EuPtPb and SrPtPb-lead-based intermetallics with YRhSn/NdRhSn-type polyanionic platinum-lead 3D frameworks.

Two platinide plumbides, EuPtPb and SrPtPb, were discovered using high-temperature exploratory synthesis and flux-assisted crystal growth. Their crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system; EuPtPb belongs to the YRhSn structure type (2, = 4.

NaZr(PO) - a cubic langbeinite-type sodium-ion solid conductor.

The synthesis of langbeinite-type phosphates with small cations such as Li or Na a high-temperature solid-state reaction is a challenging task due to the predominant formation of a related NaSICON-type phase. This work reports on the synthesis route, crystal structure, thermal behavior, and Na-conductive properties of the langbeinite-type NaZr(PO) prepared by a mechanochemically activated ion-exchange reaction between hydrothermally prepared NHZr(PO) and NaNO. The crystal structure of NaZr(PO) is refined based on X-ray diffraction data and validated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy.

Probable Mechanisms of Doxorubicin Antitumor Activity Enhancement by Ginsenoside Rh2.

Ginsenoside Rh2 increases the efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in murine models of solid and ascites Ehrlich's adenocarcinoma. In a solid tumor model (treatment commencing 7 days after inoculation), DOX + Rh2 co-treatment was significantly more efficacious than DOX alone. If treatment was started 24 h after inoculation, the inhibition of tumor growth of a solid tumor for the DOX + Rh2 co-treatment group was complete.

Nickel - p-block metal mixed chalcogenides based on AuCu-type fragments: iodine-assisted synthesis as a way of obtaining new structures.

Two new mixed nickel-gallium chalcogenides, Ni9.39Ga2S2 and Ni5.80GaTe2, and a new mixed nickel-indium telluride, Ni5.

De novo mutations in FLNC leading to early-onset restrictive cardiomyopathy and congenital myopathy.

Mutations in FLNC for a long time are known in connection to neuromuscular disorders and only recently were described in association with various cardiomyopathies. Here, we report a new clinical phenotype of filaminopathy in four unrelated patients with early-onset restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in combination with congenital myopathy due to FLNC mutations (NM_001458.4:c.

Draft Genome Sequence of Historical Strain Leningrad-2, Isolated from Blood of a Patient with Acute Q Fever in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

This is the announcement of a draft genome sequence of strain Leningrad-2, phase I. The strain, which is mildly virulent in infected guinea pigs, was isolated in 1957 from the blood of a patient with acute Q fever in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia.

Effect of Transition Metal Substitution on the Structure and Properties of a Clathrate-Like Compound Eu₇CuAs.

A series of substitutional solid solutions-Eu₇CuTAs (T = Fe, Co, Ni)-based on a recently discovered clathrate-like compound (Eu₇CuAs) were synthesized from the elements at 800 °C. Almost up to 50% of Cu can be substituted by Ni, resulting in a linear decrease of the cubic unit cell parameter from = 16.6707(1) Å for the ternary compound to = 16.

Hydrogel Micro-/Nanosphere Coated by a Lipid Bilayer: Preparation and Microscopic Probing.

The result of polymeric nanogels and lipid vesicles interaction-lipobeads-can be considered as multipurpose containers for future therapeutic applications, such as targeted anticancer chemotherapy with superior tumor response and minimum side effects. In this work, micrometer sized lipobeads were synthesized by two methods: (i) mixing separately prepared microgels made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and phospholipid vesicles of micrometer or nanometer size and (ii) polymerization within the lipid vesicles. For the first time, a high vacuum scanning electron microscopy was shown to be suitable for a quick validation of the structural organization of wet lipobeads and their constituents without special sample preparation.

Structural and Thermodynamic Stability of the "1111" Structure Type: A Case Study of the EuFZnPn Series.

Two new compounds with the LaOAgS structure, EuFZnAs (1) and EuFZnSb (2), were obtained via solid state reaction. Both compounds are tetragonal (P4/nmm) with the cell parameters a = 4.1000(1) Å and c = 9.

Liposome-Nanogel Structures for Future Pharmaceutical Applications: An Updated Review.

Nature uses combination of lipid bilayers and cross-linked macromolecular networks to achieve workability, multifunctionality, and dynamism in living cells of different types. Despite the concept of liposome-nanogel structures (lipobeads) is known for about 30 years, lipobead-based drug delivery systems are still largely experimental. The data available on nano- and giant lipobeads are reviewed to demonstrate technological achievability of lipobeads and to support the expectations that additional expenses on their production will be reimbursed by the potential advantages of their use.

Synthesis and cation distribution in the new bismuth oxyhalides with the Sillén-Aurivillius intergrowth structures.

About 20 new compounds with the Sillén-Aurivillius intergrowth structure, Me(1)Me(2)Bi3Nb2O11X (Me(1) = Pb, Sr, Ba; Me(2) = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Cl, Br, I), have been prepared. They are composed of stacking of [ANb2O7] perovskite blocks, fluorite-type [M2O2] blocks and halogen sheets. The cation distribution between the fluorite and perovskite layers has been studied for Ba2Bi3Nb2O11I, Ca1.

Two new arsenides, Eu7Cu44As23 and Sr7Cu44As23, with a new filled variety of the BaHg11 structure.

Two new ternary arsenides, namely, Eu7Cu44As23 and Sr7Cu44As23, were synthesized from elements at 800 °C. Their crystal structure represents a new filled version of the BaHg11 motif with cubic voids alternately occupied by Eu(Sr) and As atoms, resulting in a 2 × 2 × 2 superstructure of the aristotype: space group Fm3̅m, a = 16.6707(2) Å and 16.

Assemblathon 2: evaluating de novo methods of genome assembly in three vertebrate species.

Background: The process of generating raw genome sequence data continues to become cheaper, faster, and more accurate. However, assembly of such data into high-quality, finished genome sequences remains challenging. Many genome assembly tools are available, but they differ greatly in terms of their performance (speed, scalability, hardware requirements, acceptance of newer read technologies) and in their final output (composition of assembled sequence).

Synthesis, crystal structure, transport, and magnetic properties of novel ternary copper phosphides, A2Cu6P5 (A = Sr, Eu) and EuCu4P3.

Three new ternary copper phosphides, Sr(2)Cu(6)P(5), Eu(2)Cu(6)P(5), and EuCu(4)P(3), have been synthesized from the elements in evacuated silica capsules. Eu(2)Cu(6)P(5) and Sr(2)Cu(6)P(5) adopt the Ca(2)Cu(6)P(5)-type structure, while EuCu(4)P(3) is isostructural to BaMg(4)Si(3) and still remains the only representative of this structure type among the ternary Cu pnictides. All three materials show metallic conductivity in the temperature range 2 K ≤ T ≤ 290 K, with no indication for superconductivity.

Utilization of an in vivo reporter for high throughput identification of branched small molecule regulators of hypoxic adaptation.

Small molecules inhibiting hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) are the focus of drug development efforts directed toward the treatment of ischemia and metabolic imbalance. A cell-based reporter produced by fusing HIF-1 alpha oxygen degradable domain (ODD) to luciferase was shown to work as a capture assay monitoring stability of the overexpressed luciferase-labeled HIF PHD substrate under conditions more physiological than in vitro test tubes. High throughput screening identified novel catechol and oxyquinoline pharmacophores with a "branching motif" immediately adjacent to a Fe-binding motif that fits selectively into the HIF PHD active site in in silico models.