Plant-on-chip: Core morphogenesis processes in the tiny plant .

A plant can be thought of as a colony comprising numerous growth buds, each developing to its own rhythm. Such lack of synchrony impedes efforts to describe core principles of plant morphogenesis, dissect the underlying mechanisms, and identify regulators. Here, we use the minimalist known angiosperm to overcome this challenge and provide a model system for plant morphogenesis.

Restriction of Intramolecular Vibration in Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens: Applications in Multifunctional Luminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Butterfly-like molecules of oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrazine (OAP) are reported, which exhibit the typical characteristics of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) via the restriction of intramolecular vibration (RIV) mechanism. Unlike any of the reported RIV-type AIE molecules, the synthetic procedures of which are complicated and have associated high costs, OAP AIEgens can be synthesized in a facile manner by a one-step catalyst-free reaction using commercially available materials. Notably, OAP AIEgens are ideal ligands for constructing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their built-in pyrazine coordination sites.

Effect of pH on the construction of Cd coordination polymers involving the 1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium) ligand.

Changing the pH value of a reaction system can result in polymers with very different compositions and architectures. Two new coordination polymers based on 1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium) (L), namely catena-poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]-μ-1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(3,5-dicarboxylatopyridinium)] 1.66-hydrate], {[Cd(CHNO)(HO)]·1.

Two new Cd and Zn coordination polymers incorporating 1-aminobenzene-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid: synthesis, crystal structure and characterization.

Aminobenzoic acid derivatives are widely used in the preparation of new coordination polymers since they contain O-atom donors, as well as N-atom donors, and have a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to polymers with intriguing structures and interesting properties. Two new coordination polymers incorporating 1-aminobenzene-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid (Habtc), namely, poly[(μ-1-amino-5-carboxybenzene-3,4-dicarboxylato)diaquacadmium(II)], [Cd(CHNO)(HO)], (I), and poly[[bis(μ-1-aminobenzene-3,4,5-tricarboxylato)triaquatrizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn(CHNO)(HO)]·2HO}, (II), have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In polymer (I), each tridentate 1-amino-5-carboxybenzene-3,4-dicarboxylate (Habtc) ligand coordinates to three Cd ions to form a two-dimensional network structure, in which all of the Cd ions and Habtc ligands are equivalent, respectively.

Triptolide inhibits migration and proliferation of fibroblasts from ileocolonic anastomosis of patients with Crohn's disease via regulating the miR‑16‑1/HSP70 pathway.

Anastomotic fibrosis is highly likely to lead to reoperation in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Triptolide (TPL) is considered to have anti‑inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in a variety of autoimmune diseases, including CD. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of TPL on fibroblasts from strictured ileocolonic anastomosis of patients with CD and its underlying mechanism.

Two ,'-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide coordination compounds.

The molecular structures of tetra-aqua-[,'-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicar-boxamide]-sulfatomanganese(II) dihydrate, [Mn(SO)(CHNO)(HO)]·2HO or [Mn(H)(SO)(HO)]·2HO, (I), and tetra-aqua-bis[,'-bis-(pyridin-4-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicar-boxamide]cadmium(II) sulfate tetra-hydrate, [Cd(CHNO)(HO)]SO·4HO or [Cd(HO)(H)]·SO·4HO, (II), both contain a central metal atom in a distorted octa-hedral geometry coordinated equatorially by four oxygen atoms from water mol-ecules. In (I), the axial positions are occupied by a nitro-gen atom from H and an oxygen atom from the sulfate anion, whereas in (II), the axial positions contain two nitro-gen atoms from two different H ligands and the sulfate anion acts as the charge-balancing ion. π-π stacking between pyridine rings and a network of hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and the sulfate anions play a crucial role in the mol-ecular self-assembly of the two structures.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of Caroli's disease: a case report.

Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder characterized by nonobstructive dilatation of intrahepatic ducts. In cases with symptomatic intrahepatic manifestations, treatment should correspond to the type with hepatic resection for localized disease and transplantation for diffuse forms. If possible, complete resection of the cysts can cure the symptoms and avoid the risk of malignancy.

Triptolide exerts protective effects against fibrosis following ileocolonic anastomosis by mechanisms involving the miR-16-1/HSP70 pathway in IL-10-deficient mice.

Surgeries, particularly ileocecal resection (ICR), are often required in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). However, recurrences are common for patients who undergo ICR, and anastomotic fibrosis is the main cause of re-operation. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of triptolide (TPL) in ameliorating fibrosis following ileocolonic anastomosis.

Simultaneous determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke using in-pipette-tip solid-phase extraction and on-line gel permeation chromatography-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

In this study, a silica/primary secondary amine (SiO2/PSA) was used as an in-pipette-tip solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for the simultaneous determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) in mainstream cigarette smoke (MSS). We investigated several parameters including an extraction procedure of total particulate matter, type and amount of sorbent and on-line gel permeation chromatography parameters to obtain optimum conditions for a new strategy to target analytes. Under the optimized conditions, we developed a method for the simultaneous determination of PAHs and TSNAs in MSS by coupling in-pipette-tip SPE procedures to an on-line gel permeation chromatography-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (on-line GPC-GC-MS(2)).

Expression levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs and their correlation.

The present study aimed to investigate the expression and roles of interleukin (IL)-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and to identify the association between the effects of IL-17 and TNF-α in IDD. This may increase understanding of the pathogenic mechanism underlying IDD, and aid the development of alternative therapies. The experimental group consisted of 40 samples of nucleus pulposus tissue obtained from the intervertebral discs (IVDs) of patients with IDD by surgical intervention, and was further divided into an annulus fibrosus disrupted group, comprising 18 patients in which the external annulus was ruptured, and an annulus fibrosus intact group comprising 22 patients.

Effective conversion of maize straw wastes into bio-hydrogen by two-stage process integrating H2 fermentation and MECs.

The enhanced H2 production from maize straw had been achieved through the two-stage process of integrating H2 fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) in the present work. Several key parameters affecting hydrolysis of maize straw through subcritical H2O were optimized by orthogonal design for saccharification of maize straw followed by H2 production through H2 fermentation. The maximum reducing sugar (RS) content of maize straw reached 469.

Direct degradation of cellulosic biomass to bio-hydrogen from a newly isolated strain Clostridium sartagoforme FZ11.

A mesophilic hydrogen-producing strain, Clostridium sartagoforme FZ11, had been newly isolated from cow dung compost acclimated using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) for at least 30 rounds in an anaerobic bioreactor, and identified by the 16S rDNA gene sequencing, which could directly utilized various carbon sources, especially cellulosic biomass, to produce hydrogen. The maximum hydrogen yields from MCC (10 g/l) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC, 10 g/l) were 77.2 and 64.

A highly sensitive C3-symmetric Schiff-base fluorescent probe for Cd2+.

A new C3-symmetric Schiff-base fluorescent probe (L) based on 8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline has been developed. As expected, the probe L can display high fluorescent selectivity for Cd(2+) over Zn(2+) and most other common ions in neutral ethanol aqueous medium. Moreover, the mechanism of the L-Cd(2+) complex has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography and density functional theory calculation results.

Alkaline earth metal (Mg, Sr, Ba)-organic frameworks based on 2,2',6,6'-tetracarboxybiphenyl for proton conduction.

Three new alkaline earth metal based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), namely M-BPTC (M = Mg, Sr, Ba), have been synthesized by using BPTC (2,2',6,6'-tetracarboxybiphenyl) as ligand under hydrothermal conditions. These MOFs exhibit interesting structural diversity, variable chemical and thermal stability, as well as proton conductivity. Mg-BPTC with the formula {[Mg(BPTC)0.

Thermochromic luminescent nest-like silver thiolate cluster.

A novel discrete open high-nuclearity nest-like silver thiolate cluster complex, [Ag33 S3 (StBu)16 (CF3 COO)9 (NO3 )(CH3 CN)2 ](NO3 ) (1), has been isolated with nitrate and S(2-) anions acting as structure-directing templates. Its similar nest-like structure has been assembled into an extended layer [Ag31 S3 (StBu)16 (NO3 )9 ]n (2) by adjustment of auxiliary ligand. More interestingly, both complexes exhibit temperature-dependent luminescence of high sensitivity with a large fluorescence enhancement (12-fold for 1, 21-fold for 2), which can be easily recognized by the naked-eye (dramatic red-shift Δ=104 nm for 1, larger Δ=113 nm for 2 at 77 K compared to those at 298 K).

A super water-stable europium-organic framework: guests inducing low-humidity proton conduction and sensing of metal ions.

The ordered dimethylammonium cations [H2N(CH3)2](+) and helical water spirals as guest species make a super water stable europium-organic framework possess a proton conductivity of over 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 68% relative humidity. A fluorescent probe for Fe(3+) and Cu(2+) ions via a different mechanism has also been realized.

Direct bioconversion of raw corn stalk to hydrogen by a new strain Clostridium sp. FS3.

A new strain FS3 which could achieve an efficient bioconversion of raw corn stalk to hydrogen had been isolated from anaerobic acclimated sludge, and identified as Clostridium butyricum on the basis of a series of physiological and biochemical experiments and 16S rDNA gene sequence. The strain could utilize various carbon sources to produce hydrogen. On the basis of single-factor experiments, the response surface methodology (RSM) was performed to optimize the media for hydrogen production.

An investigation for public acceptance of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery.

Unlabelled: Objective : Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is the latest innovation in minimally invasive surgery with unconfirmed advantages. The public perception of LESS is the basis of carrying out the surgery.

Methodology: Participants from the outpatient department were invited to rate, on a 5-point Likert scale, the important factors including scar, complications, cost, pain and hospital stay in choosing surgery.

A tetranuclear Cu4(μ3-OH)2-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with sulfonate-carboxylate ligands for proton conduction.

A new tetranuclear Cu4(μ3-OH)2-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with sulfonate-carboxylate ligands features large hydrophilic channels. This MOF exhibits proton conductivity over 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 85-100 °C and 98% relative humidity and colossal dielectric constant.

Photocatalytic H2 generation based on noble-metal-free binuclear cobalt complexes using visible-light.

Two new binuclear cobalt complexes, namely {[Co(dmgH)(dmgH2)]2L1} (I) and {[Co(dmgH)(dmgH2)]2L2} (II) (dmgH = dimethylglyoximate monoanion; dmgH2 = dimethylglyoxime, L1 = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), L2 = 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been synthesized by the self-assembly of [Co(dmgH)(dmgH2)] and L1 or L2, respectively. An efficient photocatalytic system was constructed by combining a noble-metal-free cobalt complex as the catalyst with Eosin Y dye (EY(2-)) as the photosensitizer to give an efficient H2 generating system under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) using triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial electron donor. The maximum amount of H2 generated was 1013 TON for I and 1134 TON for II over a 2 h irradiation period (λ > 420 nm) under the conditions of pH 8.

Two new isomerous fluorescent chemosensors for Al(3+) based on photoinduced electron transfer.

Two new isomerous PET fluorescent chemosensors (L and L') for Al(3+) have been designed, synthesized and characterized. The two chemosensors exhibited fluorescence enhancement upon binding Al(3+) in CH3CN by PET inhibition processes from both the sulfur and the nitrogen donors to anthracene. The job's plot, Benesi-Hildebrand plot and (1)H NMR titration experiments indicate that both chemosensors form a 1:1 complex with Al(3+).

Ferroelectric switchable behavior through fast reversible de/adsorption of water spirals in a chiral 3D metal-organic framework.

A polar homochiral 3D MOF [{Co2(L)(bpe)(H2O)}·5H2O]n constructed with cobalt(II) and a new ligand N-(1,3-dicarboxy-5-benzyl)-carboxymethylglycine (H4L) accommodates ordered helical water streams in its helical grooves. It provides the first example of switchable ferroelectric and optical behavior through two-step reversible single-crystal to single-crystal transformation (SCSC) upon desorption/adsorption of water spirals and coordinated water molecules, respectively.

Increased leukocyte Rho-kinase activity in a population with acute coronary syndrome.

Accumulating evidence suggests that Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) may be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary vasospasm. In the present study, we investigated whether ROCK activity is increased in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Twenty-one patients with ACS (12 males, mean age 58.

Benzenepolycarboxylate-templated assembly of silver coordination polymers exhibiting argentophilic honeycomb layer and tubular motifs.

Organic anion template-controlled reactions of benzenepolycarboxylic acids with silver(I) salts resulted in two coordination polymers with distinct structural features based on the argentophilic interaction, one exhibiting a honeycomb layer formed by the fusion of macrocyclic Ag(16) rings and the other furnishing the first example of a Ag(∞) tubular motif.

A novel sensitive turn-on fluorescent Zn2+ chemosensor based on an easy to prepare C3-symmetric Schiff-base derivative in 100% aqueous solution.

A C(3)-symmetric Schiff-base example of the new simple, low cost, highly water soluble, and sensitive turn-on fluorescent Zn(2+) chemosensor is described. The sensor was successfully applied to the detection of intracellular Zn(2+). Moreover, the sensor could also serve as a potential recyclable component in sensing materials.