis and the TCA cycle feed into the pentose phosphate pathway during seed germination, and energy supplied from lipids are mainly derived from the lipolysis of triacylglycerols. Using mass spectrometry imaging, we demonstrate that the spatial distribution of plant hormones and phospholipids has a remarkable influence on embryo development. We also provide an atlas of the spatial distribution of paclitaxel C in Chinese yew seeds for the first time. The data from this study enable exploration of the germination mechanism of Chinese yew seeds across several omics levels. Transcriptome, proteome, spatial metabolome, and spatial lipidome analyses provide insight into the mechanisms that regulate seed germination in the gymnosperm Taxus chinensis var mairei (Chinese yew). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, crystal structure, ferromagnetic martensitic transition, and magnetocaloric effect were investigated for Ni35Co15-xVxMn35Ti15 (x = 1, 2, 3) all-d-metal Heusler alloy ribbons. All three samples crystalize pure B2 cubic phase in austenite at room temperature. With increasing V content, the appearance of thermal hysteresis of thermomagnetic curves, together with the negative values of Arrott plots, proves the nature of first-order transition. And normal/reverse martensitic transition temperature (Tt/Tt') monotonously decreases from 236 (248) K (x = 1) to 82 (110) K (x = 3) and the Curie temperature in austenite (TCA) also decreases. Obvious magnetic-field-induced martensitic transition can also be seen with external magnetic field. Maximum magnetic entropy change values are 17.2, 18.7, 9.6 J/kgK with the magnetic field change of 50 kOe, respectively. The refrigerant capacity (RC) and relative cooling power (RCP), as two important parameters to evaluate the refrigeration performance, can reach 194.7 (240.8), 244.3 (300.0), 162.4 (201.6) J/kg with the magnetic field change of 50 kOe, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare return to sport and clinical results in young active patients who underwent anatomic single-bundle (SB) versus double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: Young active patients undergoing SB or DB ACLR from 2017 to 2019 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome measures were the rate and time to return to sports, with secondary measures including the Lachman test, pivot shift test, Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and graft rupture. Results: The study included a total of 90 patients (DB group, 42; SB group, 48), with a mean follow-up of 27.1 ± 6.1 months. Young active patients who underwent DB ACLR had a higher rate of return to pivoting sports than those who underwent SB ACLR (HR = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4, 4.1; p = 0.013). The DB group returned to pivoting sports at a mean ± SD of 11.0 ± 2.9 months compared with 12.7 ± 2.7 months in the SB group (p = 0.01). There was one traumatic failure in the SB group and one contralateral ACL rupture in the DB group. There was no significant difference in the rate and time to return to running, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm or IKDC scores in either group. Conclusion: Both anatomical SB and DB techniques achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes. DB techniques led to superior performance of return to pivoting sports but nonsignificant differences in time and rate of return to running, passive stability measurement, subjective knee function outcome and graft rupture rate in both groups at the 2-year follow-up. The DB ACLR should be considered a viable option to treat young patients with high activity demands. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ti/Al laminates are deep-drawn at elevated temperatures to investigate the effect of temperature on forming performance using numerical and experimental methods. Equipment for warm deep drawing process in a vacuum atmosphere is developed. The corresponding deep drawing finite element model (FE model) is established and validated by thickness distribution along the drawn cups' radial direction. Based on the developed FE model, the thickness strain in different temperature is compared. Following this, the process window is established to determine the optimum temperature. The ratio curve of plastic deformation to sliding (D/S curve) during warm deep drawing is established to characterize the sustainable formability of Ti/Al laminates. The results indicated that the maximum limit drawing ratio in 200°C is consistent with the minimum thickness reduction. The safe forming area narrows with the increase of the drawing ratio. The D/S curve is short and presented fluctuations in the middle-temperature section of 150–250°C, as revealed well sustainable formability. Furthermore, the thickness of constituent layers for Ti/Al laminates is measured from micromorphology diagrams and compared. It is observed that the thickness strain of outside layers has more possibility to decline in bottom radius and is higher in flange radius than inner layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to investigate the flow structures in the compressible starting jet from two beveled nozzles (45 ∘ and 30 ∘ nozzle angles) of a shock tube using the schlieren technique. In the present study, the pressure ratios between the driver section and the driven section (PR) of 3.5, 7, and 10.5 corresponding to the shock wave Mach numbers ( M s ) of 1.28, 1.48, and 1.59 were applied to produce three types of compressible vortex rings (CVRs). Owing to the beveled nozzle, the shock wave diffracts twice to produce two coaxial CVRs. For PR = 3.5 with 45 ∘ beveled nozzle, two shock-free CVRs are formed and merged into one primary CVR, while the two CVRs are separated from each other for the 30 ∘ beveled nozzle. The main reason is that the strength of the secondary CVR generated from the 30 ∘ beveled nozzle is much lower than that of the leading CVR. As for PR =7 and 10.5, the embedded shock and counter-rotating vortex rings (CRVRs) appear and constraint the formation of the secondary CVR. As a result, the two CVRs are merged into a primary CVR at a very early stage. In addition, for the two different beveled nozzles, the embedded shock–CVR, CRVR–CVR, and shock cell-trailing vortices interactions are observed and exhibited some differences. Moreover, by identifying the position of the primary CVR, it is found that the propagation velocity of the primary CVR generated from the beveled nozzles is significantly slower than that from a straight nozzle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle image velocimetry experiments were carried out to investigate the formation and dynamics of compressible vortex rings (CVRs) generated by a shock tube apparatus. Five shock Mach numbers ( M s ) including M s = 1.28 , 1.39, 1.48, 1.56, and 1.59 are designed to generate the three typical CVRs including shock-free CVRs, CVRs with embedded shock, and CVRs with embedded shock and counter-rotating vortex rings (CRVRs). Experimental results show that after the incident shock leaves the tube exit, CVRs roll up, grow in size, and then pinch off at a certain timescale. By referring to the idea of vortex formation time, CVRs are found to pinch off at the dimensionless formation number within the narrow range of F ∗ = 3.5 ± 0.5 for the range of M s = 1.28 –1.59. When M s ≥ 1.48 , the embedded shock appears inside the CVRs and axially stretches the vortex core, therefore significantly affecting the dynamics of CVRs. The maximum axial velocity along the centerline, the non-dimensional mean core radius, and the propagation velocity of CVRs all increase with M s when M s ≤ 1.48 ; however, they no longer increase when M s > 1.48 owing to the effects of embedded shock. In addition, the propagation velocity estimated by the formula given by Moore (Proc R Soc Lond A 397:87–97, 1985) shows the better agreement with that obtained by experimental measurement for shock-free CVRs than CVRs with embedded shock and CVRs with CRVRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Influence law of modified glutinous rice-based materials on gravel soil reinforcement and water erosion process" published in the Journal of Mountain Science. The correction is regarding the first author's name, which was originally listed as "ZHANG Weng-xiang" but has been corrected to "ZHANG Wen-xiang." The article provides contact information for the authors and their affiliations. The original article can be found online, and the correction notice includes the DOI for reference. [Extracted from the article]

An enzymic synthesis of glutathione-everolimus is reported. This process has been optimized and scaled up with high reproducibility and yields, which will facilitate the development of such conjugate. The stability of the conjugate supported that this prodrug can be prepared into lyophilized solid, which is to be reconstituted with 0.9% sodium chloride for injection before intravenous infusion. And the results of species-related drug release experiment displayed that the performance of the conjugate in human plasma, rat and monkey was similar. Moreover, the in vivo efficacy of glutathione-everolimus in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma was investigated in detail. The conjugate was proved to be an effective, safe and well-tolerated injectable prodrug in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. The results indicated that three times injection with a high dosage in 1 week can achieve much better in vivo efficacy, and no obvious toxic response was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 2D europium coordination polymer, {[Eu(Bript)(HO)]·2(HO)} ( 1) [HBript = 4-bromoisophthalic acid], was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The carboxylate oxygen atoms of Bript ligands link the neighboring Eu(III) ions to form a Eu(III)-carboxylate chain with the Eu⋯Eu separations of 3.982 and 5.585 Å, which the chains are further extend into a two-dimensional network. The 3D fluorescence spectra of 1 were detected at room temperature under the excitation and emission wavelengths range of 250-450 and 420-750 nm with the same interval of 5 nm, respectively. The lifetime of 1 in solid-state at room temperature is up to 0.935 ms. The magnetic result shows an antiferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic metal cations. Moreover, in vitro MTT assays at different concentrations of 1 have also been investigated and the results reveal that complex 1 was low cytotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ti/Al laminate composites were prepared by hot pressing to investigate the forming performance due to the corresponding potential applications in both the aerospace and auto industry. The bonding interface morphology and element distributions were characterized by SEM and EDS. The phase constituent was detected by XRD. It was observed that these composites presented good bonding interfaces between Ti and Al layers, and no low-sized voids and intermetallic compounds formed at the interface. In addition, the formability of these laminate composites was studied by the uniaxial tension tests, the limit drawing ratio (LDR) and the forming limit curve (FLC) experiments, respectively. The results indicated that the flow stress increased along with the strain rate increment. A constitutive equation was developed for deformation behavioral description of these laminate composites. The LDR value was 1.8, and the most susceptible region to present cracks was located at the punch profile radius. The forming limit curve of the laminate composites was located between the curves of titanium and aluminum and intersected with the major strain line at approximately 0.31. The macroscopic cracks of the FLC sample demonstrated a saw-toothed crack feature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message : Overexpression of SoSnRK2.1 improved drought tolerance and growth of tobacco plants. Abstract: Sucrose non-fermenting1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) is a key enzyme in regulating ABA signal transduction in plants, and it plays a significant role in response to multiple abiotic stresses. In this research, SoSnRK2.1 gene was cloned from sugarcane variety GT21 and characterized under various stresses. The cloned SoSnRK2.1 gene has a complete open reading frame of 1002 bp, encoding a peptide of 333 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of SoSnRK2.1 has high homology with those of Zea mays and Oryza sativa, which belongs to SnRK2 s families. The expression of SoSnRK2.1 under stresses of drought, PEG, and ABA indicated that this gene is involved in stress responses in sugarcane. To investigate the gene function, fusional SoSnRK2.1-GFP-pBI121 under control of CaMV 35S was transformed into tobacco plants. Growth and morphology of transgenic plants demonstrated that overexpression of SoSnRK2.1 enhanced drought tolerance in tobacco. Transgenic tobacco plants had lower levels of ion leakage (IL), and contents of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and HO, with higher activities of three antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC) than those in wide type (WT) tobacco. SoSnRK2.1 was stably transmitted to the next generation via sexual reproduction. Though the data presented here are from a heterologous system, it is highly likely that SoSnRK2.1 is involved in the abiotic stress response in sugarcane and may be playing an important role in regulation of its growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new transition metal-based coordination polymers, [Cu(fdc)(dmbpy)(HO)] ( 1) {[Ni(fdc)(bipy)(HO)]·(HO)} ( 2) (fdca = 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, dmbpy = 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridine, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesized under the same reaction conditions (HO, pH 7-8, and 130 °C) and were structurally characterized. 1 is a ladder chain, whereas 2 shows a 2D (4,4) network. Both 1 and 2 are further connected into 3D structures through hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 are also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactions of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and methyl-functionalized 4,4′-bipyridine ligands with metal salts under hydrothermal conditions generated four structurally diverse cobalt(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination polymers, [Co(CH-BDC)(dmbpy)] ( 1), [Cd(OH-HBDC)(dmbpy)] ( 2), [Zn(NDC)(dmbpy)], ( 3) and {[Cd(DBA)(dmbpy)]·2HO} ( 4) (CH-HBDC = 5-methylisophthalic acid, OH-HBDC = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, HNDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, HDBA = 4,4′-methylenedibenzoic acid, dmbpy = 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridine). All four complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 shows a 3D jsm topology structure with two 1D channels parallel to the a and b axes. Complex 2 has a zigzag chain in which the OH-HBDC ligands point alternately up and down. Complexes 3 and 4 show 2D (4,4) networks when the dinuclear metal centers and their ligands are regarded as nodes and linkers, respectively. Complex 3 also shows twofold interpenetration with 1D channels along the b axis. Two nets of complex 4 interlock in parallel, giving rise to a polycatenated layer (2D → 2D). Thermogravimetric and chemical stabilities, magnetic and luminescent properties of these complexes were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1D tape of pentameric and tetrameric water clusters have been observed in a complex of [Co(oba)(HO)]·(HO)·(dmbpy)] ( 1), (Hoba = 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid), dmbpy = 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridine), which has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, a cyclic pentamer formed by four water molecules and one carboxylate oxygen, as well as a chain-like tetrameric water-(carboxyl oxygen) cluster are observed. The uncoordinated carboxylate oxygen atoms of oba anions, water molecules and free dmbpy ligands interact via hydrogen bonds forms a tape in which the dmbpy ligands point alternately up and down, and extend 2D 1 into a 3D supramolecular structure. Moreover, 1 has a remarkable activity for degradation of methyl orange in a photo-assisted Fenton-like process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By changing the metal salts, two new transition metal-based coordination polymers (CPs), {[Co(DBA)(dmbpy)]·(DMF)·(HO)} ( 1), and {[(MeNH)Cd(DBA)]·(DMF)} ( 2) ((HDBA = 4,4′-methylenedibenzoic acid, dmbpy = 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridine) has been synthesized under the same reaction conditions (DMF and 130 °C) and were structurally characterized. Both compounds are synthesized using dual linkers (HDBA and dmbpy). 1 performs a 2-fold interpenetration 3D framework with pcu topology and is stable in aqueous solutions at pH range from 5 to 9, whereas 2 shows a 2D (4,4) network and is unstable in air. Furthermore, the magnetic and 3D luminescent properties of 1 and 2 are also investigated, respectively. The results suggest that metal salts influence on the final resulting CPs and the introduction of water repellent functional groups within the structure can largely enhance the hydrophobic properties of CPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adrenal surgery on blood pressure (BP) in patients with both nonfunctional adrenal adenoma (NFA) and hypertension and to assess factors affecting hypertension outcomes after surgery. Methods: Nonfunctional adrenal adenoma patients with hypertension who were treated with or without adrenal surgery at our center during 2005-2011 were retrospectively studied. Clinical characteristics were collected, and changes in BP were evaluated and compared at 2 year after discharge. Factors predicting favorable hypertension outcomes after surgery were determined using logistic regression. Results: A total of 186 patients, including 77 surgically treated cases, were eligible for this study. Retroperitoneoscopic procedure was mostly adopted, and partial adrenalectomy was performed in 69 patients. At 2 year postoperatively, both systolic and diastolic pressure levels of the surgery group decreased significantly (162.9/97.6 vs. 146.9/88.2 mmHg), with 27 (35 %) patients cured and 26 (31 %) improved. In contrast, BP levels of conservatively treated patients remained relatively stable (159.9/96.8 vs. 161.9/97.4 mmHg) after 2 years. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed hypertension duration <6 years was the only independent factor associated with favorable hypertension outcomes after surgery, which predicted complete cure as well as response to surgical intervention. Conclusion: Early partial adrenalectomy substantially cures or improves concomitant hypertension in most patients with NFA. Prospective studies should be performed of large cohorts to construct ideal clinical guidelines for NFA patients at cardiometabolic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycolytic potential is a hot aspect to meat quality research in recent years. Phosphofructokinase, muscle type (PFKM), is a key regulatory enzyme used to catalyze the irreversible conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in glycolysis. The present study was designed to investigate the association of PFKM SNP and meat quality traits in pigs. In this study, the 2,864-bp full-length cDNA sequence of the porcine PFKM gene was obtained, which contained 30 bp of 5′ UTR, 2,343 bp of coding region, and 491 bp of 3′ UTR. The porcine PFKM mRNA was predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle and heart. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T129C in exon 13 of PFKM gene was detected, with its allele frequencies significantly different between Chinese indigenous pig breed and Western pig breeds. The SNP was significantly associated with meat color value (m. biceps femoris), meat marbling (m. longissimus dorsi), meat marbling (m. biceps femoris), intramuscular fat (m. longissimus dorsi) ( P < 0.01), and water moisture (m. longissimus dorsi) in the Large White × Meishan F2 population. These results laid a foundation for further investigations on the detailed physiological function of porcine PFKM gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 2D Cd(II) coordination polymer, {[Cd(4-cpa) (bpp)HO]·(4-cpa)·(HO)} ( 1) [4-cpa = 4-chlorophenoxyacetate, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane] has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR-spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 consists of discrete 2D cadmium complex, 4-cpa counter ions and free water molecules, which are assembled into a 3D supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of 1 were detected at room temperature under the excitation and the emission wavelengths in the range of 300-600 nm with the interval of 5 nm. The lifetime of the excited state of 1 upon excitation of 443 nm in solid-state at room temperature is 30.21 ns. The 4-cpa ligand and complex 1 have been screened for their phytogrowth-inhibitory activities against Brassica campestris L. and Echinochloa utilis Ohwi et Yabuno, and the results are compared with the activity of sodium 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate. Graphical Abstract: Hydrothermal synthesis of a new 2D Cd(II) coordination polymer, {[Cd(4-cpa) (bpp)HO]·(4-cpa)·(HO)} ( 1) [4-cpa = 4-chlorophenoxyacetate, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane] leading to a material that displays intense blue 3D luminescence properties and phytogrowth-inhibitory activities.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an opportunistic pathogen and a common cause of otitis media in children, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many studies have reported that NTHi is capable of producing biofilms, which may be one of the important factors involved in chronic diseases and accelerating antimicrobial resistance. Unfortunately, there is still no consensus about the elimination of biofilms. In this study, concurrent administrations of levofloxacin (LVFX)-imipenem (IPM) and clarithromycin (CAM)-IPM, as well as the single administration of IPM, LVFX, and CAM, were performed to treat the mature biofilms produced by NTHi, respectively. Biofilm inhibition was quantified using microtiter biofilm assay (MBA), and relative biomass was calculated as the ratio compared to that of untreated control biofilms. The relative biomasses of biofilms treated with IPM, LVFX-IPM, and CAM-IPM against a β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant strain was 1.10, 0.08, and 0.13 at 1× minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.90, 0.05, and 0.07 at 10× MIC, and 0.80, 0.06, and 0.07 at 100× MIC, respectively. Biofilms were also visually observed by scanning electron microscopy, and a focused ion-beam system showed that high concentrations of combined administration strongly inhibited the biofilms, which was consistent with the results of MBA. Our data demonstrated the antibiofilm effect of concurrent administration against mature NTHi biofilms, which indicated a rationale for the potential use of concurrent administrations in diseases involving chronic NTHi biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical mechanisms of treatment of thoracolumbar compression fracture with pedicle screws at injury level based on a three-dimensional finite element method. We constructed one three-dimensional finite element model of T11-L1 in a patient with a compression fracture of the T12 vertebral body(anterior edges of vertebral body were compressed to 1/2, and kyphosis Cobb angle was 18.6°) fixed by four pedicle screws and another model fixed by six pedicle screws at the injured vertebrae, and then assigned different forces to the two models to account for axial compression, flexion, extension, left lateral bending, and rightward axial rotation by Ansys software. After different loading forces were applied to the models, we recorded stress measurements on the vertebral pedicle screws, as well as the maximum displacement of T11. The stress distribution suggested that stress concentration was appreciable at the root of the pedicle screws under different loading modalities. Under axial compression, flexion, extension, left lateral bending, and rightward axial rotation load, the stress for the superior screw was significantly greater than the stress for the inferior screw ( P < 0.05). The stress in the six pedicle screw fixation model was significantly decreased compared to the four screw interbody fusion model ( P < 0.05), but the maximum displacement of T11 between two models under different loadings was not statistically different. The use of pedicle screws at injured vertebral bodies may optimize internal fixation load and reduce the incidence of broken screws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak occurred in an advanced emergency medical service center between 2010 and 2011. Our objective was to evaluate the status of the MRSA outbreak, as monitored by molecular analysis. Twenty-eight MRSA strains were isolated from blood samples from 11 patients, from other specimens (pharynx, nasal cavity, etc.) from 12 patients, from two environmental samples, and from the skin, middle nasal meatus, and urine of one patient each from other wards. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to evaluate horizontal transmission. Molecular typing by PFGE showed that the 28 MRSA strains presented 7 patterns in total, and that 11 of the MRSA strains had the same PGFE pattern. Unselective use of intranasal mupirocin ointment, MRSA monitoring for new inpatients, and prevention of direct or indirect contact infection were performed. However, the number of inpatients with MRSA did not quickly decrease, and additional molecular typing by PFGE showed that 10 of 19 MRSA strains found (5 of 6 from blood, 5 of 13 from other specimens) were the same as those found previously. Lectures and ward rounds were performed repeatedly, and staff participation in ward rounds was suggested. Finally, the number of inpatients with MRSA significantly decreased more than 6 months after the intervention. Although the MRSA outbreak was thought to have ended, follow-up molecular typing by PFGE showed that horizontal transmission persisted. Our data suggest that various combinations of infection control measures are essential when dealing with an MRSA outbreak, and monitoring by molecular analysis using PFGE is useful to identify the status of the outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal reaction of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 1,10-phenanthroline and Ln(NO)·6HO in the presence of a trace quantity of nitric acid produced two isostructural dinuclear complexes, Ln(2,4-dcp)(3,5-dcs)(phen) (Ln = Tb ( 1); Tm ( 2), 2,4-dcp = 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate, 3,5-dcs = 3,5-dichlorosalicylate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), containing a new ligand, 3,5-dichlorosalicylate (3,5-dcs) that formed in situ. The lanthanide ions are bridged by two bidentate and two terdentate carboxylato groups to give centrosymmetric dimers with Ln···Ln separations of 3.935(2) and 3.917(3) Å, respectively. Each metal atom is nine-coordinate and exhibits a distorted, tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectra show that both 1 and 2 emit the intense green characteristic luminescence at room temperature, with long lifetimes of up to 0.890 and 0.995 ms, respectively. Moreover, poor luminescence efficiency has been noted for complex 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae has been reported to form biofilms. Many different surface molecules, including capsular polysaccharide (CPS), may play a fundamental role in pneumococcal biofilm development. We designed a CPS mutant, TIGR4cps4D, from the TIGR4 strain and detected enhanced biofilm formation. The pathogenic diversities of the mutant were also investigated with the in vitro expression levels of pavA, lytA, IgA1, piaA, psaA, ply, and spxB. The mean OD of TIGR4cps4D biofilm was 1.77 and 1.74, whereas that of TIGR4 was 0.76 and 0.33 on day 1 and day 2, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed TIGR4cps4D formed a biofilm that was significantly thicker than that formed by TIGR4 (~12.22 vs. ~6.29 μm). Compared to TIGR4, the gene expression of lytA, IgA1, and, psaA in TIGR4cps4D was 1.9 × 10-, 2.4 × 10-, and 3.2 × 10 fold lower under the planktonic condition, and 1.9 × 10- and 9.7 × 10 fold lower in biofilms, respectively. Furthermore, TIGR4cps4D seemed to induce less cell death, compared to the results of TIGR4 (21.38 vs. 33.47 %, after a 5-h exposure; P < 0.05). Our data indicate that impaired pneumococcal CPS may increase biofilm formation and be involved in inhibition of virulence, possibly by influencing the gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new Pd(II) complexes of Schiff base ligands, namely, [Pd(L)] ( 1), [Pd(L)Cl] ( 2) and [Pd(L)Cl] ( 3) [ HL = N-(benzylidene)-2-aminophenol; L = N-(2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-2,6-diethylbenzenamine, L = 4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylide-neamino)phenol] have been synthesized using solvothermal methods and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of the free ligands were also determined. The μ-oxygen-bridged tetranuclear cyclometallated Pd(II) complex ( 1) contains four nearly planar units, in which Pd is four-coordinate. Complex 2 is a μ-chloro-bridged dinuclear cyclometallated Pd(II) complex, whereas complex 3 is mononuclear. The Heck reactions of bromobenzene with acrylic acid catalyzed by complexes 1- 3 have also been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemophilus influenzae is an important causative pathogen of community-acquired respiratory infection in China. In this study we investigated 37 H. influenzae strains isolated from patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CARTI) in Shanghai city between Dec 2008 and Apr 2009. H. influenzae clinical isolates were identified, and β-lactamase production tests were conducted and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were measured. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was introduced as an effective fingerprinting method. Two isolates (5.4%) were verified as serotype b strains, and 30 strains (81.1%) were nontypeable H. influenzae. Furthermore, 10 (27.0%) were β-lactamase-producing ampicillin-resistance (BLPAR) (TEM-1 type) strains, 11 (29.8%) were low-β-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae (Low-BLNAR) strains, and the rest were β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-susceptible (BLNAS) strains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC; μg/ml) were 2 for ampicillin/sulbactam, 0.05 for cefotaxime, 16 for cefaclor, 2 for azithromycin, 0.12 for levofloxacin, and 4 for imipenem. Fingerprint typing by PFGE revealed 23 independent patterns for the isolates. Pattern A (defined in this study) was predominant in BLPAR strains, and a variety of other patterns were detected in Low-BLNAR and BLNAS strains. Although the incidence of ampicillin resistant H. influenzae is increasing in CARTI patients in China, current antimicrobial chemotherapy seems to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggested that the prostate cancer may arise from prostate cancer stem cells that share some same characteristics with normal stem cells. The purpose of this study was to detect the differences of Nanog expression between PC3 prostate cancer cell line and its tumor stem cells, and the relationship was preliminarily examined between Nanog and prostate cancer and its tumor stem cells. By using magnetic active cell sorting (MACS), we isolated a population of CD44/CD133 prostate cancer cells that display stem cell characteristics from PC3 cell line. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive expressions of CD44, CD133 and αβ-integin in the isolated cells. CCK-8 analysis showed that isolated cells had a strong proliferative ability. The formation of the cell spheres in serum-free medium and holoclones in serum-supplied medium showed that the cells were capable of self-renewing, indicating that the isolated cells were a population of cancer stem-like cells derived from PC3 cell line. Western blotting exhibited that the isolated cells had higher experession of Nanog, an embryonic stem marker, as compared with PC3 cells. Our study showed that Nanog might be helpful in sustaining the self-renewal and the undifferentiation of prostate cancer stem cells, and may serve as a marker for prostate cancer stem cells for isolation and identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein mono-ADP-ribosylation post-translationally transfers the ADP-ribose moiety from the β-NAD donor to various protein acceptors. This type of modification has been widely characterized and shown to regulate protein activities in animals, yeast and prokaryotes, but has never been reported in plants. In this study, using [P]NAD as the substrate, ADP-ribosylated proteins in Arabidopsis were investigated. One protein substrate of 32 kDa in adult rosette leaves was found to be radiolabeled. Heat treatment, protease sensitivity and nucleotide derivative competition assays suggested a covalent reaction of NAD with the 32 kDa protein. [carbonyl-C]NAD could not label the 32 kDa protein, confirming that the modification was ADP-ribosylation. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor failed to suppress the reaction, but chemicals that destroy mono-ADP-ribosylation on specific amino acid residues could break up the linkage, suggesting that the reaction was not a poly-ADP-ribosylation but rather a mono-ADP-ribosylation. This modification mainly existed in leaves and was enhanced by oxidative stresses. In young seedlings, two more protein substrates with the size of 45 kDa and over 130 kDa, respectively, were observed in addition to the 32 kDa protein, indicating that different proteins were modified at different developmental stages. Although the substrate proteins remain to be identified, this is the first report on the characterization of endogenously mono-ADP-ribosylated proteins in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD) under nonideal conditions. Then, crystallographic defects in the poly-Si films were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical microscopy combined with defect etching. We found that as-deposited poly-Si films contain a lot of twin crystals, including first-order, second-order, third-order, and higher-order twinned crystals. Besides twinned crystals, stacking faults, dislocations, dislocation nets, dislocation loops, extended dislocations, and dislocation line arrays were also found. Finally, the origins of the defects were analyzed, being attributed to the peculiarities of the RTCVD-quartz growth system, stress caused by lattice and thermal mismatch, a huge temperature ramp, and nonideal deposition conditions. Although our experimental results cannot represent the crystallographic quality of poly-Si films prepared by RTCVD, they at least indicate what kinds and how many defects exist in poly-Si films when deposition conditions severely deviate from the optimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operating states of hydroelectric generating units vary widely as the operating condition change. The details of the operating characteristics and the operating region partitioning method are discussed for two types of large Francis turbines in the Wanjiazhai Hydropower Plant and two same type large Kaplan turbines in the Shuikou Hydropower Plant. For the Wanjiazhai Hydropower units, the most critical factor affecting the operating stability is the hydraulic pressure fluctuations caused by the vortex rope in the draft tube. For Shuikou Hydropower units, the dynamic stresses as in the piston rod and the blade and the hydraulic thrust on the runner induced by the pressure fluctuations in the flow passage should be used to partition the operating regions. Analyzing the distribution cloud of operating characteristic factors which affects the operating stability in the hill-chart for each individual unit, the forbidden, stable and transient operating regions can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Close attention has been paid to estrogen compounds because these chemicals may pose a serious threat to the health of humans and wildlife. Estrogen receptor (ER) exists as two subtypes, ERα and ERβ. The difference in amino acids sequence of the binding sites of ERα and ERβ might lead to a result that some synthetic estrogens and naturally occurring steroidal ligands have different relative affinities and binding modes for ERα and ERβ. In this investigation, comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) was performed on 50 estrogen compounds binding ERβ to find out the structural relationship with the activities. We also compared two alignment schemes employed in CoMSIA analysis, namely, atom-fit and receptor-based alignment, with respect to the predictive capability of their respective models for structurally diverse data sets. The model with the significant correlation and the best predictive power ( R 2=0.961, q =0.671, R =0.722) was achieved. The CoMSIA and docking results revealed the structural features related to an activity and provided an insight into molecular mechanisms of estrogenic activities for estrogen compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model has been becoming a powerful tool in understanding the structural requirements for chemicals to bind the estrogen receptor (ER), designing drugs for human estrogen replacement therapy, and identifying potential estrogenic endocrine disruptors. In this study, a simple yet powerful neural network technique, generalized regression neural network (GRNN) was used to develop a QSAR model based on 131 structurally diverse estrogens (training set). Only nine descriptors calculated solely from the molecular structures of compounds selected by objective and subjective feature selections were used as inputs of the GRNN model. The predictive power of the built model was found to be comparable to that of the more traditional techniques but requiring significantly easy implementation and a shorter computation-time. The obtained result indicates that the proposed GRNN model is robust and satisfactory, and can provide a feasible and practical tool for the rapid screening of the estrogenic activity of organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine whether curcumin prevents the adhesion of platelets to brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) cultured in vitro. Methods: [3H]Adenine-labeled platelets were incubated with BMECs to investigate the role of curcumin in the adhesion of platelets to BMECs. The number of platelets adhering to the BMECs monolayer was determined by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. The thrombin-induced expression of platelets P-selectin, glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb), and glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) on the cell surface, was measured by flow cytometry. P-selectin mRNA levels of BMECs were determined by RT-PCR. The TNF-α-induced expressions of P-selectin and E-selectin on the surface of BMECs were determined by Western blotting. Results: The adhesion between thrombin-activated platelets and normal BMECs, and that of TNF-α-activated BMECs and normal platelets were significantly increased, and this increase could be inhibited by curcumin (30–240 μmol/L) in a concentration-dependant manner. The platelets activated with thrombin and BMECs stimulated by TNF-α demonstrated an upregulated expressions of P-selectin and E-selectin, and this increase, when pretreated with curcumin for 30 min, could be restrained dose dependently. Curcumin also inhibited the increase of the GPIIb/GPIIIa expression of thrombin-activated platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Curcumin can inhibit the platelets to BMECs. This effect may be related to the decreased expressions of P-selectin, E-selectin, and GPIIb/GPIIIa on platelets and BMECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effects of bilobalide on the activation of NF-κB, and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods: A rat model of Parkinson's disease was produced with a unilateral infusion of 6-OHDA (8 μg) into the substantia nigra par compact. Bilobalide was administered 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (ip) once a day for 7 d, starting 6 d prior to the 6-OHDA infusion. The rats were subjected to locomotor activity and rotational behavior testing 2 or 3 weeks after the 6-OHDA infusion. The expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and NF-κB p65 were examined by immunofluorescence. The loss of dopaminergic neurons was detected by Nissl's staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was used to identify apoptosis. Results: The behavioral changes due to 6-OHDA were significantly restored by bilobalide pretreatment. Bilobalide inhibited the 6-OHDA-induced loss of TH-positive neurons, decreased the activation of NF-κB, and protected dopaminergic neurons from apoptosis remarkably. Conclusion: NF-κB activation contributes to the 6-OHDA-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, and the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway is likely to be involved in the neuroprotective effect of bilobalide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the effects of LY294002, an inhibitor of class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), on proliferation and apoptosis of SGC7901 gastric cancer cells. Methods: The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of LY294002. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry and apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry analysis after staining DNA with propidium iodide. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using the fluorescent probe JC-1. Expression of p53 and PUMA was determined using real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. Results: The viability of SGC7901 cells was significantly reduced by LY294002 treatment. Expression of p53 and PUMA was induced, and mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed after treatment with LY294002. LY294002 induced apoptotic cell death. Conclusion: Activation of the p53 pathway is involved in LY294002-induced SGC7901 cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the contribution of an autophagic mechanism to the As2O3-induced death of human acute myeloid leukaemia cell line HL60 cells. Methods: The growth inhibition of HL60 cells induced by As2O3 was assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. The activation of autophagy was determined with monodansylcadaverine labeling and transmission electron microscope. The role of autophagy in the As2O3-induced death of HL60 cells was assessed using autophagic and lysosomal inhibitors. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were used to study the apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. Results: After treatment with As2O3, the proliferation of HL60 cells was significantly inhibited and the formation of autophagosomes increased. The blockade of autophagy maturation with the autophagy-specific inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or the lysosome-neutralizing agent NH4Cl 1 h before As2O3 potentiated the As2O3-induced death of HL60 cells. In contrast, 3-MA attenuated As2O3-induced death when administered 30 min after As2O3. 3-MA and NH4Cl also inhibited As2O3-induced upregulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, the protein required for autophagy in mammalian cells. Following As2O3, lysosomes were activated as indicated by increased levels of cathepsins B and L. The apoptotic response of HL60 cells to As2O3 was suggested by the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and the activation of caspase-3. Pre-treatment with 3-MA prior to As2O3 amplified these apoptotic signals, while post-treatment with 3-MA 30 min after As2O3 attenuated the apoptotic pathways. Conclusion: Autophagy plays complex roles in the As2O3-induced death of HL60 cells; it inhibits As2O3-induced apoptosis in the initiation stage, but amplifies the As2O3-mediated apoptotic program if it is persistently activated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the role of crotoxin (CrTX)-induced autophagy in the death of MCF-7 cells, a caspase-3-deficient, human breast cancer cell line. Methods: Cultured MCF-7 cells were treated with various doses of CrTX, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) isolated from the venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus. The cytotoxicity of CrTX in the presence and absence of caspase inhibitors was measured with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assays. The activation of autophagy was determined with transmission electron microscope and monodansylcadaverin (MDC) labeling. The upregulation of lysosomal enzymes, the release of cyto-chrome c (cyto-c), and the nuclear translocation of the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) were examined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Results: CrTX inhibited the viability of MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. CrTX-activated autophagy was revealed by punctuate MDC labeling, and an increase in the formation of autophagosomes as well as apoptosis, as evidenced by nuclear condensation and fragmentation. The activation of cathepsin B, D, and L, in addition to the release of cytochrome c and the relocation of AIF into nuclei, were observed after CrTX treatment. Autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA), NH4Cl, and the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-Vad-fmk), attenuated CrTX-induced cell death. Conclusion: An autophagic mechanism contributes to the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells induced by CrTX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]