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Summary: In this study, sesame hull oil (SHO) was extracted to characterise its composition. SHO was heated to determine the volatiles and their effect on the quality of cold‐pressed dehulled sesame oil (SO). Seventeen fatty acids, four lignans (1088.65 mg/100 g), tocopherols (284.17 mg/100 g) mainly in the γ‐form, and sterol (1722.16 mg/100 g, 4.67 times more than in sesame kernel oil) were detected in SHO. After heating, the volatiles found in SHO were mainly aldehydes and acids, represented by hexanal (fatty, green aroma) and 3‐methyl‐butanoic acid (fatty, rancid aroma), respectively. The acid value, peroxide value, anisidine value, and turbidity of SO increased significantly after adding SHO, and the scavenging ability of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was enhanced. The oxidation induction times of SO with the addition of SHO ranged from 8.93 to 9.53 h. The present study provides information about SHO and a new direction for the utilisation of sesame hulls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Residual varus after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can affect functional outcomes, which may worsen in the presence of obesity. However, no studies were found to compare the outcomes of obese patients involving postoperative residual mild varus or neutral. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative complications and prosthesis survival, and functional outcomes for knees of obese patients with neutral or mild varus after TKA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 188 consecutive obese patients (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) at our hospital who underwent TKA due to varus knee osteoarthritis from January 2010 to December 2015. The mechanical hip‐knee‐ankle axis angle was measured in all patients at admission and discharge. Knee functions were retrospectively assessed based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Knee Society Knee Score (KS‐KS), Knee Society Function Score (KS‐FS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and range of motion (ROM). Continuous data were compared between knees with neutral or mild varus alignment using analysis of Student's t test or variance or the Kruskal–Wallis test as appropriate. For multiple comparisons of outcomes, we used Bonferroni–Dunn method to adjust p‐values. Categorical data were compared using the chi‐squared test. Results: Of the 156 knees in 137 obese patients who completed follow‐up for a mean of 8.32 ± 1.47 years, 97 knees were corrected from varus to neutral and 54 knees were kept in mild residual varus. Patients with mild varus knees had significantly WOMAC (8.25 ± 8.637 vs. 14.97 ± 14.193, p = 0.009) and better FJS (86.03 ± 15.607 vs. 70.22 ± 30.031, p = 0.002). The two types of knees did not differ significantly in KS‐KS, KS‐FS, or ROM. Although one patient with a neutral knee had to undergo revision surgery, there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: For obese patients with osteoarthritis, preservation of residual varus alignment after TKA can improve functional outcomes without compromising prosthesis survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of fucoidan‐assisted standard quadruple therapy (SQT) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and the improvement of gut microbiota. Methods: An open‐label randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University in Shandong Province, China. Ninety patients who tested positive for H. pylori were randomized to the standard quadruple therapy (SQT) group (SQ), SQT + fucoidan combination group (SF), and fucoidan + sequential SQT group (FS), respectively. Stool samples were collected for gut microbiota composition at baseline and after treatment. Results: After H. pylori eradication, the relative abundances of most conditional pathogens in the SQ decreased, while those of several beneficial bacteria increased or decreased (P < 0.05). In FS, the abundances of most beneficial bacteria increased gradually from baseline to week 12, while those of the conditional pathogens decreased (P < 0.05). The abundance of Bifidobacterium had a decreasing trend in SQ, but remained unchanged in SF and increased in FS (P < 0.05). The abundances of most beneficial bacteria were significantly higher in FS than in SQ and SF (P < 0.05). Addition of fucoidan enhanced symptom improvement during H. pylori eradication compared with SQT alone. Conclusions: Fucoidan considerably improved gut dysbiosis during SQT for H. pylori eradication. Gut microbiota can be maintained by the addition of fucoidan before eradication therapy with SQT rather than by concomitant addition with therapy. Fucoidan‐assisted SQT could relieve gastrointestinal symptoms during H. pylori eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) is a versatile industrial and fodder crop with important medicinal, economic, and forage values. However, little is known about their salt tolerance mechanisms. Here, to investigate the osmotic adjustment mechanism of Glycyrrhiza inflata, a licorice species with excellent adaptation to the severe saline habitat, we compared the growth, the contributions of major osmolytes to osmotic potential, and the expression of genes associated with the accumulation of major osmolytes under salt stress between G. inflata and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, another licorice species mainly grown in mild salinized regions. The results showed that G. inflata displayed stronger salt tolerance than G. uralensis. Compared with G. uralensis, G. inflata accumulated higher contents of proline, betaine, and soluble sugars, as well as Na+ and NO3− in roots, and meanwhile, accumulated higher concentrations of K+ and Cl− in leaves for osmotic adjustment under salt stress. Analysis combining transcriptome and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction indicated that compared with that in G. uralensis, the expression of key genes responsible for the biosynthesis of above organic osmolytes, the uptake of NO3−, and the xylem unloading and vacuolar compartmentation of Na+ and NO3− were upregulated in roots of G. inflata under salt stress; meanwhile, higher expression levels of key genes function in xylem loading of K+ and Cl− in roots and vacuolar K+ and Cl− compartmentation in leaves were observed in G. inflata under salt stress. The identified key genes associated with the strong osmotic adjustment capacity of G. inflata could facilitate the genetic improvement of stress tolerance in crops. Core Ideas: Glycyrrhiza inflata possesses a stronger salt tolerance than Glycyrrhiza uralensis.G. inflata accumulates higher contents of proline, betaine, and soluble sugar for osmotic adjustment in roots.G. inflata accumulates higher contents of Na+, NO3− in roots, and K+, Cl− in leaves for osmotic adjustment.G. inflata shows induced expression pattern of key genes related to above solute accumulation under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton transfer is crucial for electrocatalysis. Accumulating cations at electrochemical interfaces can alter the proton transfer rate and then tune electrocatalytic performance. However, the mechanism for regulating proton transfer remains ambiguous. Here, we quantify the cation effect on proton diffusion in solution by hydrogen evolution on microelectrodes, revealing the rate can be suppressed by more than 10 times. Different from the prevalent opinions that proton transport is slowed down by modified electric field, we found water structure imposes a more evident effect on kinetics. FTIR test and path integral molecular dynamics simulation indicate that proton prefers to wander within the hydration shell of cations rather than to hop rapidly along water wires. Low connectivity of water networks disrupted by cations corrupts the fast‐moving path in bulk water. This study highlights the promising way for regulating proton kinetics via a modified water structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyfluthrin is widely used in the field of sanitary pest control by its wide insecticidal spectrum, high efficiency and low toxicity, low residue, and good biodegradability. But, as a double‐edged sword, a large amount of cyfluthrin remains are still in the environment. The residual cyfluthrin is absorbed into the food chain through vegetation and then poses a risk to soil organisms and human health. Several studies have suggested that cyfluthrin is one of the main factors causing testicular damage, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we established in vivo and in vitro models of testicular injury in rats and GC‐2 cells exposed to cyfluthrin to explore whether stimulator of interferon genes (STING) gene mediates the regulation of AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K autophagy pathway, which lays a foundation for further study of the mechanism of testicular injury induced by cyfluthrin. The results showed that the activity of super oxide dismutase in testis decreased and the activity of malonic dialdehyde increased with the increase of concentration in vivo and in vitro. At the same time, the levels of mitochondrial damage and inflammation in the testis also increased, which further activated autophagy. In this process, the increased level of inflammation is related to the increased expression of STING gene, and AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K autophagy pathway is also involved. To sum up, cyfluthrin has certain reproductive toxicity, and long‐term exposure can induce testicular cell damage. STING gene can participate in cyfluthrin‐induced testicular injury through AMPK/mTOR/P70S6K autophagy pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trigonal planar units with large polarizability anisotropy and high physicochemical stability are ideal structural units for exploring nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Integrating the merits of two types of triangular‐like moieties, a family of second‐order NLO‐active hybrid halides, MATX (X = Cl (1), Br (2), and I (3)), are achieved. MATX crystallizes in a nonpolar space group of P6¯$P\overline 6 $2c but exhibits the optimal spatial arrangement and superior NLO performance. The low coordination planar trigonal AgX3 units enable segregation in layers of the three‐winged propeller‐like Me3TPA units. All of the layers are packed in a perfect parallel fashion, making the functional materials exhibit superior NLO performances, including the phase matchable behavior with strong SHG responses (6.2/1, 6.5/2, and 7.6/3 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate), large birefringence (0.232/1, 0.252/2 and 0.260/3 at 1064 nm), high laser damage threshold, wide transparent window, and easiness of crystal growth. The first‐principles calculations reveal that the coexistence of strong linear and nonlinear optical properties are ascribed to the synergistic effect of the trigonal moieties. This study points out a useful path for the rational design of excellent NLO materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the development of new Co complexes that have cyclopropane‐based diphosphine ligands and can catalyze highly chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective hydroboration reactions of unsymmetrical internal alkynes. These reactions exhibited unusual regioselectivity: specifically, reactions of aryl alkyl internal alkynes showed excellent cis‐β‐addition selectivity, and reactions of dialkyl internal alkynes gave excellent cis‐α‐addition selectivity. Highly regioselective hydroboration of unsymmetrical dialkyl internal alkynes cannot be achieved by other known methods. The reactions described herein are highly synthetically useful, particularly for the stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted alkenylborates and alkenes. Mechanistic studies indicate that a CoI−H species is a plausible active catalyst and the rigid structure of the cyclopropane skeleton of the ligands and the crowded reaction pocket were responsible for the unprecedented regioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The local structural, electronic, optical, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties are uniformly studied for Cu2+‐doped rutile (TiO2) crystals by using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The local cation–oxygen bond lengths and planar bond angle, band gap, Mulliken charge and overlapping population, density of state (DOS), and UV–Vis absorption spectra are calculated for pure and copper‐doped rutile. The smaller overlapping population of Cu–O bonds in the doped system than Ti–O bonds in pure rutile reflects weaker orbital admixtures or covalency of the former. Compared with pure rutile, Cu2+ doping leads to significant redshift of the UV–Vis absorption band and the narrow impurity band in visible and near‐infrared regions arising from the Cu2+ d–d transitions and narrowing of the band gap by about 0.636 eV, possibly suggesting enhancement of visible light activity. The Cu dopant induces a spin magnetic moment of 0.74 μB for the doped rutile. The calculated UV–Vis absorption spectra and spin Hamiltonian parameters for copper‐doped rutile show reasonable agreement with the experimental data and some improvement related to the previous perturbation formula calculations. Present systematic studies would be helpful to understand the mechanisms of the enhancement in the optical and magnetic properties of this material with transition‐metal (especially Cu2+) dopants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of reliable methods for synthesizing chiral gem‐diarylmethine borons limits their applications. Herein, we report a method for highly enantioselective dirhodium‐catalyzed B−H bond insertion reactions with diaryl diazomethanes as carbene precursors. These reactions afforded chiral gem‐diarylmethine borane compounds in high yield (up to 99 % yield), high activity (turnover numbers up to 14 300), high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) and showed unprecedented broad functional group tolerance. The borane compounds synthesized by this method could be efficiently transformed into diaryl methanol, diaryl methyl amine, and triaryl methane derivatives with good stereospecificity. Mechanistic studies suggested that the borane adduct coordinated to the rhodium catalyst and thus interfered with decomposition of the diazomethane, and that insertion of a rhodium carbene (generated from the diaryl diazomethane) into the B−H bond was most likely the rate‐determining step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Newmark permanent displacement to preliminarily evaluate the seismic performance of earth slopes has been well accepted in geotechnical community. Essentially, the seismic displacement would cause slope soil shear strength to reduce, thus causing the slope yield acceleration to degrade during the earthquake shaking. This phenomenon is known as degrading effect of yield acceleration, which has not been fully addressed in the literature. In this study, the degrading effect is investigated on the basis of various Newmark's displacement calculation frameworks for infinite slopes. Specifically, the flexible‐deformation‐recoverable soil columns as well as the nonlinear soil dynamic properties including the damping and shear modulus are taken into account to derive the coupled Newmark model. Detailed discussions are made to the possible influence of the degrading effect of yield acceleration in different schemes of Newmark displacement calculation frameworks. The parametric studies show that the seismic displacement calculated by the proposed method reaches peak value at small period ratio, and dramatically drops to zero when the period ratio increases. Furthermore, the possible influence of shear rate on soil shear strength is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the water resistance property of zein film, polycaprolactone (PCL) was grafted on the zein film after atmospheric‐pressure cold plasma (ACP) pretreatment. The grafting yields of PCL ranging from 15.91% ± 0.67% to 28.95% ± 0.79% were remarkably enhanced than the untreated one (12.15% ± 0.57%; p <. 05), which indicated that ACP modification could effectively improve the grafting ability of the zein film. Fourier‐transform infrared spectrum and X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that PCL layer had been successfully grafted and the lateral α‐helix packing was susceptible to plasma treatment. Findings from this study indicated that ACP pretreatment was an effective modification approach in zein‐based polymers for packaging application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celastrol could inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro. However, effect(s) of celastrol on gastric cancer is not well studied. Therefore, we investigated the effects of celastrol on human gastric cancer cell line MKN45 and the underlying mechanisms. We found that celastrol inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced cell apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest (p < .05, p < .01, or p < .001). Under celastrol treatment, overexpression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) increased cell viability, migration, and invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis compared with negative control (p < .05, p < .01, or p < .001). In addition, the phosphorylation of PTEN was significantly up-regulated, whereas PI3K, AKT, p65, and IκBα phosphorylation was statistically decreased by celastrol (p < .05 or p < .01) and then further reversed by miR-21 overexpression (p < .05 or p < .01). On the other side, miR-21 silence showed contrary results (p < .05) as relative to miR-21 overexpression. In conclusion, celastrol inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion and inactivates PTEN/PI3K/AKT and nuclear factor κB signaling pathways in MKN45 cells by down-regulating miR-21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The local structure, d–d transition band, and spin Hamiltonian parameters (SHPs) are theoretically studied for the V4+ probe in Na2O–PbO–Bi2O3–SiO2 (NPBS) glass ceramics containing V2O5 dopant with various concentration x (0 ≤ x ≤ 5 mol%) by using the perturbation formulas of the SHPs for tetragonally compressed octahedral 3d1 clusters. The first decreasing (or increasing) and then increasing (or decreasing) d–d transition band (= 10 Dq) and hyperfine structure constants A// and A⊥ (or g factors g// and g⊥) with x can be suitably simulated with the similarly varying Fourier type concentration functions of cubic field parameter Dq, covalence factor N, core polarization constant κ, and reduction factor H (or relative tetragonal compression ratio ρ), with the minima (or maxima) at the middle concentration x = 3 mol%, respectively. The above concentration variations of SHPs and the related quantities may originate from the modifications of local crystal field strength, tetragonal compression, and electron cloud distribution near the impurity V4+ with x, corresponding to the highest [V4+]/[V5+] ratio at 3 mol%. Present studies would be helpful to explore novel sodium lead bismuth silicate glass ceramics by modifying the concentration of V2O5 dopant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although great achievements have been made in the synthesis of giant lanthanide clusters, novel structural models are still scarce. Herein, we report a giant lanthanide cluster Dy76, constructed from [Dy3(μ3‐OH)4] and [Dy5(μ4‐O)(μ3‐OH)8] building blocks. As the largest known Dy cluster, the structure of Dy76 can be seen as arising from the fusion of two Dy48 clusters; these clusters can be isolated under various synthetic conditions and were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. This new, fused structural model of the pillar motif has not been found in Ln clusters. Furthermore, the successful conversion of Dy76 back into Dy48 in a retrosynthetic manner supports the proposed fusion formation mechanism of Dy76. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) analysis suggests that the metal cluster skeleton of Dy76 shows good stability in various solvents. This work not only reveals a new structural type of Ln clusters but also provides insight into the novel fusion assembly process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), a 6 GeV green‐field diffraction‐limited storage ring light source, will be built in Beijing, China. The HEPS design has been evolving for about ten years, and is now mostly finished and ready for construction. The storage ring is based on a modified hybrid seven‐bend achromat (7BA) design, where bending magnets with reverse bending angles and longitudinal gradients are adopted to reach an ultralow natural emittance of 34.2 pm with a circumference of 1360.4 m. The central slice of the dipole in the middle of the modified hybrid 7BA, with flexible magnetic field, is used as the source of the bending‐magnet beamline. Moreover, alternating high‐ and low‐beta sections are specially designed to generate and deliver X‐ray synchrotron radiation with high brightness of 5 × 1022 photons s−1 mm−2 mrad−2 (0.1% bandwidth)−1. Here, the HEPS storage ring design and solutions to the challenges inherent in this ultralow‐emittance design are presented. Details of the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), a 6 GeV green‐field diffraction‐limited storage ring light source to be built in China, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of the present study was to investigate the current situation concerning, and risk factors for, vancomycin (VAN)‐induced acute kidney injury (VI‐AKI) in elderly Chinese patients, to assess outcomes and risk factors in patients who have developed VI‐AKI, in order to provide suggestions for improving the prevention and treatment of this condition in these patients. Method: We retrospectively identified elderly older inpatients who had received four or more doses of VAN treatment. We compared patients with VI‐AKI with those who received VAN treatment and had not developed AKI (NO‐AKI). We defined VI‐AKI as developing AKI during VAN therapy or within 3 days after withdrawal of VAN. Results: A total of 647 out of 862 elderly inpatients were included in the study. Among those excluded, in 89.3% of cases (192/215) this was because of lack of data on serum creatinine (SCr). Among included patients, 32.5% (210/647) of patients received therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) during VAN therapy. In 66.9% of cases (424/634), there was insufficient TDM, and in 3.9% (25/634) this was appropriate. A total of 102 patients had confirmed VI‐AKI, with an incidence of 15.8% (102/647). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that hyperuricaemia [odds ratio (OR) = 3.045; P = 0.000)], mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.906; P = 0.022) and concomitant vasopressor therapy (OR = 1.919; P = 0.027) were independent risk factors for VI‐AKI; higher serum albumin (OR = 0.885; P = 0.000) was determined to be an independent protective factor for VI‐AKI. Conclusions: For the elderly Chinese patients treated with VAN, there was insufficient monitoring of SCr, too little use of VAN TDM, and lower rate of patients whose VAN though serum concentrations were not obtained at the correct time. We recommend that hospital managers increase investment in clinical pharmacists, to strengthen professional management. Patients with concomitant hyperuricaemia and on mechanical ventilation and vasopressor therapy should be paid more attention, and a higher serum albumin was determined to be an independent protective factor for VI‐AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Heihe–Nenjiang–Hegenshan suture zone has long been accepted as the major tectonic boundary between the Xing'an and Songliao blocks and extends through the Great Xing'an Range in NE China, but its location of the northern segment between the Moguqi and Nenjiang areas and its timing remain unclear. We address these issues by presenting zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb ages, Lu‐Hf isotopes, bulk‐rock major, and trace elemental data for mylonitized rhyolites collected from the Moergenhe Formation in the Nenjiang area and for gabbros of the Moguqi area, respectively. The mylonitized rhyolites, which display an arc‐related geochemical affinity with enrichment in Th and U, and depletion of Nb, Ta, and Ti, and gently right‐tilted rare earth element (REE) patterns (light REE [LREE]/heavy REE [HREE] =4.53–7.60), as well as the εHf (t) values (+6.4 to +11.8) of analyzed zircons, indicate an origin by partial melting of potentially young lower continental crust of a subducting slab. The zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb data show the formation age of the mylonitized rhyolites is 352.4 Ma. The analyzed gabbros with an emplacement age of 352.6 Ma have high concentrations of Th and U, slightly enriched LREE patterns and relative low LREE/HREE ratios (4.3 to 4.6). These features, together with their high positive εHf (t) values (+7.7 to +15.2), suggest that they were likely derived from the partial melting of a depleted mantle source that was metasomatized by subduction‐related fluids. Combined with the geochemical features of the coeval igneous rocks from the northern Great Xing'an Range, these results reveal that the existence of an early Carboniferous NE‐trending magmatic arc (ca. 350–330 Ma), extending along the west of the Heihe–Nenjiang–Hegenshan suture zone, gives more constraints on the amalgamation of the Xing'an and Songliao blocks along the Nenjiang–Moguqi areas and indicates that the amalgamation should have terminated by at least the end of the early Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assembly of small clusters into rigid bodies with precise shape and symmetry has been witnessed by the significant advances in cluster-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), however, nanosized silver cluster based MOFs remain largely unexplored. Herein, two anion-templated silver clusters, CO3@Ag20 and SO4@Ag22, were ingeniously incorporated into a 2D sql lattice ( 1, [CO3@Ag20( iPrS)10(NO3)8(DMF)2] n) and an unprecedented 3D two-fold interpenetrated dia network ( 2, [SO4@Ag22( iPrS)12(NO3)6 ⋅2 NO3] n), respectively, under mild solvothermal conditions. Their atomically precise structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further consolidated by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. Each drum-like CO3@Ag20 cluster is extended by twelve NO3− ions to form the 2D sql lattice of 1, whereas each ball-shaped SO4@Ag22 cluster with a twisted truncated tetrahedral geometry is pillared by four [Ag6(NO3)3] triangular prisms to form the 3D interpenetrated dia network of 2. Notably, 2 is the first interpenetrated 3D MOF constructed from silver clusters. These results demonstrate the dual role of the anions, which not only internally act as anion templates to induce the formation of silver thiolate clusters but also externally extend the cluster units into the rigid networks. The photoluminescent and electrochemical properties of 2 are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promotion of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) differentiation into functional sperms under in vitro conditions is a great challenge for reproductive physiologists. In this study, we observed that melatonin (10−7 m) supplementation significantly enhanced the cultured SSCs differentiation into haploid germ cells. This was confirmed by the expression of sperm special protein, acrosin. The rate of SSCs differentiation into sperm with melatonin supplementation was 11.85 ± 0.93% which was twofold higher than that in the control. The level of testosterone, the transcriptions of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were upregulated with melatonin treatment. At the early stage of SSCs culture, melatonin suppressed the level of cAMP, while at the later stage, it promoted cAMP production. The similar pattern was observed in testosterone content. Expressions for marker genes of meiosis anaphase, Dnmt3a, and Bcl-2 were upregulated by melatonin. In contrast, Bax expression was downregulated. Importantly, the in vitro-generated sperms were functional and they were capable to fertilize oocytes. These fertilized oocytes have successfully developed to the blastula stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general class of C3-symmetric Ag9 clusters, [Ag9S( tBuC6H4S)6(dpph)3(CF3SO3)] ( 1), [Ag9( tBuC6H4S)6(dpph)3(CF3SO3)2] ⋅CF3SO3 ( 2), [Ag9( tBuC6H4S)6(dpph)3(NO3)2] ⋅NO3 ( 3), and [Ag9( tBuC6H4S)7(dpph)3(Mo2O7)0.5]2 ⋅2 CF3COO ( 4) (dpph=1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane), with a twisted trigonal-prism geometry was isolated by the reaction of polymeric {(HNEt3)2[Ag10( tBuC6H4S)12]} n, 1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane, and various silver salts under solvothermal conditions. The structures consist of discrete clusters constructed from a girdling Ag9 twisted trigonal prism with the top and bottom trigonal faces capped by diverse anions (i.e., S2− and CF3SO3− for compound 1, 2×CF3SO3− for compound 2, 2×NO3− for compound 3, and tBuC6H4S− and Mo2O72− for compound 4). This trigonal prism is bisected by another shrunken Ag3 trigon at its waist position. Interestingly, two inversion-related Ag9 trigonal-prismatic clusters are dimerized by the Mo2O72− ion in compound 4. The twist is amplified by the bulkier thiolate, which also introduces high steric-hindrance for the capping ligand, that is, the longer dpph ligand. Four more silver-sulfur clusters (namely, compounds 5- 8) with their nuclearity ranging from 6-10 were solely characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to verify the above-described synergetic effect of mixed ligands in the construction of Ag9 twisted trigonal prisms. Surprisingly, only cluster 1 emits yellow luminescence at λ=584 nm at room temperature, which may be attributed to a charge transfer from the S 3p orbital to the Ag 5s orbital, or mixed with metal-centered (MC) d10→d9s1 transitions. Upon cooling from 300 to 80 K, the emission intensity was enhanced along with a hypsochromic shift. The good linear relationship between the maximum emission intensity and the temperature for compound 1 in the range of 180-300 K indicates that this is a promising molecular luminescent thermometer. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetric studies indicated that the diffusion- and surface-controlled redox processes were determined for compounds 1 and 3 as well as compound 4, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomically precise polyoxometalate-Ag2S core-shell nanoparticles were generated in a top-down approach under solvothermal conditions and structurally confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction as an interesting core-shell structure comprising an in situ generated Mo6O228− polyoxometalate core and a mango-like Ag58S38 shell. This result demonstrates the possibility to integrate polyoxometalate and Ag2S nanoparticles into a core-shell heteronanostructure with precisely controlled atomical compositions of both core and shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manner in which the density of Leymus chinensis increases from a single plant to a dominant population can be understood by tracing the development of a population from early to late stages. Parent shoot density, above-ground dry weight, spike density, heading rate and spike dry weight, density of spreading shoots (buds/daughter shoots in apical/axillary rhizomes) and clumping shoots (buds/daughter shoots in axillary parent shoots), and young rhizome length and weight were investigated in the same quadrats for a low density/early stage ( LE) population and a high density/late stage ( HL) population. Clonal growth (buds/daughter shoots formation) and sexual reproduction (spikes formation) increased while rhizome storage (young rhizome weight) decreased during the transition from LE to HL. In a LE population an outward occupation strategy was employed, with a high proportion of spreading shoots. As the population density gradually increased until HL, an inward consolidation strategy increasing shoot amount in previously occupied areas, was adopted. This was characterized by a high proportion of clumping shoots. Interestingly, the trade-off between spreading and clumping shoots can be adjusted by the duration of young rhizome elongation during a growth season. In other words, compared with a HL population, a LE population shortened the duration of young rhizome elongation during the growth season, which resulted in more time for the production of axillary spreading shoots along the rhizomes, and high amounts and proportions of total spreading shoots. The special growth patterns, that is, trade-offs among growth forms, allow L. chinensis to establish dominant populations throughout the eastern Eurasian Steppe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The embryonic and postembryonic developmental toxicity of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) to the snail Physa acuta was evaluated in this study. The results of embryonic toxicity tests showed that lower concentrations of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br) (1.5 and 2.1 mg/L) inhibited the hatching rate of snail embryos, and partial snails hatched normally and died, while all of the treated embryos died when the exposure concentration was higher than 4.16 mg/L, at which IL caused the deformation, death, and decay of snail embryos. Statistical analyses revealed obvious differences in the hatching rates between three developmental stages in the 2.1 and 2.94 mg/L groups, indicating that the veliger stage is more sensitive to [C8mim]Br exposure than the blastula and gastrula stages. Furthermore, the 96 h LC50 values of [C8mim]Br on the tested snails at three developmental stages (juvenile, subadult, and adult) were 70.83 ± 2.99, 97.59 ± 4.05, and 109.3 ± 2.22 mg/L, respectively, indicating that young snails were more sensitive to [C8mim]Br toxicity than adults. In addition, the 96 h LC50 values of ILs with different alkyl chain lengths, that is, [C12mim], [C10mim], [C8mim], and [C6mim], in adult snails were 1.35 ± 0.24, 8.96 ± 5.66, 109.3 ± 4, and 359.6 ± 11.6 mg/L, respectively, suggesting that longer alkyl chains can increase the toxicity of imidazolium ILs on snails. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 697-704, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, goldfish toxicity and superficial damage from 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br) exposure were evaluated by an acute toxicity test. These results show that the 24-h 50% lethal concentration for [C8mim]Br in goldfish is 244 mg L−1, and this indicates that [C8mim]Br is a chemical with moderate or low toxicity to organisms. Scanning electronic microscope and histological observations revealed that acute exposure to [C8mim]Br induced obvious superficial damage to the skin, gill filaments, and intestinal villi of the goldfish, and this suggests that the skin, gills, and intestines may be the first direct targets of the ionic liquid in this fish. Histological examination also indicated that [C8mim]Br-exposure caused damage to the goldfish's hepatopancreas and kidney, consisting mainly of hepatic cords in a loose connection, hepatic cytoplasmic vacuolation, renal parenchyma vacuolization, and intumescence of the renal tubule. In addition, we found that [C8mim]Br caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the hepatopancreases from these goldfish, and thus we suggest that the MDA level may be a biomarker of [C8mim]Br-toxicity in goldfish. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic surfaces have gained extensive attention in recent decades for their potential applications. The hydrophobic properties of dragonfly's ( Pantala flavescens) wings were measured, and the water contact angles (WCAs) of the distal and basal part of a dragonfly's wing were 134.9° and 125.8°, respectively. Images obtained by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed the microstructures and nanostructures on the wing surface. Microstructures appeared as cell block patterns, and the size of the blocks decreased from the basal to distal part. However, no significant differences of chemical composition between the two parts were detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To understand the correlation between the structures and WCA, a double roughness structure model was built theoretically with simplified lattice patterns, and the theoretical model was well fitted with empirical wettability of the dragonfly's wing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the neuroprotection of aucubin and its mechanism were evaluated in the rat model of diabetic encephalopathy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were stratified by cognitive capability (CC), and assigned to four treatment groups for aucubin treatment (doses of 0, 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg aucubin), with a further two groups of non-DM rats ranked by CC as controls for aucubin (doses of 0 or 5 mg/kg aucubin). Neuroprotection was estimated by the indexes of behavior and histology. Behavioral testing was performed in a Y-maze. The surviving neurons in CA1-CA4 and subiculum (SC) of the hippocampus were counted under a microscope. In addition, the apoptotic neurons in the CA1 of the hippocampus were also examined by using TUNEL staining. In order to clarify the mechanism of aucubin's neuroprotection, the activities of endogenous antioxidants and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) together with the content of lipid peroxide in the hippocampus were assayed. The results proved that aucubin significantly reduced the content of lipid peroxide, regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymatic and decreased the activity of NOS. All these effects indicated that aucubin was a potential neuroprotective agent and its neuroprotective effects were achieved, at least in part, by promoting endogenous antioxidant enzymatic activities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which designed a new type of divinyl monomer which can be used to simplify the preparation of unsaturated polymers. Electron-accepting and donating properties of the designed monomers were calculated to find the most suitable designed monomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the effect of electron-donating ability of comonomers on the polymerizations of (z)-4-2-(acryloyloxy)ethoxy)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (cis-AEOEA).

A new approach to greatly reduce the cross‐sensitivity of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) humidity sensor is proposed. A graphene oxide (GO) membrane, which acts as a filter layer, is added to the sensor structure. Since the GO membrane enables selective permeation of water molecules, the introduction of the GO filter membrane into the sensor structure greatly reduces the cross‐sensitivity of the humidity sensor to other gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beyond clusters: The “large cluster and small bridge” strategy is used to create high ‐ dimensional silver cluster ‐ based metal – organic frameworks. Two anion ‐ templated silver clusters, CO3@Ag20 and SO4@Ag22, are ingeniously incorporated into a 2D sql lattice and an unprecedented 3D two ‐ fold interpenetrated dia network, respectively, under mild solvothermal conditions. The dual role of the anions, as internal anion template and external linker, is also demonstrated (see figure). More information can be found in the Full Paper by D. Sun et al. on page 6830 ff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]