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Abstract The role of homocysteine for store-operated calcium influx was investigated in human umbilical cord endothelial cell line. Homocysteine significantly decreased thapsigargin-evoked Ca 2+ entry, membrane hyperpolarization and actin polymerization. GSH and DTT prevented homocysteine-induced inhibition of thapsigargin-evoked Ca 2+ entry, membrane hyperpolarization and actin polymerization; while GSSG had the opposite effect. Homocysteine blocked large conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + (BK C a ) channels in a concentration-dependent manner and related to the redox status of the endothelial cells. BK C a channels opener NS1619 reversed thapsigargin-evoked Ca 2+ entry, membrane hyperpolarization and actin polymerization; BK C a channels inhibitor iberiotoxin had the opposite effect. The findings suggest that homocysteine is involved in store-regulated Ca 2+ entry through membrane potential-dependent and actin cytoskeleton-dependent mechanisms, redox status of homocysteine and BK C a channels may play a regulatory role in it. (Mol Cell Biochem 269 : 37–47, 2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel compound, biotinylated 18 β-glycyrrhetinic acid (BGA), was synthesized. It is a compound of 18 β-glycyrrhetinic acid linked with biotin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore the microbial variations and biomarkers in the oral environment of patients with persistent pulmonary nodules (pPNs) and to reveal the potential biological functions of the salivary microbiota in pPNs. Materials and methods This study included a total of 483 participants (141 healthy controls and 342 patients with pPNs) from June 2022 and January 2024. Saliva samples were subjected to sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to assess microbial diversity and differential abundance. Seven advanced machine learning algorithms (logistic regression, support vector machine, multi-layer perceptron, naïve Bayes, random forest, gradient boosting decision tree, and LightGBM) were utilized to evaluate performance and identify key microorganisms, with fivefold cross-validation employed to ensure robustness. The Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm was employed to explain the contribution of these core microbiotas to the predictive model. Additionally, the PICRUSt2 algorithm was used to predict the microbial functions. Results The salivary microbial composition in pPNs group showed significantly lower α- and β-diversity compared to healthy controls. A high-accuracy LightGBM model was developed, identifying six core genera—Fusobacterium, Solobacterium, Actinomyces, Porphyromonas, Atopobium, and Peptostreptococcus—as pPNs biomarkers. Additionally, a visualization pPNs risk prediction system was developed. The immune responses and metabolic activities differences in salivary microbiota between the patients with pPNs and healthy controls were revealed. Conclusions This study highlights the potential clinical applications of the salivary microbiota for enable earlier detection and targeted interventions, offering significant promise for advancing clinical management and improving patient outcomes in pPNs. Graphical abstract

A multiwavelength erbium-doped fiber laser with linear cavity configuration is proposed and demonstrated. A power-symmetric nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) serves as the laser's output coupler and has an intensity-induced increase in transmission (IIT) that leads to higher cavity loss for oscillating wavelengths with higher power. The IIT feature of the NOLM suppresses the mode competition in the erbium-doped fiber and ensures stable multiwavelength operation at room temperature. Both the wavelength number and the output power of the laser can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the work state of the NOLM via a quarter wave plate and/or a polarization controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a multiscale spoof–insulator–spoof (SIS) waveguide by introducing periodic geometry modulation in the wavelength scale to a SIS waveguide made of a perfect electric conductor. The MSIS consists of multiple SIS subcells. The dispersion relationship of the fundamental guided mode of the spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is studied analytically within the small gap approximation. It is shown that the multiscale SIS possesses microwave band gap (MBG) due to the Bragg scattering. The ‘gap maps’ in the design parameter space are provided. We demonstrate that the geometry of the subcells can efficiently adjust the effective refraction index of the elementary SIS and therefore further control the width and the position of the MBG. The results are in good agreement with numerical calculations by the finite element method (FEM). For finite-sized MSIS of given geometry in the millimeter scale, FEM calculations show that the first-order symmetric SSPP mode has zero transmission in the MBG within frequency range from 4.29 to 5.1 GHz. A cavity mode is observed inside the gap at 4.58 GHz, which comes from a designer ‘point defect’ in the multiscale SIS waveguide. Furthermore, ultrathin MSIS waveguides are shown to have both symmetric and antisymmetric modes with their own MBGs, respectively. The deep-subwavelength confinement and the great degree of control of the propagation of SSPPs in such structures promise potential applications in miniaturized microwave device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, [Ag2(C9H9N3)2](NO3)2, is a 14-membered metallamacrocycle formed by two Ag atoms bridging two N-(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazole (pymim) molecules. The asymmetric unit consists of one-half of the cation and one nitrate anion. The metallamacrocycle complex lies on an inversion centre. The nitrate anions are in close contact with the Ag centres of two neighbouring cations, which link the metallamacrocyclic units into a double-chain structure along the a axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, C7H8N2O4, is an important precursor of bi- or multidentate ligands. The structure contains two molecules linked together via intermolecular N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds and intermolecular C—H...O contacts, resulting in a two-dimensional network. All atoms except for methyl H atoms lie on crystallographic mirror planes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The objective of this study was to determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A subtypes improve cardiac stem cell (CSC) engraftment and promote CSC-mediated myocardial repair in the infarcted heart. Methods CSCs were treated with VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, VCAM-1 antibody (VCAM-1-Ab), or PKC-α inhibitor followed by the treatment with VEGF-A. CSC adhesion assays were performed in vitro. In vivo, the PKH26-labeled and VCAM-1-Ab or PKC-α inhibitor pre-treated CSCs were treated with VEGF-A followed by implantation into infarcted rat hearts. The hearts were then collected for measuring CSC engraftment and evaluating cardiac fibrosis and function 3 or 28 days after the CSC transplantation. Results All three VEGF-A subtypes promoted CSC adhesion to extracellular matrix and endothelial cells. VEGF-A-mediated CSC adhesion required VEGFR and PKCα signaling. Importantly, VEGF-A induced VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1 expression in CSCs through PKCα signaling. In vivo, VEGF-A promoted the engraftment of CSCs in infarcted hearts, which was attenuated by PKCα inhibitor or VCAM-1-Ab. Moreover, VEGF-A-mediated CSC engraftment resulted in a reduction in infarct size and fibrosis. Functional studies showed that the transplantation of the VEGF-A-treated CSCs stimulated extensive angiomyogenesis in infarcted hearts as indicated by the expression of cardiac troponin T and von Willebrand factor, leading to an improved performance of left ventricle. Blockade of PKCα signaling or VCAM-1 significantly diminished the beneficial effects of CSCs treated with VEGF-A. Conclusion VEGF-A promotes myocardial repair through, at least in part, enhancing the engraftment of CSCs mediated by PKCα/VCAM-1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) plus phacoemulsification (Phaco-NPGS) and NPGS-alone. METHODS: We systematically searched various databases and reviewed studies that had evaluated the effects of Phaco-NPGS or NPGS-alone for patients with glaucoma. Primary outcomes included postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of complications, incidence of needling or goniopuncture, and surgical success rate. RESULTS: In total, 380 and 424 eyes in NPGS-alone and Phaco-NPGS groups respectively were included. Both postoperative IOP and number of medications were significantly lowered in the Phaco-NPGS group than that in the NPDS-alone group [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.11 to -0.12, P=0.03; WMD= -0.31, 95%CI: -0.53 to -0.09, P=0.006]. Moreover, Phaco-NPGS had a significantly lower prevalence of complications and postoperative procedures compared to NPGS-alone, while no significant difference existed for surgical success. CONCLUSION: Phaco-NPGS superior to NPGS-alone in the reduction of IOP and medications. Phaco-NPGS can be recommended for glaucoma patients with coexisting cataracts owing to its superior efficacy, fewer complications, and postoperative procedures.

A photoredox-catalysed chlorination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was developed by using CHCl3 as a chlorine source, thus affording various 3-chloroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in moderate to high yields. This protocol is characterized by mild reaction conditions, excellent regioselectivity, and readily available chlorination agent. Considering the operational simplicity and low cost of this chlorination approach, this developed method offers an innovative pathway for rapid incorporation of chlorine functionality into heteroarenes, and will inspire broader exploitation of new chlorination strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more fusion genes have been found in urinary system tumors, especially bladder cancer. The purpose of this paper is to review the research achievements of fusion gene, summarize the latest research progress of fusion gene in bladder cancer, and discuss the possible development direction of fusion gene in bladder cancer research in the future.

As an emerging 3D in vitro model system, organoids have the advantages of maintaining the original tissue genotype and biological characteristics, and can to some extent simulate the structural relationship between cells and matrix in in-situ tissues, as well as the development process and organ function.The tumor-like organs formed by tumor tissue culture with this technique can further reveal the changes of different information molecules and mechanisms in the process of tumor genesis, development and maintenance, and further understand the process of tumor genesis.In terms of urinary tumors, relevant experiments have proved that the 3D organ-like technology can make up for the defects of the traditional 2D model culture technology, and help to establish the model of urinary tumorigenesis and the molecular characteristics of the tumor phenotype, so as to discover the biomarkers of the origin of tumor cells in various urinary organs and tumor lineages.Great possibilities have been created for the development of innovative therapies using organoids, the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis, the development of screening systems, and the development of patient-specific therapies.This article mainly describes the related research and progress of organoid tumors in common urologic neoplasms.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the second most common cause of cancer death in men. Estrogen receptors (ERs) are member of steroid hormone receptor superfamily. The role of estrogen in prostate is mainly mediated by estrogen receptor 1 (ERα) and estrogen receptor 2 (ERβ). More and more evidences suggest that estrogen receptors play an important role in the occurrence, development and prognosis of prostate cancer, and the progression of castrated resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This article will introduce the structure and function of estrogen receptors, summarize relevant research progress in prostate cancer, analyze potential molecular mechanism and clinical application of ERs in the development of prostate cancer, and provide a new view for the treatment of prostate cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections for treating uveitic macular edema (UME). METHODS: This retrospective case series study included patients with UME who received subconjunctival TA injections with a minimum follow-up period of 6mo. The main outcome measure was central macular thickness (CMT). The secondary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), recurrence rate and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: In total, 65 patients (80 eyes), mainly including idiopathic uveitis in 33 patients (50.77%) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in 19 patients (29.23%), were enrolled in this study. The mean CMT decreased from 457.6±173.0 μm at baseline to 325.9±176.8, 302.7±148.2, 332.2±177.3 and 270.6±121.6 μm at 1-, 2-, 3- and 6-months postinjection, respectively (all P

In order to grasp the distribution characteristics of the pressure field on the inner wall of the volute casing of an atypical open impeller centrifugal pump, the instantaneous pressure at different operating conditions was experimentally measured under four operating rotational speeds to obtain the distribution characteristics of the average static pressure field in the volute casing of this pump model. The pressure pulsation amplitude and pressure pulsation intensity were also analyzed at different rotational speed cases, and the standard deviation analysis was performed. The results showed that the instantaneous pressure pulsation on the inner wall of the volute casing strongly fluctuates during the pump operating, and the closer to the volute casing outlet, the more intense the pressure pulsation was. After increasing the pump shaft speed, the fluctuation amplitude gradually decreased. The pressure pulsation on the wall of tip clearance is more intense than that on the inner wall of the volute shell. The intensity of the pressure pulsation on the wall of tip clearance decreases with the increase of the rotational speed, and the higher the speed, the less intense the pressure pulsation.

Background/Aims: Primary angiosarcoma of the small intestine is a rare neoplasia, and there are limited data from systematic analyses. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics in addition to the prognostic factors for this rare neoplasia. Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical records and prognostic information of 66 patients with small intestine angiosarcoma reported between 1970 and 2017. We used the Chi-square test, the log-rank test, and Cox regression analyses to evaluate the data. Results: There were 66 patients diagnosed with small intestine angiosarcoma. The onset age ranged from 24–92 years old. There were 24 patients diagnosed before the year 2000, and 42 patients were diagnosed after 2000. The data indicated that 49 cases were diagnosed as primary disease, and the remaining 15 cases were secondary disease. The main clinical symptoms were nonspecific and included gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and abdominal pain. Additionally, we found multi-center foci were one of the characteristics of this disease. Radiation-induced small intestine angiosarcoma (RSIA) is a special type of disease with a similar prognosis. This type was more frequent in females and decreased after the year 2000. We also found that GI bleeding was less common in RSIA cases. The log-rank test results revealed that old-age, poor differentiation, and GI bleeding were associated with worse prognosis. Surgical treatment showed a trend toward a prolonged survival time. However, the result was not statistically significant. Our results show treatment with adjuvant therapy improved prognosis. The multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated adjuvant therapy was an independent indicator of a favorable outcome in small intestine angiosarcoma patients. Conclusion: Pay attention to the unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding could lead to a faster diagnosis and control of small intestine angiosarcoma. Furthermore, treatments including adjuvant therapy can effectively improve the prognosis.

An efficient and diastereoselective decarboxylative oxa-1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 3-oxindoles and diverse amino acids is developed to access novel oxazolidine-dispirooxindole skeletons bearing vicinal quaternary carbon centers. This protocol features operational simplicity, a broad substrate scope, and good to excellent chemical yields and diastereoselectivities. In particular, minimal solvent (1 mL/10 mmol) and chromatography-free purification render this synthetic process more efficient and environmentally benign in the context of green chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and diversified synthesis of functionalized CF2-containing benzoxepine derivatives via photoredox catalysis was achieved in this work. This novel protocol features broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, easy scale-up, and versatile derivatization, which would facilitate its practical and broad applications in the construction of valuable and synthetically challenging heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger (NCX) plays a crucial role in pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion. However, it is unclear whether NCX is critically involved in hyperthermia-induced convulsion. In this study, we examined the potential changes in NCX3 in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of rats with hyperthermia-induced convulsion. Methods: Twenty-one Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group, convulsion-prone group and convulsion-resistant group (n = 7 in each group). Whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record NCX currents. Both the Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence labeling techniques were used to examine the expression of NCX3. Results: NCX currents were decreased in rats after febrile convulsion. Compared to the control group, NCX3 expression was decreased by about 40% and 50% in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of convulsion-prone rats, respectively. Furthermore, the extent of reduction in NCX3 expression seemed to correlate with the number of seizures. Conclusions: There is a significant reduction in NCX3 expression in rats with febrile convulsions. Our findings also indicate a potential link between NCX3 expression, febrile convulsion in early childhood, and adult onset of epilepsy.

Background/Aims: Cardiac action potential duration (APD) is regulated by heart rate, leading to the trans-membrane movement of inorganic ions. Whether the alteration of heart rate can affect the expression of transient receptor potential canonical channels (TRPCs), further studies should be made. We investigated the changes of APD at different stimulus frequencies and their influences on the expression of TRPCs in rabbit ventricular myocardium. Methods: Monophasic action potential (MAP) was recorded by contact electrode technique in different programmed stimulus frequencies on rabbit ventricular epicardium in vivo, and the expression of TRPCs was detected using RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: At the frequency range of 4.5-7.5 Hz, APD gradually shortened with the increase of stimulus frequency, showing the property of significant frequency dependence in rabbit ventricular myocardium in vivo. Compared with 4.5 Hz group, TRPC3 mRNA and protein expression increased in 6 Hz and 7.5 Hz groups by way of frequency dependence. Both amiodarone (AM) and neferine (Nef) could prolongate APD and showed characters of frequency independence at the designed frequency. In contrast with 4.5 Hz control group, it was Nef treatment group rather than AM treatment group that could obviously increase the expression of TRPC3 mRNA and protein. Conclusions: At the frequency range of 4.5-7.5 Hz, frequency-dependent shortening of APD was associated with the expression of TRPC3. AM and Nef exhibited frequency-independent lengthening of the APD. Nef may prolong APD via the increasement of TRPC3.

Compared with traditional network,the wireless sensor nodes are limited in the storage,mobility,computation,energy,and so on.A threshold ring signature scheme suitable for wireless sensor networks based on bilinear pairings was proposed.Assuming the abstrusity of computational Diffie-Hellman problem,the secure proof was shown in the model of random oracles using the reduction to the contravention.Proposed scheme also had other characteristics,such as robustness,multi-signature and parallel computation.

CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is a kind of G-protein-coupled receptor, which plays a pivotal role in allergic inflammation. The interaction between 2-(2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-{[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-carbamoyl]-methyl}-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)-N-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-acetamide (S009) and the N-terminal extracellular tail (ML40) of CCR4 has been validated to be high affinity by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The S009 is a known CCR4 antagonist. Now, a series of new thiourea derivatives have been synthesized. Compared with positive control S009, they were screened using ML40 as target by CZE to find some new drugs for allergic inflammation diseases. The synthesized compounds XJH-5, XJH-4, XJH-17 and XJH-1 displayed the interaction with ML40, but XJH-9, XJH-10, XJH-11, XJH-12, XJH-13, XJH-14, XJH-3, XJH-8, XJH-6, XJH-7, XJH-15, XJH-16 and XJH-2 did not bind to ML40. Both qualification and quantification characterizations of the binding were determined. The affinity of the four compounds was valued by the binding constant, which was similar with the results of chemotactic experiments. The established CEZ method is capable of sensitive and fast screening for a series of lactam analogs in the drug discovery for allergic inflammation diseases. Keywords: Capillary zone electrophoresis, CCR4 antagonist, 2-(2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-{[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-carbamoyl]-methyl}-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)-N-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-acetamide, Interactions, Structural modification

The polyphenolic compound 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we examined the effects of THSG on experimental mice with colitis induced by acetic acid and whether the underlying mechanisms were associated with the PPAR-γ and NF-κB pathways. Mice were randomized into six equal groups: normal, colitis model, THSG (10, 30, 60 mg·kg−1) and mesalazine. The mice were administered 10, 30, 60 mg·kg−1 THSG or 100 mg·kg−1 mesalazine or saline once daily by intragastric administration for 7 days after induction of colitis by acetic acid irrigation. THSG dramatically attenuated acetic acid-induced colon lesions, including reversing the body weight loss and improving histopathological changes. THSG apparently decreased the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) which is a marker of lipid peroxidation. THSG appears to exert its beneficial effects on acetic acid-induced experimental colitis through upregulation of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein levels and inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, which in turn decreases the protein overexpression of the downstream inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2. The effect of THSG 60 mg·kg−1 on PPAR-γ mRNA expression was higher than that of mesalazine. THSG may thus be a promising new candidate or lead compound for the treatment of IBD.

The choice of the tumor antigen preparation used for dendritic cell (DC) loading is important for optimizing DC vaccines. In the present study, we compared DCs pulsed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) total RNA or cell lysates for their capacity to activate T cells. We showed here that HCC total RNA pulsed-DCs induced effector T lymphocyte responses which showed higher killing ability to HCC cell lines, as well as higher frequency of IFN-γ producing of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells when compared with lysate pulsed-DCs. Both of RNA and lysate loading did not influence the changes of mature DC phenotype and the capacity of inducing T cell proliferation. However, HCC lysate loading significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-12p70, IFN-γ and enhanced the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 of mature DCs. Our results indicated that DCs loaded with HCC RNA are superior to that loaded with lysate in priming anti-HCC CTL response, suggesting that total RNA may be a better choice for DCs-based HCC immunotherapy.

A novel electromagnetic scattering model is presented for studying coupling field of super-low altitude target under diverse terrestrial environments in semi-active radar system. The PO+MEC hybrid method is applied to obtain the electromagnetic scattering of target. The Physical Optics (PO) is introduced to calculate the scattering from facets of target. The Method of Equivalent Currents (MEC) is introduced to calculate the scattering from edges of target. Antenna radiation pattern of seeker is introduced to modify traditional Four Path Method (FPM) in semi-active radar system. Based on the modified FPM, the characteristics of coupling field from super-low altitude target under diverse terrestrial environments in semi-active radar system are studied. Simulation results can use for reference in the fields of remote sensing and detection for super-low altitude target.

Since morbidity and mortality rates of anaphylaxis diseases have been increasing year by year, how to prevent and manage these diseases effectively has become an important issue. Mast cells play a central regulatory role in allergic diseases. Angiopoietin1 (Ang-1) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting vascular permeability, leukocyte migration and cytokine production. However, Ang-1's function in mast cell activation and anaphylaxis diseases is unknown. The results of our study suggest that Ang-1 decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines production of mast cells by suppressing IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Ang-1 also strongly inhibited compound 48/80 induced and FcεRI-mediated mast cells degranulation by decreasing intracellular calcium levels in vitro. In vivo lentivirus-mediated delivery of Ang-1 in mice exhibited alleviated leakage in IgE-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). Furthermore, exogenous Ang-1 intervention treatment prevented mice from compound 48/80-induced mesentery mast cell degranulation, attenuated increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, relieved lung injury, and improved survival in anaphylaxis shock. The results of our study reveal, for the first time, the important role of Ang-1 in the activation of mast cells, and identify a therapeutic effect of Ang-1 on anaphylaxis diseases.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker of the inflammatory response, and it shows significant prognostic value for several types of solid tumors. The prognostic significance of CRP for lymphoma has not been fully examined. We evaluated the prognostic role of baseline serum CRP levels in patients with extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 185 patients with newly diagnosed ENKTL. The prognostic value of the serum CRP level was evaluated for the low-CRP group (CRP≤10 mg/L) versus the high-CRP group (CRP>10 mg/L). The prognostic value of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) were evaluated and compared with the newly developed prognostic model. RESULTS: Patients in the high-CRP group tended to display increased adverse clinical characteristics, lower rates of complete remission (P60 years, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels were independent adverse predictors of OS. Based on these four independent predictors, we constructed a new prognostic model that identified 4 groups with varying OS: group 1, no adverse factors; group 2, 1 factor; group 3, 2 factors; and group 4, 3 or 4 factors (P

In the title complex, {[Pb(C8H7O3)2(H2O)]·H2O}n, the PbII atom is seven-coordinated by six carboxylate O atoms from four different 2-hydroxyphenylacetate (2-dph) ligands and one water molecule, displaying a hemidirected irregular geometry, with the empty side of the metal ion capped by a benzene ring forming a Pb...π contact [Pb...centroid distance = 3.342 (2) Å]. One 2-dph ligand functions in a bridging mode and connects Pb ions into a linear chain. The crystal packing is governed by intra- and intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds.

In the title complex, [Ag(NO3)(C5H5NO)]n, the AgI atom is coordinated by two O atoms from two different 4-pyridone ligands and two O atoms from one nitrate anion, displaying a nearly planar coordination geometry. The O atoms of two 4-pyridone ligands bridge two symmetrically related AgNO3 units, forming a dimer, with an Ag...Ag separation of 3.680 (2) Å. Neighbouring dimers are linked into an infinite chain through weak Ag...O interactions [2.765 (2) Å], Ag...Ag interactions [3.1511 (4) Å] and π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.623 (4) Å]. N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds assemble these chains into a three-dimensional network.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the spray formed 1.25C–3.0Si–1.5Cr ultrahigh-carbon steel (UHCS) were described. The 1.25C–3.0Si–1.5Cr UHCS was processed by spray forming to break up carbide networks. The fine pearlites with average interlamellar spacing of 0.20 μm was observed in the as-sprayed microstructure. The ultimate tensile strength and the pearlite spacing can be related by the Hall–Petch equation. The as-sprayed 1.25C–3.0Si–1.5Cr UHCS consisting of fine lamellar pearlites has been shown to exhibit superplastic behavior at elevated temperature. The dramatic change of microstructure from fine lamellar pearlites to equiaxed grains stabilized by spheroidized particles during superplastic deformation has been observed. The estimation on the basis of thermodynamics shows that the content of chromium of 1.54 wt.% is needed to inhibit graphite formation in the 1.25C–3.0Si–1.5Cr UHCS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]