Multistimuli Responsive Core-Shell Nanoplatform Constructed from Fe O @MOF Equipped with Pillar[6]arene Nanovalves.

An intelligent theranostic nanoplatform based on nanovalve operated metal-organic framework (MOF) core-shell hybrids, incorporating tumorous microenvironment-triggered drug release, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance, sustained release, and effective chemotherapy in one pot is reported. The core-shell hybrids are constructed by an in situ growth method, in which Fe O particles with superior abilities of MRI and magnetic separation form the core and UiO-66 MOF with high loading capacity compose the shell, and then are surface-installed with pillararene-based pseudorotaxanes as tightness-adjustable nanovalves. This strategy endows the system with the ability of targeted, multistimuli responsive drug release in response to pH changes, temperature variations, and competitive agents.

No increased risk of perforation during colonoscopy in patients undergoing propofol versus traditional sedation: A meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The safety of propofol sedation during colonoscopy remains unclear, and we performed a meta-analysis to assess the risk of perforation in patients undergoing propofol vs. traditional sedation.

Methods: MEDLINE, CBM, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched up to December 2016.

Comparison of three treatment strategies for patients with triple-vessel coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with multivessel coronary disease and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, some patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or solely medical therapy (MT) in actual practice. The comparison of long-term outcomes of these three treatment strategies in real world is unclear.

Enhanced Thermostability of Glucose Oxidase through Computer-Aided Molecular Design.

Glucose oxidase (GOD, EC.1.1.

Comparison of Long-term Outcomes in Patients with Premature Triple-vessel Coronary Disease Undergoing Three Different Treatment Strategies: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with premature triple-vessel disease (PTVD) have a higher risk of recurrent coronary events and repeat revascularization; however, the long-term outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and medical therapy (MT) alone for PTVD patients is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of PTVD patients among these three treatment strategies, to find out the most appropriate treatment methods for these patients.

Methods: One thousand seven hundred and ninety-two patients with PTVD (age: men ≤50 years and women ≤60 years) were enrolled between 2004 and 2011.

Nb©Au: a molecular wheel with a short Nb[triple bond, length as m-dash]Nb triple bond coordinated by an Au ring and reinforced by σ aromaticity.

We report a photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution photoelectron imaging study of a bimetallic NbAu cluster. Theoretical calculations, in conjunction with the experimental data, reveal that NbAu possess high-symmetry structures featuring a Nb-Nb axis coordinated equatorially by an Au ring. Chemical bonding analyses show that there are two π bonds and one σ bond in the Nb moiety in Nb©Au, as well as five totally delocalized σ bonds.

Ultrafast Charging High Capacity Asphalt-Lithium Metal Batteries.

Li metal has been considered an outstanding candidate for anode materials in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its exceedingly high specific capacity and extremely low electrochemical potential, but addressing the problem of Li dendrite formation has remained a challenge for its practical rechargeable applications. In this work, we used a porous carbon material made from asphalt (Asp), specifically untreated gilsonite, as an inexpensive host material for Li plating. The ultrahigh surface area of >3000 m/g (by BET, N) of the porous carbon ensures that Li was deposited on the surface of the Asp particles, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, to form Asp-Li.

TiO₂ Nanobelt@Co₉S₈ Composites as Promising Anode Materials for Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries.

TiO₂ anodes have attracted great attention due to their good cycling stability for lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs). Unfortunately, the low specific capacity and poor conductivity limit their practical application. The mixed phase TiO₂ nanobelt (anatase and TiO₂-B) based Co₉S₈ composites have been synthesized via the solvothermal reaction and subsequent calcination.

Predicting synonymous codon usage and optimizing the heterologous gene for expression in E. coli.

Of the 20 common amino acids, 18 are encoded by multiple synonymous codons. These synonymous codons are not redundant; in fact, all of codons contribute substantially to protein expression, structure and function. In this study, the codon usage pattern of genes in the E.

Optimization of lag phase shapes the evolution of a bacterial enzyme.

Mutations provide the variation that drives evolution, yet their effects on fitness remain poorly understood. Here we explore how mutations in the essential enzyme adenylate kinase (Adk) of Escherichia coli affect multiple phases of population growth. We introduce a biophysical fitness landscape for these phases, showing how they depend on molecular and cellular properties of Adk.

GSK-3β suppresses HCC cell dissociation by upregulating epithelial junction proteins and inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is required in the expression of epithelial junction proteins. It was found downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of GSK-3β in modulating the metastatic behaviors of human HCC cell lines .

Identification of an operon involved in fluoride resistance in Enterobacter cloacae FRM.

Fluorine is ubiquitous and the most active non-metal element in nature. While many microorganisms have developed fluoride resistance as a result of the widespread and prolonged application of oral hygiene products, the mechanisms used by these organisms to overcome fluoride toxicity are incompletely understood. In this study, a fluoride-resistant strain, Enterobacter cloacae FRM, was identified which could grow well at a fluoride concentration of 4,000 mg/L.

Effects of testosterone and flutamide on reproduction in Brachionus calyciflorus.

The effects of testosterone and flutamide on reproduction in Brachionus calyciflorus were studied. Asexual reproduction in B. calyciflorus was not affected by testosterone at different concentrations of flutamide.

Bismuth-Boron Multiple Bonding in BiB O and Bi B.

Despite its electron deficiency, boron is versatile in forming multiple bonds. Transition-metal-boron double bonding is known, but boron-metal triple bonds have been elusive. Two bismuth boron cluster anions, BiB O and Bi B , containing triple and double B-Bi bonds are presented.

Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance Improves the Long-term Prognosis in Patients with Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

This study compared the long term outcomes in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease who underwent stenting under the guidance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or conventional angiography at a large single center. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI) at 3 years. Target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 3 years was one of the secondary outcomes.

PrB : A Praseodymium-Doped Boron Cluster with a Pr Center Coordinated by a Doubly Aromatic Planar η -B Ligand.

The structure and bonding of a Pr-doped boron cluster (PrB ) are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. The adiabatic electron detachment energy of PrB is found to be low [1.47(8) eV].

Competition between drum and quasi-planar structures in RhB: motifs for metallo-boronanotubes and metallo-borophenes.

Metal-doped boron clusters provide new opportunities to design nanoclusters with interesting structures and bonding. A cobalt-doped boron cluster, CoB, has been observed recently to be planar and can be viewed as a motif for metallo-borophenes, whereas the drum isomer as a motif for metallo-boronanotubes is found to be much higher in energy. Hence, whether larger doped boron drums are possible is still an open question.

Vanadium sulfide sub-microspheres: A new near-infrared-driven photocatalyst.

Recently, finding a novel near-infrared (NIR) photocatalyst has been the focus in photocatalysis. Here, VS sub-microspheres with a chain-like structure were prepared via a facile solvothermal method. As a new photocatalyst, it presents excellent NIR photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity.

Hierarchical assembly of InO nanoparticles on ZnO hollow nanotubes using carbon fibers as templates: Enhanced photocatalytic and gas-sensing properties.

A novel hollow hierarchical nano-heterostructure consisting of ZnO nanorods coated with InO nanoparticles was prepared using a hydrothermal method combined with an annealing treatment via carbon fiber (CF) templates. Experimental results reveal that the InO/ZnO hierarchical composite has a tubular structure with an average diameter of ∼6μm and InO nanoparticles distribute uniformly on the ZnO nanorods. Significantly, the obtained heterostructure shows enhanced visible light photoactivity to methyl orange (MO) degradation and good selectivity and response toward ethanol even at a low detection limit (1ppm).

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CD40 gene associate with the disease susceptibility and severity in knee osteoarthritis in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study.

Background: This study explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD40 gene, rs4810485 G > T and rs1883832 C > T, as well as disease susceptibility and severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in the Chinese Han population.

Method: Peripheral venous blood was collected from 133 KOA patients (KOA group) and 143 healthy people (control group) from December 2012 to November 2013. The patients in the KOA group were classified into mild, moderate and severe groups according to disease severity.

Relationship between hyperuricemia and risk of coronary heart disease in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Objective To investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk based on the Framingham risk score (FRS) in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled patients undergoing routine check-ups at Xiangya Hospital between October 2013 and November 2014. Hyperuricemia was defined as uric acid ≥416 mmol/l for males and ≥360 mmol/l for females.

Observation of a metal-centered B-Ta@B tubular molecular rotor and a perfect Ta@B boron drum with the record coordination number of twenty.

A tubular molecular rotor B-Ta@B (1) and boron drum Ta@B (2) with the highest coordination number of twenty in chemistry are observed via a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles theory investigation.

Study of the union method of microelectrode array and AFM for the recording of electromechanical activities in living cardiomyocytes.

Electrophysiology and mechanics are two essential components in the functions of cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells. The simultaneous recording of electrophysiological and mechanical activities is important for the understanding of mechanisms underlying cell functions. For example, on the one hand, mechanisms under cardiovascular drug effects will be investigated in a comprehensive way by the simultaneous recording of electrophysiological and mechanical activities.

Phosphorylation of osteopontin has proapoptotic and proinflammatory effects on human knee osteoarthritis chondrocytes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of phosphorylated osteopontin (p-OPN) on apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in human knee osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. Human knee OA chondrocytes obtained from patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were treated with p-OPN, OPN or buffer. Reverse transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis were used to assess the expression levels of proinflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of salinomycin triazole analogues as anticancer agents.

Salinomycin, a polyether antibiotic used for treatment of coccidial disease in animal husbandry, has demonstrated promising efficacy for treating different cancers. To enrich structure-activity relationship of salinomycin in tumours, we prepared a series of new triazole derivatives in specific site of salinomycin by click cycloaddition reactions, and assessed their antiproliferative activities on breast cancer cell lines. The screening results indicated that most derivatives modified at the C20 hydroxyl group have potent antitumour activity.