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Herein we report a novel strategy capable of generating a new class of metal-organic zeolite (MOZ) materials. When the MoO 4 or WO 4 tetrahedra are employed to assemble with triorganotin R 3 Sn fragments, four 3D networks with the zeolite BCT topology and nonzeotype 4-connected topological net (such as lon and dia) have been generated. The photocurrent study results show that these materials have good photoelectric response and high photophysical stability.

For the rapid cultivation of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) granular sludge (AGS), a small amount of flocculent ANAMMOX sludge (FAS) was taken as the research object, and a bio-flow separate ball was used as the filler in an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) to rapidly begin ANAMMOX and to cultivate granular sludge. In addition, the substrate inhibition kinetic characteristics of the AGS were investigated by using the Haldane model. The results showed that start-up of the ANAMMOX was successfully achieved. The total nitrogen removal rate was more than 85%, and the volume load of total nitrogen was 0.72 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 . AGS with diameters of 1.0-3.0 mm were cultured within 127 days using the Bio-flow Separate Ball. The kinetic studies showed that the maximum reaction rates for ammonia and nitrite of granular sludge were 1.46 kg·(kg·d) -1 and 1.76 kg·(kg·d) -1 , with half inhibition constants of ammonia and nitrite at 852.2 mmol·L -1 and 108.2 mmol·L -1 , respectively. Compared with FAS, AGS can withstand higher concentrations of ammonia and nitrite and can maintain a higher reaction rate. The placement of the filler has positive significance for starting ANAMMOX and rapidly culturing AGS.

An anaerobic (180 min)/aerobic operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with urban sewage was optimized by regulating the aeration quantity to investigate the deep-level nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal. The amount of aeration was regulated by adjusting the volume of gas per unit volume of reactor passed in unit time, when the unit is L·(min·L) -1 , from 0.125 L·(min·L) -1 gradually to 0.025 L·(min·L) -1 , and aerobic times from 3 h to 6 h. The experimental results show that the effluent NH 4 + -N, NO 2 - -N, NO 3 - -N, and PO 4 3- -P concentrations of the optimized SPNDPR system were 0, 8.62, 0.06, and 0.03 mg·L -1 . The effluent TN concentration was about 9.22 mg·L -1 , and the TN removal efficiency was up to 87.08%. When the aeration quantity was decreased from 0.125 L·(min·L) -1 to 0.100 L·(min·L) -1 ; then decreased to 0.075 L·(min·L) -1 , the nitrification rate of the system recovered and stabilized at 0.16 mg·(L·min) -1 . However, when the aeration quantity continuously decreased to 0.050 L·(min·L) -1 and then to 0.025 L·(min·L) -1 , the nitrification rate decreased to 0.09 mg·(L·min) -1 and 0.06 mg·(L·min) -1 . With reduction of the aeration quantity[from 0.125 L·(min·L) -1 to 0.100, 0.075, 0.050 and 0.025 L·(min·L) -1 ] and extension of aerobic time (from 3 h to 6 h), the TN removal efficiency increased gradually from 62.82% to 87.08%, and the SND efficiency increased from 19.57% to 72.11%. It was proven that reducing the aeration quantity can enhance the SPND function and deep denitrification by the system was realized. By enhancing the anaerobic intracellular carbon storage and aerobic phosphorus uptake, denitrifying phosphorus removal, partial nitrification, and endogenous nitrification were achieved. The SPNDPR system, after reducing aeration and prolonging aerobic time, was able to realize deep-level denitrification and dephosphorization using low C/N urban sewage.

A supramolecular complex, [Au(C^N^C)(C≡CC 6 H 4 C≡C)Pt(terpy)] + , has been synthesized as a photocatalyst for water reduction. This compound consists of a cyclometalated alkyne-gold(III) photosensitizer and a platinum(II) terpyridine complex bridged through a central phenylethynyl group., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

In order to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of ammonia adsorption by both nitrifying sludge waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-immobilized pellets and nitrifying sludge polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate (PVA-SA)-immobilized pellets, the ammonia adsorption characteristics of immobilized pellets under different initial ammonia concentrations, and the influences of temperature, pH, and salinity on ammonia adsorption were studied respectively. Moreover, the adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics, and kinetics model analysis were employed to investigate the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity increased as the initial ammonia concentration increased. The optimal pH was 7.0, and salinity and temperature exhibited an inhibitory effect on adsorption. The adsorption capacity for nitrifying sludge-immobilized pellets was higher than the pellets with no sludge; the adsorption capacity of WPU pellets was higher than that of PVA-SA pellets. The thermodynamics demonstrated that the adsorption process was a spontaneous exothermic process and that low temperature favored ammonia adsorption. The process was fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. It exhibited multilevel adsorption at higher energy (Freundlich isotherm) and single adsorption at lower energy by electrostatic force (Langmuir isotherm). Additionally, the process was consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, as it explained that chemical adsorption was the primary mechanism of ammonia adsorption by immobilized pellets.

To determine the performance of nitrogen and phosphorus removal within a simultaneous nitrification endogenous denitrification system (SNEDPR), an extended anaerobic/low aerobic (dissolved oxygen:0.5-2.0 mg·L -1 )-operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was fed with simulation wastewater. The SBR was initiated under a constant influent C/N ratio of 10, with the simultaneous enrichment of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). It was then investigated at different influent C/N ratios of 10, 7.5, 5, and 2.5. The experimental results indicated that, when the influent C/N ratio was 10, SNEDPR could be successfully started up. The effluent PO 4 3- -P and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were 0.1 mg·L -1 and 8.1 mg·L -1 . PO 4 3- -P efficiency, TN efficiency, and SNED efficiency were 99.79%, 89.38%, and 58.0%, respectively. When the influent C/N ratio increased from 5 to 10, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance of the system improved with PRA, and SNED efficiency increased from 16.0 m·L -1 and 48.0% to 24.4 mg·L -1 and 69.2%, respectively. When the C/N ratio was 10, the TN and PO 4 3- -P removal efficiencies increased to 94.5% and 100%, respectfully. When the C/N ratio was decreased to 2.5, the nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance of the system decreased. The PRA and SNED efficiencies were only 1.36 mg·L -1 and 10%, respectively. During the stable phase of the system (C/N ratio were 10, 7.5 and 5), SNED efficiency reached to 85.9%, with the average effluent concentration of NH 4 + -N, x - -N, and PO 4 3- -P being 0.0, 8.1, and 0.1 mg·L -1 , respectively.

In order to realize the simultaneous treatment of low C/N municipal wastewater and high nitrate wastewater, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), inoculated with activated sludge, was used to initiate the denitrifying phosphorus removal coupled with simultaneous nitrification and endogenous denitrification (DPR-SNED). The anaerobic/anoxic/hypoxic durations and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration were appropriately controlled, and the nitrogen and phosphorus removal characteristics were examined. The experimental results demonstrated that, in the anaerobic/hypoxia operation mode, with an anaerobic duration of 3 h and DO concentration of 0.5-1.0 mg·L -1 , the simultaneous nitrification of phosphorus removal (SNEDPR) system successfully began in 60 d. The effluent PO 4 3- -P concentration was below 0.5 mg·L -1 , the nutrient and COD removal efficiencies were stably maintained above 90% and 80%, respectively, and the SNED efficiency and COD ins efficiency reached 70% and 95%, respectively. When the operation mode was anaerobic/anoxic/hypoxic and nitrate-containing sewage was added at the beginning of the anoxic stage, DPR-SNED was achieved with the effluent PO 4 3- -P concentration<0.5 mg·L -1 , nutrient and COD removal efficiencies above 88% and 90%, respectively, and SNED efficiency and COD ins efficiency maintained at 62% and 90%, respectively. After the successful initiation of DPR-SNED, enhanced intracellular carbons storage was achieved by phosphorus-and glycogen-accumulating organisms using the limited carbons in raw municipal wastewater to provide sufficient carbon sources for subsequent nutrient removal. In addition, the endogenous partial denitrification ensured the efficient nitrogen removal performance of the DPR-SNED system at low C/N conditions (average 4).

In order to explore the characteristics of nitrite accumulation during the operational period of partial denitrification in different sludge sources using sodium acetate as a carbon source, No.1 SBR and No.2 SBR were used to inoculate with surplus sludge taken separately from a secondary sedimentation tank of a sewage treatment plant and simultaneous nitrification and denitrifying phosphorus removal system. By reasonably controlling the initial nitrate concentration and anoxic time, partial denitrification was realized. The carbon and nitrogen removal characteristics under different initial COD and NO 3 - -N concentrations were investigated. The results showed that, using sodium acetate as the carbon source, the partial denitrification process in No.1 SBR and No.2 SBR sludge successfully began in 21 d and 20 d, respectively. The accumulation of NO 2 - -N and nitrite accumulation rate (NAR) in reactors were maintained at high levels (12.61 mg·L -1 , 79.76% and 13.85 mg·L -1 , 87.60%, respectively). When the initial NO 3 - -N concentration of No.2 SBR was 20 mg·L -1 and the initial COD concentration increased from 60 mg·L -1 to 140 mg·L -1 , the operation time for achieving the highest NO 2 - -N accumulation in the system was shortened from 160 min to 6 min. The NO 3 - -N ratio of the denitrification rate (in VSS) increased from 3.84 mg·(g·h) -1 to 7.35 mg·(g·h) -1 . Increased initial COD concentration was beneficial to the accumulation of NO 2 - -N during partial denitrification. When the initial COD concentration of No.2 SBR was 100 mg·L -1 and the initial NO 3 - -N concentration increased from 20 mg·L -1 to 30 mg·L -1 , NAR was maintained above 90% and up to 100% (the initial NO 3 - -N concentration was 25 mg·L -1 ). When the initial NO 3 - -N concentration was ≥ 35 mg·L -1 , insufficient COD caused NO 3 - -N to be completely reduced to NO 2 - -N. Under different initial COD concentrations (80, 100, or 120 mg·L -1 ) and different initial NO 3 - -N concentrations (20, 25, 30, or 40 mg·L -1 ), the nitrogen and carbon removal and partial denitrification performance of the No.2 SBR was better than that of No.1 SBR.

This study focuses on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal characteristics in a simultaneous nitrification-endogenous denitrification and phosphorus removal (SNEDPR) system at different influent C/P ratios. An extended anaerobic/low aerobic (dissolved oxygen:0.5-1.0 mg·L -1 ) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with municipal sewage was studied by adjusting different C/P ratios (10, 15, 20, 30, and 60). The experimental results show that the proper reduction of the influent C/P ratio (C/P ratio reduced from 60 to 30) enhances the competitive advantages of phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) in the SNEDPR system. The highest phosphorus removal efficiency was achieved at a C/P ratio of 30, with the anaerobic phosphorus release rate (PRR) and aerobic phosphorus uptake rate (PUR, used as P/MLSS) reaching 3.5 mg·(g·h) -1 and 4.2 mg·(g·h) -1 respectively, and an average effluent PO 4 3- -P concentration below 0.3 mg·L -1 . The percentage of PAOs contributing to the storage of endogenesis carbon ( P PAO, An ) reached 88.1%. However, a poor phosphorus removal performance was observed with further reduction of the influent C/P ratios to 10; both the PO 4 3- -P removal efficiency and P PAO, An decreased from 38.1% and 82.4% to 3.1% and 5.3%, respectively. The PRR and PUR were 0.2 mg·(g·h) -1 and 0.24 mg·(g·h) -1 , respectively. The COD removal performance was not affected by the decreasing influent C/P ratios; the average COD removal efficiency stabilized at 85%. In addition, the nitrification performance became worse with decreasing C/P ratios (from 60 to 20) because the effluent NH 4 + -N and NO 2 - -N concentrations increased from 0 and 6.9 mg·L -1 to 5.1 mg·L -1 and 16.2 mg·L -1 , respectively. The nitrificaton performance recovered when the C/P ratios further decreased to 10, but the nitrite accumulation was disturbed as both the effluent NH 4 + -N and NO 2 - -N concentrations reduced to 0. The effluent NO 3 - -N concentration increased from 0.08 mg·L -1 to 14.1 mg·L -1 . The SNED efficiency first decreased from 62.1% to 36.4% and then increased to 56.4%. The advantageous competition of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) improved when the influent C/P ratio was lower than 15. The enhancement of the endogenous denitrification ability of GAOs might explain the recovery denitrification performance of the system when the influent C/P ratios decreased from 20 to 10.

This study focuses on the investigation of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal characteristics of a combination of enhanced phosphorus removal (EBPR) with simultaneous partial nitrification endogenous denitrification (SPND) and post-partial denitrification process. An anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (A/O/A) operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with urban sewage was optimized by regulating the aeration rate and anoxic time. Based on this optimization, deep-level nitrogen and phosphorus removals from low C/N urban sewage could be realized. The experimental results show that the effluent PO 4 3- -P concentration decreased from 0.06 mg·L -1 to 0 mg·L -1 , the effluent NH 4 + -N, NO 2 - -N, and NO 3 - -N concentrations gradually decreased from 0.18, 18.79, and 0.08 mg·L -1 to 0, 16.46, and 0.05 mg·L -1 , respectively, and the TN removal efficiency increased from 72.69% to 77.97% when the aeration rate decreased from 1.0 L·min -1 to 0.6 L·min -1 and the anoxic duration was 180 min. With the reduction of the aeration rate, the SPND phenomenon became notable and the SND rate increased from 19.18% to 31.20%. When the anoxic duration was extended from 180 min to 420 min, the effluent PO 4 3- -P, NH 4 + -N, and NO 3 - -N concentrations stabilized at~0, 0, and 0.03 mg·L -1 , respectively. The effluent NO 2 - -N concentration was as low as 3.06 mg·L -1 , the SND rate was~32.21%, the TN removal performance gradually improved, and the TN removal efficiency was as high as 99.42%. Thus, deep-level nitrogen and phosphorus removals could be realized with the SPNDPR-PD system.

This study focused on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal performance optimization of simultaneous partial nitrification-endogenous denitrification and phosphorus removal (SPNDPR) systems. An anaerobic (180 min)/aerobic operated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with domestic wastewater was used for investigating the startup and optimization of SPNDPR by regulating the aeration rate and aerobic duration time. The experimental results showed that at an aerobic aeration rate of 0.8 L·min -1 and aerobic duration time of 150 min, the effluent PO 4 3- -P concentration was about 1.5 mg·L -1 , with the effluent NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N concentrations gradually decreasing from 10.28 and 8.14 mg·L -1 to 0 and 2.27 mg·L -1 , respectively, and effluent NO 2 - -N concentration increasing to 1.81 mg·L -1 . When the aeration rate was increased to 1.0 L·min -1 and the aerobic duration time was shortened to 120 min, the phosphorus removal and partial nitrification-endogenous performance of the system gradually increased, but the total nitrogen (TN) removal performance initially decreased and then gradually increased. The final effluent PO 4 3- -P and NH 4 + -N were stably below 0.5 and 1.0 mg·L -1 , respectively, aerobic nitrite accumulation and simultaneous nitrification-endogenous denitrification (SND) efficiencies were 98.65 and 44.20%, respectively, and TN removal efficiency was 79.78%. The concurrence of aerobic phosphorus absorption, denitrifying phosphorus removal, partial nitrification, and nitrification-endogenous in the aerobic stage of the SPNDPR system ensured the simultaneous removal of N and P from low C/N wastewater.

The denitrification characteristics of anaerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) treating high salinity wastewater were investigated in an pilot-scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR, 530 L) by gradually increasing the Cl - concentration. The results showed that AnAOB can adapt to the high salinity (Cl - concentration of 10000 mg·L -1 ) environment for high-efficiency denitrification by means of gradual salinity acclimation and total nitrogen (TN) removal rate of up to 92.3%. In particular, the denitrification performance was influenced by two gradients of Cl - concentrations, namely 6000 mg·L -1 and 10000 mg·L -1 , but it could be gradually recovered as the acclimatization process continued. The modified Boltzmann model accurately fit the activity recovery process of AnAOB after being inhibited by the different salinities, and the correlation coefficient R 2 was above 0.96. The fitted recovered median values t c for Cl - concentrations of 6000 mg·L -1 and 10000 mg·L -1 were 28.765 d and 44.495 d. NRR max for these concentrations was 0.145 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 and 0.212 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 , and NRR min was 0.021 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 and 0.085 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 , respectively. After salinity acclimation, the dominant bacteria of AnAOB were Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Jettenia (the abundances were 14.76% and 2.7%, respectively), the granulation degree and sludge density increased to varying degrees, and the sludge color was reddish brown.

In order to improve the mechanical stability of the material, the embedded raw material combination was studied in the experiment, and seawater was added to optimize the performance of the material. The results indicated that the optimal material ratio was polyvinyl alcohol (PVA 125 g·L -1 )-alginate sodium (SA 20 g·L -1 )-activated carbon (40 g·L -1 ). The curing time was 18 h. After adding seawater, the beads were found to have larger pore sizes inside, and the pores were distributed unevenly because of the Hofmeister effect. At the same time, the mechanical stability and biological capacity were found to be significantly higher than those of the fresh water group. The Raman spectra analysis showed that the addition of seawater made the-OH on PVA have greater crosslinking reactions with the crosslinker. The activated sludge was used to treat wastewater containing sea water, and after an operation of 21 d, the removal rate of NH 4 + -N was about 90%, and the stoichiometric ratio of △NH 4 + -N:△NO 2 - -N:△NO 3 - -N was stable at 1:(1.04±0.1):(0.17±0.02). From the 21st day to the 46th day, the reactor was run in a steady state. When the nitrogen load rate doubled, the ammonia nitrogen removal rate and stoichiometry had little variations. The total nitrogen removal rate was about 85%, and the total nitrogen removal load rate was 0.2 kg·(m 3 ·d) -1 .

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta (PPARβ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays critical roles in the regulation of many important physiological processes. In this study, PPARβ was cloned and characterized in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. PPARβ cDNA was 2350 bp in length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 1530 bp, encoding 509 amino acids, a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 474 bp, and a 3'-UTR of 346 bp. Similar to mammals, PPARβ protein was predicted to consist of four domains, the A/B domain, DNA-binding domain (DBD), D domain, and ligand-binding domain (LBD). The DBD contained two zinc fingers with eight conserved cysteine residues. The predicted secondary structure of LBD consisted of 12 highly conserved α-helices and a small β-sheet of 4 strands. In addition, PPARβ was widely expressed across the tested tissues (liver, heart, muscle, intestine, brain, spleen, kidney, fat, ovary, and gill), but at the variable levels. Furthermore, the transcriptional responses of PPARβ by dietary Cu and Zn levels were also investigated. Dietary Cu levels showed no significant effects on PPARβ mRNA levels in the liver and intestine; in contrast, dietary Zn levels upregulated the hepatic PPARβ mRNA levels, but not in the intestine. The present study serves to increase our understanding into the function of the PPARβ gene in fish.

The present working hypothesis is that absorption of dietary Cu is related to mRNA expressions of genes involved in Cu uptake and transport of the intestine in fish. To this end, the full-length cDNA sequences of eight Cu uptake related genes, including two isoforms of copper transporter genes (ctr1 and ctr2), three copper chaperone genes (atox1, ccs and cox17), two Cu-ATPase genes (atp7a and atp7b) and divalent metal ion transporter 1 (dmt1), were cloned and characterized in yellow catfish P. fulvidraco, respectively. Their mRNA tissue expression and transcriptional responses to dietborne Cu exposure were investigated. Compared to the corresponding members of mammals, all of these members in P. fulvidraco shared the similar conserved domain structures. Their mRNAs were expressed in a wide range of tissues (including liver, muscle, spleen, brain, gill, intestine, heart and kidney), but at variable levels. In anterior intestine, mRNA levels of ctr1, cox17, dmt1 and atp7a declined with increasing dietary Cu levels. The mRNA levels of ctr2 and mt were the highest for excess dietary Cu group and showed no significant differences between other two treatments. Atox1 mRNA levels were the highest for Cu-deficient group and showed no significant differences between other two treatments. The mRNA levels of ccs were the highest for Cu-deficient group, followed by Cu-excess group and the lowest for adequate-Cu group. In contrast, atp7b mRNA levels were the highest for Cu-excess group and the lowest for adequate Cu group. In the mid-intestine, mRNA levels of ctr1, ctr2, atox1, ccs, cox17, dmt1 and atp7a declined with increasing dietary Cu levels. Atp7b mRNA levels were the lowest for adequate Cu group and showed no significant differences between other two treatments. Mt mRNA levels were the lowest for adequate Cu group and highest for Cu-excess group. For the first time, our study cloned and characterized ctr1, ctr2, atox1, ccs, cox17, atp7a, atp7b and dmt1 genes in P. fulvidraco and determined their tissue-specific expression, and transcriptional responses in the anterior and mid-intestine of yellow catfish under dietborne Cu exposure, which shed new light on the Cu uptake system and help to understand the molecular mechanisms of Cu homeostasis in fish., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

We have successfully constructed a tetrahedral Ti 4 L 6 cage with calixarene-like coordination-active vertices. It further features high solubility and stability in H 2 O and DMF/H 2 O solution, affording an interesting stepwise assembly function with other metal ions. Through trapping of different amounts of Co or Ln ions, the Ti 4 L 6 tetrahedra can be organized into various dimensional architectures, including a Ti 4 L 6 -Co 3 cage, a Ti 4 L 6 -Ln 2 cage, a Ti 4 L 6 -Ln 2 chain, and a three-dimensional Ti 4 L 6 -Ln framework. An unusual mixed-valence phenomenon was observed in the Ti 4 L 6 cage, whose Ti 3+/4+ compositions were adequately identified by electron spin resonance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. More remarkably, the calixarene-like oxygen vertices of the Ti 4 L 6 cage can also be used for the recognition of C 3 -symmetric dye molecules through N-H···O hydrogen bonding. Accordingly, driven by visible light, selective and efficient homogeneous photodecomposition of acid blue 93 and alkali blue 4B were successfully achieved. Therefore, this work not only represents a milestone in constructing symmetric Ti-based cages with interesting coordination assembly function but also provides a new method for preparing technologically important soluble photoactive cages.

The adsorption capacities of a heterometallic metal-organic framework (CPM-200-In/Mg) to VOCs (HCHO, C 2 H 4 , CH 4 , C 2 H 2 , C 3 H 8 , C 2 H 6 , C 2 H 3 Cl, C 2 H 2 Cl 2 , CH 2 Cl 2 and CHCl 3 ) and some inorganic gas molecules (HCN, SO 2 , NO, CO 2 , CO, H 2 S and NH 3 ), as well as its selectivity in ternary mixture systems of natural gas and post-combustion flue gas are theoretically explored at the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and density functional theory (DFT) levels. It is shown that CPM-200-In/Mg is suitable for the adsorption of VOCs, particularly for HCHO (up to 0.39 g g -1 at 298 K and 1 bar), and the adsorption capacities of some inorganic gas molecules such as SO 2 , H 2 S and CO 2 match well with the sequence of their polarizability (SO 2 > H 2 S > CO 2 ). The large adsorption capacities of HCN and HCHO in the framework result from the strong interaction between adsorbates and metal centers, based on analyzing the radial distribution functions (RDF). Comparing C 2 H 4 and CH 4 molecules interacting with CPM-200-In/Mg by VDW interaction, we speculate that the high adsorption capacities of their chlorine derivatives in the framework could be due to the existence of halogen bonding or strong electrostatic and VDW interactions. It is found that the basic groups, including -NH 2 , -N and -OH, can effectively improve both the adsorption capacities and selectivity of CPM-200-In/Mg for harmful gases. Note that the adsorption capacity of CPM-200-In/Mg-NH 2 (site 2) (245 cm 3 g -1 ) for CO 2 exceeded that of MOF-74-Mg (228 cm 3 g -1 ) at 273 K and 1 bar and that for HCHO can reach 0.41 g g -1 , which is almost twice that of 438-MOF and nearly 45 times of that in active carbon. Moreover, for natural gas mixtures, the decarburization and desulfurization abilities of CPM-200-In/Mg-NH 2 (site 2) have exceeded those of the MOF-74 series, while for post-combustion flue gas mixtures, the desulfurization ability of CPM-200-In/Mg-NH 2 (site 2) is still comparable to those of the MOF-74 series at 303 K and 4 MPa. We hope that the current theoretical study could guide experimental research in the future.

It is important to understand the interface and interaction between the graphene layer, titanium carbide [TiC(111)] interlayer, and silicon carbide [SiC(0001[combining macron])] substrates in epitaxial growth of graphene on silicon carbide (SiC) substrates. In this study, the fully relaxed interfaces which consist of up to three layers of TiC(111) coatings on the SiC(0001[combining macron]) as well as the graphene layers interactions with these TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) were systematically studied using the density functional theory-D2 (DFT-D2) method. The results showed that the two layers of TiC(111) coating with the C/C-terminated interfaces were thermodynamically more favorable than one or three layers of TiC(111) on the SiC(0001[combining macron]). Furthermore, the bonding of the Ti-hollow-site stacked interfaces would be a stronger link than that of the Ti-Fcc-site stacked interfaces. However, the formation of the C/Ti/C and Ti/C interfaces implied that the first upper carbon layer can be formed on TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) using the decomposition of the weaker Ti-C and C-Si interfacial bonds. When growing graphene layers on these TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) substrates, the results showed that the interaction energy depended not only on the thickness of the TiC(111) interlayer, but also on the number of graphene layers. Bilayer graphene on the two layer thick TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) was thermodynamically more favorable than a monolayer or trilayer graphene on these TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) substrates. The adsorption energies of the bottom graphene layers with the TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) substrates increased with the decrease of the interface vertical distance. The interaction energies between the bottom, second and third layers of graphene on the TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) were significantly higher than that of the freestanding graphene layers. All of these findings provided insight into the growth of epitaxial graphene on TiC(111)/SiC(0001[combining macron]) substrates and the design of graphene/TiC/SiC-based electronic devices.

As the main organic pollutants in wastewater, antibiotics and organic dyes are harmful to the environment and public health, and their removal is important but challenging. In this work, highly porous 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [M 2 (PDAD)(H 2 O)] n (PCN-124-stu; M=Cu, Zn; H 4 PDAD = 5,5'-(pyridine-3,5-dicarbonyl)bis(azanediyl)diisophthalic acid) were synthesized, and PCN-124-stu(Cu) shows excellent chemical and thermal stability. PCN-124-stu(Cu) was used as a host for efficient extraction of various organic dyes, especially the large-molecule dye Coomassie brilliant blue, and fluoroquinolones from water, in comparison with five common MOFs, zeolite 13X, and activated carbon. PCN-124-stu(Cu) exhibits absolute predominance for fluoroquinolone adsorption among these microporous materials because of the H-bonds between fluoroquinolone molecules and the amide groups in the frameworks, except for MIL-100(Cr), which is a mesoporous MOF. Moreover, PCN-124-stu(Cu) could release fluoroquinolones slowly in physiological saline and retained its framework structure after four adsorption/desorption cycles. In addition, PCN-124-stu(Cu) can be used as a platform for selective adsorption of CO 2 /CH 4., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations were performed to evaluate the influence of substituent effect of (1) R = 4-Me, (2) R = 4-OMe, and (3) R = 2,3-OC 6 H 4 on the phenyl ring of (C ∧ C*)Pt II (acac) (C ∧ C* = phenylimidazole, acac = acetylacetone), respectively, on absorption and phosphorescent spectra properties, as well as the radiative and nonradiative processes. We found that emissions of complexes 2 and 3 originate from the Kasha-like T 1 state, whereas that of complex 1 originates from non-Kasha T 2 state. Compared with the emission of complex 1, the emission peaks of 2 and 3 are red-shifted, which is attributed to p-π and π-π conjugation effects resulting from the electron-donating groups -OCH 3 and -OC 6 H 4 with ligand C ∧ C*, respectively. The radiative rate constants (κ r ) of 2 and 3 are larger than that of 1, namely, κ r (1) < κ r (2) < κ r (3), indicating that κ r can be efficiently increased by enlarging π-conjugation at the main ligand of (C ∧ C*)Pt II (acac), which can cause the increase of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) matrix elements. At the same time, the activation energy barriers for the rate-limiting step can be largely raised accompanied by enlarging the ability of electron-donation of the substituent group at the main ligand of (C ∧ C*)Pt II (acac), which can cause the decrease of the nonradiative rate constant (κ nr ), namely, κ nr (1) > κ nr (2) > κ nr (3). According to Φ P = κ r /(κ r + κ nr ), the quantum yields should have the sequence Φ P (1) < Φ P (2) < Φ P (3), which is in accordance with the experiment. In addition, to guide experimental synthesis of highly efficient (C ∧ C*)Pt II (acac), a new complex 4 through extending the π-conjugation in the C ∧ C* ligand of (C ∧ C*)Pt II (acac) was theoretically designed, which has a larger quantum yield than 1-3.

Objective: To investigate the recurrence and survival of postoperative patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) aged from 25 to 59 years., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 36 patients with DTC treated in our hospital from 1996 to 2011, and the recurrence and survival status of the patients were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was carried out to analyze factors that affect the patient's survival., Results: Nine patients died of recurrence or metastasis, and the interval between the initial surgery and recurrence ranged from 22 to 46 months. The survival time of the 36 patients ranged from 34 to 135 months with a 10-year survival rate of 75.0%. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that male patients had a significantly shorter mean survival time than female patients (Χ 2 =3.164, P=0.041); the median survival time of patients aged 45-59 years was obviously shorter than that of patients aged 25-44 years (Χ 2 =4.622, P=0.032); the postoperative survival in patients with 131I therapy was significantly longer than those who did not receive the therapy (Χ 2 =4.527, P=0.033), and was not affected by total excision of the thyroid gland (Χ 2 =0.988, P=0.320). No significant difference was found in the median survival of patients in different clinical stages (Χ 2 =2.2132, P=0.167)., Conclusion: In young and middle-aged patients with DTC, postoperative recurrence is the most likely in 2 to 4 years after the surgery. Male patients at 45-59 years of age who do not receive 131I treatment are at high risks of tumor recurrence.

Four dicoumarols (DC, 2-PyDC, 3-PyDC and 4-PyDC) were synthesized and characterized via IR, (1)H NMR, HRMS, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Two classical intramolecular O-H···O hydrogen bonds (HBs) stabilized their structures. The total HB energies in DC, 2-PyDC, 3-PyDC and 4-PyDC were calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) [B3LYP/6-31G*] method. The in vitro antibacterial activity of DC, 2-PyDC, 3-PyDC and 4-PyDC against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC 29213), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA XJ 75302), vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (Mu50 ATCC 700699), and USA 300 (Los Angeles County clone, LAC) was evaluated by observing the minimum inhibitory concentration and time-kill curves. The results showed that among all the compounds, 2-PyDC exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography for coronary artery disease assessment., Methods: A total of 14 patients suspected of coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography. The initial infusion rate of dobutamine was 5 µg×kg⁻¹ ×min⁻¹, followed by 10 µg×kg⁻¹×min⁻¹ and peak infusion 20 µg×kg⁻¹×min⁻¹ in 3 min stages. At baseline state, stress stages and after the study, the real-time three-dimensional (RT3D) images were captured and assessed by wall motion score index (WMSI) and regional ejection fraction (rEF). And the parameters of these two modalities versus coronary angiography (CAG) were compared and analyzed. Adverse reactions were also observed., Results: All patients completed the stress study uneventfully. As compared with CAG, these two modalities showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) and satisfactory agreement (κ values of 0.704 and 0.759 respectively). The diagnostic parameters of these modalities were: sensitivity (78% vs 89%), specificity (92% vs 88%), positive predictive value (PPV) (88% vs 84%), negative predictive value (NPV) (85% vs 91%) and overall accuracy (86% vs 88%)., Conclusion: Real-time three-dimensional dobutamine stress echocardiography is an effective, rapid and safe technique of assessing coronary artery disease. It is worthy of wider clinical applications.

Background: Exposure of cells to sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can alleviate subsequent oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. We assessed the effects of H2O2 preconditioning on the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) in a murine model of myocardial infarction., Methods: WJ-MSCs were incubated in the media for 2 hours with or without 200 µmol/L H2O2. Mice underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, and received injection of phosphate buffered saline, 1×10(6) WJ-MSCs, or 1×10(6) H2O2 preconditioned WJ-MSCs 3 hours later via tail vein. Echocardiography was performed 0, 7, 14 and 28 days after surgery, and the mice were euthanized on day 28 for histological analysis. In vitro cytokine concentrations in the WJ-MSC cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of WJ-MSC cell supernatant on the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells were observed by transwell migration and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assays., Results: Echocardiographic measurements revealed a significant improvement in the left ventricular contractility of the WJ-MSCs-H2O2 group compared to the WJ-MSCs group. Histological analysis revealed increased neovascularization and reduced myocardial fibrosis in the WJ-MSCs-H2O2 group compared to the WJ-MSCs group. Pretreatment of WJ-MSCs with H2O2 increased the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) into the cell culture supernatant by approximately 25-fold. The culture supernatant from WJ-MSCs-H2O2 significantly increased the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells; these effects could be blocked using an anti-IL-6 antibody., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that H2O2 preconditioning significantly enhanced the therapeutic potential of WJ-MSCs, possibly by stimulating the production of IL-6 by WJ-MSCs, which may cause migration and proliferation of endothelial cells and increase neovascularization.

Starch biosynthesis is important during endosperm development. Much has been known for the regulation of gene expression involved in starch synthesis, less information is available on the genome-wide expression profiles as a consequence of impaired starch synthesis. In this study, we examined the transcriptional responses through microarray analysis in an ae wx double-mutant with loss-of-function starch branching enzyme IIb (SBEIIb) and granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI). Through Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in chromatin organization and lipid transport. The DEGs also include alcohol dehydrogenase genes and pyruvate decarboxylase genes involved in sugar metabolism. In summary, the ae wx double mutations caused pleiotropic effects and transcriptional changes for a number of genes involved in metabolism, cellular response and organization. Therefore, a block in starch synthesis triggers transcriptional responses to favour the flux of excess carbohydrates into glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and cell wall biosynthesis, but not toward the synthesis of alternative storage compounds., (Copyright © 2010 Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology and the Genetics Society of China. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the tumor-associated antigen CA125 expression in the serum and cervical and vaginal secretions in women during normal reproductive period, and explore the clinical value of detecting tumor markers in the cervical and vaginal secretions., Methods: A total of 145 women in reproductive period were divided into 3 age groups (20-29 years, 30-39 years, and over 40 years), and their CA125 levels in cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum were detected by automatic electro-chemiluminescent immunoassay., Results: CA125 levels in the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum showed no significant difference between the 3 age groups (P>0.05). In each group, CA125 levels differed significantly between the cervical secretion, vaginal secretion and serum (P<0.001). In the 145 women, the average CA125 level was 497.82 - or + 75.29 U/ml in the cervical secretion, 114.66 - or + 26.40 U/ml in vaginal secretion and 18.06 - or + 3.35 U/ml in serum, showing significant differences between them (P<0.001)., Conclusion: CA125 expression level is significantly higher in the cervical and vaginal secretions than in the serum in women in normal reproductive period, and its levels in cervical and vaginal secretions can be more sensitive and convenient for early detection of related diseases.

The three structures of rare gas inserted fluorohydrides HRgF (Rg = He, Ar, and Kr) with all real frequencies are obtained at the QCISD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The static first hyperpolarizabilities (beta(0)) at the QCISD/aug-cc-pVQZ level are 8 a.u. (HF), 384 a.u. (HHeF), 737 a.u. (HArF), and 465 a.u. (HKrF). The beta(0) value remarkably increases by about 50-90 times from 8 a.u. (HF) to 384-737 a.u. (HRgF) due to the inserted rare gas (Rg). The Rg atomic number dependence of beta(0) for HRgF (Rg = He, Ar, and Kr) is found at the first time. The order of beta(0) is unmonotonic to be HHeFHKrF, but not monotonic (HHeF

Objective: To investigate the effect of tMfn2 gene transfer on promoting the apoptosis of vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs)., Methods: VSMCs were infected by adenovirus-mediated tMfn2 (Adv-tMfn2) or adenovirus-mediated Mfn2 (Adv-Mfn2). FACS analysis, cell death ELISA and TUNEL staining were used to investigate the role of tMfn2 and Adv-Mfn2 gene transfer on VSMCs apoptosis. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of p-Akt, Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-9., Results: FACS and ELISA results showed that tMfn2 was superior to Mfn2 in promoting VSMCs apoptosis and tMfn2 gene transfer induced VSMCs apoptosis in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). TUNEL staining evidenced that there were more positive-apoptotic VSMCs in tMfn2 group than that in Mfn2 group (P < 0.01). The protein expressions of phosphorylated Akt and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased, whereas Bax and cleaved caspase-9 protein expressions were significantly upregulated in tMfn2-transfected VSMCs., Conclusions: tMfn2 transfer promoted apoptosis of VSMCs in a time dependent manner via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Objective: To study the expression and function of Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes during PE-induced hypertrophy., Methods: The hypertrophy neonatal rat cardiomyocytes model was induced by 0.01 mol/L PE. RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to assess Mfn2 mRNA expression and protein level respectively. Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated by PE after Ad GFP or Ad Mfn2 infection, the protein synthesis was determined by 3H-leucine incorporation assay., Results: PE led to ANF mRNA level (by approximately 1 fold, P < 0.01) elevation and cell surface area (by approximately 1 fold, P < 0.01) increasing. Mfn2 mRNA (by approximatelt 50%, P < 0.01) and protein (by approximately 50%, P < 0.01) decreased remarkably in PE treated cardiomyocytes compared with those in control group. Compared with cells infected by Ad GFP (1.72+/-0.12 vs 2.47+/-0.06, P < 0.05, cell area (1.530+/-0.008 vs 0.830+/-0.009, P <0.01) and protein synthesis (0.98+/-0.10 vs 2.47+/-0.06, P < 0.01) were also largely abrogated in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes infected by Ad Mfn2., Conclusion: These results indicate that the expression of Mfn2 mRNA and Mfn2 protein decreased in PE-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy model. Overexpression of Mfn2 in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes could attenuate the protein synthesis and cell surface area increase after PE treatment. Accordingly, Mfn2 is an important regulator in cardiomyocytes hypertrophy.

Objective: To develop a PCR-based STR system for genotyping of 18 loci (Amelogenin, D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D16S539, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D7S820, D2S1338, D19S433, D12S391 and D19S253)., Methods: By using primers labeled with four color fluorescent (FAM, HEX, TAMRA and ROX), two multiplex amplification reaction systems were developed to genotype Amelogenin and 17 STR loci., Results: Amelogenin and these 17 STR loci were genotyped successfully in different kinds of biological samples by the kit., Conclusion: The STR amplification kit developed in our study gives a new approach to genotype these 18 loci in a efficient, steady and reliable way.

Objective: To investigate whether the hHSG can increase the chemotherapy sensitivity of two human tumor cell lines,lung cancer cell line (A549) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa S3), in which the hHSG expression levels are different., Methods: After detecting the hHSG expression in different tumor cell lines with immunohistochemistry; we selected the A549 with relatively low expression of hHSG and HeLa S3 with high expression. After these two cell lines were transfected with recombinant eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-hHSG and pEGFP by electroporation respectively,and cultured for 24 h, the CHX was added to the medium, and the impacts of hHSG on chemotherapy sensitivity were evaluated by cell counting and MTT assay in the following days., Results: hHSG expressed at different levels in all investigated tumor cell lines. Exogenetic hHSG inhibited the proliferation of tumor cell lines, and increased their sensitivity for CHX significantly., Conclusion: hHSG gene can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and increase their chemotherapy sensitivity despite of its endogenetic expression levels.

Objective: To study the nuclear translocation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and expression of c-fos mRNA under stimulation of AngII as well as the influence on the nuclear translocation of ERK with different interferences in neonatal cultured cardiomyocytes., Methods: ERK in the cytoplasm or nucleus was observed by immunocytochemistry using specific antibody and the expression of c-fos was evaluated with RT-PCR technique., Results: AngII (10(-6) mol/L) had the effect in promoting activation of ERK and then appeared in nucleus rapidly. The translocation process of ERK induced by AngII was blocked distinctly by Valsartan (10(-5) mol/L) and PD98059 (5 x 10(-5) mol/L), but not by CGP42112A (10(-5) mol/L). It was also found that Valsartan and PD98059 could inhibit the expression of c-fos in that process., Conclusion: The nuclear translocation of ERK might be a precondition for the inducement of c-fos expression.

Objective: To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the novel hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) to uncover the relationship between HSG SNP and hypertension., Methods: Totally, 74 normotensive people (38 men and 36 women), 51 patients with essential hypertension (27 men and 24 women) and 20 hypertensive patients with family history of essential hypertension (9 men and 11 women) were chosen, with mean ages of (54 +/- 8) years, (57 +/- 8) years and (38 +/- 22) years, respectively. Peripheral venous blood specimen was collected from each of them and then DNA was extracted. The right primers were designed for DNA amplification with PCR. Each of the PCR-products from different groups was sequenced by ABI PRISM 377-DNA sequencer and their base components and characteristics of the same fragment were compared each other., Results: Blood levels of creatinine (CRE) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the normotensives (P < 0.01). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the hypertensives and the hypertensives with family history of essential hypertension than in the normotensives (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). There existed three kinds of SNP in the HSG 12th intron (1q82139 G/A, 82153C/G and 82273G/-), and there was significant difference in 1q82153C/G and 82273G/- SNP between the hypertensives and normotensives (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and between the hypertensives with family history and the normotensives (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01). And, the similar difference in C/G allele and G deletion could be found in different populations. Moreover, the CC genetype of 1q82153 was common in the population (P < 0.01) and G deletion was more common in Chinese Han people with family history of essential hypertension. There was no significant difference existed in 1q82139 G/A mutation among the three groups., Conclusions: Measurements of renal function indicators (CRE and BUN) could probably reflect earlier advance of hypertension and damage to target organs. There existed three kinds of mutation in the 12th intron of the HSG 1q82139 G/A, 82153 C/G and 82273 G/-. The 1q82139 G/A could be a nonsense mutation and there was significant difference in the 1q82153 C/G and 1q82273 G/- SNP and gene frequencies between different Chinese Han populations, which could be independent risk factors for essential hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the effect of rat hyperplasia suppressor gene-1(rHSG-1) on the proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)., Methods: VSMCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector expressing rHSG-1(Ad5rHSG-1). The effect of rHSG-1 on the proliferation of VSMCs was investigated by cell counting, MTT assay and (3)H-thymidine incorporation. We also analyzed the cell-cycle using flow cytometry and detected the expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1) by Western Blot., Results: The proliferation of VSMCs infected with Ad5rHSG-1 was inhibited a 40% reduction compared with the control group(P<0.01). The cell cycle was arrested in G(0)/G(1) phase and the expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1) was upregulated after the VSMCs transfection with Ad5rHSG-1., Conclusion: Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of rHSG-1 inhibits the cell cycle progression and thus the proliferation of VSMCs from SHR.