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The optical properties including optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) properties of hybrid materials are always required to be regulated to cater for different requirements. Herein, the crystal and electronic structures of hybrid haloplumbates were adjusted to regulate the optical properties by employing two series of well-designed structure directing agents (SDAs). Alkylated benzothiazole (btz)- and triphenylphosphine (PPh3)-derivative SDAs direct the formation of six new hybrid bromoplumbates, namely (Mebtz)PbBr3 (1, Me = methyl), (Etbtz)PbBr3 (2, Et = ethyl), (Prbtz)Pb3Br8 (3, Pr = n-propyl), (MePPh3)PbBr3 (4), (EtPPh3)PbBr3 (5) and (PrPPh3)PbBr3 (6). Their bromoplumbate anions all show 1D chain-like structures formed by PbBr6 octahedra but with different connection modes. The six hybrid materials possess obvious blue or red shifted band gaps compared with inorganic PbBr2 due to their different structural features. Their PL emission colors realize rational regulation ranging from bluish green to orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophage hyperactivation is associated with various inflammatory diseases. In this study, the effects of nine bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids on NO production by LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages were evaluated. It was found that certain bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids with single oxygen bridge have more potent effects than those with two oxygen bridges. Further studies revealed that three bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (Neferine, Liensinine and Isoliensinine) of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seed embryo, a homology of traditional Chinese medicine and food, can also reduce LPS-induced expression of iNOS and production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by blocking IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. And this effect is mediated at least partly by the inhibition of cytosolic Ca2+ level and CaM expression as well as the binding of three alkaloids with CaM, thereby inhibiting the subsequent phosphorylation of CaMKII. These results revealed for the first time that three bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids of lotus embryo play an anti-inflammatory role via suppressing Ca2+-CaM/CaMKII pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid development of the livestock and poultry industry has greatly promoted the rural economic prosperity of China. However, the problems resulting from the livestock manure, such as large emissions, low utilization rate, and environmental pollution are also becoming increasingly serious. Based on the current situation of livestock manure discharge in China, the typical contaminants in livestock manure and their pollution characteristics in soil, water, and air were systematically analyzed in this study. Taking heavy metals and antibiotics as the characteristic pollutants, the common risk assessment methods for livestock manure pollution were described. Moreover, the main harmless disposal and recycling treatment technologies of livestock and poultry manure at home and abroad were compared and analyzed. The application prospect and value of these technologies such as the thermochemical conversion method and the biological method in energization or fertilization were evaluated. Furthermore, the prominent problems in the pollution control of livestock manure are discussed, and the development trends in the resource treatment technology of livestock manure were also prospected.

Purpose: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of Bcl-xL gene on the invasive capacity of human colon cancer cells., Methods: HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cell line was transfected by small interfering RNA (siRNA) of Bcl-xL gene. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the transfection, and soft agar colony culture experiments and Boyden chamber model test were used for cancer cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the protein changes of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in cancer cells., Results: Compared with the control group, the number of soft agar colonies and the number of penetrating membrane cells significantly reduced in the siRNA transfection group, and had dose-dependent characteristics; the uPA protein decreased significantly in the siRNA transfected cells., Conclusion: Bcl-xL gene may play an important role in the invasion of colon cancer cells, and the mechanism may be related to regulation of uPA expression.