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Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on Ti-oxo clusters (Ti-MOFs) represent a naturally self-assembled superlattice of TiO 2 nanoparticles separated by designable organic linkers as antenna chromophores, epitomizing a promising platform for solar energy conversion. However, despite the vast, diverse, and well-developed Ti-cluster chemistry, only a scarce number of Ti-MOFs have been documented. The synthetic conditions of most Ti-based clusters are incompatible with those required for MOF crystallization, which has severely limited the development of Ti-MOFs. This challenge has been met herein by the discovery of the [Ti 8 Zr 2 O 12 (COO) 16 ] cluster as a nearly ideal building unit for photoactive MOFs. A family of isoreticular photoactive MOFs were assembled, and their orbital alignments were fine-tuned by rational functionalization of organic linkers under computational guidance. These MOFs demonstrate high porosity, excellent chemical stability, tunable photoresponse, and good activity toward photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions. The discovery of the [Ti 8 Zr 2 O 12 (COO) 16 ] cluster and the facile construction of photoactive MOFs from this cluster shall pave the way for the development of future Ti-MOF-based photocatalysts., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

A novel structural coding approach combining structure solution, prediction, and the targeted synthesis of new zeolites with expanding complexity and embedded isoreticular structures was recently proposed. Using this approach, the structures of two new zeolites in the RHO family, PST-20 and PST-25, were predicted and synthesized. Herein, by extending this approach, the next two higher generation members of this family, PST-26 and PST-28, have been predicted and synthesized. These two zeolites have much larger unit cell volumes (422,655 Å(3) and 614,912 Å(3), respectively) than those of the lower generations. Their crystallization was confirmed by a combination of both powder X-ray and electron diffraction techniques. Aluminate and water concentrations in the synthetic mixture were found to be the two most critical factors influencing the structural expansion of embedded isoreticular zeolites under the synthetic conditions studied herein., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We investigated the effect of membrane toxin 12 (MT-12), isolated from Naja naja atra, a species of Chinese Cobra, on the proliferation and invasion of human bladder cancer EJ cells and studied its mechanisms using MTT assay, Transwell chamber invasion assay, scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The results indicated that MT-12 inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) after 72 h was 0.66 µg/ml. The invasion of cells decreased with increasing doses of MT-12 (0.125-0.5 µg/ml, P<0.001). Expression of CXCR4 decreased with the effect of MT-12 for a particular concentration range (0.125-0.5 µg/ml). To conclude, MT-12 is capable of inhibiting the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer EJ cells. This mechanism may be associated with reduced expression of CXCR4 protein.

Objective: To establish a fluorescent implantation metastasis model of bladder carcinoma with high metastatic potential in nude mice and observe development and metastasis., Methods: Human bladder cancer EJ cells with high invasive ability were screened and transfected with GFP plasmid to screen stable enhanced GFP-expressing clones instilled into the bladders of nude mice. Subsequent growth, invasion, and metastasis of the implanted tumors were observed and evaluated with a whole-body fluorescence optical imaging system., Results: The transfected bladder cancer EJ cells stably and efficiently expressed EGFP. The growth, invasion and metastasis of the implant bladder tumor were readily observed and accurately evaluated by fluorescent microscopy. In the bladders of nude mice, the rates of EGFP expression detected by flow cytometry at weeks 1-4 were 22.6%, 46.7%, 62.3% and 72.7%, respectively, with clear increase over time., Conclusion: GFP-labeled bladder cancer EJ cells display green fluorescence under fluorescent microscopy and show stable GFP expression. The model will provide a simple and reliable means for studying the mechanism of implantation metastasis of human bladder cancers in vivo.

Objective: To survey the application of PCR for screening HCV RNA from blood donations within the window period., Methods: According to a standardized method, 12 blood banks organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories collected and prepared about ten thousands specimens. The specimens were tested with two different kits., Results: Among the 7173 specimens A group, 21 were PCR positive for HCV RNA. The positive rate was 0.29%. There were not positive for HCV RNA among 7477 specimens (B group)., Conclusions: It is feasible to use the PCR screening for the detection of HCV RNA of blood donations but is unnecessary to standardize the specimen collection and the kit selection.