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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Aim To evaluate neuroprotective efficacy of fisetin against the experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Materials and methods SCI was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by placing an aneurysm clip extradurally. Rats were treated either with vehicle or fisetin for 28 days after SCI. Results Treatment with fisetin significantly attenuated SCI-induced alternations in mechano-tactile and thermal allodynia, hyperalgesia and nerve conduction velocities. SCI-induced upregulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-II, Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 mRNA expressions in the spinal cord and these were markedly reduced by fisetin. Spinal nuclear factor kappa B and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha protein levels were also significantly downregulated by fisetin. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of spinal cord suggested that fisetin significantly ameliorated histological aberrations such as neuronal degeneration, necrosis and inflammatory infiltration induced in it. Conclusion Fisetin exerts neuroprotection via modulation of nuclear factor kappa B/nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha pathway by inhibiting release of inflammatory mediators (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-II), proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins), apoptotic mediators (Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3).

Solvothermal synthesis of multiple dihydropyrimidinones at a time has been developed in inexpensive and green bio-based solvent lactic acid without any additional catalysts or additives. By this method, thirty new dihydropyrimidinone derivatives were synthesized in two batches and characterized. All of the compounds were screened by Eg5 motor protein ATPase assay, and the positive compounds were tested against the Caco-2 cell line, HeLa cell line, L929 cell line and T24 cell line in vitro. Among them, compound C9 exhibited the best inhibitory activity against motor protein ATPase with an IC50 value of 30.25 μM and significant cytotoxic activity in the micromolar range against the cells above. The Lineweaver–Burk plot revealed that compound C9 was a mixed-type Eg5 inhibitor. A molecular modeling study using the Discovery Studio program was performed, where compound C9 exhibited good binding interaction with Eg5 motor protein ATPase, and this was consistent with the attained experimental results.

A facile dual-mode optical nanokit for Cu2+ detection has been developed based on a distinctive synergy between ligand-free lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and porphyrin hydrate. Oleic acid (OA)-capped β-NaYF4: 20%Yb, 0.5%Tm UCNPs were synthesized and then experienced an acid treatment for the preparation water-dispersible ligand-free UCNPs. The resulting UCNPs can readily combine a commercially available porphyrin hydrate (TPPS) to form UCNPs/TPPS complex, showing a green color from TPPS and low upconversion fluorescence of UCNPs quenched by TPPS due to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The as-prepared UCNPs/TPPS can further combine Cu2+ into its cavity through the Cu2+-TPPS bonding. Then, a distinctive synergy between UCNPs and TPPS would be generated including the Cu2+-regulated color change of TPPS and its concomitant inhibiting effect on the preceding FRET, thus giving rise to an obvious color change from green to pink and a simultaneous enhancement of the upconversion fluorescence of UCNPs. Because of such distinctive synergy, UCNPs/TPPS has been demonstrated to be a novel dual-mode colorimetric and fluorometric nanokit for Cu2+ monitoring with high sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, coupled with our proposed colorimetric nanokit, a realtime quantitative sensing has been also presented by using a smartphone with easy-to-access color-scanning APP as the detection platform.

Dual-mode optical assays are becoming more popular and attractive because they would provide robust detailed information in biochemical analysis. We herein unveil a novel dual-mode optical (i.e., UV-vis absorption and fluorescence) method for multifunctional sensing of phosphate compounds (PCs) (e.g., nucleotides and pyrophosphate) based on pattern recognition, which innovatively employs only one kind of porphyrin/lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (Ln-UCNPs) hybrid integrated with a facile pH-regulated strategy as the sensor array. An easy-to-obtain porphyrin hydrate (tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid hydrate, TPPS) can assemble onto the ligand-free Ln-UCNPs to construct the organic/inorganic hybrid (TPPS/Ln-UCNPs), leading to a new absorption band to quench the upconversion fluorescence of Ln-UCNPs due to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The dual-mode optical performances of TPPS/Ln-UCNPs are characteristically correlated with the pH in aqueous solution. Thus, as a proof-of-concept design, three types of TPPS/Ln-UCNPs (TPPS/Ln-UCNPs

This paper presented a fundamental investigation on the formation mechanism and compatibility of microstructure/mechanical property of Fe-Cr-Ni-B steel samples, which were built by the divided-area forming and integral connection methods. Results indicate that the stress at the edge of the specimen produced in additive manufacturing is reduced by the divided-area forming and integral connection method. According to the microstructure analysis using stereology microscopy/optical microscopy/scanning electron microscope/X-ray diffractometer/Schaeffler diagram, the macrostructure is distributed in strip band geometry and the microstructures consist of dendrites with the intermetallic phases containing austenite phase, boride/matrix eutectic phase. Additionally, the macrostructure strips near the bonding line bend to the building direction and are discontinuous because of the unique forming method. However, the microstructures and composition of the samples are homogeneous. Due to the existence of boride and the finer microstructures, mechanical properties analysis shows that the alloy has high hardness, high ultimate strength and bad deformability. The hardness distribution is homogeneous apart from some positions of the re-melting zone and the heat-affected zone near the bonding line, which have a relatively lower hardness because of differences in microstructure.

Hyperkalemia is a major cause of on-site death in crush syndrome (CS), which is more severe and common in male victims. Anisodamine is a belladonna alkaloid and widely used in China for treatment of shock through activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). The present work was designed to study the protective effect of anisodamine in CS and the possible role of estradiol involved. Male and ovariectomized female CS mice exhibited lower serum estradiol and insulin sensitivity, and higher potassium compared to the relative female controls at 6 h after decompression. There was no gender difference in on-site mortality in CS mice within 24 h after decompression. Serum estradiol increased with similar values in CS mice of both gender compared to that in normal mice. Anisodamine decreased serum potassium and increased serum estradiol and insulin sensitivity in CS mice, and methyllycaconitine, selective antagonist of α7nAChR, counteracted such effects of anisodamine. Treatment with anisodamine or estradiol increased serum estradiol and insulin sensitivity, decreased serum potassium and on-site mortality, and eliminated the difference in these parameters between CS mice received ovariectomy or its sham operation. Anisodamine could also increase blood pressure in CS rats within 3.5 h after decompression, which could also be attenuated by methyllycaconitine, without influences on heart rate. These results suggest that activation of α7nAChR with anisodamine could decrease serum potassium and on-site mortality in CS through estradiol-induced enhancement of insulin sensitivity.

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of pattern-based sensors due to their potential to detect and differentiate a wealth of analytes with only few probes. However, no one has found or used the combination of DNA and terbium(III) (Tb) as a pattern recognition system for large-scale mix-and-measure assays. Here we report for the first time that DNA-sensitized Tb (DNA/Tb), as a label-free and versatile "chemical nose/tongue", can be employed for wide-scale time-gated luminescent (TGL) monitoring of metal ions covering nearly the entire periodic table in a cost-effective fashion. A series of guanine/thymine (G/T)-rich DNA ligands was screened to sensitize the luminescence of Tb (referring to the antenna effect) as smart pattern responders to metal ions in solution, and metal ion-DNA interactions can differentially alter the antenna effect of DNA toward Tb as pattern signals. Our results show that as few as 3 DNA/Tb label-free sensors could successfully discriminate 49 analytes, including alkali-metal ions, alkaline-earth-metal ions, transition/post-transition metal ions, and lanthanide ions. A blind test with 49 metals further confirmed the discriminating power of DNA/Tb sensors. Moreover, the lifetime-based pattern recognition application using DNA/Tb sensors was also demonstrated. This DNA/Tb pattern recognition strategy could be extended to construct a series of "chemical noses/tongues" for monitoring various biochemical species by using different responsive DNA ligands, thus promising a versatile and powerful tool for a sensing application and investigation of DNA-involving molecular interactions.

A novel label-free ratiometric fluorescent probe is developed for the detection of H2O2 based on GelRed/[G3T]5/Tb3+ hybrid, in which GelRed (a nucleic acid dye) intercalated into the designed single-stranded DNA [G3T]5 (i.e. GelRed/[G3T]5) acts as a stable build-in reference with red emission and Tb3+ sensitized by [G3T]5 (i.e. [G3T]5/Tb3+) as a sensitive response signal with green fluorescence. With the successive addition of Hg2+ and cysteine (Cys) to GelRed/[G3T]5/Tb3+, the fluorescence of [G3T]5/Tb3+ can be effectively quenched and recovered respectively, while the fluorescence of GelRed/[G3T]5 remains unchangeable. Combined with these properties, we have demonstrated its application for label-free ratiometric fluorescence detection of H2O2 with self-calibration. The sensing mechanism is based on the specific reaction between H2O2 and Cys, the resulting disulfide reverses the Cys-mediated fluorescence changes of [G3T]5/Tb3+. This method is further applied to the monitoring of oxidase-related reactions. As the glucose oxidase (GOx)-biocatalyzed oxidation of glucose and the acetylcholine esterase/choline oxidase (AChE/ChOx) cascade yield H2O2, such two biocatalytic processes are successfully examined utilized our proposed method, indicating its potential broad applications in biomedical analysis. In addition, we have also demonstrated its feasibility for oxidase-based visual biosensing, in which only a handheld UV lamp is used. Importantly, coupled with our proposed visual biosensing, a realtime quantitative scanometric assays has been also demonstrated by using a smartphone with easy-to-access color-scanning APP as the detection platform. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed design is cost-effective, simple to prepare and easy-to-use without fluorescence labeling or chemical modification.

The equilibrium condition between molten steel and slag during manganese-ore carbon-reduction was studied using both resistance furnaces and induction furnaces. The resistance furnace experiment shows that it is difficult to further increase the yield of manganese (maintained at around 37%) without stirring. The bottom blowing and top slag stirring were strengthened in the induction furnace test, where white slag was continuously produced to promote the carbon reduction of manganese dioxide in slag between molten steel and slag. Under these conditions, the yield of manganese between molten steel and slag can reach greater than 90%. The main factors affecting the manganate capacity are the carbon and silicon content in molten steel. The limiting process of manganese mass transfer is mainly the mass transfer of manganese in molten steel. Under carbon reduction in molten steel the limiting factor affecting the mass transfer of manganese is the mass transfer of manganese in slag.

A new method for one-step synthesis of oxazolo[3,2-c] pyrimidine core and its derivatives has been developed in inexpensive and green bio-based solvent lactic acid without any additional catalysts and additives. Density functional theory calculations located the reaction pathway and identified the intermolecular nucleophilic addition step to be the rate-limiting step. By this method, twenty new oxazolo[3,2-c] pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized in high yield and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction.

In this work, a novel time-resolved ratiometric fluorescent probe based on dual lanthanide (Tb: terbium, and Eu: europium)-doped complexes (Tb/DPA@SiO2-Eu/GMP) has been designed for detecting anthrax biomarker (dipicolinic acid, DPA), a unique and major component of anthrax spores. In such complexes-based probe, Tb/DPA@SiO2 can serve as a stable reference signal with green fluorescence and Eu/GMP act as a sensitive response signal with red fluorescence for ratiometric fluorescent sensing DPA. Additionally, the probe exhibits long fluorescence lifetime, which can significantly reduce the autofluorescence interferences from biological samples by using time-resolved fluorescence measurement. More significantly, a paper-based visual sensor for DPA has been devised by using filter paper embedded with Tb/DPA@SiO2-Eu/GMP, and we have proved its utility for fluorescent detection of DPA, in which only a handheld UV lamp is used. In the presence of DPA, the paper-based visual sensor, illuminated by a handheld UV lamp, would result in an obvious fluorescence color change from green to red, which can be easily observed with naked eyes. The paper-based visual sensor is stable, portable, disposable, cost-effective and easy-to-use. The feasibility of using a smartphone with easy-to-access color-scanning APP as the detection platform for quantitative scanometric assays has been also demonstrated by coupled with our proposed paper-based visual sensor. This work unveils an effective method for accurate, sensitive and selective monitoring anthrax biomarker with backgroud-free and self-calibrating properties.

It is important and urgent to develop reliable and highly sensitive methods that can provide on-site and rapid detection of extensively used organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) for their neurotoxicity. In this study, we developed a novel colorimetric assay for the detection of OPs based on polyacrylic acid-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles (PAA-CeO2) as an oxidase mimic and OPs as inhibitors to suppress the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Firstly, highly dispersed PAA-CeO2 was prepared in aqueous solution, which could catalyze the oxidation of TMB to produce a color reaction from colorless to blue. And the enzyme of AChE was used to catalyze the substrate of acetylthiocholine (ATCh) to produce thiocholine (TCh). As a thiol-containing compound with reducibility, TCh can decrease the oxidation of TMB catalyzed by PAA-CeO2. Upon incubated with OPs, the enzymatic activity of AChE was inhibited to produce less TCh, resulting in more TMB catalytically oxidized by PAA-CeO2 to show an increasing blue color. The two representative OPs, dichlorvos and methyl-paraoxon, were tested using our proposed assay. The novel assay showed notable color change in a concentration-dependent manner, and as low as 8.62 ppb dichlorvos and 26.73 ppb methyl-paraoxon can be readily detected. Therefore, taking advantage of such oxidase-like activity of PAA-CeO2, our proposed colorimetric assay can potentially be a screening tool for the precise and rapid evaluation of the neurotoxicity of a wealth of OPs.

Cysteine (Cys) and histidine (His) both play indispensable roles in many important biological activities. An enhanced Cys level can result in Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. Likewise, His plays a significant role in the growth and repair of tissues as well as in controlling the transmission of metal elements in biological bases. Therefore, it is meaningful to detect Cys and His simultaneously. In this work, a novel terbium (III) coordination polymer-Cu (II) ensemble (Tb(3+)/GMP-Cu(2+)) was proposed. Guanosine monophosphate (GMP) can self-assemble with Tb(3+) to form a supramolecular Tb(3+) coordination polymer (Tb(3+)/GMP), which can be suited as a time-resolved probe. The fluorescence of Tb(3+)/GMP would be quenched upon the addition of Cu(2+), and then the fluorescence of the as-prepared Tb(3+)/GMP-Cu(2+) ensemble would be restored again in the presence of Cys or His. By incorporating N-Ethylmaleimide and Ni(2+) as masking agents, Tb(3+)/GMP-Cu(2+) was further exploited as an integrated logic system and a specific time-resolved fluorescent "turn-on" assay for simultaneously sensing His and Cys was designed. Meanwhile it can also be used in plasma samples, showing great potential to meet the need of practical application.

SummaryAims Cholinergic antiinflammatory (CAI) pathway functions importantly in inflammation via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR). The present work tested circadian rhythm in peripheral CAI activity and validities of CAI activity and glucocorticoids in chronotherapy for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock. Methods Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) expressed in liver and kidney was examined every 3 h in C57BL/6 mice. Proinflammatory cytokines in serum and survival time in shock were monitored after LPS injection every 3 h. Mifepristone, antagonist of glucocorticoid receptors, and methyllycaconitine (MLA), antagonist of α7nAChR, were administrated before LPS to block antiinflammatory function of endogenous glucocorticoids and acetylcholine. Results Both levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, and interleukin 6 and mortality exhibited diurnal variations with prominent peaks when LPS was given at 15:00, and the minimum mortality occurred at 00:00. Expression of VAChT increased during resting period. MLA increased serum proinflammatory cytokines slightly, but not affected survival rate. Both differences in cytokines and in survival times between LPS injection at 15:00 and 00:00 were eliminated by mifepristone, but not by MLA. Conclusion Peripheral CAI pathway exerts more powerful antiinflammatory effect during resting period. Glucocorticoids appear to be efficient in chronotherapy for septic shock.

Summary Aims Acute cerebral ischemia may lead to ischemic stroke, which is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) functions importantly in mammalian systems. The present work was designed to study the effect of sodium sulfide, a donor of H2S, on acute cerebral ischemia. Methods Acute cerebral focal ischemia was produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Bilateral vertebral arteries and common carotid arteries were blocked to establish cerebral global ischemia in SD rats. Acute cerebral anoxia was produced by hypobaric anoxia in C57BL/6 mice and hypoxic anoxia in SD rats. Nimodipine and aspirin were set as positive control separately. Results Infarct size after MCAO was decreased by sodium sulfide. Sodium sulfide improved cerebral energy metabolism after cerebral global ischemia and prolonged survival time of animals with acute cerebral anoxia. In addition, increased cerebral blood flow and decreased cerebrovascular resistance, blood viscosity, and thrombogenesis were observed in animals treated with sodium sulfide. In cultured neurons, sodium sulfide increased cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. Conclusion Sodium sulfide, a H2S donor, presents protective effect on acute cerebral ischemia, and might be a promising therapeutic drug.

Screening functional DNA that can fruitfully interact with metal ions is a long-standing hot topic in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and DNA-based sensors. In this paper, we focus on the chemistry of europium(III) (Eu) coupled with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and we innovatively unveil that cytosine- and thymine-rich ssDNA oligomers (e.g., C16 and T16) can be effective antenna ligands to sensitize the luminescence of Eu. Luminescence lifetime spectroscopy, circular dichroic (CD) spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) have been used to systematically characterize the interaction involved between Eu and ssDNA. In light of the resultant sequence-dependent performances, the long luminescence lifetime Eu/ssDNA-based label-free and versatile probes are further devised as a pattern distinction system for time-resolved luminescent (TRL) sensing applications. The interactions of metal ions and ssDNA can distinctively shift the antenna effect of ssDNA toward Eu as accessible pattern signa...

There is a close correlation between body health and the level of biofluid-derived metal ions, which makes it an attractive model analyte for noninvasive health monitoring. The present work has developed a novel nose/tongue-mimic chemosensor array based on bioinspired polydopamine/polyethylenimine copolymers (PDA/PEIn) for label-free fluorescent determination of metal ions in biofluids. Three types of PDA/PEIn (PDA/PEI6, PDA/PEI18, and PDA/PEI48) were prepared by using different concentrations of PEI to construct the proposed sensor array, which would lead to unique fluorescence response patterns upon challenged with metal ions for their pattern discrimination. The results show that as few as 3 PDA/PEIn sensors can successfully realize the largescale sensitive detection of metal ions in biofluids. Moreover, we have demonstrated that PDA/PEIn sensors are qualified for lifetime-based pattern discrimination application. Furthermore, the sensors can distinguish between different concentrations of metal ions, ...

Lactic acid has been used as a bio-based green solvent to study the ultrasound-assisted scale-up synthesis. We report here, for the first time, on the novel and scalable process for synthesis of pyrrole derivatives in lactic acid solvent under ultrasonic radiation. Eighteen pyrrole derivatives have been synthesized in lactic acid solvent under ultrasonic radiation and characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, ESI MS. The results show, under ultrasonic radiation, lactic acid solvent can overcome the scale-up challenges and exhibited many advantages, such as bio-based origin, shorter reaction time, lower volatility, higher yields, and ease of isolating the products.

A series of aloe-emodin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Among them, four aloe-emodin derivatives showed significant inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase. The compound 4,5-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carbaldehyde ( A1 ) possessed the best xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC 50 of 2.79 μM. Lineweaver–Burk plot analysis revealed that A1 acted as a mixed-type inhibitor for xanthine oxidase. The docking study revealed that the molecule A1 had strong interactions with the active site of xanthine oxidase and this result was in agreement with kinetic study. Consequently, compound A1 is a new-type candidate for further development for the treatment of gout.

A series of aloe-emodin derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Most of the new prepared compounds showed remarkable acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Among them, the compound 1-((4,5-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-2-yl) methyl) pyridin-1-ium chloride ( C3 ) which has a pyridinium substituent possessed the best inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 = 0.09 μM). The docking study performed with AUTODOCK demonstrated that C3 could interact with the catalytic active site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of acetylcholinesterase.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) has attracted a significant interest in recent years as it is made from renewable resources and has many unique characteristics. In this paper, we prepared NCC from cotton pulp fiber by the method of sulfuric acid hydrolysis, with the objective of achieving a maximum yield. The yield and the particle size of NCC were measured as a function of sulfuric acid concentration, reaction temperature and hydrolysis time, and optimized by an orthogonal test. A high NCC yield of more than 60% was found when the sulfuric acid concentration is 64%, reaction temperature is 50 °C and the hydrolysis time is 5 h. The morphology and the size of NCC were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and particle size analyzer. The finding from this study should provide guidance in maximizing the yield of NCC from cotton pulps using acid hydrolysis.

The separation energy consumption of methane and nitrogen mixture of 3 kinds of typical method, Cryogenic (DC), Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) and Membrane (MEM), was calculated by Aspen Plus in this paper. The result shows that at 35°C, the ratio of methane and nitrogen is 1, the separation energy consumption of 3 methods are 5.2, 3.6 and 2.6×104kJ/kmol, respectively. The ratio of calculated energy consumption to theoretical consumption is 2.3, 1.6 and 1.2, the energy consumption of DC is the highest, then PSA, MEM is lowest. This work is to give some reference for the selection of CH4/N2 separation.

Methane storage data of clathrate hydrates formed in ternary system, methane-tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide-water (CH4-TBAB-H2O), was measured by a magnetic suspension weight adsorption instrument at the temperature of 273.64 ~ 278.23 K and the pressure of 2.01 ~ 7.07 MPa, for two concentration (20.8 wt % and 43.3 wt %) of TBAB solutions. The hydrates component was qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that the structure of CH4-TBAB semi-clathrate hydrates was deformed at high pressure possibly due to methane molecules replacing TBAB molecules and forming structure I true methane hydrates for the 20.8 wt % TBAB solutions at 273.64 K. For 43.3 wt % TBAB solutions, at the same experimental temperature and pressure, the maximum mass fraction of methane in CH4-TBAB-H2O clathrate hydrates was only 1.64 wt % which was less than the ideal maximum value (3.08 wt %). It showed that for the 20.8 wt % TBAB solutions, TBAB molecules were not replaced by methane molecules but both CH4-TBAB semi-clathrate hydrates and structure I true methane hydrates were formed simultaneously. For 43.3 wt % TBAB solutions, the reason of low methane storage capacity may be that the pressure was not high enough.

Growth kinetics of TBAB semiclathrate forming from 32wt% aqueous solution at 10±1°C and atmospheric pressure was studied through macro concentration determination and microscopic observation. The varied concentration from which the hydrate formed was measured in the range of 32wt% ~ 24wt% by means of weighting method, based on which three-stage hydration process was proposed. The morphology of TBAB hydrate crystals and growing velocity were then investigated based on a microscopic observation system. Coexistent morphology of TBAB semiclathrate hydrate crystals was obtained for the first time, with the single crystals in tetragonous, hexagonous, and octagonous columnar shapes. In the kinetics analysis, the growth velocity of TBAB semiclathrate hydrate crystals was calculated. Equation of the crystal growth for tetragonous and octagonous columnar crystals was worked out in combination of the varied concentration and the growth velocity. And to our best knowledge, no kinetics formula has been reported on the two shapes of TBAB semiclathrate hydrate crystals.

Six Cd(II) coordination polymers with a flexible fulconazole ligand, {[Cd(HFlu)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2}n (1), {[Cd(HFlu)3(NO3)]2(NO3)2·H2O}n (2), {[Cd(HFlu)2(SCN)](ClO4)}n (3), {[Cd(HFlu)2(SCN)](NO3)}n (4), {[Cd(HFlu)2Cl](SCN)}n (5) and {[Cd(HFlu)2(SCN)2]·2H2O}n (6) [HFlu = 2-(2′,4′-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol] have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 presents a 1-D chain-like structure with anti–gauche (A-G) conformation of HFlu. Complex 2 shows a 1-D ladder-like structure with both A-G and anti–anti (A-A) conformations of HFlu, and complexes 3, 4 and 5 show the 2-D grid structures bridged by A-G and A-A HFlu. However, in the 2-D grid network of 6, only A-A conformation of HFlu is observed. The conformational change of the HFlu ligand is induced step-by-step by the addition of the SCN− inorganic anion. The thermal stability and fluorescence of these complexes have also been studied.

Objective: Rosiglitazone, a potent agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. This study was designated to determine the effects of rosiglitazone on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats. Design: Prospective, experimental study. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: Thirty-six male Wistar rats. Interventions: All the animals were randomly assigned to one of six groups (n = 6 per group) and were given either lipopolysaccharide (6 mg/kg intravenously) or saline, pretreated with rosiglitazone (0.3 mg/kg intravenously) or vehicle (10% dimethyl sulphoxide) 30 mins before lipopolysaccharide. The selective PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 (0.3 mg/kg intravenously) or its vehicle (10% dimethyl sulphoxide) was given 20 mins before rosiglitazone. Measurements and Main Results: Endotoxemia for 4 hrs induced evident lung histologic injury and edema, both of which were significantly attenuated by rosiglitazone pretreatment. The protective effects of rosiglitazone were correlated with the reduction by 71% of the increase of myeloperoxidase activity and the reduction by 84% of the increase of malondialdehyde in the lung tissue. The pulmonary hyperproduction of nitric oxide was reduced by 82% of the increase related to lipopolysaccharide challenge. Pretreatment with rosiglitazone also markedly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA and protein in the lung, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that rosiglitazone inhibited the formation of nitrotyrosine, a marker for peroxynitrite reactivity, in the lung tissue. In addition, the specific PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 antagonized the effects of rosiglitazone. Conclusions: This study provides evidence, for the first time, that the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone significantly reduces endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

There has been a big change of the sea level and seabed water temperature since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in southern South China Sea. In order to study the change of the thickness of gas hydrate stable zone and its effect on environment, 35 spots from four key areas in the southern South China Sea were selected to calculate it based on relative equation and program. The results show that the thickness of the gas hydrate stable zone are 262m and 233m, the methane resource quantity are 2.69 x 10(13) m(3) and 2.39 x 10(13) m(3), and the gas hydrate resource quantity are 1.64 x 10(11) m(3) and 1.46 x 10(11) m(3) in LGM and at present, respectively, indicating the thickness of the stable zone has reduced by 29m, i.e. 12 percent on average and 3.0 x 10(12) m(3) methane was released since LGM. This released methane should have greatly affected the environment and even terminated the ice age.

An experiment has been constructed to measure thermal conductivity of combination gas hydrate and combination gas hydrate-sand mixtures. The combination gas hydrate formed from the combination gas (methane 90.01 volume %, ethane 5.03 volume % and propane 4.96 volume %) and 0.971 mol/m3 aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution has a thermal conductivity around 0.55 W/(m·K) from –10°C to 5°C at 6.6MPa. The hydrate's thermal conductivity shows glass-like dependence on temperature, i.e. it has a positive slope with temperature. However, the measured 1.2 W/(m·K) effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of combination gas hydrate-bearing sand is significantly lower than that of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate-bearing sand (about 1.9 W/(m·K). This is because the hydrate formed with a SDS solution in sand at our laboratory has a “wall creeping” growth characteristic and consequently a large part of the pores were filled with free gas. In order to obtain good-characteristic hydrate sample for measurement, this work advances a method to promote the reaction of SDS solution and gas. When the temperature vibrates from –10°C to 4°C, it is found the stagnated reaction reacts again in the zone of phase change temperature of water. And the surviving water could be consumed away after several vibration periods. The SDS's effects to the measurement are also discussed by experiments. It's indicated that the SDS concentration used in this work has a minor effect to the hydrate's thermal conductivity, and it only causes a deviation of ±1.5%.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(26)H(36)N(2)O(8), comprises two independent mol-ecules. In each mol-ecule, the two pyrrole rings are linked by a -CH(2)CH(2)- bridge, with dihedral angles between the two pyrrole rings of 14.5 (3) and 16.4 (3)° in the two mol-ecules. Each pyrrole ring carries 2- and 5-methyl substituents and eth-oxy-carbonyl groups at the 3- and 5-positions.

The title compound, C28H20N2O8, was synthesized by the reaction of isobenzofuran-1,3-dione and 2-aminoethanol in a one-pot reaction. The benzene and five-membered rings are slightly twisted to each other, making dihedral angles of 2.77 (9) and 1.77 (10)°. The rings of the phthalimide groups make dihedral angle of 57.64 (7) and 83.46 (7)° with the central benzene ring. Weak C—H...O, C—H...π and π–π [centroid–centroid distance = 3.446 (1) and 3.599 (1) Å] interactions reinforce the cohesion of the crystal.

A series of novel 1-(5-substituted-3-substituted-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime ester derivatives are synthesized. The results show that compounds 14 and 26c can strongly inhibit Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase and Escherichia coli DNA gyrase (with IC(50) of 0.25 and 0.125 microg/mL against S. aureus DNA gyrase, 0.125 and 0.25 microg/mL against E. coli DNA gyrase). On the basis of the biological results, structure-activity relationships are also discussed.

The title compound, C11H12O3, was synthesized from 4-hydr­oxy-3-methoxy­benzaldehyde and acetone. The mol­ecule has a high degree of conjugation throughout the system and inter­molecular hydrogen bonds connect adjacent mol­ecules to form one-dimensional chains.

The title compound, C13H16N2O3, was synthesized from vanillin, acetone and hydrazine monohydrate. An inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond connects the mol­ecules into infinite one-dimensional chains.

The title compound, (E)-4-(2-hydroxy­phenyl)­but-3-en-2-one, C10H10O2, was synthesized from salicyl­aldehyde and acetone. The mol­ecule is essentially planar, suggesting a high degree of conjugation throughout the system. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol­ecules to form one-dimensional chains.

Coherent backscattering of light from a water suspension of zirconium silicate microcrystals is experimentally studied. Optically controlled weak localization of photons is realized, which is due to the reorientation behaviors of positive uniaxial microcrystals induced by a linearly polarized pump beam. Because zirconium silicate particles are positive uniaxial microcrystals, their reorientation behaviors are contrary to negative ones. Our work widely extends the materials used in the light-controllable weak localization of photons.

The title compound, C24H46N4O82+·2Cl−·2H2O, was synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl 2,2′,2′′,2′′′-(5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8,11-tetrayl) tetraacetate in hydrochloric acid solution. The crystal structure of the title compound consists of a 14-membered C10N4 centrosymmetric cationic macrocycle which interacts with the chloride ions and water molecules of crystallization to give a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network.