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n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated C−N coupling between aldehydes and amides is reported. A strong electronic effect is observed on the aromatic aldehyde substrates. The transformylation from aldehyde to amide takes place exclusively when an aromatic aldehyde bears electron‐donating groups at either the ortho or para position of the formyl group, while the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling dominates in the absence of these groups. Both the density functional theory (DFT) thermochemistry calculations and experimental data support the proposed single electron transfer mechanism with the formation of an acyl radical intermediate in the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling. The n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated oxidative cyclization between 2‐aminobenzamide and aldehydes is also reported, with four quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones prepared in 65–99 % yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated transformylation from p‐anisaldehyde to primary amides is reported. The mechanistic studies suggest the reaction occurs via a single electron transfer pathway. Based on the DFT electronic structure calculations of various reaction pathways, the most plausible mechanism involves the formation of a phenyl radical cation and an arenium ion as the key intermediates. It represents the first example where p‐anisaldehyde is employed as a formyl source via a non‐metal mediated Csp2−Csp2 bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional lithium salts are difficult to meet practical application demand of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) under high voltages and temperatures. LiPF6, as the most commonly used lithium salt, still suffers from notorious moisture sensitivity and inferior thermal stability under those conditions. Here, we synthesize a lithium salt of lithium perfluoropinacolatoborate (LiFPB) comprising highly‐fluorinated and borate functional groups to address the above issues. It is demonstrated that the LiFPB shows superior thermal and electrochemical stability without any HF generation under high temperatures and voltages. In addition, the LiFPB can form a protective outer‐organic and inner‐inorganic rich cathode electrolyte interphase on LiCoO2 (LCO) surface. Simultaneously, the FPB− anions tend to integrate into lithium ion solvation structure to form a favorable fast‐ion conductive LiBxOy based solid electrolyte interphase on lithium (Li) anode. All these fantastic features of LiFPB endow LCO (1.9 mAh cm−2)/Li metal cells excellent cycling under both high voltages and temperatures (e.g. 80 % capacity retention after 260 cycles at 60 °C and 4.45 V), and even at an extremely elevated temperature of 100 °C. This work emphasizes the important role of salt anions in determining the electrochemical performance of LMBs at both high temperature and voltage conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hafnia‐based ceramic coating is considered one of the candidates to substitute yttria partially stabilized zirconia material as thermal barrier coating working above 1200°C. In this work, a series of TiO2‐doped HfO2 ceramics (Hf1–xTixO2, x = 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 40%) were fabricated by solid‐state reaction. The microstructure, fracture toughness, and thermal conductivity were systematically investigated. The results show that Hf1–xTixO2 ceramics are comprised of monoclinic HfO2 and orthorhombic HfTiO4 phases when Ti4+ doping amount is between 5% and 20%, and the weight fraction of HfTiO4 phase linearly increases with the Ti4+ content and finally reaches 100% for Hf0.6Ti0.4O2. The fracture toughness of TiO2‐doped HfO2 ceramic is higher than 1.75 MPa m.5 when TiO2 content is no more than 15% and decreases below 1.5 MPa m0.5 if TiO2 content further increases. The thermal conductivity is significantly decreased by TiO2 doping attributed to the precipitated HfTiO4 phase. Considering the mechanical properties and thermal insulation capacity, the doping of 15% TiO2 would be beneficial for the HfO2‐based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As functional oligosaccharides, feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOs) exhibit the physiological activities of both ferulic acid and oligosaccharides. In this study, FOs were prepared by fermenting wheat bran with the generally recognised as safe (GRAS) bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT‐45. On the fourth day of fermentation, the activities of xylanase and cellulase reached 447.67 and 33.41 U/mL, respectively. UV, FTIR, and HPLC were used to characterise the structure properties of wheat bran FOs from B. amyloliquefaciens IT‐45 fermentation. The monosaccharide compositions of FOs were mainly composed of xylose and arabinose. Under the optimal conditions of fermentation time of 4 days, fermentation temperature of 25 °C, initial pH of 6.5 and inoculation amount of 11% (v/v), the maximum yield of FOs in the broth was 0.6397 mM. In vitro antioxidant activity analysis showed that FOs prepared by B. amyloliquefaciens fermentation had good scavenging ability against ABTS, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, demonstrating the application potential. The results provided a relatively environmentally friendly and food‐safety way to prepare feruloyl oligosaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectacular physical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is the essence of present‐day plasmonic sensors. Meanwhile, the unique properties of the interaction between light and matter have been carved out into the development of modern‐day diagnostic biosensors. Plasmons, in simple terms, are oscillating free electrons in metallic nano‐structures triggered by an incoming electromagnetic (EM) wave. With the advantages of real‐time and label‐free bio‐sensing, plasmonic sensors are being utilized in multiple diverse areas of food technology, the bio‐medical diagnostic sector, and even the chemical industry. Although this review will be brief, readers can gain a comprehensive picture of the essential elements by taking a broader look into the exploration of SPR sensor design via simulated studies and representative experimental plasmonic schemes developed for bio‐sensing. In short, the various SPR sensing schemes that researchers have explored to realize enhanced SPR sensitivity are reviewed and summarized. Different experimental plasmonic sensors are also examined in which new SPR excitation schemes have been adopted. These "unconventional" designs, specifically those involving hybrid localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)‐SPR excitation, may inspire those in the plasmonic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)‐mediated cancer immunotherapy is attenuated due to the dysfunction of T cells in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Cholesterol metabolism plays a vital role in T cell signaling and effector. While the metabolic fitness of tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells is impaired by nutrition restriction in TME and accumulated metabolites by tumor cells. Here a matrix metalloproteinase‐2‐sensitive tumor‐penetrable nanovesicle is designed to regulate cholesterol metabolism pathway for enhancing photodynamic cancer immunotherapy. The nanovesicles accumulate in tumor and release internalizing RGD to promote deep penetration. Released avasimibe from the nanovesicles simultaneously blocks cholesterol metabolism in CD8+ T and tumor cells, thus reinvigorating the functions of T cells and suppressing the migration of tumor cells. Immune responses induced by PDT‐triggered immunogenic cell death are further improved with cholesterol metabolism blockage. Compared with PDT alone, the designed nanovesicles display enhanced tumor growth inhibition in B16‐F10 mouse tumor model. The approach provides an alternative strategy to improve photodynamic cancer immunotherapy by cholesterol metabolism intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional photocatalysts for degrading pollutants are limited because of the rapid recombination of electron–hole pair, difficulty in separation and recovery, and low efficiency in utilizing the visible light. To improve the adsorption capacity of the photocatalyst and reduce electron–hole recombination rate, βCD was anchored onto the porous activated carbon (AC) and then combined with ZnO/ZnSe to prepare βCD‐AC‐ZnO/ZnSe. The ZnO was a quasi‐hexahedron shape in the ZnO/ZnSe heterojunction and was tightly integrated with the βCD‐AC, which could improve the transfer ability of the photogenerated carrier. Considering the synergistic effect of βCD‐AC and ZnO/ZnSe, the UV absorption edge was red shifted, and the lifetime of the electrons–hole pairs was prolonged. Thus, the photocatalytic degradation ration of βCD‐AC‐ZnO/ZnSe reached 82% under visible light, which was about 1.8 and 4.2 times higher than those of the virgin heterojunction and AC‐ZnO/ZnSe, respectively. βCD‐AC‐ZnO/ZnSe exhibited excellent disinfection potential that 3.5 log Escherichia coli cells were killed for 120 min. The high‐efficiency visible‐light photocatalytic performance was demonstrated, and the •O2− played a main active role in the photocatalytic removal of pollutants. The present research provided a valuable route for the fabrication of photocatalyst for real‐world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sleep strongly activates interictal epileptic activity through an unclear mechanism. We investigated how scalp sleep slow waves (SSWs), whose positive and negative half‐waves reflect the fluctuation of neuronal excitability between the up and down states, respectively, modulate interictal epileptic events in focal epilepsy. Methods: Simultaneous polysomnography was performed in 45 patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy during intracranial electroencephalographic recording. Scalp SSWs and intracranial spikes and ripples (80–250 Hz) were detected; ripples were classified as type I (co‐occurring with spikes) or type II (occurring alone). The Hilbert transform was used to analyze the distributions of spikes and ripples in the phases of SSWs. Results: Thirty patients with discrete seizure‐onset zone (SOZ) and discernable sleep architecture were included. Intracranial spikes and ripples accumulated around the negative peaks of SSWs and increased with SSW amplitude. Phase analysis revealed that spikes and both ripple subtypes in SOZ were similarly facilitated by SSWs exclusively during down state. In exclusively irritative zones outside SOZ (EIZ), SSWs facilitated spikes and type I ripples across a wider range of phases and to a greater extent than those in SOZ. The type II and type I ripples in EIZ were modulated by SSWs in different patterns. Ripples in normal zones decreased specifically during the up‐to‐down transition and then increased after the negative peak of SSW, with a characteristically high post‐/pre‐negative peak ratio. Significance: SSWs modulate interictal events in an amplitude‐dependent and region‐specific pattern. Pathological ripples and spikes were facilitated predominantly during the cortical down state. Coupling analysis of SSWs could improve the discrimination of pathological and physiological ripples and facilitate seizure localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biallelic ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) deficiency induces vascular/soft tissue calcifications in generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI), and low bone mass with phosphate‐wasting rickets in GACI survivors (autosomal hypophosphatemic rickets type‐2). ENPP1 haploinsufficiency induces early‐onset osteoporosis and mild phosphate wasting in adults. Both conditions demonstrate the unusual combination of reduced accrual of skeletal mineral, yet excess and progressive heterotopic mineralization. ENPP1 is the only enzyme that generates extracellular pyrophosphate (PPi), a potent inhibitor of both bone and heterotopic mineralization. Life‐threatening vascular calcification in ENPP1 deficiency is due to decreased plasma PPi; however, the mechanism by which osteopenia results is not apparent from an understanding of the enzyme's catalytic activity. To probe for catalysis‐independent ENPP1 pathways regulating bone, we developed a murine model uncoupling ENPP1 protein signaling from ENPP1 catalysis, Enpp1T238A mice. In contrast to Enpp1asj mice, which lack ENPP1, Enpp1T238A mice have normal trabecular bone microarchitecture and favorable biomechanical properties. However, both models demonstrate low plasma Pi and PPi, increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and by 23 weeks, osteomalacia demonstrating equivalent phosphate wasting in both models. Reflecting findings in whole bone, calvarial cell cultures from Enpp1asj mice demonstrated markedly decreased calcification, elevated transcription of Sfrp1, and decreased nuclear β‐catenin signaling compared to wild‐type (WT) and Enpp1T238A cultures. Finally, the decreased calcification and nuclear β‐catenin signaling observed in Enpp1asj cultures was restored to WT levels by knockout of Sfrp1. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that catalysis‐independent ENPP1 signaling pathways regulate bone mass via the expression of soluble Wnt inhibitors such as secreted frizzled‐related protein 1 (SFRP1), whereas catalysis dependent pathways regulate phosphate homeostasis through the regulation of plasma FGF23. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress, as one of the most severe environmental stresses, can cause a series of changes in plants. However, the explanation of plant salt stress alleviating mechanism of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was hindered by the limited availability of transcriptomic information for salt stress‐treated plants grown in a microorganism‐controlled environment. Our previous reports have selected Bacillus atrophaeus WU‐9 as PGPR significantly alleviating pepper (Capsicum frutescens. L) salt stress. In this work, the RNA‐seq analysis of salt stress‐treated and untreated plants, grown with and without WU‐9 in a microorganism‐controlled environment, was used to reveal the plant salt stress alleviating mechanisms of WU‐9. Twelve sequencing libraries, prepared by treating with WU‐9 and salt (150 mM NaCl for 36 h), were constructed by RNA‐Seq technique. Non‐inoculated seedlings mainly respond to salt stress through regulation of signal transduction, such as ethylene‐activated signaling pathway, signaling and cell communication, etc. And ethylene signal participated in salt stress response in pepper through regulating defense responses, fruit ripening and senescence. WU‐9 inoculation under salt stress mainly improves salt tolerance and plant growth by regulating salt stress‐responding ethylene and auxin signal transduction, utilization of proline, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities and cell enlargement. Furthermore, 86 differentially expressed genes and 20 transcription factors were identified as associated with salt stress response and tolerance. Thus, this innovative transcriptomic study identified the salt stress response and alleviation in C. frutescens. L with PGPR inoculation. This result provided novel insights into the salinity alleviation in pepper regulated by PGPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs) are promising candidates for low‐cost but high‐energy energy storage applications. Both long‐term stability and safety of SMBs can be largely enhanced when liquid electrolytes (LEs) are replaced by gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). However, the low room‐temperature (RT) ionic conductivity and inferior interfacial compatibility of GPEs severely restrain their practical use. Herein, a poly(butyl acrylate)‐based GPE with a high RT ionic conductivity of 1.6 mS cm−1 is developed by in‐situ polymerization. Symmetrical cells assembled with this GPE show ultralong cyclability over 900 h at 0.2 mA cm−2, and ultralow overpotential of 233 mV at 1 mA cm−2. Full cells based on Na3V2(PO4)3(NVP) cathodes (NVP||GPE||Na) display significantly improved rate capability than that of LEs, benefiting from the solvation structure of Na+ in the GPE with much lower desolvation energy. Furthermore, the NVP||GPE||Na pouch cells exhibit a stable capacity of ≈92 mA h g−1 for 50 cycles at 1 C and excellent flexibility. The work not only provides a reliable GPE to develop RT SMBs but also offers new insight into the role of polymer frameworks in the rate performance of SMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether the combination of resolvin E1 (RvE1) and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) could promote resolution of pulpitis and to investigate the mechanism. Materials and Methods: Preliminary screening was first conducted in four specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs). Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and double‐immunofluorescence labelling were employed to assess the expression of RelA, SIRT1, SIRT6, SIRT7 and pro‐inflammatory factors. Dental pulp fibroblasts (DPFs) were transfected with siRNA to assess the biological role of SIRT7. A pulpitis model was utilized to evaluate the in vivo curative effect. Results: Preliminary results showed that RvE1 and LXA4 reduced the expression of RelA more markedly than other two SPMs. Both RvE1 and LXA4 treatment downregulated nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activation and increased the expression of SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7, more so in combination than alone. Double‐immunofluorescence labelling showed that SIRT7 co‐localized with p‐p65 and Ac‐p65 in the nucleus. Inhibiting ChemR23 and ALX reversed the expression of RelA mRNA, p‐p65 and Ac‐p65 proteins, pro‐inflammatory factors, SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7. Silencing SIRT7 significantly increased p‐p65 and Ac‐p65 protein levels and decreased SIRT1 and SIRT6 expression. In vivo experiments showed that combined administration of RvE1 and LXA4 promoted pulpitis markedly to resolution. Conclusions: Combination of RvE1 and LXA4 effectively inhibited NF‐κB activation by upregulating SIRT7 expression in DPFs, leading to reduced production of pro‐inflammatory factors and promotion of pulpitis resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the quality of life in patients with endometrial carcinoma and provide theoretical basis for nursing care. Design: In this study, 69 patients diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma from 2016–2018 were included in the cohort. Methods: Sixty‐nine patients from our hospital who underwent endometrial cancer surgeries were selected. The SF‐36 was used to investigate and analyse the patients' quality of life in the first, second and third months after their operations. Questionnaires were administered to analyse the factors affecting postoperative quality of life. Results: Quality of life for the second and third months was obviously better than that for the first month after the operation (p <.05). Based on multivariate regression analysis, we found that patients with higher family income had better quality of life after surgery(p <.05). These results can provide some guidance for daily nursing work after endometrial cancer operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perturbed nutrient balances in watersheds may eventually impact the marine ecosystem, but this river‐coast coupling is poorly understood. Monthly dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) fluxes from seven major rivers in China were calculated by a global river nutrient model (IMAGE‐GNM), and then used in a regional ocean model system (ROMS) to explore changes in surface chlorophyll a (Chla) in the plume area (salinity <33) of the Taiwan Strait (TWS) in 2001–2010. Model results showed that river N input increased surface Chla by a factor of 2.1–2.7, revealing a clear eutrophic response. Without river N input, there was only one Chla peak in fall driven by current upwelling N. In contrast, sufficient river N supply and optimum temperature (above 20°C) likely caused another Chla peak (spring bloom) in the northern TWS (NTWS). The difference in the timing of spring blooms (Chla maxima) between the southern TWS (STWS) and the NTWS (April and May, respectively) may be explained by faster growth of phytoplankton at higher temperatures. Diagnostic analysis suggested that DIN was the main factor controlling interannual variation of Chla in the STWS, but only in the wet season in the NTWS. In the NTWS, reduced Chla in winter was mainly due to mixing by the strong northeast monsoon and lower temperatures. This study implies that the STWS is more sensitive to further increases in riverine N export and highlights the importance of fluvial N inputs in phytoplankton dynamics and the unique phenological features in the TWS. Plain Language Summary: The coastal zone is home to over 50% of the world's population and the location of almost 50% of global economic output. Human activities have substantially altered the nutrient balance in the watershed and coastal areas. Here, we show the ecological response of the Taiwan Strait (a unique ecosystem with strong coastal currents and a monsoon climate) to riverine nitrogen export using a global river nutrient model and an ocean model. Model results for the period 2001–2010 show that algal blooms (high Chla) occurred earlier in the southern Strait (April) than in the northern Strait (May). River N input has increased surface Chla in the river plume area (salinity <33) by a factor of 2.1–2.7 and caused another Chla peak (spring bloom) in the northern strait. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen was identified as the main factor controlling interannual variation of Chla in the southern strait, but in the wet season only in the northern strait. The southern strait is more sensitive to further increases in riverine N export due to higher temperatures. Key Points: Taiwan Strait annual variability in coastal Chla was mainly controlled by dissolved inorganic nitrogenRiver nitrogen input caused another Chla peak (spring bloom) in the northern Taiwan StraitEutrophication in the southern Taiwan Strait is more sensitive to the increase of riverine nitrogen input [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freestanding MXene films are promising for compact energy storage ascribing to their high pseudocapacitance and density, yet the sluggish ion transport caused by the most densely packed structure severely hinders their rate capability. Here, a reassembly strategy for constructing freestanding and flexible MXene‐based film electrodes with a tunable porous structure is proposed, where the Ti3C2Tx microgels disassembled from 3D structured hydrogel are reassembled together with individual Ti3C2Tx nanosheets in different mass ratios to form a densely packed 3D network in microscale and a film morphology in macroscale. The space utilization of produced film can be maximized by a good balance of the density and porosity, resulting in a high volumetric capacitance of 736 F cm−3 at an ultrahigh scan rate of 2000 mV s−1. The fabricated supercapacitor yields a superior energy density of 40 Wh L−1 at a power density of 0.83 kW L−1, and an energy density of 21 Wh L−1 can be still maintained even when the power density reaches 41.5 kW L−1, which are the highest values reported to date for symmetric supercapacitors in aqueous electrolytes. More promisingly, the reassembled films can be used as electrodes of flexible supercapacitors, showing excellent flexibility and integrability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neoantigen vaccines and adoptive dendritic cell (DC) transfer are major clinical approaches to initiate personalized immunity in cancer patients. However, the immunization efficacy is largely limited by the in vivo trajectory including neoantigens' access to resident DCs and DCs' access to lymph nodes (LNs). Herein, an innovative strategy is proposed to improve personalized immunization through neoantigen‐loaded nanovaccines synergized with adoptive DC transfer. It is found that it enables selective delivery of neoantigens to resident DCs and macrophages by coating cancer cell membranes onto neoantigen‐loaded nanoparticles. In addition, the nanovaccines promote the secretion of chemokine C‐C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL3, and C‐X‐C motif ligand 10 from macrophages, thus potentiating the access of transferred DCs to LNs. This immunization strategy enables coordinated delivery of identified neoantigens and autologous tumor lysate‐derived undefined antigens, leading to initiation of antitumor T cell immunity in a personalized manner. It significantly inhibits tumor growth in prophylactic and established mouse tumor models. The findings provide a new vision for potentiating adoptive cell transfer by nanovaccines, which may open the door to a transformative possibility for improving personalized immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombyx mori silks possess great potential in textile industries due to the large‐scale green production. However, the demand for silks with functional as well as mechanical properties are continuously rising due to the emergence of other functional textiles. It remains a great challenge to functionalize natural silk and simultaneously improve its mechanical properties. Inspired by the relationship between natural core–sheath structure and mechanical properties of cocoon silk, the application of a thin reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer coated B. mori silk (GS) is shown via hydrogen interfacial interaction. The resultant rGO‐coated silk exhibits a remarkable tensile strength of 1137.7 MPa and toughness of 304.5 MJ m−3, which are 1.9 and 2.6 times higher than that of pure B. mori silk, respectively. Moreover, the GS shows a high electrical conductivity of 0.37 S m−1 with great thermal and deformation sensitivity. The bioinspired approach provides a universal and facile strategy for functionalizing natural fibers by applying rGO nanosheets surface coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines a wireless communication network comprised of a source and multiple relay‐user pairs in face of multiple malicious eavesdroppers. In order to improve the physical layer security of cooperative communication networks, a joint relay‐user pair and friendly jammer selection (JRUPaFJS) scheme is proposed. Apart from the impacts of friendly jammers on the eavesdroppers, that on the legitimate users is also taken into account due to the presence of channel state information estimation errors. The traditional round‐robin (TRR) scheme and traditional pure relay‐user pair selection (TPRUPS) scheme are considered as benchmark schemes. The exact closed‐form expressions of outage probability and intercept probability for the TRR and TPRUPS schemes as well as JRUPaFJS scheme over Rayleigh fading channels are derived. It is verified that the proposed JRUPaFJS scheme outperforms both the TRR and TPRUPS schemes in terms of their SRT, which demonstrates the wireless security and reliability benefits of exploiting JRUPaFJS scheme. Moreover, as the number of relay‐user pairs increases, the SRT of the TPRUPS and JRUPaFJS schemes improve notably, while as the number of eavesdroppers increases, the SRT of all the three schemes become worse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids have wide applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The precise glucosylation at C‐3 OH of pentacyclic triterpenoids mediated by uridine 5'‐diphospho‐glucosyltransferase (UDP‐glucosyltransferase [UGT]) is an important way to produce valuable derivatives with various improved functions. However, most reported UGTs suffer from low regiospecificity toward the OH and COOH groups of pentacyclic triterpenoids, which significantly decreases the reaction efficiency. Here, two new UGTs (UGT73C33 and UGT73F24) were discovered in Glycyrrhiza uralensis. UGT73C33 showed high activity but poor regioselectivity toward the C‐3 OH and C‐30 COOH of pentacyclic triterpenoid, producing three glucosides. UGT73F24 showed rigid regioselectivity toward C‐3 OH of typical pentacyclic triterpenoids producing only C‐3 O‐glucosylated derivatives. In addition, UGT73C33 and UGT73F24 showed a broad substrate scope toward typical flavonoids with various sugar donors. Next, the substrate recognition mechanism of UGT73F24 toward glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and UDP‐glucose was investigated. Two key residues, I23 and L84, were identified to determine activity, and site‐directed mutagenesis of UGT73F24‐I23G/L84N increased the activity by 4.1‐fold. Furthermore, three in vitro GA glycosylation systems with UDP‐recycling were constructed, and high yields of GA‐3‐O‐Glc (1.25 mM), GA‐30‐O‐Glc (0.61 mM), and GA‐di‐Glc (0.26 mM) were obtained. The de novo biosynthesis of GA‐3‐O‐glucose (26.31 mg/L) was also obtained in engineered yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms of eutrophication (including biodiversity loss, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia) are an increasing problem in Chinese seas. Nutrient enrichment is primarily caused by accelerated human activities that cause nutrient pollution of the aquatic environment. In this study, the Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment–Global Nutrient Model (IMAGE‐GNM) was used to estimate nitrogen inputs from river discharge, submarine fresh groundwater discharge, and mariculture, and TM5‐FAst Scenario Screening Tool (TM5‐FASST) for atmospheric nitrogen deposition to the three Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs, i.e., Yellow Sea/Bohai Sea, YS/BS; East China Sea, ECS; South China Sea, SCS) bordered by China and several other countries for the period 1970–2010. China's river nitrogen export was the largest nitrogen source in YS/BS and ECS. In SCS, however, China and other countries contributed equally and although decreasing, the proportion of natural sources remain considerable. The total nitrogen inputs to YS/BS (1.0 to 4.1 Tg year−1), ECS (1.3 to 5.5 Tg year−1), and SCS (2.1 to 5.8 Tg year−1) increased rapidly during 1970–2010. River export is dominated by agriculture; nitrogen inputs from atmospheric deposition and mariculture have been increasing rapidly in recent years. Considering only the coastal zone of the three LMEs, our results show that the total nitrogen inputs are strongly concentrated spatially in areas close to river mouths and those confined regions with mariculture production. To sustain the food production and economic growth in the coming decades, nitrogen inputs may increase further, depending on future eutrophication mitigation policies. Plain Language Summary: Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient for plant production. Excessive nitrogen use in agriculture and discharge from wastewater is the primary causes of eutrophication in aquatic environments. Symptoms of eutrophication (including biodiversity loss, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and hypoxia) are an increasing problem in Chinese seas. Here we quantified the nitrogen inputs from river export, atmospheric deposition, submarine fresh groundwater discharge, and mariculture to the Yellow Sea/Bohai Sea (YS/BS), East China Sea (ECS), and South China Sea (SCS) bordered by China and other countries for the period 1970–2010. Nitrogen inputs increased rapidly, mainly due to increasing land‐based sources (river export and atmospheric deposition), while nitrogen from mariculture started to increase recently. River export is dominated by agriculture with growing proportions of sewage and freshwater aquaculture. Nitrogen inputs were spatially concentrated and increased faster in Chinese coastal waters than in other countries. China's contribution to nitrogen pollution exceeded that of other countries in YS/BS and ECS, while China and other countries contributed equally in SCS. Nitrogen concentrations and HAB frequency in the seas seem to be correlated as both increased substantially since 1970s. Mitigation of nitrogen pollution is therefore urgent because human activities that trigger nitrogen discharge may increase further in future. Key Points: Since 1970, N inputs to Chinese seas increased rapidly due to rapidly increasing river export, atmospheric deposition, and maricultureRiver export is the largest source, with a dominant contribution from agriculture and recently growing shares of aquaculture and sewageN inputs are spatially concentrated and increase much faster in Chinese coastal waters than in other countries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol use disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and there is growing evidence that excessive alcohol intake causes severe damage to the brain of both humans and animals. Numerous studies on chronic alcohol exposure in animal models have identified that many functional impairments are associated with the hippocampus, which is a structure exhibiting substantial vulnerability to alcohol exposure. However, the precise mechanisms that lead to structural and functional impairments of the hippocampus are poorly understood. Herein, we report a novel cell death type, namely pyroptosis, which accounts for alcohol neurotoxicity in mice. Methods: For this study, we used an in vivo model to induce alcohol‐related neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with 95% alcohol vapor either alone or in combination with selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists or agonists, and VX765 (Belnacasan), which is a selective caspase‐1 inhibitor. Results: Alcohol‐induced in vivo pyroptosis occurs because of an increase in the levels of pyroptotic proteins such as nucleotide‐binding domain (NOD)–like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase‐1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and amplified inflammatory response. Our results indicated that VX765 suppressed the expression of caspase‐1 and inhibited the maturation of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐18. Additionally, chronic alcohol intake created an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system and regulated 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) in the hippocampus. Specific antagonists of CB1R (AM251 and AM281) significantly ameliorated alcohol‐induced pyroptosis signaling and inactivated the inflammatory response. Conclusions: Alcohol induces hippocampal pyroptosis, which leads to neurotoxicity, thereby indicating that pyroptosis may be an essential pathway involved in chronic alcohol–induced hippocampal neurotoxicity. Furthermore, cannabinoid receptors are regulated during this process, which suggests promising therapeutic strategies against alcohol‐induced neurotoxicity through pharmacologic inhibition of CB1R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are rich in nutrients, yet they have a short shelf life and are prone to decay due to bacterial invasion. Polysaccharides extracted from Osmunda japonica (Thunb) were briefly characterised. The inhibitory effect of polysaccharides on nine kinds of common spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in tomatoes stored postharvest was studied, and the polysaccharides had broad‐spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities against many tested strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum bactericidal (fungicidal) concentrations (MBCs) were determined, and the lowest MBC against Bacillus cereus was 0.15 g L−1. Various concentrations of an O. japonica (Thunb) polysaccharide (OP) solution were sprayed onto ordinary preservation paper, which then distinctly maintained tomato freshness. OP delayed vitamin C (VC) and titratable acid decreases and increased respiratory intensity in a dose‐dependent manner, reducing malondialdehyde accumulation. The tomatoes could be stored for 30 day at 25 ± 1 °C. OP has potential as a safe, nontoxic natural plant preservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An iron‐mediated ring‐opening and rearrangement cascade from 4‐alkenylisoxazoles to polysubstituted pyrroles is described. The cascade reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of functional groups, including ketones, esters, amides, and aryl halides. High reactivity is maintained even if the reaction scale is expanded to 0.5 grams. It is the first iron‐catalyzed rearrangement of 4‐alkenylisoxazoles to pyrroles that is independent of the presence of the alkoxy or amino group at position 5 of the isoxazole substrates. A plausible mechanism of the iron‐mediated cascade reaction is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to optimize the total anthocyanin content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of acidified water extract from blue honeysuckle berries by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized conditions were HCl concentration of 0.35%, liquid–solid ratio of 49.42 ml/g, and extraction temperature of 41.56°C for total anthocyanin content (24.01 ± 0.37 mg/g), total phenolic content (207.03 ± 3.31 mg/g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (68.24 ± 1.13%), and ABTS radical scavenging activity (70.05 ± 0.84%). The experimental results are consistent with the predicted values. The results showed that acidified water extraction was an effective, simple, and green technique for the extraction of total anthocyanins, total phenol, and antioxidant activity from blue honeysuckle berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5‐O‐Methylvisammioside is one of major chromones of Radix Saposhnikoviae possessing definite pharmacological activities, but there are few reports with respect to the metabolism of 5‐O‐methylvisammioside. In this work, metabolites in vivo were explored in male Sprague‐Dawley rats and in vitro investigated on rat intestinal bacteria incubation model and were identified by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. An online data acquisition method based on a multiple mass defect filter and dynamic background subtraction was developed to trace all probable metabolites. As a result, 26 metabolites in vivo (including 18, 15, 10, and 10 in rat urine, faece, bile, and blood) and 7 metabolites in vitro were characterized, respectively. Additionally, the main metabolic pathways in vivo and in vitro, including deglycosylation, deglycosylation + demethylation, deglycosylation + oxidation, N‐acetylation, and sulfate conjugation, were summarized by calculating the relative content of each metabolite. The obtained results significantly enriched our knowledge about 5‐O‐methylvisammioside metabolism and will lead to a better understanding of its safety and efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abri Herba and Abri mollis Herba both were important members of the Leguminosae family in southwestern China. Abri mollis Herba was often used as Abri Herba due to their proximity, but there are few studies on pharmacokinetics to compare their main identical active compositions. A sensitive and selective high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method in the positive/negative electrospray ionization switching mode was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of four flavonoids and two alkaloids in rat plasma. The chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.5% acetic acid. The detection of the target compounds was conducted in multiple‐reaction monitoring mode with a hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with positive/negative ion‐switching electrospray ion source. The differences in pharmacokinetics were discovered, which indicated that the substitution between them is some degree of irrationality. The validated method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of the six components in male rat plasma after oral administration of Abri Herba and Abri mollis Herba extract and the results in the study would provide a useful guide for the clinical application of Abri Herba with those in Abri mollis Herba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture healing is a complex process of many coordinated biological pathways. This system can go awry resulting in nonunion, which leads to significant patient morbidity. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is upregulated in fracture healing. We hypothesized that the Hh signaling pathway can be pharmacologically modulated to positively affect fracture healing. Diaphyseal femur fractures were created in elderly mice (18 months, C57BL/6 females), which have a blunted and delayed healing response compared to younger mice, and were stabilized with intramedullary pins. To activate the Hh pathway we targeted the receptor Smoothened using an agonist (Hh‐Ag1.5 [Hh‐Ag]) and compared this to a vehicle control. Expression of Hh target genes were significantly increased in the fracture callus of the agonist group compared to controls, indicating pathway activation. Expression of osteogenic and chondrogenic‐related genes was greatly upregulated in fracture callus versus intact femora, although Hh agonist treatment did not consistently enhance this response. Blindly graded, radiographic callus healing scores were significantly higher in the Hh‐Ag groups at post operative day (POD) 14, indicating earlier callus bridging. On microCT, Hh‐Ag treatment led to greater callus volume (+40%) and bone volume (+25%) at POD21. By day 14, callus vascularity, as assessed by 3D microCT angiography vessel volume, was 85% greater in the Hh‐Ag group. Finally, mechanical strength of the calluses in the Hh‐Ag groups was significantly greater than in the control groups at POD21. In conclusion, systemic administration of a Hh agonist appears to improve the osseous and vascular healing responses in a mouse fracture healing‐impaired model. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of multicomponent functional additives on the performances of lithium ion batteries has received increasing attention. Tris(2 H-hexafluoroisopropyl) borate (THFPB) additive can totally suppress the appearance of a crystallized complex between LiPF6 and adiponitrile (ADN). Herein, ADN, THFPB, and cyclohexylbenzene are demonstrated to be an effective three-component functional additive in LiPF6-based carbonate electrolyte that improves the cyclability and rate capabilities of LiCoO2/graphite full cells charged to 4.4, 4.45, and 4.5 V, respectively. By systematic characterization, it is demonstrated rationally that, with the help of the three-component functional additive, the electrolyte is stabilized and new types of less resistant, thinner, more protective solid-electrolyte interfaces are constructed simultaneously on the surfaces of both electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eight bicarbazole (BCz) compounds, 9,9′‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (PhBCz), 9,9′‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (o‐PyBCz), 9,9′‐di(3‐pyridyl)‐3,3′‐ bicarbazole (m‐PyBCz), 9,9′‐di(4‐pyridyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (p‐PyBCz), 9,9′‐di(5‐pyrimidinyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (PmBCz), 9,9′‐di(2‐pyrazinyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (PzBCz), 9,9′‐di(4‐isoquinolinyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (4‐IqBCz), and 9,9′‐di(5‐isoquinolinyl)‐3,3′‐bicarbazole (5‐IqBCz), that can be divided into three categories: category one with ortho, meta, or para pyridyl substituted BCz (PhBCz as a reference), category two with pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl substituted BCz, and category three with 4‐ or 5‐isoquinolinyl substituted BCz, were synthesized and characterized in terms of photophysical, thermal, and electrochemical properties. Moreover, these compounds were utilized to codepositing with copper iodide to form luminescent copper iodide complex doped films in situ, whose emission colors range from green to yellow and might be employed as the emissive layer in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equilibrium surface tension, dynamic surface tension, and interfacial tension (IFT) of fatty alcohol ether sulfonates (CESO) were measured to investigate their adsorption behavior. The effect of NaCl and CaCl concentrations on the IFT was also studied. The results showed that the number of EO units has no significant effect on the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and CMC decreases with increasing the length of the hydrophobic group. The surface tension at the CMC increases with the increase of the number of EO units and the length of the hydrophobic group. At dilute surfactant concentration, the adsorption process for CESO is controlled by diffusion; at higher concentration, it becomes a mixed diffusion-kinetic adsorption mechanism. The IFT between CESO solution and dodecane remains around 10 mN/m over a wide range of electrolyte concentrations (NaCl concentration from 25 to 210 g/L, CaCl concentration from 0.1 to 10 g/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cullin 4B ( CUL4B), a scaffold protein that assembles CRL4B ubiquitin ligase complexes, is overexpressed in many types of cancers and represses many tumor suppressors through epigenetic mechanisms. However, the mechanisms by which CUL4B is upregulated remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that CUL4B is upregulated in non-small-cell lung carcinoma ( NSCLC) tissues and is critically required for cell proliferation and migration in vitro and for xenograft tumor formation in vivo. We found that micro RNA-194 (miR-194) and CUL4B protein were inversely correlated in cancer specimens and demonstrated that miR-194 could downregulate CUL4B by directly targeting its 3′- UTR. We also showed that CUL4B could be negatively regulated by p53 in a miR-194-dependent manner. miR-194 was further shown to attenuate the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells by downregulating CUL4B. Interestingly, CRL4B also epigenetically represses miR-194 by catalyzing monoubiquitination at H2 AK119 and by coordinating with PRC2 to promote trimethylation at H3K27 at the gene clusters encoding miR-194. RBX1, another component in CRL4B complex, is also targeted by miR-194 in NSCLC cells. Our results thus establish a double-negative feedback loop between miR-194 and CRL4B, dysregulation of which contributes to tumorigenesis. The function of miR-194 as a negative regulator of CUL4B has therapeutic implications in lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of surface and interfacial properties of internal olefin sulfonates (IOS) and alpha olefin sulfonates (AOS) shows that hydrocarbon chain branching has a significant influence on interfacial properties at the air-water, pentadecane-water and parafilm-water interfaces. The isomeric branched IOS shows a higher critical micelle concentration and are more effective in reducing the surface tension at the air-water interface by occupying a larger area per molecule. IOS exhibits better dynamic air-water interfacial properties due to a lower meso-equilibrium surface tension. The equilibrium interfacial tensions for AOS and IOS have no remarkable difference at the pentadecane-water interface. The water wettability and electrolyte tolerance are enhanced with branched hydrocarbon chain olefin sulfonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of surfactant structure on foam properties of internal olefin sulfonate (IOS) and alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) in aqueous solutions was estimated from measurements of the foamability, foam stability, and foam morphology, as obtained from conductivity and image analyses techniques. It was found that the foamability and foam stability of C AOS are higher compared to that of C IOS, indicating that hydrocarbon chain branching decreases the foamability and foam stability. The foamability and foam stability are enhanced with increasing surfactant concentration, which increases the adsorbed quantity of surfactant molecules at the air-water interface. The influence of hydrocarbon chain branching on foam morphology was also investigated. It was found that foam cells produced by branched chain C IOS are larger than the foam cells generated by straight chain C AOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To report and evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing definitive treatment for distal femur nonunion after initial treatment with a locking plate. Methods Fourteen patients who had undergone definitive treatment at an academic Level 1 trauma center from May 2007 to December 2013 for distal femur nonunion were identified from a fracture database. Thirteen of them were female; the average age was 65 years (range, 50-84 years). Ten patients had sustained their injuries in falls at ground level, and four in motor vehicle accidents. Twelve patients were obese (body mass index ≥30), 10 had diabetes, none were current smokers, and one had an open fracture classified as type IIIa according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification system for open fractures. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification system for distal femur fractures; there were three type 33-A1, six 33-A2, two 33-A3 and three 33-C3 fractures. Methods of definitive treatment involved open reduction and internal fixation ( ORIF) revision, medial plating, bone grafting and the use of other biologic materials. Results Eight of the 14 patients (57%) achieved union during follow-up. Definitive treatment for nonunion involved ORIF revision in 11 cases. Three patients who did not undergo ORIF revision were treated with iliac crest stem cell autografts, bone graft substitutes or recombinant human-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rh- BMP-2). Other treatments included rh- BMP-2 (12 cases), iliac crest bone autograft (five), iliac crest stem cell autograft (two), crushed cancellous bone allograft (three), CaSO4 and tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute (two) and demineralized bone matrix (one). The average time from definitive treatment to union was 19 weeks (range, 12-51 weeks). Two of the 11 cases who underwent ORIF revision had medial plates added to improve biomechanical stability and prevent varus collapse. This was also performed in one patient with a grade III open type 33-C3 fracture and one with a closed 33-A2 fracture. Five study patients had comminuted fractures. Two had type 33-A3 and three type 33-C3 fractures. Both patients with 33-A3 fractures and 2 two with 33-C3 fractures had persistent nonunion at the end of follow-up. Conclusions Definitive treatment of distal femur nonunion after initial treatment with a locking plate had a low rate of success in this study, suggesting that this procedure is ineffective as a definitive treatment for distal femur nonunion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialkylated diphenylether disulfonate with different alkyl chain lengths (C-DADS, n = 8, 10 and 12) has been synthesized by Friedel-Crafts alkylation of olefins (C, C and C) and diphenyl oxide, followed by sulfonation and neutralization with fuming sulfuric acid. Sulfated zirconia solid acids were prepared and used to catalyze the alkylation reaction. The structure of sulfated zirconia solid acids was identified by infrared spectroscopy. The title compounds were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Equilibrium surface tension measurements show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) decreases with an increase in chain length, and the surface tension at CMC ( γ) of C-DADS is the lowest. The minimum area per molecule ( A) values of C-DADS increase, while the surface excess concentration ( Γ) values decrease with the increase of the alkyl chain length. C-DADS has the highest pC and CMC/C among C-DADS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to itemize and analyze the classification of fracture types and their corresponding outcomes in an attempt to provide a better understanding of the current treatment methods. Two PubMed searches were performed using the words 'periprosthetic distal femur fracture' and 'periprosthetic supracondylar femur fracture' in studies that were published in the previous 10 years (2004-2014). Data from 41 articlesthat met the general inclusion criteria, were collected and categorized into fracture type and treatment method groupings. Healing outcome and complications were the two parameters used to analyze the data. Treatment techniques were grouped in the following categories: locking plate, non-locking plate, intramedullary nail/rod, screw, blade plate, cerclage wires, allograft, external fixation, revision arthroplasty, non-operative, and other. Classification systems by Lewis and Rorabeck, the Association for Osteosynthesis/Orthopedic Trauma Association ( AO/ OTA), Su et al., Neer et al., Kim et al., Backstein et al., and the Société Française de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique were reported. In total 448 fractures were identified, of which Rorabeck type II was the most common fracture studied. The two most successful treatment options for periprosthetic distal femur fractures were locking plate (87%) and intramedullary nail/rod (84%). The most frequent complications associated with periprosthetic distal femur fractures included non/mal/delayed union and the need for revision. Locking plates used to treat Rorabeck type II fractures had a complication rate of 35% and those treated with intramedullary nailing had a higher complication rate of 53%. In conclusion, the most frequent type of periprosthetic distal femur fracture after total knee arthroplasty was Rorabeck type II. The most common treatments for these types of fractures are locked plating and intramedullary nailing, with similar healing rates of 87% and 84%, respectively. However, the complication rate for locked plating was lower than for intramedullary nailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dodecyl diphenyl oxide disulfonate with different counterions (CMADS-M, M = Na, Mg, Ca) were synthesized using dodecyl alcohol, diphenyl oxide and SO as reagents through alkylation-sulfonation-neutralization. The structure of the product was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The surface and interfacial prosperities were investigated. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CMADS-Na, CMADS-Mg and CMADS-Ca was 1.23 × 10, 5.25 × 10 and 5.37 × 10 mol/L, respectively. The surface tension at CMC ( γ) of CMADS-Na, CMADS-Mg and CMADS-Ca was 43.2, 37.1 and 36.6 mN/m, respectively. Interfacial tensions between crude oil and CMADS-M aqueous solution gave only a small change in the calcium chloride concentrations ranging from 50 to 10,000 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the treatment and resulting outcomes for total talar dislocation. The Pub Med database was searched for articles about humans with total talar dislocation published in the English language in the last twenty years. The following data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet: type of dislocation, nature of associated fractures (if any), type of reduction/fixation utilized, immobilization, weight-bearing status, outcome, complications and average follow-up time. Thirty-nine articles reporting a total of 86 cases of total talar dislocation are included in this review. Seventy-three of these were open injuries and 13 closed. Forty-three cases had an associated foot or ankle fracture, 32 of those cases specifically having a fracture of the talus. The talus was preserved in the initial management of 74 cases, whereas the remaining 12 cases were managed by primary talectomy. The mean duration of follow-up was 32 months. Twenty-two cases required a secondary arthrodesis or another additional procedure. A good outcome was achieved in 35% of cases, a fair outcome in 37% and a poor outcome in 27%. The complication of avascular necrosis ( AVN) occurred in 22 cases and 14 subjects developed clinically significant osteoarthritis. Generally, the outcome of current treatments associated with total talar dislocation is not ideal, only 1/3 of cases achieving good outcomes. So far, preservation of the talus is the best treatment option. AVN is still a relatively common complication even in the absence of fracture or postoperative infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disodium monoalkyl diphenyl oxide disulfonates (MADS) with different carbon chains (C-MADS, n = 8, 12, 16) were synthesized through the steps of alkylation-sulfonation-neutralization using fatty alcohols (C, C, C), diphenyl oxide and fuming sulfuric acid (20 % free SO) as reagents. The structures of the products were identified by infrared spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The surface properties, emulsification, wettability alteration and salinity and hardness tolerance of the products were systematically investigated. The results show that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CMADS, CMADS and CMADS are 7.24 × 10, 1.49 × 10 and 2.09 × 10 mol/L. The surface tensions at the CMC ( γ) of each product are 37.5, 38.9 and 46.8 mN/m. The negative logarithm of the surfactant concentration in the bulk phase required to produce a 20 mN/m reduction in the surface tension of the solvent ( pC) increases with the increase in the alkyl chain length. The emulsifying ability of C-MADS is better than C-MADS and C-MADS, and the MADS showed less oil-wet nature. The salinity and hardness tolerance of MADS is much stronger than that of conventional surfactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four compounds 4-[3,6-di(carbazol-9-yl)carbazol-9-yl]isoquinoline (TCIQ), 3-[3,6-di(carbazol-9-yl)carbazol-9-yl]pyridine (TCPy), 4-(carbazol-9-yl)isoquinoline (4CIQ), and 3-(carbazol-9-yl)pyridine (CPy) containing pyridyl or isoquinolyl were designed and synthesized to co-deposition with copper iodide (CuI) to form luminescent Cu(I) complex doped film in situ, which could be utilized as the emissive layer in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It is found that simple tri-layered yellow and white OLEDs can be achieved by co-depositing CuI and TCIQ with tuning ratios. The compound TCIQ serves a dual role as both a ligand for forming the emissive Cu(I) complex and as a host matrix for the formed emitter in yellow OLEDs, and a third role as a blue emitter in white OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three anionic surfactants of the monododecyl diaryl disulfonate type (MDDADS-n, n = 0, 1, 2) were synthesized. The structural characters of MDDADS-n surfactants were verified by electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. The effect of the spacer group on the surface activity, salinity and hardness tolerance and mimic oil washing efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at CMC, C and the minimum area per molecule of the anionic surfactants increased when the spacer group length increased. There was less effect on mimic oil washing efficiency of MDDADS-n when the spacer group changed; meanwhile, they displayed higher mimic oil washing efficiency in salt solution (NaCl or CaCl) than that of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS); all MDDADS-n surfactants showed much lower sensitivity to water hardness than SDBS, what would be beneficial to enhancing oil recovery in a high salinity oil field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The number of patients requiring knee and hip arthroplasty has been steadily increasing, and periprosthetic fractures are on the rise. Locking plates are the most common treatment for periprosthetic fractures, but the use of cerclage wires with locking plate fixation has been controversial. Methods Forty-seven patients with periprosthetic femur fractures were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-four patients received locking plate alone and twenty-three patients were treated with locking plate and cerclage wires. Patients were evaluated for clinical and radiographic signs of union at two, six, twelve, twenty-four, and forty-eight weeks postoperatively. Results The average follow-up time in the plate group was 9.4 ± 6.7 months, while it was 6.0 ± 4.2 months in the cerclage wire group. The time to union in the cerclage wire group (3.6 ± 1.0 months) was significantly less than the plate group (4.8 ± 2.6 months). The group with the cerclage wires had a significantly lower revision rate of 0% compared to 20.8%. There was no statistical significance of union rate and complication rate between the two groups. Conclusion Cerclage wires used with locking plate fixation successfully treats periprosthetic fractures of the femur with faster time to union, less complication, and fewer revisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiro compounds: An iodine monochloride‐induced intramolecular cyclization of 1‐[4′‐methoxy(1,1′‐biphenyl)2‐yl]alkynones has been developed (see scheme). An electrophilic iodocyclization selectively takes place at the ipso position (versus the ortho electrophilic aromatic substitution) to afford 4′H‐spiro(cyclohexa[2,5]diene‐1,1′‐naphthalene)‐4,4′‐diones, a new group of spiroconjugated compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) films were prepared from cholesteric liquid crystal (Ch-LC) mixtures containing different components such as non-reactive LC monomer, polymerizable monomer, chiral dopant, dye, and photoinitiator upon polymerization. The influence of the polymerizable monomer and dye of Ch-LC mixtures on the reflection properties was investigated. The reflection bandwidth for all the samples can be increased by photo-polymerization, and the network upon polymerization derived from two different polymerizable monomers with both one and two functional groups is more effective than that from one polymerizable monomer for broadening the reflection band. Especially, a dye-doped Ch-LC film can reflect incident light with the bandwidth over the wavelength range of 550-2350 nm, which is due to a greater pitch gradient formed inside of Ch-LC film. The gradient pitch network structure was firstly demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with the film prepared from high diacrylate monomer concentration and subsequently proved by using a wash-out/refill method. The nematic liquid crystals monomers was infiltrated into the polymer network that was prefabricated by removing the low molar weight LCs from the original PSCLCs film, and SEM exhibited the existence of a pitch gradient across the film thickness. The refilled nematic liquid crystals film showed broadband reflection after polymerzition, too. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]