A lanthanide-tellurium heterometal encapsulated sandwich-type heteropolyoxoniobate with a 3D pcu-type hydrogen-bonded network.

A rare sandwich-type heteropolyoxoniobate cluster, [Eu(HO)TeNbO(OH)] {EuTeNb}, has been isolated by simultaneously incorporating a lanthanide cation and tellurite anions into polyoxoniobate. The {EuTeNb} cluster represents the first example of lanthanide-incorporated telluroniobate with unprecedented Eu-Te heterometal cations in the sandwiched sites. The N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the copper-amine complexes and {EuTeNb} polyoxoanions into a 3D supramolecular framework 1 with pcu topology.

[Effect of Biochar on Soil Enzyme Activity & the Bacterial Community and Its Mechanism].

Biochar-based fertilizers can improve the mineralization of carbon and nitrogen in soil and enhance the soil micro-ecological environment due to particular physical and chemical properties. It is of great significance to explore the underlying mechanism of biochar-based fertilizer in the regulation of soil microorganisms and soil enzyme activity to improve soil quality. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different biochar-based fertilizer rates[0 (CK2), 0.

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Placenta-Derived Multipotent Cells into Schwann-Like Cells.

Human placenta-derived multipotent stem cells (PDMCs) resembling embryonic stem cells can differentiate into three germ layer cells, including ectodermal lineage cells, such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The favorable characteristics of noninvasive cell harvesting include fewer ethical, religious, and legal considerations as well as accessible and limitless supply. Thus, PDMCs are attractive for cell-based therapy.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Renal Anemia in 5/6-Nephrectomized Rats and a Comparison with Treatment with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin.

Anemia is a severe complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Treatment with exogenous erythropoietin (EPO) can correct anemia in many with CKD. We produced 5/6-nephrectomized rats that became uremic and anemic at 25 days post surgery.

Zinc Supplementation Stimulates Red Blood Cell Formation in Rats.

In rats, mice, and humans, it is known that zinc deficiency may be related to anemia, and zinc supplementation influences hemoglobin production. Our previous studies indicate that in fish, zinc supplementation stimulates red blood cell (RBC) formation (erythropoiesis). However, it is not clear whether the mechanism of zinc-induced erythropoiesis stimulation in fish also occurs in rats.

Fabricating scaffolds by microfluidics.

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the technique to using microfluidics to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds with uniform pore sizes. We investigate both the bubble generation of the microfluidic device and the application of foam as a tissue engineering scaffold. Our microfluidic device consists of two concentric tapered channels, which are made by micropipettes.