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One-pot solvothermal reactions of 2-aminopyridine, triethylorthoformate and sodium hydroxide with CuX (X = Br, and I) in dimethylformamide (DMF) and methanol (MeOH) afforded extended metal chains based on the linear tetracopper units, {[Cu4Br2(Dpyf)2]·DMF}n, 1, and [Cu4I2(Dpyf)2]n, 2, which were structurally identified by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 present closed-shell Cu(I)–Cu(I) interactions that are supported by formamidinate ligands, resulting in a face-to-side configuration and a face-to-face configuration, respectively, for the tetranuclear units. Complexes 1 and 2 represent the first example of one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers that are based on linear tetracopper units. Moreover, complexes 1 and 2 can be regarded as copper(I) halide aggregates with the unique Cu4Br2 2+ and Cu4I2 2+ cations extending into a 1D zigzag chain and a looped chain, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 show broad emissions at 570 and 549 nm, respectively, which can most probably be ascribed to 3d(Cu) → π* metal to ligand charge transfer. Reversible crystal-to-crystal transformation and luminescence change were observed for complex 1 upon solvent exchange, which can be regarded as a potential luminescent sensor for selective detection of water and methanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the aquatic plant Sagittaria trifolia var. sinensis to assess its genetic diversity and population structure. Cross-species transferability was assayed in eight congeneric species. • Methods and Results: Seventeen microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in Sagittaria trifolia var. sinensis using Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequence COntaining Repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Across the evaluated populations, 14 of the markers showed polymorphisms with 3 to 11 alleles per locus; the observed and expected heterozygosity ( H o and H E ) ranged from 0.0000 to 0.6364 and from 0.0000 to 0.8386, respectively. Nine of the loci were successfully amplifi ed in the congeneric species. • Conclusions: These markers will be useful for further investigation of population genetics in Sagittaria trifolia var. sinensis and related research in Sagittaria species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 669–677 Background A mutation in MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor-2A) had been reported to be the first gene linked directly to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, an opposing opinion was proposed recently that MEF2A mutations are not a common cause of sporadic CAD. In this study, we screened exon 11 of the MEF2A gene in people of the Han nationality in China and finished some functional analysis of found variations. Materials and methods A gene structural investigation of MEF2A in 257 CAD patients and 154 control individuals were developed in this study. Subsequently, typical MEF2A variations were cloned and expressed in HeLa or 293T cell line to illustrate whether found structure changes could influence the main biological functions of these proteins. At last, another set of gene structural screen was initialized to get more reliable conclusions. Results Totally 16 different variations were detected in exon 11 of this gene in the first set of gene structural screen. By cloning and expressing typical MEF2A proteins in cultured cells, all the acquired MEF2A variations had transcriptional activation capabilities and subcellular localization patterns similar to those of the wild-type protein. Further larger scale genetic screening also revealed that the reported genetic variations of MEF2A did not differ significantly between CAD patients and healthy controls. Conclusions Our results reveal that structural changes of exon 11 in MEF2A are not involved in sporadic CAD in the Han population of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate long-term immunological changes after the treatment of Graves’ disease (GD) with thyroid arterial embolization and the effect of thyroid arterial embolization on the body’s immunological functions. Materials and methods  Forty-one patients with clinically and laboratorily ascertained GD were treated with thyroid arterial embolization and followed up for 3–54 months following embolization. Prior to embolization and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months following embolization, thyroid autoimmune antibodies were tested respectively, including thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb), thyrotropin antibody (TRAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), and thyroid microsomal antibody (TMAb), as well as subgroup lymphocytes of CD16+CD56+, CD19+, CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+. The autoimmune status of GD patients prior to embolization and the dynamic changes of the immunological function after embolization were analyzed. Results  The therapy of thyroid arterial embolization could effectively decrease the activity/titer and positive rate of TRAb and the ratio of CD4+/ CD8+ to normal levels at 6 months following embolization, while the ratio of CD3+CD8+ increased gradually to normal level at 1 year following embolization. In patients with recurrence, TSAb and TRAb remained at a higher level, while the rate of CD3+CD8+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were not statistically significantly different from those before embolization. Conclusion  Immunological functional disorder exists in GD patients. The treatment method of thyroid arterial embolization can effectively resume the basic immunological function to normal range while patients with recurrence have no significant improvement, suggesting that thyroid arterial embolization has an effective role in adjusting the immunological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow and heat transfer characteristics of a film jet inclined to different supersonic situations with a varying Mach number of the main flow were numerically investigated. In supersonic situations, complicated waves are generated by the obstacle of the film jet. In this work, extra pressure is exerted onto the film jet, causing better film attachment to the wall. The strengthening of attachment decreases mixing between the main flow and film jet, causing better film cooling. We observed multi-interfacial layered structures caused by the film jet under the complicated effect of shock waves. At the interfaces of the film jet and shock waves, additional pressure is exerted on the film towards the wall. The pressure increases as the Mach number of the main flow increases and contributes to the increased adhesion of the gas film, which causes the cooling enhancement under a supersonic condition. In the vicinity of the film hole exit, a local low pressure region is formed under the influence of the supersonic main flow. An aerodynamic convergent–divergent state was formed in the film hole, devastating the state of supersonic congestion of the film hole and further enhancing the film cooling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]