Pea aphid promotes amino acid metabolism both in Medicago truncatula and bacteriocytes to favor aphid population growth under elevated CO2.

Rising atmospheric CO(2) levels can dilute the nitrogen (N) resource in plant tissue, which is disadvantageous to many herbivorous insects. Aphids appear to be an exception that warrants further study. The effects of elevated CO(2) (750 ppm vs.

The effects of different solvents and excitation wavelength on the photophysical properties of two novel Ir(III) complexes based on phenylcinnoline ligand.

Two novel cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes, Ir(pcl)2(pic) and Ir(pcl)2(fpic) (pcl: 3-phenylcinnoline, pic: picolinic acid, fpic: 5-fluoro-2-picolinic acid) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis, PL, and MALDI-TOF. These two Ir-complexes geometry were predicted using the Sparkle/PM6 model and suggested to a chemical environment of very low symmetry around the Ir ions (C 1). The PL spectrum of Ir(pcl)2(pic) and Ir(pcl)2(fpic) indicated that these complex belonged to red light emission, and maximum emission wavelength located at 647 and 641 nm, respectively.

Controlled fabrication and optoelectrical properties of metallosupramolecular films based on ruthenium(II) phthalocyanines and 4,4'-bipyridine covalently anchored on inorganic substrates.

Fully conjugated metallosupramolecular self-assembled multilayer films were controllably fabricated based on bibenzonitril-phthalocyaninato ruthenium(II) (BBPR) and 4,4'-bipyridine (BP) via axially coordination interaction between ruthenium ions and the pyridine groups on the modified substrates. The substrates were first functionalized by 4-(pyridine-4-ylethynyl)benzenic diazonium salt (PBD) through photodecomposition of diazonium group under UV irradiation. As a result, the pyridine-containing functional groups were vertically and covalently anchored onto the surface of substrate and got a stable monolayer.

Norisoboldine suppresses osteoclast differentiation through preventing the accumulation of TRAF6-TAK1 complexes and activation of MAPKs/NF-κB/c-Fos/NFATc1 Pathways.

Norisoboldine (NOR) is the main alkaloid constituent in the dry root of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. (L. strychnifolia Vill.

Nox4-dependent ROS modulation by amino endoperoxides to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients. Anoikis resistance is one critical malefactor of metastatic cancer cells to resist current clinical chemotherapeutic treatments. Although endoperoxide-containing compounds have long been suggested as anticancer drugs, few have been clinically employed due to their instability, complex synthesis procedure or low tumor cell selectivity.

A comparison of three MDCT post-processing protocols: preoperative assessment of the ossicular chain in otitis media.

The aim of this study was to examine and assess comparative values of HRCT-based multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and virtual endoscope built on three-dimensional (3D) shaded-surface display (SSD-based CTVE) for detections of ossicular chain's damage in patients with otitis media. 70 human ears from 70 patients suffering by chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma, who were examined with a preoperative multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT) examination and tympanoplasty in our hospital were collected. The patients ossicular chains were reconstructed with the aforementioned three protocols and assessed via a three-point scoring system by three radiologists.

Phase II randomized study of trastuzumab emtansine versus trastuzumab plus docetaxel in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), an antibody-drug conjugate composed of the cytotoxic agent DM1 conjugated to trastuzumab via a stable thioether linker, has shown clinical activity in single-arm studies enrolling patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose disease had progressed on HER2-targeted therapy in the metastatic setting.

Patients And Methods: Patients (N = 137) with HER2-positive MBC or recurrent locally advanced breast cancer were randomly assigned to trastuzumab plus docetaxel (HT; n = 70) or T-DM1 (n = 67) as first-line treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary end points were investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and safety.

Effect of pH on the photophysical properties of two new carboxylic-substituted iridium(III) complexes.

Two cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes have been prepared based on 2-(4-diphenylamino-phenyl)-quinoline and incorporating carboxylic acid ethyl ester (–COOC(2)H(5), (TPAQCE)(2)Irpic and carboxylic acid (–COOH, (TPAQCOOH)(2)Irpic) substituents at the 4-position of the quinoline ligand, respectively. The absorption, emission and (1)H NMR spectra of (TPAQCE)(2)Irpic and (TPAQCOOH)(2)Irpic under alkaline or acidic conditions demonstrate that they respond to the pH of the surrounding solvent environment. The deprotonation of the carboxylic acid group significantly blue-shifts the metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption band of (TPAQCOOH)(2)Irpic by 48 nm and enhances the emission quantum-yield in DMSO.

Melatonin potentiates the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of ursolic acid in colon cancer cells by modulating multiple signaling pathways.

Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid, is largely distributed in medical herbs and edible plants. Melatonin is an indoleamine compound produced in the pineal gland and also a plant-derived product. Both UA and melatonin have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in numerous studies, but they have never been combined altogether as an anticolon cancer treatment.

Early and mid-term results of off-pump endarterectomy of the left anterior descending artery.

Objectives: Many patients referred for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) today have diffusely diseased coronary vessels, and some of them may require coronary endarterectomy to provide adequate revascularization. Most reports of coronary endarterectomy describe an on-pump procedure. As off-pump coronary artery bypass graft has become safer and more routine, there is renewed interest in off-pump coronary endarterectomy.

Impact of T status and N status on perioperative outcomes after thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effect of tumor size, location, and clinical nodal status on outcomes after thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer.

Methods: All patients who underwent attempted thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer between June 1999 and October 2010 at a single institution were reviewed. A model for morbidity including published risk factors as well as tumor size, location, and clinical N status was developed by multivariable logistic regression.

3D images based on MDCT in evaluation of patients with suspected foreign body aspiration.

To evaluate the value of 3D images based on multi-detect computer tomography (MDCT) for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected foreign bodies aspiration, and report our experience about diagnosis and management of the aforementioned patients using the 3D images, as well as detail our protocol for the management of those patients. Forty-four patients (37 children, 7 adults) with suspected foreign bodies aspiration who accepted pre-surgical examination and bronchoscopy in our hospital were included in this study. All the patients' pre-surgical 3D images based on MDCT were reconstructed and analyzed.

Gleditsioside B, a triterpene saponin isolated from the anomalous fruits of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., abrogates bFGF-induced endothelial cell migration through preventing the activation of MMP-2 and FAK via inhibiting ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Angiogenesis has become an attractive target for the treatment of certain diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Our previous studies demonstrated that the saponin fraction from Gleditsia sinensis fruits had anti-angiogenic potential, and Gleditsiosides B (GB) was probably the main active constituent. In the present study, we assessed the effect of GB on endothelial cell migration, a crucial event in angiogenesis, and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Phosphorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ and acetonitrile based on iridium(III) complex.

A new phosphorescent chemosensor for Hg(2+) and acetonitrile (MeCN) based on iridium(III) complex Ir(dpp)(2)(dtc) (Ir1, dppH = 4,6-diphenylpyrimidine, dtcH = diethyl dithiocarbamic acid) was realized. Upon addition of a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of Hg(2+), the dichloromethane (DCM) solution of Ir1 gave a visual color change and significant fluorescent quenching. When MeCN was added, a new fluorescent emission emerged, which constituted a selective MeCN phosphorescent chemosensor.

Optimal energy-utilization ratio for long-distance cruising of a model fish.

The efficiency of total energy utilization and its optimization for long-distance migration of fish have attracted much attention in the past. This paper presents theoretical and computational research, clarifying the above well-known classic questions. Here, we specify the energy-utilization ratio (f(η)) as a scale of cruising efficiency, which consists of the swimming speed over the sum of the standard metabolic rate and the energy consumption rate of muscle activities per unit mass.

2-[(8-Meth-oxy-carbonyl-4b,8-dimethyl-4b,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10-octa-hydro-phenan-thren-3-yl)amino]-3,5-dinitro-benzoic acid ethyl acetate monosolvate.

The title compound, C(25)H(27)N(3)O(8)·C(4)H(8)O(2), has a diterpene skeleton in which the fused cyclo-hexane rings exhibit chair and half-chair conformations. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed.

Study of the head and neck position in microlaryngoscopy using magnetic resonance imaging.

Several studies have critically analyzed the ideal position for laryngeal exposure during microlaryngoscopy; however, these studies have lacked the ability to evaluate the head and neck position while maintaining a direct view into the airway. Therefore, a newly established two-curve methodology was used to investigate the influence of head and neck position during microlaryngoscopy in MRI images. Fourteen normal adult volunteers were used in this magnetic resonance imaging study.

1-(2,6-Diisopropyl-phen-oxy)-4-phenyl-phthalazine.

In the title mol-ecule, C(26)H(26)N(2)O, the phenyl and phen-oxy rings form dihedral angles of 54.66 (7) and 84.83 (6)°, respectively, with the phthalazine mean plane.

Norisoboldine, an alkaloid compound isolated from Radix Linderae, inhibits synovial angiogenesis in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats by moderating Notch1 pathway-related endothelial tip cell phenotype.

Synovial angiogenesis is well recognized as participating in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has been regarded as a potential target for RA therapy. Previously, we have shown that norisoboldine (NOR) can protect joints from destruction in mice with collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA). Here, we investigate the effect of NOR on synovial angiogenesis in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) rats, and clarify the mechanisms in vitro.

Thoracoscopic lobectomy has increasing benefit in patients with poor pulmonary function: a Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database analysis.

Objective: Using a national database, we asked whether video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is beneficial in high-risk pulmonary patients.

Background: Single-institution series demonstrated benefit of VATS lobectomy over lobectomy via thoracotomy in poor pulmonary function patients [FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) or DLCO (diffusion capacity of the lung to carbon monoxide) <60% predicted].

Methods: The STS General Thoracic Database was queried for patients having undergone lobectomy by either thoracotomy or VATS between 2000 and 2010.

Distribution and characterization of organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediment from Poyang Lake, China.

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in the sediments from Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. The results showed that the total concentrations of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH), three dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) homologs and their metabolites (p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE), sodium pentachlorophenate and PAHs varied from 0.536±0.

Weighting composite endpoints in clinical trials: essential evidence for the heart team.

Background: Coronary revascularization trials often use a composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The usual practice in analyzing data with a composite endpoint is to assign equal weights to each of the individual MACCE elements. Noninferiority margins are used to offset effects of presumably less important components, but their magnitudes are subject to bias.

No evidence for an epidemic of stroke with the ageing of the population.

Background/aim: The ageing population in Australia may contribute to an epidemic of stroke in coming years. We aimed to assess whether deaths and hospitalisations from stroke in Australia are increasing.

Methods: Nationwide age- and sex-specific hospitalisation episode data from 1996 to 1997 were used to predict future hospitalisations from stroke.

Needs assessment for an errors-based curriculum on thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Background: Research suggests a benefit from a skills curriculum emphasizing error prevention, identification, and management. Our purpose was to identify common errors committed by trainees during simulated thoracoscopic lobectomy for use in developing an error-based curriculum.

Methods: Twenty-one residents (postgraduate years 1 to 8) performed a thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy on a previously validated simulator.