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A series of novel uranyl coordination polymers have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. Both complexes 1 and 2 prosess two ipbp- ligands (H2 ipbpCl=1-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium chloride), one uranyl cation, and two coordination water molecules, which can further extend to 2D networks through hydrogen bonding. In complex 1, two sets of equivalent nets are entangled together, resulting in a 2D + 2D → 3D polycatenated framework. In complex 2, the neighbouring equivalent nets interpenetrate each other, forming a twofold interpenetrated network. Complexes 3 and 4 are isomers, and both of them are constructed from (UO2 )2 (OH)2 dinuclear units, which are connected with four ipbp- ligands. The 3D structures of complexes 3 and 4 are similar along the b axis. Similar to other viologen-based coordination polymers, complexes 3 and 4 exhibit photochromic and thermochromic properties, which are rarely observed in actinide coordination polymers. Unlike the monotonous coordination mode in complexes 1-4, the ipbp- ligands feature a μ3 -bridge through two kinds of coordination modes in complex 5. Notably, complex 5 presents a unique example in which terminal pyridine nitrogen atom is involved in the coordination.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by great metastasis and invasion capability. Our study revealed that nanomolar bisphenol A (BPA), one of the most ubiquitous endocrine disruptors, can increase wound closure and invasion of both MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. BPA treatment can increase protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, while had no effect on the expression of vimentin (Vim) and fibronectin (FN) in TNBC cells. The expression of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPER), which has been suggested to mediate rapid oestrogenic signals, was not varied in BPA-treated MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. Its inhibitor G15 also had no effect on BPA-induced MMPs expression and cell invasion. Interestingly, BPA treatment can significantly increase the mRNA and protein expressions of oestrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), but not ERRα or ERRβ, in both MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. The knock-down of ERRγ can markedly attenuate BPA-induced expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in TNBC cells. BPA treatment can activate both ERK1/2 and Akt in TNBC cells. Both inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059) and Akt (LY294002) can attenuate BPA-induced ERRγ expression and cell invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, our data revealed that BPA can increase the expression of MMPs and in vitro motility of TNBC cells via ERRγ. Both activation of ERK1/2 and Akt participated in this process. Our study suggests that more attention should be paid to the roles of xenoestrogens such as BPA in the development and progression of TNBC.

Background Lecanicillium lecanii has been developed as a biopesticide and used in biological control of several agricultural insects. To improve fungal virulence, an optimised polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation system was established for L. lecanii. Pr1A-like cuticle-degrading protease gene (Cdep1) from Beauveria bassiana was transferred into L. lecanii, and its resulting activity against Aphis gossypii was assessed. Results The optimised protoplast generation yielded 2.5 × 10(8) protoplasts g(-1) wet mycelium of fungi, and gave nearly 98% viability and 80% regeneration on plates. Protease activities were increased about fivefold in transformants expressing CDEP1. The median lethal concentration (LC50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was twofold lower than that for the wild type (WT). The median survival time (LT50 ) for transformants expressing CDEP1 was also 14.2% shorter than that for WT, though no significant difference. There were no significant differences in conidial germination as colony growth and conidial yield on plates between transformants expressing CDEP1 and WT. The transformants expressing CDEP1 grew significantly quicker than WT in insects. The transformants expressing CDEP1 were lower in conidial yields on insect cadavers, but insignificantly different from WT. Conclusion The PEG-mediated protoplast transformation system was effective for L. lecanii, and the expression of CDEP1 significantly enhanced fungal virulence against cotton aphids. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resource allocation, as well as the tradeoffs among different reproductive components, plays an important role in the adaptability of plants to different environments. The hybrid may exhibit a higher adaptability in life history in heterogeneous environments because of the genetic variation derived from its parents. In this study, we exploited three levels of water depths and two types of sediments to investigate the resource allocation pattern of the first generation of the natural hybrid Potamogetonxintortifolius compared to its parents P. wrightii and P. perfoliatus. We also measured the ramet survivorship and the seed set of the hybrid P.xintortifolius. Our results showed that P.xintortifolius had higher ramet survival than its parents at 1.5-m water depth on clay sediment. The possible tradeoffs showed that in P.xintortifolius the tradeoff pattern between sexual and clonal reproduction was more pronounced in limiting environments. The individuals allocated more resources to sexual reproduction when the environment was limiting, which might confer a higher ability to utilize resources, to produce offspring and to found new populations. Although the seed set of P.xintortifolius was lower than its parents, it had a higher ability to increase its seed set when the environment was limiting (sandy sediment) than its parents, which might benefit its future survival. These results indicated that the F-1 hybrid P.xintortifolius was more able to adapt to limiting environments than one or both of its two parental taxa.

A practical synthesis of 3-methyl-N-substituted-1H-indole (N-substituted-skatole) starting from 2-halogen phenylamine was described, by following acetylation or sulfonylation, alkylation and the intramolecular Heck reaction. In this article, effects of the reactions temperature, solvent, time, proportion and the mount of catalyst were investigated. Target product has an application prospect. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective: To analyze the clinical results of simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations, and to clarify the surgical indications for these high-energy injuries. Methods: Thirty-four patients with severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations were managed with simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery. The injured segments included the following: T11 (2 patients), T12 (5), L1 (1), L2 (8), L3 (5), L4 (2) and L4 and L5 (1). When classified according to the Magerl Classification, the breakdown was as follows: 12 A3 injuries, 2 B1, 2 B2, 12 C1 injuries, 4 C2, and 2 C3. Clinical data, including operative procedures, neurological changes, postoperative CT scans and sequential radiographs, was collected and analyzed. Thirty-two patients were followed up for an average of 13 months (range, 6–60). Results: Operative time ranged from 180 to 320 min with a mean of 230 min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 900 to 2400 ml with a mean of 1200 ml. According to the classification of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), neurological status improved at least 1 grade in all of the 24 patients who had an incomplete paralysis preoperatively. Satisfactory decompressions, reductions and reconstructions were obtained and well maintained in all patients at all intervals of follow-up. Conclusion: For severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations that cannot be effectively treated with either an anterior or posterior approach alone, simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery is a reliable method that can achieve a sufficient decompression, reduction and reconstruction.