FeCl-Promoted Photocatalytic Cleavage of C-C Bond in Lignin and Lignin Model to Benzoic Acid.

Because of the complex structure and inherent inert chemical activity of lignin, it is still challenging to depolymerize lignin to obtain valuable chemicals efficiently. Here, we present an FeCl-promoted photocatalytic depolymerization strategy to realize the C-C oxidative cleavage of lignin model compounds at room temperature. The method generates benzoic acid and phenol compounds in high yields.

Enantioselective biomarkers of maize toxicity induced by hexabromocyclododecane based on submicroscopic structure, gene expression and molecular docking.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), as a monitored chemical of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Stockholm Convention and the Action Plan for New Pollutants Treatment in China, raises significant concerns on its impact of human health and food security. This study investigated enantiomer-specific biomarkers of HBCD in maize (Zea mays L.).

Recent advances in catalytic synthesis of 2,5-furandimethanol from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and carbohydrates.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a versatile platform chemical derived from the dehydration of renewable carbohydrates (typically glucose/fructose-based monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides). Some useful compounds, such as 2,5-furandimethanol (FDM), 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (DMTHF), have been synthesized by reduction of HMF. Among these, FDM is a promising diol and can be further converted towards fine chemicals, liquid fuels and polymer materials.

Microwave-Assisted One Pot Cascade Conversion of Furfural to γ-Valerolactone over Sc(OTf).

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is considered as a star biochemical which can be used as a green solvent, fuel additive and versatile organic intermediate. In this study, metal triflate (M(OTf) ) was utilized as the catalyst for one-pot transformation of furfural (FF) to GVL in alcohol media under microwave irradiation. Alcohol plays multiple functions including solvent, hydrogen donor and alcoholysis reagent in this cascade reaction process.

[Retracted] Methylation‑induced downregulation and tumor-suppressive role of microRNA‑98 in glioma through targeting Sal‑like protein 4.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the cell Transwell assay data in the article (featured in Figs. 4D and 6D) were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors at different research institutions, which were already under consideration for publication or had already been published elsewhere at the time of the present article's submission. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already appeared in different form in other articles prior to its submission to , the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal.

Methylation-induced downregulation and tumor-suppressive role of microRNA-98 in glioma through targeting Sal-like protein 4.

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been found to play key roles in various human cancers, but the detailed regulatory mechanism of miR-98 in glioma remains largely unknown. The findings of the present study demonstrated that miR-98 was frequently downregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines (U87, U251, U373 and SHG44), and the decreased miR-98 levels were associated with DNA methylation. Treatment with 5-Aza-20-deoxycytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, significantly increased the expression of miR-98 in glioma cells.