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Based on a SERS study, the plasmon-assisted coupling reaction of p-iodoaniline (PIAN) to p,p′-diiodoazobenzene was investigated. This model plasmon-assisted reaction exhibits an outstanding SERS performance with the limit of detection as low as 10–13 M. Under low concentrations, the control of the cis–trans isomerization of p,p′-diiodoazobenzene was achieved by characterizing the Raman peak intensity at 1432 cm–1 of the coupling reaction catalytic product. We present the regulation strategy for the isomerization of azobenzene derivatives enabled here, through the controlled adjustment of reactant concentration, and expand the application of SERS technique.

A novel and efficient uranium capture strategy based on self-assembly is developed in an ionic liquid extraction system, by which the one-step separation and solidification of uranium are realized. This not only provides a promising method for separating metal ions but also promotes the development of a supramolecular assembly both in mechanism and application.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the serum SIRT1 protein and the severity of spinal cord injury (SCI) as well as the neurological recovery in mice. In this study, the wild-type (WT), Mx1-Cre+ SIRT1loxP/loxP (Mx1), and LCK-Cre+SIRT1loxP/loxP (LCK) mice were subjected to sham surgery, mild, moderate, or severe SCI, respectively. The serum was collected at intervals of 12 h, 1 day (d), 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 10 d, 14 d, and 21 d after the injury. The locomotor function of all the animals was assessed using the Basso mouse scale (BMS) and the serum SIRT1 proteins were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated that about 7–10 d after SCI, the levels of SIRT1 protein in the serum correlated significantly with the severity of the injury and at 28 d post-injury, there was a distant neurological recovery (BMS score). The serum SIRT1 concentration in both the Mx1 and LCK mice in the sham group was significantly reduced compared to that in the WT mice, and there was a delayed increase in the serum SIRT1 levels after injury. These findings indicate that the SIRT1 concentrations in the serum of the SCI mice closely correlated with the acute severity and neurological outcome.

Hypertension causes a substantial burden to society. Some studies found that hypertension was associated with the working type and working hours. The purpose of the current study is to assess the dose–response relationship between working hours and hypertension. Data of 12,080 adults aged 18 to 65 years who attended the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) between 1989 and 2011 were analyzed. Hypertension was determined based on systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure measures, or having doctor-diagnosed hypertension. Multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline to assess the dose–response relationship between working hours and hypertension. A total of 12,080 participants including 5852 females and 6228 males. By the last follow-up (2011), a total of 830 participants were hypertensive, with an incidence of 6.9%. After adjusting socio-demographic, lifestyle factors, as well as occupation type, compared with those who worked 35 to 49 hours per week, participants who worked no more than 34 hours per week (HR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.03–1.41) and at least 56 hours per week (HR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.19–1.59) had a higher risk of hypertension. The significant association between long working hours (at least 56 hours per week) and hypertension was observed among females (HR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.16–1.64) and males (HR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.04–1.78). Among manual workers, the relationship between long working hours and hypertension was observed (HR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.10–2.02). The relationship between long working hours (HR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01–1.44) and short working hours (HR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.16–1.61) and hypertension was observed among nonmanual workers. The hazard ratio of hypertension and working time displayed U-shape non-linear relationship (Ptrend

Background Increasing evidence has shown that microglia-induced neuroinflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Stepharine, one of the alkaloids extracted from Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers, exhibited strong inhibitory effect on microglial overactivation. However, it is not known whether it has the potential to prevent ischemic stroke. Methods The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of stepharine were investigated in vivo and in vitro, using a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells, respectively. Results In vivo, stepharine (500 μg/kg) suppressed neurological deficits scores, brain water content and cerebral infarct volume induced by MCAO. Moreover, stepharine (500 μg/kg) inhibited NeuN+ cells loss and Iba-1+ cells increase in the MCAO ischemic cortex. In vitro, stepharine (10, 30 μM) substantially inhibited nitric oxide release as well as the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators [inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β] in LPS-activated BV-2 cells. LPS-induced increase of TLR4 expression, IκBα phosphorylation, and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was inhibited by stepharine (10, 30 μM). Molecular docking analysis showed that stepharine directly interacted with TLR4. SPR assay further confirmed that stepharine could bind to the TLR4/MD2 complex. Meanwhile, stepharine exhibited neuroprotective effects on SH-SY5Y cells cultured with LPS-treated conditioned medium. Conclusion Our study demonstrated for the first time that stepharine improved the outcomes in MCAO rats, reduced neuronal loss, and suppressed microglial overactivation via the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that stepharine might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Neuroinflammation is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, manifested by the microglial-released over-production of nitric oxide (NO). However, so far there is no effective strategy regarding curing or preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Triterpene saponins from Xanthoceras sorbifolium were proved to be capable of eliciting a protective effect in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, a systematic chemical study on the 70% ethanol extract of X. sorbifolium was conducted, leading to the identification of 22 compounds, including four previously undescribed triterpenes saponins and 14 known ones, along with four alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical and spectral methods. The in vivo anti-AD effects of 1-18 were predicted with a field-based 3D-QSAR model and anti-neuroinflammatory activities were assayed in BV-2 cells by assessing LPS-induced NO production and examine levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 to support the predicted results. As a result, compounds 14, 16, 19, and 20 could have therapeutic potentials for neurodegenerative diseases due to their potent anti-neuroinflammatory activities.

Nine undescribed (1–4, 6–10) sesquiterpene coumarins, together with a new natural one (5) and ten known ones (11–20), were isolated from the low polarity fraction of the 95% ethanol extract of the resin of Ferula sinkiangensis. Their structures were elucidated based on the comprehensive analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. All the identified SCs were evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory activities in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. Ferusingensine G (8) displayed a significant inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM. The results suggested that natural SCs might be served as potential neuroinflammatory inhibitors.

Uranyl, a strong Lewis acid, forms stable complexes with relatively hard donors and it is commonly believed that uranyl complex with trialkylamine is stabler than trialkylphosphine. However, there are no thermodynamic parameters to evaluate the complexation stabilities of R 3 N-UO 2 2+ and R 3 P-UO 2 2+ . Nitrilotri-3-propanoic Acid (NTPA) and Tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) possess similar skeleton. The set of isostructural ligands is a perfect pair to assess the differences of uranyl (UO 2 2+ ) complexes with trialkylamine versus trialkylphosphine. The protonation reactions of NTPA and TCEP were studied by potentiometry and calorimetry, and the uranyl complexation with both the ligands were studied by potentiometry. The results indicate that central trialkylamine in NTPA has a higher affinity for the proton than trialkylphosphine in TCEP. The complexation of uranyl with NTPA is stabler than TCEP with 1.2 logarithmic units. Striking differences imply the central nitrogen of NTPA and phosphorus of TCEP definitely participate in uranyl complexation. The higher stability of UO 2 2+ /NTPA versus UO 2 2+ /TCEP is intuitively attributed to stronger bonding of N-UO 2 2+ than P-UO 2 2+ because the only differences between TCEP and NTPA are the central atoms.

Interaction between uranium(VI) and aminopolycarboxylic acids could significantly influence the chemical behavior of uranium(VI) in the processing and disposal of nuclear wastes. Trans-1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA) is a commonly used aminopolycarboxylic acid, but its complexation with uranium(VI) has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, stability constants of CDTA protonation and U(VI)-CDTA complexes at different temperatures were measured by potentiometry. Their enthalpies and entropies were obtained from van’t Hoff plots. As a result, four U(VI)-CDTA species, UO2(H2CDTA), UO2(HCDTA)-, UO2CDTA2- and UO2(OH)CDTA3-, were identified at pH 3-6 and their coordination modes in solution were demonstrated by thermodynamic studies. The proposed coordination modes of UO2(H2CDTA) and UO2(HCDTA)- in solution differ from the reported crystals; the former is bidentate bonding with one carboxylate and the latter is tridentate bonding with iminodicarboxylate.

Nitrilotri–3–propanoic Acid (NTPA) and Tris(2–carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) possess similar skeleton. This pair of isostructural ligands is a perfect set to assess the differences of uranyl (UO22+) complexes with N–tricarboxylate versus P–tricarboxylate. The protonation reactions of NTPA and TCEP were investigated by potentiometry and calorimetry. Complexation of uranyl with the both ligands was studied by potentiometry and structural analysis. The results indicate that central trialkylamine in NTPA has a higher affinity for the proton than trialkylphosphine in TCEP. Crystal structures and NMR analyses indicate that central amine of NTPA and central phosphine of TCEP are not involved in the bonding. NTPA/UO22+ complex is more stable than TCEP/UO22+ complex. This difference cannot be explained by electronic effect of central N and P atoms because of nonbonding interactions. The higher stability of UO22+/NTPA versus UO22+/TCEP may be due to the fact that the central N atom of NTPA has a lower steric hindrance than the central P atom of TCEP. Another possible reason is that UO22+/TCEP complexes have different coordination modes from UO22+/NTPA complexes.

Background Tamarix species are well known as the main host plants of Herba Cistanches, a valuable Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are also traditional medicinal plants themselves and are used to treat spleen problems, leucoderma and ocular conditions. Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Tamarix hohenackeri Bunge. Methods In the present study, BV-2 microglial cells were used and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability was tested using the MTT assay. The release of nitric oxide (NO) was determined using the Griess assay. The mRNA level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR). The protein levels of phosphorylated of IκBα, ERK and MEK, as well as the cytoplasmic and nuclear NF-κB p65 were tested by Western blot analysis. The translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit from the cytosol to the nucleus was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Results Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of Tamarix hohenackeri Bunge significantly inhibited the release of NO. Phytochemical research was performed to produce 13 main constituents. Among them, compounds 6, 7, 10 and 13 were identified to be the effective components with anti-inflammatory activity. These compounds significantly inhibited the production of NO by LPS-activated BV-2 microglial cells. qRT–PCR showed that compounds 6 and 7 significantly suppressed the LPS-induced transcription of genes encoding pro-inflammatory mediators, including iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Western blot analysis showed that compound 7 inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of IκBα and antagonized the LPS-induced reduction of cytoplasmic NF-κB p65 and the increase of nuclear NF-κB p65. Immunofluorescence staining showed that nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was suppressed by compound 7. Western blot analysis showed that compound 7 inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK and MEK. Conclusion The present study revealed, for the first time, the effective anti-inflammatory agents from T. Hohenackeri. Compound 7 exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects and its underlying mechanism may be associated with its capacity to inhibit NF-κB signaling pathway and the MEK/ERK activation in activated microglia. The compound may be potential candidate therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases.

There is much evidence that surface plasmon photocatalytic reactions can occur on organic molecules on metal surfaces. In this paper, we focus on the photocatalytic reaction of 4-ethynylaniline (PEAN) on silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in a liquid environment by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Our experiments used SERS to characterize p,p′-diynylazobenzene produced from PEAN via a selective catalytic coupling reaction on Ag NPs. This discovery not only achieved the expected results but also broadens the known plasmon-driven surface catalytic reaction system. In our work, we also regulated the photocatalytic coupling reaction conditions of PEAN on Ag NPs by laser power-dependent and time-dependent SERS spectra.

Four undescribed spiro cyclohexandienonyl naphthalenes (acanthophyllas A–D) and a revised compound were isolated from the roots of Caragana acanthophylla Kom. (Fabaceae). They were identified using extensive spectroscopic data and via chemical methods. Three of them were resolved into their enantiomers, and their absolute configurations were confirmed by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were investigated by evaluating their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 cells. Some compounds showed significant inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 8.8–13.4 μM (minocycline, IC50 7.8 μM), indicating that they might serve as potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.

The separation of tridentate actinides from lanthanides and that between Am(III) and Cm(III) is one of the most challenging tasks in the process of partitioning–transmutation of nuclear waste. Herein, we report a novel tridentate N–N–O hybrid ligand, i.e., N-ethyl-N-tolyl-2-amide-1,10-phenanthroline (ETPhenAm), for the selective extraction toward Am(III)/Cm(III) over Eu(III) from HNO3 solutions. ETPhenAm in 3-nitrotrifluorotoluene has excellent Am(III) extraction ability and Am(III)/Eu(III) separation performance. Notably, the good selectivity of ETPhenAm toward Am(III) over Cm(III) suggests that ETPhenAm exhibits good ionic radius selectivity in the interaction with the intraseries cations such as Am(III) and Cm(III). Extractive complexes of formula M(NO3)3L and M(NO3)3L2 (M = Am, Cm, and Eu) are identified in the extraction system. HNO3 concentration in the aqueous phase heavily affects the composition of the extractive species in the organic phase because of the strong basicity of ETPhenAm. Extraction observations are validated by determining the protonation constants of the ligand and the reaction equilibrium constants for the generation of complexes M(NO3)3L and M(NO3)3L2 (M = Nd and Eu) in CH3OH/10%(v)H2O solution. The structures of complexes M(NO3)3L and M(NO3)3L2 are confirmed through X-ray diffraction of compounds [La(NO3)3(ETPhenAm)2] (I), [Nd(NO3)2(ETPhenAm)2]NO3 (II), and [Eu(NO3)2(ETPhenAm)2]NO3∙[Eu(NO3)3(ETPhenAm)(CH3OH)]∙2CH3OH (III).

Complexation of a new macrocyclic compound, 2,6-dimethylformamide-calix[4]pyridine (L1 ), with Eu(III) was studied by spectrophotometry. Stability constants of the Eu(III)/L1 complex in different solvents were determined. The results reveal that L1 forms moderately strong complexes with Eu(III) and other lanthanides in aprotic solvents and shows little binding ability with transition metals. Moreover, the binding strength of L1 weakens significantly in protic solvents. Using 2-bromodecanoic acid as the synergistic reagent, L1 extracts Am(III) and Eu(III) successfully with a separation factor of SFAm/Eu=1.3, and the distribution ratios of Am(III) and Eu(III) increases as the aqueous acidity is decreased. DFT computational studies were conducted to corroborate the solvent extraction data, and compare the coordination properties of Am(III)/Eu(III) complexes with L1 and a related, 2,6-diformamide-calix[4]pyridine (L2 ). The computational results suggest that L2 could form stable complexes [ML]3+ and ML(NO3)3 [where M represent Am(III) or Eu(III)] in aqueous phase, in sharp contrast to the case of L1 where such complexes in aqueous phase are not stable.

Thermodynamics of the U(VI) complexation with picolinic acid (HL) was investigated under constant ionic strength (1.05 mol·kg−1 NaClO4) with multiple techniques, including potentiometry, spectrophotometry and calorimetry. Three stepwise complexes, UO2L+, UO2L2(aq) and UO2L3−, were identified, and their formation constants were determined by potentiometric titrations at 283–313 K. The spectrophotometric work at 298 K further demonstrated the formation of these three complexes. By calorimetric titrations, stepwise enthalpies of the complexation at 298 K were determined to be ΔH11 = −(3.43 ± 0.24) kJ·mol−1, ΔH12 = −(3.3 ± 0.6) kJ·mol−1, and ΔH13 = 9.4 ± 0.6 kJ·mol−1. A formation of the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes is driven by both enthalpy and entropy, but the formation of the 1:3 complex by entropy only. The thermodynamic parameters also suggest that in the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, picolinate coordinates to U(VI) through the chelation mode, i.e., one carboxylate oxygen and an aromatic nitrogen bind to the U(VI) atom.

The bit-error rate (BER) and outage probability of optical wireless communication (OWC) link for the ground-to-train of the curved track in turbulence with rain is evaluated. Considering the re-modulation effects of raining fluctuation on optical signal modulated by turbulence, we set up the models of average BER and outage probability in the present of pointing errors, based on the double inverse Gaussian (IG) statistical distribution model. The numerical results indicate that, for the same covered track length, the larger curvature radius increases the outage probability and average BER. The performance of the OWC link in turbulence with rain is limited mainly by the rain rate and pointing errors which are induced by the beam wander and train vibration. The effect of the rain rate on the performance of the link is more severe than the atmospheric turbulence, but the fluctuation owing to the atmospheric turbulence affects the laser beam propagation more greatly than the skewness of the rain distribution. Besides, the turbulence-induced beam wander has a more significant impact on the system in heavier rain. We can choose the size of transmitting and receiving apertures and improve the shockproof performance of the tracks to optimize the communication performance of the system.

A model for short-range optical wireless communication (OWC) link under fog-haze random media is presented based on the consideration of beam pointing error. The performance of OWC is analyzed in terms of received power, link margin, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) with different track length, visibility of atmosphere, strength of the atmospheric turbulence, operating wavelength, emitting beam width, and variance of pointing error. It is found that we can ignore the impact of emitting beam width on the link margin, however, there is a optimizing emitting beam width w op for the SNR performance of the channel. The link margin and SNR decrease as the increasing of the track length and the turbulence strength. The link margin and SNR decrease as the meteorological conditions transform from clear, haze to heavy fog. The longer operating wavelength can increase the link margin and SNR. The pointing error caused by beam wander is the dominant factor and it seriously reduces the link margin and SNR, and increases the BER.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of brain atrophy and dementia. We aimed to elucidate deep grey matter (GM) structural abnormalities and their relationships with T2DM cognitive deficits by combining region of interest (ROI)-based volumetry, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and shape analysis. We recruited 23 T2DM patients and 24 age-matched healthy controls to undergo T1-weighted structural MRI scanning. Images were analysed using the three aforementioned methods to obtain deep GM structural shapes and volumes. Biochemical and cognitive assessments were made and were correlated with the resulting metrics. Shape analysis revealed that T2DM is associated with focal atrophy in the bilateral caudate head and dorso-medial part of the thalamus. ROI-based volumetry only detected thalamic volume reduction in T2DM when compared to the controls. No significant between-group differences were found by VBM. Furthermore, a worse performance of cognitive processing speed correlated with more severe GM atrophy in the bilateral dorso-medial part of the thalamus. Also, the GM volume in the bilateral dorso-medial part of the thalamus changed negatively with HbA1c. Shape analysis is sensitive in identifying T2DM deep GM structural abnormalities and their relationships with cognitive impairments, which may greatly assist in clarifying the neural substrate of T2DM cognitive dysfunction. • Type 2 diabetes mellitus is accompanied with brain atrophy and cognitive dysfunction • Deep grey matter structures are essential for multiple cognitive processes • Shape analysis revealed local atrophy in the dorso-medial thalamus and caudatum in patients • Dorso-medial thalamic atrophy correlated to cognitive processing speed slowing and high HbA1c. • Shape analysis has advantages in unraveling neural substrates of diabetic cognitive deficits

A model of the average capacity of optical wireless communication link with pointing errors for the ground-to-train of the curved track is established based on the non-Kolmogorov. By adopting the gamma-gamma distribution model, we derive the average capacity expression for this channel. The numerical analysis reveals that heavier fog reduces the average capacity of link. The strength of atmospheric turbulence, the variance of pointing errors, and the covered track length need to be reduced for the larger average capacity of link. The normalized beamwidth and the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the turbulence-free link need to be increased. We can increase the transmit aperture to expand the beamwidth and enhance the signal intensity, thereby decreasing the impact of the beam wander accordingly. As the system adopting the automatic tracking of beam at the receiver positioned on the roof of the train, for eliminating the pointing errors caused by beam wander and train vibration, the equivalent average capacity of the channel will achieve a maximum value. The impact of the non-Kolmogorov spectral index's variation on the average capacity of link can be ignored.

In this study, phosphate-based glass (PG) was used as a sintering aid for freeze-cast porous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic, which was sintered under a lower temperature (1000 °C). The phase composition, pore structure, compressive strength, and cytocompatibility of calcium phosphate composite ceramics (PG-BCP) were evaluated. The results indicated that PG additive reacted with calcium phosphate during the sintering process, forming β-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ; the ions of sodium and magnesium from PG partially substituted the calcium sites of β-calcium phosphate in BCP. The PG-BCP showed good cytocompatibility. The pore width of the porous PG-BCP ceramics was around 50 μm, regardless of the amount of PG sintering aid. As the content of PG increased from 0 wt.% to 15 wt.%, the compressive strength of PG-BCP increased from 0.02 MP to 0.28 MPa. When the PG additive was 17.5 wt.%, the compressive strength of PG-BCP dramatically increased to 5.66 MPa. Addition of 15 wt.% PG was the critical point for the properties of PG-BCP. PG is considered as an effective sintering aid for freeze-cast porous bioceramics.

Neuroinflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders. In our screening of natural effective neuroinflammatory inhibitors from natural products, stilbenes, such as resveratrol and its analogues, have received considerable attention over the last several decades as anti-neuroinflammatory agents. Then, Bletilla striata attracted our attention due to its abundant stilbenes portion, PE fraction. So, three new stilbenes: dusuanlansin E1 (23a), dusuanlansin E2 (23b), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl-3'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (27), and 30 known stilbene compounds were isolated from B. striata. These structures of the compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and circular dichroism (CD) data. Furthermore, all the isolated components were tested in vitro for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide generation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. As a result, compounds 2, 5, 6, 16, 17 can greatly inhibit the NO production without cytotoxicity. In addition, SARs between stilbenes and anti-neuroinflammation effects were discussed briefly. In conclusion, stilbenes were characteristic constituents of the tubers of B. striata with potential anti- neuroinflammatory effects.

Cortical microtubules guide the direction and deposition of cellulose microfibrils to build the cell wall, which in turn influences cell expansion and plant morphogenesis. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), petal is a relatively simple organ that contains distinct epidermal cells, such as specialized conical cells in the adaxial epidermis and relatively flat cells with several lobes in the abaxial epidermis. In the past two decades, the Arabidopsis petal has become a model experimental system for studying cell expansion and organ morphogenesis, because petals are dispensable for plant growth and reproduction. Recent advances have expanded the role of microtubule organization in modulating petal anisotropic shape formation and conical cell shaping during petal morphogenesis. Here, we summarize recent studies showing that in Arabidopsis, several genes, such as SPIKE1, Rho of plant (ROP) GTPases, and IPGA1, play critical roles in microtubule organization and cell expansion in the abaxial epidermis during petal morphogenesis. Moreover, we summarize the live-confocal imaging studies of Arabidopsis conical cells in the adaxial epidermis, which have emerged as a new cellular model. We discuss the microtubule organization pattern during conical cell shaping. Finally, we propose future directions regarding the study of petal morphogenesis and conical cell shaping.

Eight previously undescribed and 15 known components, including six neolignans, two monolignan, three sesquineolignans, three dineolignans, eight phenylpropanoids, and one steroid were identified from the seed testa of Vernicia fordii. Their structures were established based on the comprehensive analysis of NMR and ECD data. The anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the isolates were evaluated through nitrite assays in LPS-induced BV2 cells. As a result, isodiverniciasin A, diverniciasin B, diverniciasin C, isoprincepin, princepin, 3, 3'-bisdemethylpinoresinol, (+)-7-epi-sesamin-dicatechol, isoamericanin A, americanin B, 7S, 8R-americanin D, 4-hydroxyl cinnamic aldehyde, 3-hydroxyl-4-methoxyl cinnamic aldehyde and 24R-6β-hydroxy-24- ethylcholest-4-en-3-one exhibited significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production and isoprincepin, princepin, americanin B, and 4-hydroxyl cinnamic aldehyde suppressed the overexpression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in over-activated microglia. The results suggested that bioactive ingredients from the seed testa of V. fordii can serve as potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.

The thermodynamics of Nd(III) and Eu(III) complexes with N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxamide (TMBiPDA) and N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamide (TMPhenDA) in CH

The stability constants (log β) of 1:1 uranyl complexes with three N,O-mixed donor ligands (L = 2,2'-dipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylate, 3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate, and 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylate, denoted as BiPDA, DmBiPDA, and PhenDA, respectively) in aqueous and DMSO/20%(v)H

Scope The anti-neuroinflammatory effect of a novel quinolyl-substituted analogue of resveratrol (RV01) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation is investigated, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods and results Cell viability is measured using an MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) release is determined by nitrite assay. The interaction between RV01 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is studied using molecular docking. Free radical scavenging activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production are determined by DPPH reduction assay and DCFH-DA assay. Pretreatment with RV01 (1-30 µm) prior to LPS (1 µg mL-1 ) stimulation decreased NO release and iNOS expression without observable cytotoxicity. RV01 reduced the mRNA levels and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RV01 also inhibited LPS-induced ROS production and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation. Furthermore, RV01 decreases the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inhibits the LPS-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, conditioned medium from microglia co-treated with LPS and RV01 alleviates the death of SH-SY5Y cells induced by conditioned medium from activated N9 microglial cells. Lastly, a mouse neuroinflammation model is further used to confirm the effect of RV01 in vivo. Conclusion These results show that RV01 suppresses microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and protects neurons from inflammatory damage, which indicates that RV01 has great potential as a nutritional preventive strategy for neuroinflammation-related diseases.

Complexation of U(vi) with pyridazine-3-carboxylate (PDZ) and pyrazine-2-carboxylate (PAZ) was studied by spectrophotometry, potentiometry and microcalorimetry in 1.0 mol dm-3 NaClO4. Three complexes, [UO2L]+, UO2L2(aq) and [UO2L3]-, were identified and their stability constants (log β) and the corresponding formation enthalpies were determined. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that the formation of the three complexes is endothermic and driven exclusively by entropy. 1H and 13C-NMR data provide insight into the coordination modes of the complexes which corroborate with the thermodynamic data. Ligands chelate to U(vi) via κ2(N,O) coordination mode in complexes [UO2L]+ and UO2L2(aq). The crystal structures of four U(vi) complexes, [(UO2)(PAZ)2(H2O)]·H2O(i), [(UO2)(PDZ)2(H2O)](ii), [(UO2)(PDZ)3Na2ClO4]·2H2O(iii), and [(UO2)2(PDZ)4(H2O)2]·2H2O(iv), were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and compared with the U(vi) complex with picolinate (PA) (CH6N3)[UO2(PA)3] in the literature. The structure data suggest that the carboxylates coordinate with uranium in O[double bond, length as m-dash]C-O-U mode. The strengths of the U-O-C-C-N chelate cycles in the U(vi)/L complexes decrease with the trend of PAPDZPAZ, which is in great agreement with the trend of thermodynamic parameters in aqueous solutions. It is interesting that in compound II two PDZ molecules coordinate with U(vi) in cis-planar positions via κ2(N,O) mode, but in other metal complexes of the three ligands having the same κ2(N,O) coordination mode the two ligand molecules are all in trans-arrangement. In the dimeric complex IV, one ligand coordinate with U(vi) in κ2(N,O) mode, while the other does it in μ2-L-κ2(O:O') mode respectively.

Stephania epigaea H. S. Lo is a folk medicine widely distributed in the south of China, especially in Yunnan and Guangxi province. An in vitro anti-neuroinflammatory study showed that total alkaloids of it can potently inhibit LPS-induced NO releasing of BV2 cells with an IC50 value of 10.05 ± 2.03 μg/mL (minocycline as the positive drug, IC50 15.49 ± 2.14 μM). The phytochemical investigation of the total alkaloids afforded three new phenanthrene (1–3), two lactams (4a, 4b), and nine aporphine derivatives (5–13). The final structure of 1 was identified by computer-assisted structure elucidation (ACD/Structure Elucidator software and the 13C NMR calculation with GIAO method) due to many possibilities of the substituent pattern. All isolates were evaluated for their anti-neuroinflammatory effects, and as a result, 5, 8, 10, and 11 exhibited stronger inhibitory activities than the minocycline. The results suggested S. epigaea could provide potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.

This study investigated the effects of NaCl additive on the phase composition, pore structure and mechanical property of porous biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics, which were prepared by freeze-casting. The results indicated that the addition of NaCl promoted transformation of β-tricalcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite in the BCP ceramics; the OH group in HA phase of BCP ceramic was partially replaced by chloride ion. As the mass fraction of NaCl in the slurry increased from 0 to 3%, the porosity of obtained porous BCP ceramics decreased from 77.76% to 60.22%; the average width of dendritic pores increased from 74.37 µm to 111.27 µm; the compressive strength achieved threefold increase. As the amount of NaCl additive reached 4.5%, the porosity, pore width, and compressive strength of the porous BCP ceramics were comparable with those modified by 3% NaCl. NaCl is regarded as an effective additive to tailor the pore structure and property of freeze-cast porous ceramics.

The complexation of lanthanides (Nd(3+) and Eu(3+)) with glutaroimide-dioxime (H2L), a cyclic imide dioxime ligand that has been found to form stable complexes with actinides (UO2(2+) and NpO2(+)) and transition metal ions (Fe(3+), Cu(2+), etc.), was studied by potentiometry, absorption spectrophotometry, luminescence spectroscopy, and microcalorimetry. Lanthanides form three successive complexes, M(HL)(2+), M(HL)L, and M(HL)2(+) (where M stands for Nd(3+)/Eu(3+) and HL(-) stands for the singly deprotonated ligand). The enthalpies of complexation, determined by microcalorimetry, show that the formation of these complexes is exothermic. The stability constants of Ln(3+)/H2L complexes are several orders of magnitude lower than that of the corresponding Fe(3+)/H2L complexes but are comparable with that of UO2(2+)/H2L complexes. A structure of Eu(3+)/H2L complex, identified by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, shows that the ligand coordinates to Eu(3+) in a tridentate mode, via the two oxygen atoms of the oxime group and the nitrogen atom of the imide group. The relocation of protons of the oxime groups (-CH═N-OH) from the oxygen to the nitrogen atom, and the deprotonation of the imide group (-CH-NH-CH-) result in a conjugated system with delocalized electron density on the ligand (-O-N-C-N-C-N-O-) that forms strong complexes with the lanthanide ions.

According to the characteristics of phased array space-based TT&C satellite antenna aperture size and transponder power limitation, this paper proposes a correction algorithm based on PN code and BPSK without data modulation. At the same time, combined with multi-period coherent accumulation, the channel amplitude and phase correction accuracy is guaranteed under low signal-to-noise ratio. From the simulation test, we can see that our method has the characteristics of low interception and anti-barrage jamming.

The East China Sea Basin is located on the southeastern edge of the Eurasian Plate. Since the Mesozoic era, the basin formation and evolution processes have been superimposed with the multi-period oceanic subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate and multi-structural systems interacting with the Indo–Australian Plate, Pacific Plate, and Eurasian Plate. As previous studies have mainly focused on the Cenozoic era, the basin prototype, tectono-sedimentary characteristics, and key factors controlling hydrocarbon accumulation during the Mesozoic era have always been hotspots for research and scientific questions as part of a “New horizon” for oil and gas exploration in the East China Sea Basin. Based on the latest data from seismic, drilling, and onshore-offshore comparison studies in the Southern East China Sea Basin (SECSB), this study explored the key factors controlling the oil and gas generation, migration and accumulation, and exploration direction of the Mesozoic hydrocarbon accumulation by employing onshore-offshore comparisons, seismic stratigraphy, and structural-sedimentary evolutionary reconstruction. The results showed that three regional unconformities and seven seismic sequences formed during the Mesozoic period in the SECSB. The evolution since the Mesozoic era included the formations of a basement by the passive continental margin before the Late Triassic, the Late Triassic–Middle Jurassic depression of the active continental margin, and the Cretaceous faulted basins at continental margins. It is proposed that 1) the early basal NE-trending structural framework controlled the structural pattern of the Mesozoic basin and the macro-hydrocarbon properties, according to which the Cretaceous should be dominated by oil, and the Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic should be dominated by gas; 2) two sets of source rocks (i.e., Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic mud shale and Lower Cretaceous mudstone source rocks) were deposited, which formed the material basis for hydrocarbon accumulation and the source-reservoir-seal combinations during two stages of basin evolution in the Mesozoic era; 3) the East China Sea Basin has experienced at least seven tectonic movements since the Mesozoic period, including the Keelung, Yushan, Yandang, Oujiang, Yuquan, Longjing, and Okinawa Trough movements, among which the Keelung, Yushan, and Yandang movements dominated the formation and accumulation of early oil and gas, and the adjustment, transformation, and re-establishment of early reservoirs was accomplished by the Longjing Movement; and 4) the Minjiang Slope and the Taipei Turning Belt are the main petroleum exploration areas in the Mesozoic basin, in which the Cretaceous should be the main target layer in the east of the basin, and the Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic in the west.

Vernicia montana Lour. (tung tree) is an oil-producing plant with multiple uses, especially with its great potential in biodiesel production, which was a small Asian tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) with big economic values. However, studies on small molecular compositions of V. montana are limited. As a result, seven new lignans and one new coumacrin, and 21 known lignans, were isolated from the testas of V. montana. These isolates were confirmed in the light of spectroscopic tools (containing 1D and 2D NMR), ECD spectra methods. These isolates and crude extracts were evaluated their inhibitory activities using LPS-induced BV2 cells by assessing the NO production. Among them, compounds 3, 5, 6, 22 displayed significant effects, IC50 values about 11.4–20.9 μM. Together, the results demonstrated that lignans might be potential neuroinflammatory inhibitors.

Three undescribed triterpenes and four previously unreported saponins, along with two known ones, were isolated from shells of Xanthoceras sorbifolium (Sapindaceae). Their structures were elucidated by the interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR data. The nitric oxide (NO) assay revealed that 28-O-isobutyryl-21-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol and 3-O-β-D-6-O-methylglucuronopyranosyl-21,22-di-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol possessed stronger inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO overproduction (IC50 = 18.5 ± 1.2 and 28.2 ± 1.8 μM, respectively) than the positive drug minocycline (IC50 = 30.1 ± 1.3 μM) in activated BV2 cells. Western blot, RT-qPCR, and docking experiments further validated that the regulation of iNOS and IL-1β expressions was involved in the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of these two compounds.

Seventeen compounds, including three new pairs of coumarinolignoid enantiomers, (7' S,8' S)-sapiumins A-C (1a-3a) and (7' R,8' R)-sapiumins A-C (1b-3b), six new taraxerane triterpenoids, sapiumic acids A-F (4-9), and five known taraxerane triterpenoids (10-14), were isolated from an ethanol extract prepared from the stems and leaves of Sapium discolor. The structures of 1-9 and their relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of the coumarinolignoids 1a/1b-3a/3b and triterpenoids 6-9 were assigned using experimental and calculated ECD data. Compounds 1a/1b-3a/3b are the first coumarinolignoids to be reported from the genus Sapium. Among all the isolates, compounds 1b, 2a/2b, 3a/3b, and 6-9 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells, with IC50 values of 1.7-15.3 μM.

Plants have evolved diverse cell types with distinct sizes, shapes, and functions. For example, most flowering plants contain specialized petal conical epidermal cells that are thought to attract pollinators and influence light capture and reflectance, but the molecular mechanisms controlling conical cell shaping remain unclear. Here, through a genetic screen in Arabidopsis thaliana, we demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN), which encodes for a homolog of mammalian CtBP/BARs, displayed conical cells phenotype with wider tip angles, correlating with increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We further showed that exogenously supplied ROS generated similar conical cell phenotypes as the an mutants. Moreover, reduced endogenous ROS levels resulted in deceased tip sharpening of conical cells. Furthermore, through enhancer screening, we demonstrated that mutations in katanin (KTN1) enhanced conical cell phenotypes of the an-t1 mutants. Genetic analyses showed that AN acted in parallel with KTN1 to control conical cell shaping. Both increased or decreased ROS levels and mutations in AN suppressed microtubule organization into well-ordered circumferential arrays. We demonstrated that the AN-ROS pathway jointly functioned with KTN1 to modulate microtubule ordering, correlating with the tip sharpening of conical cells. Collectively, our findings revealed a mechanistic insight into ROS homeostasis regulation of microtubule organization and conical cell shaping., Author summary Plants have diverse cell types with distinct sizes, shapes, and functions. For example, most flowering plants contain specialized conical petal epidermal cells that are thought to attract bee pollinators, but the molecular mechanisms controlling conical cell shaping remain unclear. Here, through a genetic screen in Arabidopsis thaliana, we demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations in ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN), which encodes a homolog of mammalian CtBP/BARs, resulted in swollen conical cells, correlating with increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, through an enhancer screening, we demonstrated that mutations in katanin (KTN1) enhanced conical cell phenotypes of the an-t1 mutants. Genetic analyses showed that AN acted in parallel with KTN1 to control conical cell shaping. We demonstrated that the AN-ROS pathway jointly functioned with KTN1 to modulate microtubule organization, correlating with the tip sharpening of conical cells. Collectively, our findings revealed a mechanistic insight into ROS-mediated regulation of conical cell shaping.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used in food and pharmaceutical packaging. In the processing, storage and use of the process, it will inevitably be in contact with air at a certain temperature, resulting in thermal-oxidative aging. So in this paper, the hot air exposure test was used to investigate the changes of structure before and after thermal-oxidative aging of PET by means of FTIR, DSC, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. IR study found that, after thermal-oxidative aging, the trans conformation of PET increased, the cis content decreased, and the carboxyl content of PET increased slightly. DSC analysis showed that the melting temperature, crystallization temperature and crystallinity of PET increased after thermal-oxidative aging. The results of IR, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra showed that the crystallinity of PET increased after thermal-oxidative aging, the color difference (C) and the transparency (T%) increased, the yellow index(YI) decreased and the content of trans conformation was higher.

Background Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is a well-known bamboo species of high economic value in the textile industry due to its rapid growth. Phytohormones, which are master regulators of growth and development, serve as important endogenous signals. However, the mechanisms through which phytohormones regulate growth in moso bamboo remain unknown to date. Results Here, we reported that exogenous gibberellins (GA) applications resulted in a significantly increased internode length and lignin condensation. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that photosynthesis-related genes were enriched in the GA-repressed gene class, which was consistent with the decrease in leaf chlorophyll concentrations and the lower rate of photosynthesis following GA treatment. Exogenous GA applications on seedlings are relatively easy to perform, thus we used 4-week-old whole seedlings of bamboo for GA- treatment followed by high throughput sequencing. In this study, we identified 932 cis-nature antisense transcripts (cis-NATs), and 22,196 alternative splicing (AS) events in total. Among them, 42 cis-nature antisense transcripts (cis-NATs) and 442 AS events were differentially expressed upon exposure to exogenous GA3, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation might be also involved in the GA3 response. Targets of differential expression of cis-NATs included genes involved in hormone receptor, photosynthesis and cell wall biogenesis. For example, LAC4 and its corresponding cis-NATs were GA3-induced, and may be involved in the accumulation of lignin, thus affecting cell wall composition. Conclusions This study provides novel insights illustrating how GA alters post-transcriptional regulation and will shed light on the underlying mechanism of growth modulated by GA in moso bamboo. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-018-1336-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gaseous and volatile fission products have a number of adverse effects on the safety and efficiency of the U–10Zr alloy fuel. The theoretical calculations were applied to investigate the energetics related to the formation, nucleation, and degassing of gaseous and volatile fission products (Kr, Xe and I) in molten U–10Zr alloy. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to generate equilibrium configurations. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to build atomistic models including molten U–10Zr alloy as well as its fission products substituted systems. The vacancy formation in liquid U–10Zr alloy were studied using DFT calculations, with average Gibbs free formation energies at 8.266 and 6.333 eV for U- and Zr-vacancies, respectively. And the interaction energies were −1.911 eV, −2.390 eV, and −1.826 eV for the I–I, Xe–Xe, and Kr–Kr interaction in lattice when two of the adjacent uranium atoms were substituted by gaseous atoms. So it could be concluded that the interaction between I, Kr, and Xe in lattice is powerful than the interaction between these two atoms and the other lattice atoms in U–10Zr.

We investigated the extraction complexes of Eu(III) and Am(III) with two 1,10-phenanthroline-type ligands primarily using density functional theory (DFT). The geometrical optimizations of the structures of the [ML 2 NO 3 ] 2+ species, can achieve the same accuracy and obtain the same geometrical configuration at both the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/RECP and MP2/6-31G(d)/RECP levels of theory. At the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)/RECP level of theory, solvation is unfavorable to the formation of the complexes. However, it is the solvation that make the separation between the [AmL 2 (NO 3 )] 2+ complexes and the [EuL 2 (NO 3 )] 2+ complexes. Additionally, the introduction of strong hydrophobic substituents into ligands improves their selectivity for actinide/lanthanide in acidic media.

Objective: To correlate plaque thickness, artery stenosis and levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) with the degree of intraplaque enhancement determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods: CEUS was performed on 72 carotid atherosclerotic plaques in 48 patients. Contrast enhancement within the plaque was categorized as grade 1, 2 or 3. Maximum plaque thickness was measured in short-axis view. Carotid artery stenosis was categorized as mild, moderate or severe. Serum levels of CRP were detected in the fasting state during the same period. Results: Patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of contrast enhancement. Plaque contrast enhancement was not associated with the degree of artery stenosis (P>0.05) or with plaque thickness (P>0.05). Serum CRP levels were positively correlated with the number of new vessels in the plaque. CRP levels increased in the three groups(Grade 1: 3.72±1.79mg/L; Grade 2: 7.88±4.24 mg/L; Grade 3: 11.02±3.52 mg/L), with significant differences among them (F=10.14, P

A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for selective detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is presented. This ‘off–on’ probe exhibited high selectivity towards H2S in aqueous solution with a detection limit of 30 nM. Notably, because of its dual nucleophilicity, the probe could avoid the interference of thiols and other sulfur containing compounds.