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Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge and improvements in chemotherapy are needed. 4‐Amino‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐phenyl retinate (ATPR), a novel all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) derivative designed and synthesized by our team, has been proven to show superior anticancer effect compared with ATRA on various cancers. However, its potential effect on AML remains largely unknown. Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is the key glycolytic enzyme that catalyses the interconversion between pyruvate and lactate. Currently, little is known about the role of LDHB in AML. In this study, we found that ATPR showed antileukaemic effects with RARα dependent in AML cells. LDHB was aberrantly overexpressed in human AML peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and AML cell lines. A lentiviral vector expressing LDHB‐targeting shRNA was constructed to generate a stable AML cells with low expression of LDHB. The effect of LDHB knockdown on differentiation and cycle arrest of AML cells was assessed in vitro and vivo, including involvement of Raf/MEK/ERK signalling. Finally, these data suggested that ATPR showed antileukaemic effects by RARα/LDHB/ ERK‐glycolysis signalling axis. Further studies should focus on the underlying leukaemia‐promoting mechanisms and investigate LDHB as a therapeutic target.

Processed walnuts including hot air-dried and roasted walnuts were prepared. Volatiles in raw and processed walnuts were analyzed using head-space solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Oxidative stability of hot air-dried walnuts in different antioxidants, with or without vacuum package was studied to find a proper package for oxidation stability of hot air-dried walnuts. The results showed that there were 14 volatiles in raw walnuts, 28 in hot air-dried walnuts and 38 in roasted walnuts. The changes of oil quality indices, total phenols, malondialdehyde and free radical scavenging activities during storage at 60 °C showed that the oil oxidation increased with storage time. The addition of antioxidants and vacuum package could slow down the oxidation. Vacuum aluminum foil package (14 × 20 cm) can delay the oil oxidation and extend the shelf life to ~ 230 days of hot air-dried walnuts at 20 °C. With added antioxidant this was extended to ~ 257 days. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13197-020-04305-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PURPOSE To assess the potential role of amphiregulin as messenger molecule in ocular axial elongation. METHODS The experimental study included guinea pigs (total n = 78) (age: 3-4 weeks) which underwent bilateral lens-induced myopization and received 15 days later three intraocular injections in weekly intervals of amphiregulin antibody (doses:5 μg, 10 μg, 20 μg) into their right eyes, and three phosphate-buffered saline injections into their left eyes; and guinea pigs without lens-induced myopization and which received three unilateral intraocular injections of amphiregulin antibody (dose: 20 μg) or amphiregulin (doses: 1 ng; 10 ng; 20 ng) into their right eyes, and three phosphate-buffered saline injections into their left eyes. Seven days later, the animals were sacrificed. Intravitally, we performed biometry, and histology and immunohistochemistry post-mortem. RESULTS In animals with bilateral lens-induced myopization, the right eyes receiving amphiregulin antibody showed reduced axial elongation in a dose-dependent manner (dose: 5 μg: side difference: 0.14 ± 0.05 mm;10 μg: 0.22 ± 0.06 mm; 20 μg: 0.32 ± 0.06 mm; p

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and lack of alternative drugs have posed an increasing threat to public health. Here, we prepared β-Ga2O3:Cr3+ nanoparticles modified with ICAM1-antibody-conjugated TPGS (I-TPGS/Ga2O3) as a novel antibiotic carrier for the treatment of drug-resistant infections. Methods: I-TPGS/Ga2O3 were firstly characterized by measuring particle size, morphology, crystal structure, drug loading capacity, and in vitro drug release behaviors. The in vitro antibacterial activities of I-TPGS/Ga2O3/TIG were evaluated using standard and drug-resistant bacteria. The internalization of I-TPGS/Ga2O3 was observed by fluorescence confocal imaging, and the expression levels of the efflux pump genes of TRKP were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. In vitro cellular uptake and in vivo biodistribution study were performed to investigate the targeting specificity of I-TPGS/Ga2O3 using HUEVC and acute pneumonia mice, respectively. The in vivo anti-infective efficacy and biosafety of I-TPGS/Ga2O3/TIG were finally evaluated using acute pneumonia mice. Results: It was found that TPGS could down-regulate the over-expression of the efflux pump genes, thus decreasing the efflux pump activity of bacteria. I-TPGS/Ga2O3 with small particle size and uniform distribution facilitated their internalization in bacteria, and the TPGS modification resulted in a significant reduction in the efflux of loaded antibiotics. These properties rendered the encapsulated tigecycline to exert a stronger antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, targeted delivery of I-TPGS/Ga2O3 mediated by ICAM1 antibodies contributed to a safe and effective therapy. Conclusion: It is of great value to apply I-TPGS/Ga2O3 as a novel and effective antibiotic delivery system for the treatment of drug-resistant infections.

Background The main causes of intracerebral hemorrhage differ between young adults and older adults. Data regarding potential targets for early intervention in young adult patients with intracerebral hemorrhage are lacking. Methods We retrospectively analysed data for 196 young adult patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who were admitted to Tianjin Huanhu Hospital and died within 30 days of admission between June 2005 and June 2015. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate survival rate, and the log-rank test was used to determine survival rate significance. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant association of age, disturbance of consciousness, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, seizure occurrence, infratentorial hemorrhage, intraventricular extension, hernia, glucose level, white blood cell count, albumin level, creatinine level, uric acid level, and surgical treatment with early mortality (P Conclusions Our results suggest that young adult patients who exhibit infratentorial hemorrhage and intraventricular extension in the early stages of intracerebral hemorrhage onset exhibit an increased risk of early mortality.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading causes of malignancy-related death in China. Its therapy in clinics is a big challenge. Ginsenoside Rh2 is one of the most notable cancer-preventing components from red ginseng and it has been reported that ginsenoside Rh2 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human hepatoma cells. Rh2 exists as two different stereoisomeric forms, (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2. Previous reports showed that the Rh2 epimers demonstrated different pharmacological activities and only (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 showed potent proliferation inhibition on cancer cells in vitro. However, the in vivo anti-hepatoma activity of (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 has not been reported yet. This work assessed and compared the anti-hepatoma activities of (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 using H22 a hepatoma-bearing mouse model in vivo. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining, the deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and the semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method were used to further study the apoptosis of the tumors. The results showed that both (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 suppressed the growth of H22 transplanted tumors in vivo, and the highest inhibition rate could be up to 42.2 and 46.8 %, respectively (p 0.05). Further, hematoxylin/eosin staining and the deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay indicated that both (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 could induce H22 hepatoma tumor cell apoptosis, with apoptosis indexes of 3.87 %, and 3.80 %, respectively (p 0.05). Moreover, this effect was accompanied by downregulating the level of Bcl-2 mRNA. In conclusion, both (20S)-ginsenoside Rh2 and (20R)-ginsenoside Rh2 can suppress the growth of H22 hepatomas without causing severe side effects, and this effect is associated with the induction of apoptosis.

Ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of non-apoptotic cell death, is induced by an excessive degree of iron-dependent lipid peroxide. ATPR, a novel all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) derivative, has been extensively developed to show superior anticancer effect than ATRA in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, whether ferroptosis exists during ATPR treatment of AML remains unclear. Herein, we found that ferroptosis occurred in an AML xenograft mouse model of ATPR treatment. In vitro, ATPR was verified to induce ferroptosis in a dose-dependent manner by proferroptotic protein marker, lipid peroxidation, and lipid ROS, which could be significantly reversed by ferrostatin-1. Using lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine and iron chelator desferrioxamine, we further revealed that ATPR-induced ferroptosis was regulated by autophagy via iron homeostasis, especially Nrf2. Furthermore, targeting ferroptosis contributes to ATPR-induced AML differentiation. In conclusion, these results indicated that ferroptosis play an important role in ATPR-induced differentiation, and suggested that ATPR would provide a potential therapeutic value for AML treatment.

Salidroside administration improves memory in different models of learning. However, its influence on models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has not been widely studied. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of salidroside was investigated in an animal model of AD. APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse (n=20) were randomly divided into either the AD model group or the salidroside + AD model group (n=10 in each group), and C57BL/6J mouse (n=20) of identical age and genetic background were randomly divided into either the normal control (NC) group or the salidroside + NC group (n=10 in each group). The Morris water maze behavioral test was applied to all mice in order to investigate the effects of salidroside administration on learning and memory functions. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and nitrate in the hippocampus of the mice were determined, and hippocampal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was also determined. In addition, terminal deoxynucleotidyl‑transferase‑mediated dUTP nick end labeling was used to investigate the rate of neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the concentrations of interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) and tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) were tested for in the brain tissues of AD mice. Learning and memory functions in AD mice were revealed to improve following administration of salidroside. Furthermore, salidroside administration was revealed to decrease the concentrations of MDA and nitrate in the hippocampus, decrease the apoptotic rate of hippocampal neurons, and increase the activity of SOD and the concentration of GSH in hippocampal tissue. In addition, it was demonstrated that salidroside administration suppressed the expression levels of IL‑6 and TNF‑α. In conclusion, this study revealed that the administration of salidroside could attenuate the effects of AD‑associated memory and learning impairment in mice. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the effects of salidroside administration on AD mice were, at least partially, via inhibition of brain oxidative/nitrosative damage, suppression of both IL‑6 and TNF‑α expression levels, and suppression of the hippocampal neuronal apoptotic rate.

Prostate cancer presents high occurrence worldwide. Medicinal plants are a major source of novel and potentially therapeutic molecules; therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible anti-prostate cancer activity of afzelin, a flavonol glycoside that was previously isolated from Nymphaea odorata. The effect of afzelin on the proliferation of androgen-sensitive LNCaP and androgen-independent PC-3 cells was evaluated by performing a water soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay. In addition, the effect of afzelin on the cell cycle of the LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines was evaluated. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of afzelin on the kinases responsible for the regulation of actin organization. Afzelin was identified to inhibit the proliferation of LNCaP and PC3 cells, and block the cell cycle in the G0 phase. The anticancer activity of afzelin in these cells was determined to be due to inhibition of LIM domain kinase 1 expression. Thus, the in vitro efficacy of afzelin against prostate cancer is promising; however, additional studies on different animal models are required to substantiate its anticancer potential.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is regarded as a leading cause of acute kidney failure and renal dysfunction. Previous studies show that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists can attenuate IRI in cardiomycytes and neuronal cells. In this study we explored the effects of a KOR agonist on renal IRI and the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. An IRI model was established in SD rats, which were intravenously pretreated with a KOR agonist U50448H (1 mg/kg), a KOR antagonist Nor-BNI (2 mg/kg) followed by U50448H (1 mg/kg), or the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (1.4 mg/kg) followed by U50448H (1 mg/kg). U50448H pretreatment significantly decreased the serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and BUN, the renal tubular injury scores and the apoptotic index (AI) in IRI model rats. Furthermore, U50448H significantly increased SOD activity and NO levels, and reduced the MDA levels in the kidney tissues of IRI model rats. Moreover, U50448H significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS and PI3K in the kidney tissues of IRI model rats. All the beneficial effects of U50448H were blocked by Nor-BNI or wortmannin pre-administered. Similar results were observed in vitro in renal tubular epithelial NRK-52E cells subjected to a hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) procedure. Our results demonstrate that the KOR agonist U50448H protects against renal IRI via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Purpose To assess a potential role of Bruch´s membrane (BM) in the biomechanics of the eye, we measured its thickness and the density of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in various ocular regions in eyes of varying axial length. Methods Human globes, enucleated because of an ocular tumor or end-stage glaucoma were prepared for histological examination. Using light microscopy, the histological slides were histomorphometrically examined applying a digitized image analysis system. Results The study included 104 eyes with a mean axial length of 27.9±3.2 mm (range:22.6mm-36.5mm). In eyes without congenital glaucoma, BM was significantly thickest (P

Solvothermal reactions of 3,3′,5,5′-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid (H4BPTC) and cobalt(ii) ions in the presence of two different flexible N-donor ancillary ligands afford two novel coordination polymers, {[Co(BPTC)0.5(bix)]·H2O}n (1), {[Co(BPTC)0.5(bpp)]·3H2O}n (2) (bix=1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene; bpp=1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane). Their structures have been determined by elemental analyses, IR spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and powder X-ray diffraction. The pillared layered framework of 1 can be simplified to a (4,6)-connected net with a Schläfli symbol of (44·62)(44·69·82). Complex 2 manifests a bilayered structure, and can be simplified to a (4,4)-connected net with a Schläfli symbol of (55·8)(54·62). The thermal stabilities of both complexes and the magnetic behaviours of 1 are also discussed.

The purpose of this study was to isolate citral from sweet orange oil by combined usage of molecular distillation and column chromatography. Additionally, the antioxidant activity (by DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power) of citral was evaluated. A significant and linear correlation coefficient between the antioxidant activity and the concentration of citral was found (R2=0.9925). On the other hand, the cytotoxic effects of the citral against tumoral human cell line Hela was examined by MTT assay and the IC50 values was 32.56 μg/mL. Overall, results presented here suggest that the citral possesses antioxidant activity and cytotoxic properties, and is a potential source of active ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industry.

Background Epidemiological studies have assessed relationships between circulating levels of fatty acid (FA) and blood pressure (BP), and their results remain controversial. Nevertheless, data are sparse on serum FA as biomarker and BP in China. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between serum FA and BP in Chinese populations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study nested within a community-based cohort of 2447 Chinese participants aged 35–79 years who completed a baseline assessment between October 2012 and April 2013. Baseline assessment included the collection of fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and a personal interview using a validated questionnaire. Serum FA was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Exploratory factor analyses were employed to identify FA-factor as a reflection of serum FA pattern. A multiple regression model was conducted to estimate adjusted mean of BP with 95 % confidence interval (CI) by tertile groups of the generated FA-factor scores. Results Hypertensive patients have significantly higher serum 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7, 18:3n-6, 20:3n-6 and Δ6-desaturase index (18:3n-6/18:2n-6) as well as lower 18:2n-6, 22:6n-3 and Δ5-desaturase index (20:4n-6/20:3n-6) compared with normotensive participants. Factor 1 (low linoleic acid/high saturated FA pattern: 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6, 20:3n-6) and Factor 2 (n-3 PUFA pattern: 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, 22:6n-3, 18:1n-9) were identified as indicators of the serum FA pattern. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension treatment, smoking, alcohol intake, education, profession, exercise habit, salt intake, family history of hypertension, heart rate, blood lipids and fasting blood-glucose levels, per a standard deviation (SD) increment of Factor 1 scores was associated with an increment of 2.44 (95 % CI: 1.73, 3.15) mm Hg for systolic BP, whereas per a SD increment of Factor 2 scores was associated with a reduction of 1.40 (95 % CI: 0.80, 2.04) mm Hg for diastolic BP. Conclusions The serum FA pattern characterized by low proportions of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7 and 18:3n-6 as well as high 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 was beneficially associated with BP levels in this Chinese population. This evidence well supports the current dietary recommendations in the communities to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12944-016-0226-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Condensation heat transfer used to the condenser as an important way of heat transfer is a phenomenon that involves flowing and heat and mass transfer of both gas and liquid phases. Thus, the development of its numerical prediction helps to the design of the condenser. At the present work, a VOF model was used to numerically simulate condensation heat transfer in a V-shape tube, obtaining volume fraction of vapor, location of liquid film and parameters of heat transfer. Results show that the VOF model may predict flow pattern of condensation and mass flux of condensation of vapor on the liquid film well. From computations, mass flux of condensation of vapor on the liquid film increases along vapor flowing, however, it tends to steady at the back part of the condenser tube. Flow pattern of condensation develops from annular flow at the inlet of the condenser tube to stratified flow, finally to plug flow at its back part. Velocity decreases along the tube length.

[Objective] to study the modeling technique of Vitamin C dripping pill and its quality evaluation. [Method] the preparation conditions were optimized by orthogonal experiments using encapsulation efficiency (EE) as the target index. The matrix type (PEG 4000:PEG 6000), ratio of drug to matrix, dripping temperature and dripping distance with three levels were chosen in the orthogonal experiments. Weight variation, dispersion limit, content and stability of the dripping pill under the optimum conditions were estimated. [Results] The optimum conditions were obtained when matrix type (PEG 4000: PEG 6000), ratio of drug to matrix, dripping temperature and dripping distance were 6:1, 1:7, 80 °C and 20 cm respectively. The weight variation and dispersion limit of the dripping pill ranged in -13.47-13.38% and 4.5-5.0min. An assay method was developed by UV spectrophotometry. Its quality was stable during the three months of accelerated test. [Conclusion] the weight variation and dispersion limit of the dripping pill with good morphology and high stability came up to the requirements of Ch. P, the assay method was simple and accurate, demonstrating that the dripping pill can be used as edible or pharmaceutical dosage form.

Exposure to fenvalerate has been shown to be associated with decreased steroid hormone production by mouse Leydig tumor cells (MLTC-1) in our previous study and the interference with cAMP-PKA pathway cannot explain this inhibitory effect completely. In this study, the same cell line was used to investigate the potential involvement of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling pathway in the downregulation of steroidogenesis by fenvalerate. Results showed that fenvalerate treatment decreased IGF-I secretion significantly which was consistent with the reduced expression of IGF-I mRNA. Then inhibitors of the two downstream pathways of IGF-I were added to the medium. The addition of LY294002 (inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3-kinase) did not alter the declining trend of progesterone production with increasing dosages of fenvalerate treatment while the addition of UO126 (inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2)) markedly attenuated this trend, which strongly indicated the possible involvement of pathway ERK1/2. In addition, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was also suppressed by fenvalerate. The results suggest that the mechanism by which fenvalerate decreased steroid hormone production might involve the impairment of IGF-I signal pathway by attenuating the IGF-I production and ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

This work reports the chiral separation of D,L-mandelic acid with cellulose membranes. Cellulose was chosen as membrane material because it possesses multichiral carbon atoms in its molecular structure unit. The flux and permselective properties of membrane using aqueous solutions of D,L-mandelic acid as feed solution was studied. The top surface and cross-section morphology of the resulting membrane were examined by scanning electron microscopy. When the membrane was prepared with 8.1 wt % cellulose and 8.1 wt % LiCl in the DMA casting solution, and the operating pressure and feed concentration of racemate were 0.0125 MPa and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively, over 90% of enantiomeric excess could be obtained. This is the first report that the cellulose membrane is used for isolating the optical isomers of D,L-mandelic acid. Chirality, 2011.

An enantioselective membrane was prepared using cellulose acetate as the membrane material. Cellulose acetate was chosen as it is in widespread use already for separations and cellulose triacetate is the first practical chiral stationary phase of polysaccharide due to the multichiral carbons in its molecular structure unit. The flux and permselective properties of a membrane was studied using a 33.3% ethanol solution of (R, S)-trans-stilbene oxide as the feed solution. The top surface and cross-section morphology of the resulting membrane were examined using scanning electron microscopy. An optical resolution of over 85% enantiomeric excess was achieved when the enantioselective membrane was prepared with 30 wt.% cellulose acetate and 25 wt.% N,N-dimethylformamide in the casting solution of acetone; 5 min was the time for evaporation of the liquid membrane, and a 10 °C water bath was used for the gelation of the membrane; the operating pressure and the feed concentration of the trans-stilbene oxide were 2 kgf/cm2 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. This is the first report that cellulose acetate can be used as a membrane material for isolating optical isomers. This work indicates that the large-scale purification of chiral molecules from racemic mixtures will be realized by the enantioselective membrane technique in the near future and that the enantioselective cellulose acetate membrane could soon become very attractive for industrial uses.

Genes dhaF and dhaG encoding the α and β subunits of glycerol dehydratase reactivation factor (GDHtR) were amplified from the genomic DNA of Klebsiella pneumoniae XJPD-Li. The identity of the deduced amino acid sequence of the β subunit was relatively low compared with that of K. pneumoniae (U30903), where the 96th amino acid residue was found to be the more active amino acid histidine instead of glutamine in K. pneumoniae (U30903). A specific GDHtR activity of approximately 30 U/mg was attained in Escherichia coli BL21 (pET-28a (+)-dhaFG). His6-tagged GDHtR was purified by Ni-nitrilotriacetate chromatography, and the enzyme was purified 2.6-fold in a yield of 20.7%. The study showed that both glycerol and O2-inactivated glycerol dehydratase (GDHt) could be quickly reactivated by GDHtR in the presence of ATP, Mg2+ and coenzyme B12. However, the glycerol-inactivated GDHt was more easily reactivated than O2-inactivated GDHt. In the first 10 min of the reactivation reaction, the average reactivation rate was 0.18 and 0.12 μmol/min for glycerol and O2-inactivated GDHt, respectively.

The genes encoding glycerol dehydratase were cloned and characterized by genomic DNA from Klebsiella pneumoniae XJPD-Li, and the assigned accession number EF634063 was available from the GenBank database. The DNA sequence analysis showed that the clone included three ORFs ( dha B, dha C and dha E, encoding α, β and γ subunit of glycerol dehydratase, respectively). Among three subunits of glycerol dehydratase, amino acid residues H 13 , S 193 , N 359 , E 407 , and M 515 of α subunit, N 47 , L 150 , V 189 of β subunit are different with what had been reported. Subsequently, the expression vector was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21, and the colony carried genes of glycerol dehydratase were selected. SDS-PAGE examination showed that the three subunits were well expressed. The specific activity of recombined glycerol dehydratase reached to 0.299 U mg −1 , which was about 3 times comparing with that of the wild strain. The research also displayed that both glycerol and O 2 could inactive the glycerol dehydratase expressed in E. coli quickly in 10 min. The inactivated glycerol dehydratase could be effectively reactivated under the system as follows: the concentration of ATP, Mg 2+ and coenzyme B 12 were 50 mM, 10 mM and 3 μM, respectively, when the ratio (W/W) of glycerol dehydratase to reactivation factor was 4:1. The O 2 -inactivated and glycerol-inactivated dehydratase could be reactivated to 97.3% and 98.9% of initial activity in 10 min in above-mentioned conditions, respectively. The reactivation factor together with ATP was considered as the “ON/OFF” reactivating condition.

The microbial production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) by Klebsiella pneumoniae XJPD-Li under different aeration strategies were investigated. In batch fermentation, the results showed that the final concentration of 1,3-PD and yield on glycerol were 13.44 g/l and 0.73 mol/mol under the anaerobic condition (N2, 0.4 vvm), 11.55 g/l and 0.62 mol/mol without aeration, and 8.73 g/l and 0.47 mol/mol under the aerobic condition (air, 0.4 vvm), respectively. Under the aerobic condition, the yield of 1,3-PD on glycerol was the lowest, while the biomass (optical density at 650 nm) was the highest among these three conditions. In the fed-batch culture, the final concentration and the yield of 1,3-PD was 60.82 g/l and 0.61 mol/mol under the anaerobic condition (N2, 0.4 vvm), 56.43 g/l and 0.53 mol/mol without aeration, and 65.26 g/l and 0.56 mol/mol under the aerobic condition. All these three conditions had good productivities of 1,3-PD, which were 3.35 g/lxh under the anaerobic condition (N2, 0.4 vvm), 3.13 g/lxh without aeration, and 3.16 g/lxh under the aerobic condition within the initial 12 h.

With Y 2 O 3 /carbon composite rods, Carbon nanotube bundles were synthesized in high yield by d.c. arc-vaporizing method. The carbon nanotube bundles and carbon nanotubes were observed by optical microscope, scan electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope. According to our observations, a new model is proposed to account for the growth of cathode deposit with nanotube bundles.

A (Pb 0.5 Sr 0.5 )Sr 2 (Y 0.5 Ca 0.5 )Cu 2 O y sample was prepared and the obtained T c(onset) and T c(zero) were 109 K and 51 K, respectively. A comparison of the M 2+ ionic radius, lattice constants a and c , and the interatomic distance sum of the Cu-O(2) and (Pb,M)-O(2) samples in the (Pb 0.5 M 0.5 )Sr 2 (Y 0.5 Ca 0.5 )Cu 2 O y system was made, where M = Sr, Ca, Mg, Hg, Cd or Cu. It was found that if the atomic radius of M 2+ , which is in the (Pb,M)-O plane of the (Pb,M)-1212 specimen, is larger, then the sample will have a higher T c(onset) and the major effect of the M 2+ on the T c(onset) of (Pb 0.5 M 0.5 )Sr 2 (Y 0.5 Ca 0.5 )Cu 2 O y samples was to change the interatomic distance (bond distance) sum of Cu-O(2) and (Pb,M)-O(2) when the Cu 2+ ion was exchanged for an M 2+ ion.

The tin tungsten bronze SnxWO3 (x = 0.26-0.33) has been prepared by a new, mild reaction between tin powder and tungstic acid in water at 95–100 °C and crystallized at higher temperature. The samples were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The black phase yielded crystals with hexagonal prismatic shape, the diffraction pattern of which could be indexed by a hexagonal unit cell with a = 7.429 (1), b = 7.429(2) and c = 3.7868 (8) A, α = β = 90, γ = 120 °. The space group was later assigned to be P6/mmm, eliminating seven other possible hexagonal space groups by refinement techniques. Eight possible trigonal space groups could be excluded by examining I(Hkl) and I (hkl) reflections on Weissenberg photographs and on the measured data set, which are equal in the hexagonal case. The position of tungsten is 0, 12, 0; Sn is disordered at x = 0.940(2), y = 0.950(2), z = 0. The oxygen positions are O1: 12, 0, 12 and O2: 0.208(1), 0.419(3), 0.0. The TEM examination confirmed this structure.

With Ln  La, Ce, Pr, Nd, the title compounds crystallize in a defective derivative of the hexagonal LaFe(CN)6·5H2O structure where additional H2O is replacing one quarter of [Fe(CN)6]3−. With the heavier Ln elements, we obtained orthorhombic (Fe) or monoclinic (Ru) and hexagonal (Fe, Ru) phases which appear to differ from the archetype only in details. Thermal dehydration destroyed the crystalline order almost completely and above 300 °C the cyanides decompose irreversibly.

For tin—tungsten bronzes Sn x WO 3 prepared both under mild, aqueous conditions and by a high temperature solid state reaction, the degree of hydration, the amount of X-ray amorphous byproducts and the value x have been determined quantitatively by thermogravimetric reduction in hydrogen. This is clearly more precise than th oxidation in oxygen, as the latter is not complete at 1050°C and is accompanied only by a much smaller change in mass.

In the rare-earth ferricyanides LnFe III (CN) 6 · n H 2 O ( n =5, 4) one of the two zeolitic H 2 O molecules per formula unit can be replaced by the larger alkali ions A + K + , Rb + , as well as by NH 4 + . Those with the larger Ln ions crystallize in the same structure as the hexagonal archetype LaFe(CN) 6 ·5H 2 O, whereas those with the smaller Ln adopt an orthorhombic structure which differs in detail from the orthorhombic SmFe(CN) 6 ·4H 2 O type. For ACs the analogy holds only for LnLa, Ce, (Pr), whereas with the heavier Ln elements a yet unknown structure appears. Among the potassium salts of the Ru II and Os II analogues the archetype structure is again found with the larger rare-earth ions only. The smaller Ln ions induce a further yet unknown structure.

Effects of pesticides on the function of thyroid have attracted lots of attention because thyroid hormones (THs) play a major role in mammalian brain development. In order to screen for compounds that acted on the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) signaling pathway, we transiently transfected the vector pGal4-L-TRbeta1 (Gal4 DBD fused to hTRbeta1 LBD) and Gal4-responsive luciferase reporter pUAS-tk-Luc into HepG2 cell, developing a reporter gene assay which showed good response to triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) with the median effective concentration (EC(50)) of 0.46 and 25.53 nM, respectively. Bisphenol A exhibited weak anti-thyroid hormone activity with median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) value of 6.45 x 10(-5)M. The assay showed acceptable repeatability to T3 with intra coefficient of variability (CV) of 5.9% and inter CV of 11.7%. Carbaryl, 1-naphthol (1-NAP) and 2-naphthol (2-NAP) were tested for their agonist and antagonist activities. As a result, we found that all the three related chemicals possessed TR antagonist activity and none of them showed the agonist activity. These results further indicated that TR might be the targets of industrial chemicals. And this assay provided a useful tool for investigating the effects of environment chemicals on thyoid function.

Fenvalerate is a widely used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide and is known to impede the male reproductive function. However, the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, mouse Leydig tumor cells (MLTC-1) were used to investigate the effects of fenvalerate on progesterone production. Fenvalerate treatment inhibited progesterone secretion induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), cholera toxin (CT) or forskolin and decreased cAMP levels induced by hCG, but not by CT or forskolin, which suggested a repaired site on the upstream components of G protein or G protein per se by fenvalerate in the cAMP-mediated signal pathway. Furthermore, the addition of cAMP analog, 8-Br-cAMP, could not reverse fenvalerate-suppressed progesterone synthesis, indicating that fenvalerate interfered with the downstream molecules of cAMP. In addition, fenvalerate decreased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA and protein levels, and also profoundly inhibited the activity of P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) which was consistent with the decreased expression of P450scc mRNA and protein in MLTC-1 cells. These results suggested that fenvalerate might inhibit progesterone production by attenuating cAMP generation and inhibiting StAR expression and P450scc activity.

Many pesticides possess hormonal activity and have thus been classified as endocrine disruptors. Pyrethroids are commonly used pesticides worldwide, but little has been done to characterize their antiandrogenic activity potential. We tested three frequently encountered pyrethroids (fenvalerate, cypermethrin, permethrin) and their metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) for antiandrogenic and androgenic activity using a human androgen receptor (AR) mediated luciferase reporter gene assay in CV-1 African green monkey kidney cell. The assay displayed appropriate response to the known AR agonist 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and AR antagonist nilutamide and flutamide. At 0.1mM, all the three tested pyrethroids significantly suppressed the luciferase expression. Further, their metabolite 3-PBA also showed antagonist activity. None of the test chemicals showed androgenic activity. Through the antiandrogenic pathways, exposure to certain pyrethroids may contribute to the damage of reproductive system. In conclusion, pyrethroid pesticides can act as antiandrogen in vitro, and metabolizing to 3-PBA cannot eliminate the antagonist activity. This result provides useful information for risk assessment of pyrethroid pesticides.

Peroxo-polytungstic acid (PTA) is used for preparing the amorphous tin peroxo-polytungstate (Sn-PTA), which can under different thermal decomposition conditions (directly in a reducing atmosphere H2, or first in air then in H2) produce two kinds of bronzes: a black hexagonal tin tungsten bronze (HTB) Sn0.23WO3 with a = 7.4285 (5), c = 3.800 (3) A and a cubic tin tungsten bronze Sn0.23WO3 with a = 3.79743 (6) A. The powder X-ray and electron diffraction studies are in agreement. It was also observed that the redox reactions between tin tungsten bronzes (both phases) and tin tungstates are reversible.

The title compounds, synthesized in powder form from solutions, are characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. They are nonmagnetic and isostructural with hexagonal LaFe(CN)6 · 5H2O (space group P6 3 m , No. 176).

A simple process for preparing BaFCl-Eu 2+ phosphors of controllable particle size and size distribution under mild conditions is described. The matrix compound BaFCl was synthesized by homogeneous precipitation from BaCl 2 and NH 4 F solutions. Appropriate quantities of EuCl 3 and KC1 were blended with the BaFCl matrix. Doping of Eu 2+ into the matrix lattice and formation of the phosphor were performed by heating the mixture at 760 °C. The reaction mechanism for the thermal reductive decomposition of EuCl 3 in the pure state and in the BaFCl-EuCl 3 system was studied by measuring the equilibrium vapour pressure using a quartz membrane gauge and by characterizing the composition and structure of the solid phase using differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction examination, cathode ray luminescence spectroscopy and oscillopolarographic analysis. The reactions were found to be EuCl 3 → EuCl 2 + 1 2 Cl 2 xEuCl 3 + BaFCl → Ba 1−x Eu x FCl+ x 2 Cl 2 + xBaCl 2 The thermodynamic functions K p , Δ F and Δ H for these reactions were evaluated from the experimental data. The following results were obtained in the temperature range 900–1100 K: log k p (1) = 1.05–1443/ T ; log K p (2) = 1.30−1560/ T .