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Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been increasingly explored for use in cell-based therapy against ischemic diseases. However, unsatisfactory angiogenesis limits the therapeutic efficacy. Netrin-1, a known axon guidance molecule, improves neovascularization in the ischemic region. Thus, our study was performed to evaluate the potential effect of Netrin-1 on the angiogenic behaviors of human ADSCs (hADSCs). hADSCs acquired from human abdominal adipose tissue were modified by liposome transfection of Netrin-1 plasmid, and the proliferation of hADSCs was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The transcript levels of pro-invasive proteins such as matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), were measured to test migratory and invasive capabilities, and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factors were assayed to monitor angiogenic activity. Our results showed that Netrin-1 overexpression enhanced the proliferation of hADSCs, and promoted the migration and invasion of hADSCs, as indicated by increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, Netrin-1 overexpression increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor in hADSCs. Our results highlighted the possibility that genetic modification of hADSCs by Netrin-1 overexpression might be beneficial for cell transplantation therapy against ischemic diseases.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are recently identified as important gene regulators with critical roles in cancer biology. In this study, we explored the effects of circ_0000388 on the malignant phenotypes of CC cells and its mechanism. Materials and Methods: Circ_0000388 expression and miR-337-3p expression in CC tissue samples were measured using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. CCK-8 was adopted to assess the effect of circ_0000388 on CC cell line proliferation. TUNEL assay was employed to probe the effect of circ_0000388 on apoptosis. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were conducted to detect the effect of circ_0000388 on migration and invasion. Further, interaction among circ_0000388, miR-337-3p, and TCF12 (transcription factor 12) was determined by bioinformatics analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and luciferase reporter assay. Results: Circ_0000388 expression in CC clinical samples was upregulated and this was correlated with unfavorable pathological indexes. Circ_0000388 remarkably enhanced the proliferation and metastasis of CC cells. Circ_0000388 overexpression dramatically impeded miR-337-3p expression and it was identified as a sponge of miR-337-3p. Furthermore, circ_00003888 also enhanced the TCF12 expression, while the effect could be reversed by co-transfection with miR-377-3p. Conclusions: Circ_0000388 was a novel oncogenic circRNA in CC, and promoted cancer progression via regulating miR-337-3p and TCF12, and could be potentially used as a diagnostic biomarker and therapy target.

We report the synthesis and structure of the first all-carboxylate-protected superatomic silver nanocluster. It was prepared by heating a dimethylformamide solution of perfluoroglutaric acid and AgNO3 under alkaline conditions, yielding a single crystal of [(CH3)2NH2]6[Ag8(pfga)6]. The [Ag8(pfga)6]6- cluster has a rhombohedral Ag86+ core, with each of its faces protected by one dianionic perfluoroglutarate (pfga) ligand. Electronic-structure analysis from density functional theory confirms the stability of this two-electron cluster due to the shell closing of the superatomic orbital in the (1S)2 configuration and explains the optical absorption of the cluster in the visible region as the transition from 1S to 1P orbital. The [Ag8(pfga)6]6- cluster emits bright green-yellow light in THF solution and bright orange light in the solid state. This work opens the door to using the widely available carboxylic acids to synthesize atomically precise Ag clusters of attractive properties.

As redox-active based supercapacitors are known as highly desirable next-generation supercapacitor electrodes, the targeted design of two ferrocene-functionalized (Fc(COOH)2 ) clusters based on coinage metals, [(PPh3 )2 AgO2 CFcCO2 Ag(PPh3 )2 ]2 ⋅7 CH3 OH (SC1 : super capacitor) and [(PPh3 )3 CuO2 CFcCO2 Cu(PPh3 )3 ]⋅3 CH3 OH (SC2 ), is reported. Both structures are fully characterized by various techniques. The structures are utilized as energy storage electrode materials, giving 130 F g-1 and 210 F g-1 specific capacitance at 1.5 A g-1 in Na2 SO4 electrolyte, respectively. The obtained results show that the presence of CuI instead of AgI improves the supercapacitive performance of the cluster. Further, to improve the conductivity, the PSC2 ([(PPh3 )2 CuO2 CFcCO2 ]∞ ), a polymeric structure of SC2 , was synthesized and used as an energy storage electrode. PSC2 displays high conductivity and gives 455 F g-1 capacitance at 3 A g-1 . The PSC2 as a supercapacitor electrode presents a high power density (2416 W kg-1 ), high energy density (161 Wh kg-1 ), and long cycle life over 4000 cycles (93 %). These results could lead to the amplification of high-performance supercapacitors in new areas to develop real applications and stimulate the use of the targeted design of coordination polymers without hybridization or compositions with additive materials.

Advancement of the synthesis and control of the self-assembly process of new high-nucleus silver clusters with desired structures is important for both the material sciences and the many applications. Herein, three new silver clusters, 20-, 22-, and 8-nucleus, based on alkynyl ligands were constructed and their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). For the first time, the trivalent tetrahedron anion of AsO

A one dimensional high-nucleus silver polymer (SSc: silver supercapacitor) was designed by a simple and single-step synthesis. This stable highly conductive metallic polymer without any modification steps such as pyrolysis or doping provides a desirable path for electron transfer and shows high capacitance as a non-hybrid electrode (specific capacitance of 827 F g−1 at 5 A g−1). This polymer could tolerate low to high scan rates (200 mV s−1 to 1 V s−1) and exhibit rectangular cyclic voltammetry shapes, high power density and long cycle life over 5000 cycles (90.7%). These results could promise the development of new types of high-performance supercapacitors by overcoming the low conductivity and the limited capacity challenges of known structures without the need for any modification which is unique in non-hybrid electrode materials.

Extensive composition engineering research has been conducted on bandgap tunability, but the combination of two mechanisms for better photon harvesting over a wide range has rarely happened; this is of great importance for improving photocatalytic efficiency with sunlight. In order to enable concurrent heterogenic Fenton and Fenton-like reactions for dye degradation, two novel ferrocene-functionalized clusters, [(PPh3)3CuO2CFcCO2Cu(PPh3)3]·3CH3OH (D1) and [(PPh3)2AgO2CFcCO2Ag(PPh3)2]2·7CH3OH (D2) were designed, synthesized and characterized by multiple techniques. These chemically and thermally stable coinage clusters exhibit high photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue as a model dye in the presence of H2O2 under direct sunlight irradiation. The degradation performance of complex D1 is about twice that of complex D2. The catalytic performance of D1 (15 000 mg g−1 in less than 20 min) is superior to those of other reported complexes, which can be attributed to the high level of generated hydroxyl radicals which are the most active species for dye degradation in the combination of Fenton and Fenton-like mechanisms. In addition to the degradation carried out with the aid of the Fe(III) of ferrocene, based on the Fenton mechanism, the photogenerated holes trapped by Cu(I) act as catalysts in the Fenton-like mechanism to produce an excess of hydroxyl radicals, adding to those formed via scavenging of photogenerated electrons by hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, the performance of D1 in the presence of H2O2 as a dual photocatalyst under natural sunlight irradiation needs no pH adjustment which is a unique characteristic. This bilateral compound offers a promising strategy for the design of new photocatalysts.

Gaudichaudione H (GH), a caged polyprenylated xanthone from Garcinia plants, showed anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. However, the in vivo toxicity of this compound has never been reported. The present study was aimed to address the toxic effects of Gaudichaudione H using zebrafish embryos and larvae as an in vivo test model. The zebrafish embryos were treated with GH having different concentrations (0, 0.28, 0.38 and 0.57 μg/mL). The results revealed that GH induces significant embryonic mortality, decreased heartbeat, cardiotoxicity, cardiovascular defects, increased apoptosis and decreased hemoglobinization in zebrafish embryos and larvae. According to transcriptome analysis, 1841 genes were significantly differentially expressed (1185 down-regulated and 656 up-regulated) after GH treatment. The main functions of these genes were related to iron metabolism pathways. The toxicity of GH on zebrafish embryonic development and cardiovascular may due to large amounts of downregulated genes involved in metabolic pathways and DEGs related to 'Iron ion binding' and 'Heme binding' functions.

Compounds(1-6) were isolated and identified from 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of Cassia occidentalis through column chromatography with silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. These compounds were identified as 7-hydroxy-5-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopropyl)-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one(1), saccharonol A(2), S-6-hydroxymullein(3), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxy-chromone(4), 2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone(5) and 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone(6) based on their physicochemical and spectroscopic data. Among them, compound 1 was a new compound, and all the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. DPPH method was employed to determine the antioxidant activities of these compounds in vitro. Six compounds exhibited weak antioxidant activities.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of AP-2α with trophoblast apoptosis and invasion in placental tissues of preeclampsia. Methods: A total of 68 puerperae with preeclampsia who gave birth in our hospital between November 2015 and October 2017 were selected as preeclampsia group, and 60 healthy puerperae who gave birth in our hospital during the same period were selected as normal control group. The differences in expression of AP-2α gene, apoptosis-related genes and invasion-related genes in placenta tissue were compared between the two groups, and the inner link of AP-2α gene expression with trophoblast apoptosis and invasion activity in placental tissues of preeclampsia was further analyzed. Results: AP-2α mRNA expression in placental tissue of preeclampsia group was higher than that of control group; apoptosis-related genes Bcl and Cx43 mRNA expression were lower than those of control group whereas Bax, Caspase7 and metastin mRNA expression were higher than those of control group; invasion-related genes HIF-1α, GPR30, MEST and Snail mRNA expression were lower than those of control group whereas PEDF and RECK mRNA expression were higher than those of control group. Pearson test showed that the AP-2α gene expression in the placental tissues of preeclampsia was directly correlated with the expression of trophoblast apoptosis-related genes and invasion-related genes. Conclusion: AP-2α gene expression significantly increases in the placental tissue of puerperae with preeclampsia, and it can positively regulate the trophoblast apoptosis activity and negatively regulate its invasion activity.

Reducing the size of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) will decrease the intensity of the ultrasound echogenic signals and reduce the stability of the bubbles. Therefore, it is a challenge to design nanobubbles that are less than 200 nm in size and that have both good imaging abilities and high stability for long-term imaging in vivo. In this work, we successfully prepared perfluoropentane-filled chitosan poly-acrylic acid (PFP-CS-PAA) nanobubbles with a size of about 100 nm via a direct simple core-template-free strategy. In vitro tests demonstrated that the nanobubbles showed satisfactory imaging capabilities in non-linear harmonic imaging mode and had significantly better stability than commercial Sonovue® lipid microbubbles. It was valuable to discover that the prepared PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could exhibit good imaging quality in rat livers for 10 min after intravenous injection. Also, the PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could maintain imaging capabilities in nude mouse tumors for 7 days after intratumoral injection, which indicated that these nanobubbles could keep their stability for a long time in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, the ultrasound imaging persistence time in vivo was the longest of currently reported polymer nanobubbles that are smaller than 200 nm. This new nanosized UCA with high stability has great potential for long-term ultrasound imaging in vivo. Tumor cellular uptake and histological analysis revealed that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could be taken up into tumor cells, but no intracellular uptake was observed in the case of Sonovue®. Animal fluorescence imaging in vivo demonstrated that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles could be effectively cleared after intravenous injection within 168 h. MTT assays indicated that PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles had appropriate biocompatibility. Abnormal levels of blood urea nitrogen were detected after the intravenous administration of PFP-CS-PAA nanobubbles to rats, and body-weight gain was inhibited for up to 6 d, but, after that, body weights recovered their tendency to increase.

Atomically precise silver nanoclusters (Ag-NCs) are known as a hot research area owing to their brilliant features and they have attracted an immense amount of research attention over the last year. There is a lack of sufficient understanding about the Ag-NC synthesis mechanisms that result in optimal silver nanoclusters with an appropriate size, shape, and morphology. In addition, the coexisting flexible coordination of silver ions, the argentophilic interactions, and coordination bonds result in a high level of sophistication in the self-assembly process. Furthermore, the expansion of clusters by the organic ligand to form a high dimensional structure could be very interesting and useful for novel applications in particular. In this study, a novel two-dimensional 14-nucleus silver poly-cluster was designed and synthesized by the combination of two synthetic methods. The high nucleus silver cluster units are connected together via tetradecafluoroazelaic acid (CF2) and this leads to the high stability of the polymer. This highly stable conductive poly-cluster, with bridging groups of difluoromethylene, displays a high energy density (372 F g−1 at 4.5 A g−1), excellent cycling stability, and great capacity. This nanocluster shows a high power density and long cycle life over 6000 cycles (95%) and can also tolerate a wide range of scan rates (5 mV s−1 to 1 V s−1), meaning it could act as a green energy source.

A high-nucleus silver nanopolycluster as a new type of silver-based polymer supercapacitor (SSc) by a simple and single-step synthesis process was designed and synthesized. The structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of SSc-2 were determined. This highly stable conductive 3D nanopolycluster shows great cycling stability, large capacity, and high energy density without any modification or doping process and so acts as an excellent SSc (412 F g-1 at 1.5 A g-1). In addition, there was a stable cycling performance (94% capacitance) following 7000 cycles at 3 A g-1 current density. The presence of fluorinated groups, 3D expansion of high-nucleus metallic clusters, and porosity are the advantages of SSc-2 that lead to stability, conductivity, and high capacity, respectively. These results lead to the development of a novel kind of SSc by overcoming the low conductivity and limited capacity challenges without any modification.

We report the synthesis and structure of the first all-carboxylate-protected superatomic silver nanocluster. It was prepared by heating a dimethylformamide solution of perfluoroglutaric acid and AgNO

Garcilancibiphenyls A–C (1–3), three new biphenyls, were isolated from the stems of the plant Garcinia lancilimba, which belongs to the family Clusiaceae. Structures of the new compounds feature the acetoxyprenyl group on a benzene ring, and were elucidated by spectroscopic evidence. These compounds showed promising anti-rotavirus activity effects with TI values above 10.

Objective: To study the omentin expression level in neonatal umbilical cord of patients with severe preeclampsia and its correlation with maternal endothelial injury and placental trophoblast invasion. Methods: The subjects who were diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and gave birth in Wuhan No.1 Hospital between November 2015 and October 2017 were selected as the PE group, while healthy subjects who gave birth in Wuhan No.1 Hospital during the same period were selected as control group. The omentin expression in neonatal umbilical cord, endothelial injury index contents in maternal blood and invasion gene expression in placenta were determined. Results: The omentin expression in neonatal umbilical cord, VEGF and PLGF contents in maternal blood as well as OPN, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA expressions in placenta of PE group were significantly lower than those of control group whereas IFI16, ET-1, sEng and sFlt-1 contents in maternal blood as well as Gadd45α and E-cadherin mRNA expressions in placenta were significantly higher than those of control group; IFI16, ET-1, sEng and sFlt-1 contents in maternal blood as well as Gadd45α and E-cadherin mRNA expressions in placenta of patients with high omentin expression were significantly lower than those of patients with low omentin expression whereas VEGF and PLGF contents in maternal blood as well as OPN, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA expressions in placenta were significantly higher than those of patients with low omentin expression. Conclusion: The low expression of omentin in neonatal umbilical cord of patients with severe preeclampsia is closely related to the maternal endothelial injury and insufficient placental trophoblast invasion.

Agricultural drainage ditches constitute corridor wetlands that facilitate agricultural non-point nitrogen (N) load transportation into river systems. Quantifying sediment denitrification in ditches provides relationships between N losses from agriculture and water quality. However, high denitrification rate potential and limited N residence time make the total denitrification removal capacity in ditches uncertain. The purpose of this work was to identify N removal by denitrification in agricultural ditches in the Taihu Lake region of China. A field investigation and laboratory analyses were conducted to investigate the sediment denitrification rate of ditches in areas under different crops, including vegetable, rice-wheat fields, and a peach orchard, between June 2014 and October 2015. At each sampling, concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, NO3 −-N, NH4 +-N), water temperature, pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved organic carbon of the overlying water and the DIN and total carbon of the sediment were examined. Sediment denitrification rates in all the ditches exhibited high spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Concentrations of DIN and temperature of the overlying water were key factors controlling denitrification in the ditch system. The sediment denitrification rate in the ditches could be estimated by a nonlinear mixed-effect model. Based on estimating data on N concentrations and temperature of overlying water and our established nonlinear mixed model, less than 1% of N was removed by denitrification annually in the ditches. The limited N removal by sediment denitrification was attributed to short retention times and the low area of the ditch system. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations and temperature of the overlying water were key factors controlling denitrification in the ditch system. High density of ditches did not lead to high N removal by denitrification due to short retention times and low areal coverage in the Taihu Lake region.

Two new chromones, fistulachromones A and B (1 and 2), together with three known chromones (3–5), were isolated from the twigs of Cassia fistula. Their structures were determined by means of HR-ESI-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. Compounds 1 and 2 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 27.5 and 30.8%, respectively. These rates are close to that of positive control.

Objective: Describe for the first time the clinical, epidemiological features of vulvar cancer in southwest China. Identify risk factors and provide reference for the prevention of vulvar cancer. Method: We retrospectively analyzed 885 patients admitted to the West China Second University Hospital for vulvar diseases between 2006 and 2016. Vulvar cancer patients with previously diagnosed vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorders (n=132) were analyzed and compared to those without prior history of vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorders (n=219). Comparisons were also made among cancer patients and non-cancer patients with vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorders (n=288) and vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions (n=246). The risk factors leading to vulvar cancer for the patients with vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorder were analyzed by univariate analysis. Furthermore, differences of the epidemiological features of vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorders, vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesion and vulvar cancer were identified. Results: According to the univariate analysis, age, first coital age, educational level, smoking, history of vaginal atrophy, HPV infection, lesion sites of the upper vulva and histo-pathological changes are strongly positively correlated with vulvar cancer. By comparing the features of vulvar cancer with those of the vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorder and vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesion, we found that on average patients with vulvar cancer had the highest age (ranged from 50 to 59), the lowest first coital age and the highest number of pregnancies and births. The incidences of vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorder and vulvar cancer were 1/1000 and 2.5/100,000 respectively with an increasing trend during last 10 years. Conclusion: Age, first coital age, educational level, smoking, atrophic vagina history, HPV infection, lesion sites of the upper vulva and histo-pathological changes are the risk factors that lead to vulvar cancer. Vulvar nonneoplastic epithelial disorder, vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesion and vulvar cancer each has distinct epidemiological features. Prompt surgical intervention and subsequent treatments are the key to a better outcome of vulvar cancer.

A total of ten compounds were isolated from the 90% Et OH extract of Cassia siamea by using various chormatographic techniques,and their structures were established as( 2' S)-2-( propan-2'-ol)-5,7-dihydroxy-benzopyran-4-one( 1),chrobisiamone( 2), 2-( 2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone( 3), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone( 4), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxychromone( 5),3-O-methylquercetin( 6),3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavonone( 7),luteolin-5,3'-dimethylether( 8),4-( trans)-acetul-3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-dihydronapht halenone( 9) and 6-hydroxymellein( 10) based on the spectroscopic data.Compound 1 was a new compound,and 3,4,6,8 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

In order to study the charge effect on the formation of an anion-templated silver cluster, a trivalent tetrahedral anion was incorporated into the silver assembly. A 26-nuclear silver cluster was prepared, and its structure was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Also, the resulting structure was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction data. Its light absorption and photoluminescent properties were studied by solid-state UV diffuse-reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy. Compared with the other reported silver clusters with tetrahedral anion templates, the more negative VO43- anion led to the formation of a bigger silver cluster. Also, the supramolecular motif O-H(CH3OH)···O(trifluoroacetate) was confirmed on the cluster surface for the first time.

Aim To evaluate individualized treatment strategy (ITS) and long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with obstructed inferior vena cava (IVC) based on different degrees of hepatic vein (HV) involvement. Methods From January 2006 to June 2017, 456 consecutive patients with BCS with obstructed IVC underwent endovascular treatment with ITS. All patients received IVC recanalization. Then, 426 patients with at least one patent HV received no additional treatment. Twenty-fivepatients with membranous or segmental occlusion of HVs underwent HV recanalization and for the remaining five patients with diffuse HVs occlusion, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed. Results The endovascular treatment was technically successful in 455 of the 456 patients (99.8%). The complication rate was 5.0% (23/456), with major complications in 13 patients (2.8%) and minor complications in 10 patients (2.2%). Median follow-up time was 60.5 months (range, 4-120 months). The cumulative 1-, 2-, 5- and 10-year primary vessel patency rates were 93.6%, 89.9%, 80.5% and 74.3% respectively and the cumulative 1-, 2-, 5-, 10- year secondary patency rates were 99.8%, 99.8%, 98.2% and 97.2% respectively. The cumulative 1-, 2-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 98.4%, 95.8%, 91.2% and 76.5% respectively. Illness duration and decreased serum albumin were independent predictors of survival. Conclusion The ITS for Asian BCS with obstructed IVC and varying degrees of HV involvement appears to be effective and with good long-term outcomes.

In order to develop an easy and rapid identification method for distinguishing CH3OH from C2H5OH, a new carbonate-based trinuclear Cu(II) precursor, [Cu3(bpy)6(μ3-CO3)(CH3OH)](BF4)4·(CH3OH)2·(H2O)2 (1), has been isolated. We report here the synthesis, crystal structure, and characterizations by various spectroscopic (IR, UV–Vis, powder XRD) techniques, as well as the solvatochromic behavior of this coordination compound. Its X-ray crystal structure reveals that the main structure of 1 consists of three [(bpy)2Cu]2+ centers, which are bridged by carbonate via a μ3-η1,η1,η1 fashion. Strong O–H⋯O hydrogen bonding between the carbonate and solvent molecules has been observed for the first time in similar structures. Its ground powder exhibits solvatochromic behavior that selectively distinguishes CH3OH from C2H5OH.

Two new silver clusters, [Ag6(PhC C)2(bpy)4(NO3)4] (1), bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Ag8(Phen)4(NEA)8(CH3CN)2 (2), NEA = naphthalene acetic acid, were synthesized with assistance of ultrasonic irradiation and their unique structure investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD) and Ultraviolet–visible spectrum (UV–Vis). Thermal stability of the clusters were studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The photoluminescence analysis of 2 was also carried out. Clusters 1 and 2 show the absorption bands at λmax in the range 200–380 nm and 310 nm, respectively. The band gap widths for clusters are 3.05 eV and 3.20 eV. The Ag…Ag contact range in the cluster 1 is 2.7211(4) A–3.1102(3) A and for the cluster 2 is 2.867–3.047 A.

Phytochemical investigations on the ethanol extract of the twigs of Garcinia tetralata resulted in the isolation of three new biphenyls, tetralatabiphenyls A-C (1-3), along with three known biphenyl derivatives (4-6). Structural elucidations of 1-3 were performed by spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D NMR spectra, in addition to high-resolution mass spectra. Compounds 1-6 were also evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compound 3 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 31.1%. Compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 also showed modest anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 18.9-24.5%, respectively.

Objective: To study the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and fat factors in the placentas of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and their relationship with glucose and lipid metabolism. Methods: Maternal women who delivered in obstetric department of our hospital from May 2012 to August 2015 were studied, including 45 cases of gestational diabetes mellitus patients and 45 cases of healthy women who were enrolled in the GDM group and the control group respectively. Placentas were collected to detect inflammatory factor and fatty factor contents as well as glucose and lipid metabolism indicators, and serum was collected to detect blood glucose indexes. Results: Inflammatory factors NF-kB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, leptin, visfatin, RBP-4, Chemerin and Nesfatin-1 contents in GDM placental tissues were significantly higher than those in control group while adiponectin content was significantly lower than that in control group. FBG, FINS and HOMA-IRG of GDM patients were higher than those of the control group while HOMA-β was lower than that of control group. IRS-1, ISR-2, FATP-4, El, LPL, FABP-1, FABP-3, FABP-4 and FABP-5 contents in GDM patients’ placentas were significantly lower than those in control group. Glycolipid metabolism indexes were correlated with inflammatory factor and fat factor contents. Conclusions: Inflammatory cytokines and fat factors were abnormally highly expressed in the placentas of gestational diabetes mellitus patients, and were correlated with the indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Two new chalcones, podocarchalcones A and B (1 and 2), together with five known chalcones (3–7), were isolated from the whole plants of Desmodium podocarpum. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1–7 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity, and they exhibited activity with inhibition rates in the range of 15.2–22.4%, respectively.

Objective: To analyze the clinical outcome of Danshen injection combined with ligustrazine injection TCM therapy in improving severity of severe preeclampsia patients. Methods: A total of 68 cases of patients with severe preeclampsia were selected as research subjects and divided into observation group and control group according to different treatment methods. Control group received routine western medicine treatment, observation group received Danshen injection combined with ligustrazine injection treatment on the basis of western medicine treatment, and then circadian rhythm of blood pressure, liver function and renal function, serum-related indexes and placenta-related indexes of two groups were compared. Results: At various points in time after treatment, average circadian rhythm levels of arterial pressure of observation group were lower than those of control group; compared with control group, ALT, AST, Cre, Bun and Scr levels of observation group were lower, and TP, ALB, FT4, VEGF and apo-A1 levels were higher; after treatment, mRNA expression levels of Wnt1 and PLGF in placenta tissue of observation group were higher than those of control group, and mRNA expression level of NF-κB was lower than that of control group. Conclusion: Danshen injection combined with ligustrazine injection TCM treatment of patients with severe preeclampsia can optimize patients’ circadian rhythm of blood pressure as well as liver function and renal function, restore body’s microenvironment balance and protect maternalfetal safety.

Two new 8-O-4′-neolignans, difenneolignans A and B ( 1 and 2 ), together with six known neolignans ( 3–8 ), were isolated from the stem bark of Illicium difengpi. The structures of 1–8 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were also tested for their anti-HIV-1 activities. The results revealed significant activities for compounds 1 and 2 with therapeutic index (TI) values of 95.5 and 114.4, respectively.

Two new chalcones, 2′,4-hydroxy-3,4′-dimethoxychalcone ( 1 ) and 2′,3-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxychalcone ( 2 ), together with four known chalcones ( 3–6 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Desmodium podocarpum. All of their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity using five tumor cell lines. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y and PC3 cells with IC 50 values of 3.8 and 3.6 μM, and compound 2 exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells with IC 50 value of 3.5 μM, respectively.

Farmland drainage ditch soil can consume part of the agricultural non-point nitrogen through nitrification-denitrification processes. Paddy fields, vegetable land, and orchards are the main types of land uses in the Taihu Lake region, and many drainage ditches are distributed across these lands. The way exogenous nitrogen is imported to drain ditches under different land uses differs significantly, which can directly affect the nitrogen consumption ability of the channels. A soil incubation experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to study the denitrification loss and N

The orchard is an important economic crop in Taihu Lake region. Heavy nitrogen application in orchard results in great nitrogen loss to drainage ditch, and unbalanced carbon nitrogen ratio. Therefore, carbon might be an important limiting factor for sediment nitrification and denitrification. A soil incubation experiment controlled by the acetylene inhibition method was conducted under laboratory conditions to study the denitrification loss and N

Two new flavones, 6,4′-dimethoxy-8-formylflavone (1) and 6,7-dimethoxy-8-acetyl-4′-hydroxyflavone (2), together with five known flavones (3–7), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Hypericum chinense. The structure of 1–7 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1, 2, 6, and 7 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compound 1 shows high anti-TMV activity with an inhibition rate of 31.4%, which is close to that of the positive control.

Two new xanthones, 4,5-dihydroxy-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methoxy-8-methoxycarbonylxanthone (1) and 1,8-dihydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methoxyxanthone (2), and seven known xanthones (3–9) were isolated from the fermentation products of a Phomopsis species fungus. Compounds 1, 2, and 7 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A549 and PC3 cells with IC50 values of 2.6 and 2.4 μM, respectively. The other compounds also showed moderate cytotoxicity for some tested cell lines with IC50 values between 5.2–9.2 μM.

Two new xanthones, 3-methoxy-1,4,8-trihydroxy-5-(1′,3′,4′-trihydroxybutan-2′-yl)-xanthone (1), 8-methoxy-1,3,4-trihydroxy-5-(1′,3′,4′-trihydroxybutan-2′-yl)-xanthone (2), and three known xanthones (3–5) were isolated from the fermentation products of a Phomopsis fungus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–5 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7). Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A549 with IC50 values of 3.6 μM. Compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y cells with IC50 value of 4.2 μM. The other compounds also showed potential cytotoxicity for some tested cell lines with IC50 values between 5.4–8.8 μM.

Versicolols A and B (1 and 2), two rare prenylated isocoumarin derivatives, along with five known isocoumarins (3–7) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. The results showed that compounds 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 9.4 and 8.8 μm, and compound 2 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against SHSY5Y and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 and 6.8 μm, respectively.

Three new biphenyl derivatives, bractebiphenyls A–C ( 1 – 3 ), along with five known biphenyl derivatives ( 4 – 8 ) were isolated from the acetone extract of the twigs of Garcinia bracteata . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of 1 – 8 were evaluated. Compound 3 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 28.4%, which is close to that of Ningnanmycin (30.2%). Compounds 1 – 3 , 6 and 8 were also tested for their cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7), and 3 showed high cytotoxicities against A549 and PC3 cell with IC 50 values of 3.6 and 2.7 μM, respectively.

Two new phenolic compounds, 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (1) and 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (2), together with six known phenols (3–8), were isolated from the stems of Cassia siamea. The structure of 1–8 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–8 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 have potential anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 28.2 and 23.5%, respectively. Compounds 3–8 also showed anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates in the range of 11.6–19.8%.

The microscopic structure and diffusion of liquid Cu45Zr48Al7 alloys were investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. We obtain the structure and diffusion properties including partial pair-correlation function, and Voronoi indices and the time-dependent mean-square displacement (MSD). We found that the icosahedra and the distorted icosahedra around Cu, Zr and Al are differentthe and the atom moves quickly Zr, Cu and Al in the order.

Three new chromones, 5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-(2-oxopropyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one ( 1 ), 5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-8-(2-oxopropyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one ( 2 ), and 1-(3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2 H -chromen-7-yl)propan-2-one ( 3 ), together with four known chromones ( 4 – 7 ) were isolated from the stems of Cassia fistula . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 – 5 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 30.8% at a concentration of 20 μM. The other compounds also exhibited potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 15.6–22.1% at the same concentration.

Two new flavonoids, pauciaurone A (1) and pauciisoflavone A (2), together with three known isoflavones (3–5), were isolated from the stems of Garcinia paucinervis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines and showed potential cytotoxic properties against certain tumor cell lines.