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The majority of commercial polyolefins are produced by coordination polymerization using early or late transition metal catalysts. Molecular catalysts containing these transition metals (Ti, Zr, Cr, Ni, and Fe, etc.) are loaded on supports for controlled polymerization behavior and polymer morphology in slurry or gas phase processes. Within the last few years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of unique porous crystalline materials constructed from metal ions/clusters and organic ligands, have been designed and utilized as excellent supports for heterogeneous polymerization catalysis whose high density and uniform distribution of active sites would benefit the modulations of molecular weight distributions of high-performance olefin oligomers and (co)polymers. Impressive efforts have been made to modulate the microenvironment surrounding the active centers at the atomic level for improved activities of MOFs-based catalysts and controlled selectivity of olefin insertion. This review aims to draw a comprehensive picture of MOFs for coordination olefin oligomerization and (co)polymerization in the past decades with respect to different transition metal active centers, various incorporation sites, and finally microenvironment modulation. In consideration of more efforts are needed to overcome challenges for further industrial and commercial application, a brief outlook is provided.

Cathode design is indispensable for building Li-O2 batteries with long cycle life. A composite of carbon-wrapped Mo2C nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes is prepared on Ni foam by direct hydrolysis and carbonization of a gel composed of ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate and hydroquinone resin. The Mo2C nanoparticles with well-controlled particle size act as a highly active oxygen reduction reactions/oxygen evolution reactions (ORR/OER) catalyst. The carbon coating can prevent the aggregation of the Mo2C nanoparticles. The even distribution of Mo2C nanoparticles results in the homogenous formation of discharge products. The skeleton of porous carbon with carbon nanotubes protrudes from the composite, resulting in extra voids when applied as a cathode for Li-O2 batteries. The batteries deliver a high discharge capacity of ≈10 400 mAh g−1 and a low average charge voltage of ≈4.0 V at 200 mA g−1. With a cutoff capacity of 1000 mAh g−1, the Li-O2 batteries exhibit excellent charge–discharge cycling stability for over 300 cycles. The average potential polarization of discharge/charge gaps is only ≈0.9 V, demonstrating the high ORR and OER activities of these Mo2C nanoparticles. The excellent cycling stability and low potential polarization provide new insights into the design of highly reversible and efficient cathode materials for Li-O2 batteries.

The major histocompatibility complex is a diverse gene family that plays a crucial role in the adaptive immune system. In humans, the MHC class I genes consist of the classical loci of HLA-A, -B, and -C, and the nonclassical loci HLA-E, -F, and -G. In Platyrrhini species, few MHC class I genes have been described so far and were classified as MHC-E, MHC-F, and MHC-G, with MHC-G possibly representing a classical MHC class I locus while there were arguments about the existence of the MHC-B locus in Platyrrhini. In this study, MHC class I genes were identified in eight common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and two brown-headed spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps). For common marmosets, 401 cDNA sequences were sequenced and 18 alleles were detected, including 14 Caja-G alleles and 4 Caja-B alleles. Five to eleven Caja-G alleles and one to three Caja-B alleles were detected in each animal. For brown-headed spider monkeys, 102 cDNA sequences were analyzed, and 9 new alleles were identified, including 5 Atfu-G and 4 Atfu-B alleles. Two or three Atfu-G and two Atfu-B alleles were obtained for each of animal. In phylogenetic analyses, the MHC-G and -B alleles from the two species and other Platyrrhini species show locus-specific clusters with bootstrap values of 86% and 50%. The results of pairwise sequence comparisons and an excess of non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions in the PBR region are consistent with the suggestion that Caja-G and Atfu-G may be classical MHC class I loci in the Platyrrhini species… But it appears that MHC-B locus of the two Platyrrhini species shares features with both classical and nonclasical MHC class I loci. Our results are an important addition to the limited MHC immunogenetic information available for the Platyrrhini species. Am. J. Primatol. 77:527–534, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BACKGROUND The concentration of Zn and phytic acid in wheat grain has important implications for human health. We conducted field and greenhouse experiments to compare the efficacy of soil and foliar Zn fertilisation in improving grain Zn concentration and bioavailability in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain grown on potentially Zn-deficient calcareous soil. RESULTS Results from the 2-year field experiment indicated that soil Zn application increased soil DTPA-Zn by an average of 174%, but had no significant effect on grain Zn concentration. In contrast, foliar Zn application increased grain Zn concentration by an average of 61%, and Zn bioavailability by an average of 36%. Soil DTPA-Zn concentrations varied depending on wheat cultivars. There were also significant differences in grain phytic acid concentration among the cultivars. A laboratory experiment indicated that Zn (from ZnSO4) had a low diffusion coefficient in this calcareous soil. CONCLUSION Compared to soil Zn application, foliar Zn application is more effective in improving grain Zn content of wheat grown in potentially Zn-deficient calcareous soils. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Objective Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Quantification of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in urinary sediment is emerging as a noninvasive method of screening DN-associated biomarkers. The aim of our study was to examine whether urinary mRNA profile of EMT-associated genes may provide valuable clinical insight into the different stages of DN. Design and methods Diabetic nephropathy patients (n = 44) and healthy controls (n = 12) were enrolled in this study. DN patients were divided into three groups according to the levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): Group A (eGFR > 60 ml/min per 1AE73 m2, n = 27), Group B (45 < eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1AE73 m2, n = 9), and Group C (eGFR < 45 ml/min per 1AE73 m2, n = 8). Relative mRNA abundance of a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), fibronectin, FSP1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were quantified, and correlations between target mRNAs and clinical parameters were examined. Results The urinary mRNA levels of a-SMA, fibronectin and MMP-9 were significantly higher in the DN group compared with controls (P < 0AE05), and mRNA levels increased with DN progression. Urinary mRNA levels of all target genes positively correlated with both urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Moreover, the expression of a-SMA, fibronectin and MMP-9 mRNA correlated with serum creatinine levels (r = 0AE514, r = 0AE53 and r = 0AE469, all P < 0AE001) and eGFR levels (r = )0AE374, r = )0AE392 and r = )0AE487, all P < 0AE01). Conclusions Quantification of EMT-associated genes in urinary sediment may be a novel approach for searching new biomarkers of DN.

BACKGROUND:Zinc (Zn) and phytic acid content in grain crops are directly related to their nutritional quality and therefore human health. To investigate the nutritional influences of phosphorus (P) and Zn levels on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), plants were grown hydroponically to maturity in chelator-buffered solutions. RESULTS:Appropriate amounts of P, coupled with sufficient Zn, increased P and Zn concentrations in wheat grain. The Zn supply decreased both phytic acid and the molar ratios of phytic acid to Zn in wheat grain with respect to the Zn0 treatment. Furthermore, proportions of Zn and P content in the grain relative to that of the whole plant were improved. With increasing P, the proportion of Zn and P content in the grain relative to the whole plant decreased. P and Zn acted antagonistically in roots. Excess P inhibited Zn uptake in roots, while Zn decreased the transfer of P from roots to shoots. For P that had been transported to the shoots, supplemental Zn facilitated its transfer to the grain. CONCLUSION:Excess P decreased the distribution of Zn in grain, while Zn enhanced the uptake of Zn and P in grain, The combined application of Zn fertilizer with the extensive use of P fertilizer can effectively increase the P and Zn concentration and Zn bioavailability of wheat grain, and hence Zn nutritional quality. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid anhydride can be converted to 4-substituted 3-oxabicyclo-[3.1.0]hexan-2-one by reaction with Grignard reagents in ether or tetrahydrofuran solution.

In order to investigate the structure-odor relationship of odoriferous compounds and search for new aroma chemicals, seven acetals of 4-trimethylsilyl-3-cyclohexenone and their carbon counterparts were synthesized by Birch reduction of 4-substituted anisoles and then acetalization. Seven acetals of 4-trimethylsilylcyclohexanone and their carbon counterparts were synthesized similarly. Structures of all new compounds were determined by MS, IR and 1H NMR, and their characteristic odors were evaluated as well. The characteristic odors of the acetals formed by 4-substituted-3-cyclohexenone and 1,2-diols are fruity and woody. The acetals formed from 1, 3-diols are woody, and formed with 1, 4-diols are very faint in odor. Odors of acetals of 4-substituted cyclohexanone are all very weak. As a whole, odors of organosilicon compounds are weaker, but somewhat more delicate than their carbon counterparts.

Carboxylesterase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-mediated metabolism of irinotecan (CPT-11) has long been proposed to be responsible for its anti-tumor activity and toxicity, like delayed-onset diarrhea. However, recent studies failed to gain more comprehensive in vivo and in vitro pharmacokinetic profiles of irinotecan. Herein, we use rat plasma, human liver microsomes and immortalized HepG2 cell as experimental subjects to describe a sensitive and versatile UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneously quantifying CPT-11 and its metabolites, including SN-38 and SN-38G. The method was applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic and metabolic behavior of CPT-11 in the biological samples. Calibration curves for all bio-matrices showed acceptable linearity (r2 > 0.99). The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD, %) were within 15% and the excellent accuracy (RE) was between 2.96 and 14.12%. In addition, the specificity, matrix effect and extraction recovery all met the requirements of biological sample analysis. We successfully applied this method to investigate the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan in various biological samples, mediated by carboxylesterase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. This method could be employed in monitoring the metabolic status and clinical efficacy of irinotecan in the future.

A new efficient method for synthesising nitriles, important organic reagents, is reported in this paper. In an environmentally benign solvent-free system, aryl carboxylic acids were converted into the corresponding nitriles via one-pot reactions, by amidation with ethyl carbamate followed by dehydration with thionyl chloride, in excellent yields. The results showed that the method has the advantages of lower cost, higher yield, less pollution and greater ease of work-up. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

We define five unique cellular responses to thermal stress using a reporter construct generated using the stress-inducible promoter from the gene encoding a murine 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70A.1) to express luciferase (luc). Thermal stress was delivered over a range of temperatures (42-68 degrees C) for 5 s to 20 min and luciferase activity was measured in live cells using a cooled CCD camera as a measure of reporter gene transcription. Reporter gene expression was assessed every 2 h for 10 h, and at 24 h post-stress. Expression patterns were validated for selected temperatures. A transition zone where cells lose the ability to produce light and beyond which50% of cells die was observed to occur within a narrow (2.5 degrees C) temperature window. Although luc and hsp70 mRNA levels in this transition zone were high, there were reduced levels of Luc and Hsp70 protein and ATP levels. Cells treated at these temperatures recovered the ability to produce light in response to a secondary stress at 30 h. This Hsp70-luc reporter gene construct may be useful for defining zones of physiologic responses and assessing collateral thermal damage generated during treatment of biological tissue with lasers and other sources of heat.

Problem: The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible signal pathway of fibronectin (FN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiostatin (AS) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in JEG-3 cells. Methods of study: JEG-3 cells were cultured and were examined for the effect of FN, VEGF and AS on the expression of MMPs by immunocytochemistry, gelatin zymography, Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: We found that up-regulation of the expression of MMPs was induced by FN and VEGF through the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Flt-1/p38SAPK/MAPKAPK2 signaling pathways, respectively. Furthermore, AS down-regulated the expression of MMPs through the integrin αVβ3/FAK signaling pathway independent of the integrin-binding motif Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). Conclusion: These data indicate that the expression of MMPs is regulated by many independent factors (such as FN, VEGF and AS) through different signaling pathways which influence the behavior of trophoblast cells.

Aldehydes, ketones and imines were readily reduced by sodium borohydride, with the participation of a small amount of water, in good to excellent yields using PEG400 as catalyst in the absence of organic solvents. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

The new efficient title method is inexpensive, practical, with less pollution and includes an easy work-up.

A series of hydroxyurea derivatives have been synthesized and elucidated by means of FT-IR, (1)H-, (13)C-NMR and MS. The exact stereostructures of representative compounds have been determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. In the crystals, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N-H...O hydrogen bonds occurred, and further N-H...O links led to chains of molecules. In vitro antitumor activities against Tca8113 human tongue cancer cells and L1210 murine leukemia cells were evaluated. A total of 8 of the 12 compounds had higher inhibitory activities than hydroxyurea against L1210 cells. Among them, the most promising compounds were 3e, 3d, 3a and 2d.

Primary aliphatic and aromatic nitriles were synthesized in excellent yields (84–96%) and purity by the cyanidation of halogen compounds and esters with dry powdered sodium cyanide catalysed by phase transfer catalyst PEG400 under solvent-free conditions.

A variety of aryl sulfides were synthesized by aryl bromides with thiols, with PEG400 and nickel as catalysts under basic conditions in the absence of solvents. This article reported an easy and convenient method for formation of aryl‐sulfur bonds.

Aldol condensations of aromatic aldehydes with ketones under solvent‐free conditions to synthesize α,β‐unsaturated ketones in good to excellent yields using PEG400 and powdered anhydrous K2CO3 as catalysts at 90 °C and 120 °C are described.

Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehydes with active methylene compounds under solvent‐free conditions to synthesize arylidene compounds in good to excellent yields using powdered anhydrous K2CO3 and PEG400 as catalysts has been described.

The important and useful trialkylsilyl pseudohalides R3SiX, where X=NCS, NCO, N3 or CN and R=methyl or ethyl, and trimethylsilyl monocarboxylates, where X=RCOO, were readily prepared in high yields by nucleophilic substitution of R3SiCl with X ions provided by NaX or KX at room temperature catalysed by PEG400 and zinc iodide. The reactions of trimethylsilyl chloride with some metal oxysalts were also studied for the first time.