FLiX (X = Cl, Br, I): Superhalogen Anions with Planar Tetracoordinate Fluorine.

The concept of superhalogen was proposed for more than 40 years, and it has never been associated with planar tetracoordinate fluorine (ptF) species. In this work, using Li as the ligands and Cl, Br, I as the auxiliary atoms, we have designed the star-like FLiX (X = Cl, Br, I) clusters, which contain the ptF at the centers. They are all global minima (GMs) based on unbiased searches on the potential energy surfaces.

Increased gene dosage of RFWD2 causes autistic-like behaviors and aberrant synaptic formation and function in mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. A study of autistic human subjects has identified RFWD2 as a susceptibility gene for autism, and autistic patients have 3 copies of the RFWD2 gene. The role of RFWD2 as an E3 ligase in neuronal functions, and its contribution to the pathophysiology of ASD, remain unknown.

Ternary XBeH (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) Clusters: Planar Tetracoordinate Si/Ge/Sn/Pb Species with 18 Valence Electrons.

As one of the important probes of chemical bonding, planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) compounds have been receiving much attention. Compared with ptC clusters, the heavier planar tetracoordinate silicon, germanium, tin, lead (ptSi/Ge/Sn/Pb) systems are scarcer and more exotic. The 18-valence-electron (ve)-counting is one important guide, though not the only rule, for the design of planar tetra-, penta-coordinate carbon and silicon clusters.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting survival in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a complex and heterogeneous disease. We aimed to design and validate a prognostic nomogram for improving the prediction of short-term survival in patients with AP.

Methods: The clinical data of 632 patients with AP were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database.

New Frontier in Antiviral Drugs for Disorders of the Respiratory System.

Background: COVID-19 is still soaring, and the new delta COVID-19 variant is on the rise and spreading around the world.

Objective: We conducted a patent analysis to better understand the therapeutic strategy developed for antivirals available for the disorders of the respiratory system.

Materials And Methods: European granted patents filed from January 2002 to June 2021 were analyzed.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) Predict Clinical Outcome in Patients with Stage IIB Cervical Cancer.

Introduction: Stage IIB cervical cancer (CC) is an advanced stage CC with poor prognosis. Inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the development of CC, and systemic inflammatory indexes were related to the prognosis in several cancers. The objective of the study was to determine the prognostic value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), basophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLR), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) as inflammatory indexes in patients with stage IIB CC.

Development of a Real-Time TaqMan PCR Method for Absolute Quantification of the Biocontrol Agent .

has been used as an effective biocontrol agent for the management of the pinewood nematode, . Tools for monitoring the colonization and parasitism patterns of are required for the development of highly effective biocontrol strategies. Because the TaqMan PCR technique is effective for quantification of species in environmental samples, a real-time PCR-based methodology was developed for absolute quantification of via internal standard addition and extrapolation of DNA quantity to hyphal length.

In vivo infection of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus by the fungus Esteya vermicola.

Background: As the causal agent of pine wilt disease, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a serious pathogen of forest pine trees. Esteya vermicola is a nematophagous fungus of B. xylophilus and exhibits great potential as a biological control agent.

Salicylic acid in Populus tomentosa is a remote signalling molecule induced by Botryosphaeria dothidea infection.

The salicylic acid (SA) plays a critical role during the establishment of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in uninfected plant tissues after localised exposure to a pathogen. Here, we studied SA in Populus tomentosa infected by the plant pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea. The accumulation of SA and methyl salicylate (MeSA) occurred in chronological order in P.

[Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Surface Soils of a Large Steel enterprise in the North of China].

16 priority control polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed by GC-MS in 22 surface soil (0-20 cm) samples collected from a large steel enterprise in the north of China. The concentrations of Σ16PAHs ranged from 22.0 μg·kg to 20062.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Modulates Hyperosmotic-Induced Urea Transporter A1 Relocation in the Inner Medullary Collecting Duct Cells.

Aim: Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) regulates urine concentration by mediating the vasopressin-induced aquaporin 2 expression and water permeability, although it is unknown whether GSK3 also mediates the accumulation of the urea transporter A1 (UT-A1). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of GSK3 on UT-A1 distribution.

Methods: Mouse inner medullary collecting duct 3 cells were transfected with UT-A1-GFP construct.

[Speciation and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments from the Heavily Polluted Area of Xiaoqing River].

Th concentrations of Cu, As, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni in interstitial water were analyzed by ICP-MS from the heavily polluted area of Xiaoqing River. A modified BCR's sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the fraction of the heavy metals in the surface sediments. The aquatic toxicity of heavy metals in interstitial water was assessed by US Water Quality Criteria (CCC, CMC).

Cytospora species from Populus and Salix in China with C. davidiana sp. nov.

Poplar and willow plantations have become widespread in China, in order to meet national economic and environmental needs. The emergence of several pathogens is enhanced by climatic change and associated human factors. Species of Cytospora are well-known pathogens on poplar and willow, and cause stem cankers and diebacks.

Ad-endostatin treatment combined with low-dose irradiation in a murine lung cancer model.

Radiation therapy is a conventional strategy for treating advanced lung cancer yet is accompanied by serious side-effects. Its combination with other strategies, such as antiangiogenesis and gene therapy, has shown excellent prospects. As one of the potent endogenous vascular inhibitors, endostatin has been widely used in the antiangiogenic gene therapy of tumors.

Eryngiolide A, a cytotoxic macrocyclic diterpenoid with an unusual cyclododecane core skeleton produced by the edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii.

Eryngiolide A (1), the first member of C20 diterpenoids with the skeleton deriving from a cyclododecane core fused with two γ-lactone units, was isolated from the solid culture of the edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive analysis of NMR spectra. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two human cancer lines in vitro.

AAV-mediated gene transfer of human pigment epithelium-derived factor inhibits Lewis lung carcinoma growth in mice.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is the most potent inhibitor of angiogenesis in the mammalian eye, and mechanisms through which PEDF exerts its antitumour activity have recently been defined. The aim of our research was to evaluate the ability of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated transfer of human PEDF to inhibit lewis lung carcinoma (LCC) cell growth. Intratumoural injection of AAV-PEDF caused significant reduction of the tumour volume and prolonged the survival time of mice bearing LLC cells, which were associated with decreased microvessel density and increased apoptosis in the tumours.