Ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein by aptamer-Au nanoparticles conjugates based on a dot-blot assay.

A simple, rapid and ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein using aptamer-Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugates based on a dot-blot array has been developed, which was combined with the unique optical properties of AuNPs, enabling the visual detection of protein within minutes without any instrument.

A two-step field-induced magnetic transition in spin-canted systems observed only for the CoII coordination polymer.

Two isostructural 1D compounds {[M3(hpdc)2(H2O)6] 2H2O}n (M = Mn, Co; H3hpde = 2-hydroxypyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by the in situ hydrothermal reactions of 2-chloropyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylic acid with MCl2 (M = Mn, Co) and NaOH; the MnII compound shows spin-canted antiferromagnetism, whereas the CoII compound exhibits the coexistence of spin-canting and a two-step field-induced magnetic phase transition.

GeB4O9 x H2en: an organically templated borogermanate with large 12-ring channels built by B4O9 polyanions and GeO4 units: host-guest symmetry and charge matching in triangular-tetrahedral frameworks.

A new borogermanate open-framework, FJ-18, with intersecting 12-/8-, 9-, and 9-ring channels in multidimensions was synthesized by using an organic diamine as structure-directing agent (SDA). X-ray diffraction showed that its structure is constructed by flexible connection of strictly alternate B(4)O(9) clusters (with fictitious tetrahedral geometry) and GeO(4) tetrahedra to form a zeotype framework with the CrB(4) topology. The topology and structural relations between FJ-18 and FJ-16, a known borogermanate based on the linkage of B(4)O(9) clusters and GeO(4) units, are described in detail.

NF-kappaB/p65 antagonizes Nrf2-ARE pathway by depriving CBP from Nrf2 and facilitating recruitment of HDAC3 to MafK.

Constitutively activated NF-kappaB occurs in many inflammatory and tumor tissues. Does it interfere with anti-inflammatory or anti-tumor signaling pathway? Here, we report that NF-kappaB p65 subunit repressed the Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway at transcriptional level. In the cells where NF-kappaB and Nrf2 were simultaneously activated, p65 unidirectionally antagonized the transcriptional activity of Nrf2.

Combination between lacunary polyoxometalates and high-nuclear transition metal clusters under hydrothermal conditions: first (3,6)-connected framework constructed from sandwich-type polyoxometalate building blocks containing a novel (Cu8) cluster.

An unprecedented (3,6)-connected 3-D framework constructed from sandwich-type polyoxometalate building blocks containing a (Cu8) cluster, [Cu(H(2)O)(2)]H(2)[Cu(8)(dap)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(alpha-B-GeW(9)O(34))(2)] (dap = 1,2-diaminopropane) has been hydrothermally made, which provides a novel topological structure in transition metal substituted polyoxometalates.

The association of depressive symptoms with inflammatory factors and adipokines in middle-aged and older Chinese.

Background: Studies in Western populations find that depression is associated with inflammation and obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the relation of depressive symptoms with inflammatory factors and adipose-derived adipokines in middle-aged and older Chinese.

Methodology/principal Findings: Data were from 3289 community residents aged 50-70 from Beijing and Shanghai who participated in the Nutrition and Health of Aging Population in China project.

Guidance of cortical radial migration by gradient of diffusible factors.

During the development of cerebral cortex, newborn pyramidal neurons originated from the ventricle wall migrate outwardly to the superficial layer of cortex under the guidance of radial glial filaments. Whether this radial migration of young neurons is guided by gradient of diffusible factors or simply driven by a mass action of newly generated neurons at the ventricular zone is entirely unknown, a potential guidance mechanism that has long been overlooked. Our recent study showed that a guidance molecule semaphorin-3A, which is expressed in descending gradient across cortical layers, may serve as a chemoattractive guidance signal for radial migration of newborn cortical neurons toward upper layers.

Formation of nonextinct ring-banded textures and multistacked lamella of tetra-aniline-block-poly(L-lactide) rod-coil diblock oligomer films induced by solvent vapor treatment.

The self-assembly processes of the rod-coil diblock oligomer thin film of tetra-aniline (TANI)-block-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) with different film thicknesses induced in the coil-selective solvent of acetone vapor at room temperature were studied. The morphologies of the oligomer films were determined by the film thickness. For the thicker film (232 nm), the nonextinct concentric ring-banded textures could form.

Insulin resistance and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: findings from the Nutrition and Health of Aging Population in China Study.

Background: Depression is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes, and insulin resistance is thought to be the underlying link between them. Nevertheless, only a few studies have explored the association between insulin resistance and depression with contradictory results, and none have been conducted in Chinese populations.

Methods: We aimed to determine the association between insulin resistance and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese using data from the Nutrition and Health of Aging Population in China Study, a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2005 in China.

SERS opens a new way in aptasensor for protein recognition with high sensitivity and selectivity.

SERS aptasensors for protein recognition based on Au nanoparticles labeled with aptamers and Raman reporters have been developed, which opens a new way for protein recognition of high sensitivity and selectivity.

Combination of lacunary polyoxometalates and high-nuclear transition-metal clusters under hydrothermal conditions. 5. A novel tetrameric cluster of [{Fe(II)Fe(III)(12)(mu(3)-OH)(12)(mu(4)-PO(4))(4)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(4)](22)(-).

A novel tetrameric cluster, (enH2)3.5H15[{FeIIFeIII12(mu3-OH)12(mu4-PO4)4}(B-alpha-PW9O34)4].83H2O (1; en = ethylenediamine), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR, optical diffuse reflectance, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

A combination of lacunary polyoxometalates and high-nuclear transition-metal clusters under hydrothermal conditions. Part II: From double cluster, dimer, and tetramer to three-dimensional frameworks.

The hydrothermal reactions of trivacant Keggin A-alpha-XW(9)O(34) polyoxoanions (X=P(V)/Si(IV)) with transition-metal ions (Ni(II)/Cu(II)/Fe(II)) in the presence of amines result in eight novel high-nuclear transition-metal-substituted polyoxotungstates [{Ni(7)(mu(3)-OH)(3)O(2)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))][{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))][Ni(dap)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]4.5 H(2)O (1), [Cu(dap)(H(2)O)(3)](2)[{Cu(8)(dap)(4)(H(2)O)(2)}(B-alpha-SiW(9)O(34))(2)]6 H(2)O (2), (enH(2))(3)H(15)[{Fe(II) (1.5)Fe(III) (12)(mu(3)-OH)(12)(mu(4)-PO(4))(4)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(4)]ca.

An effective hydrothermal route for the synthesis of multiple PDDA-protected noble-metal nanostructures.

In this article, we demonstrate an effective hydrothermal route for the synthesis of multiple PDDA-protected (PDDA = poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride) noble-metal (including silver, platinum, palladium, and gold) nanostructures in the absence of any seeds and surfactants, in which PDDA, an ordinary and water-soluble polyelectrolyte, acts as both a reducing and a stabilizing agent. Under optimal experimental conditions, Ag nanocubes, Pt and Pd nanopolyhedrons, and Au nanoplates can be obtained, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. More importantly, the nanostructures synthesized show potential applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering and electrocatalysis, in which Ag nanocubes and Pt nanopolyhedrons were chosen as the examples, respectively.

{Ln(III)[mu(5)-kappa(2),kappa(1),kappa(1),kappa(1),kappa(1)-1,2-(CO2)(2)C6H4][isonicotine][H2O]}(2)Cu(I) x X (Ln = Eu, Sm, Nd; X = ClO4-, Cl-): a new pillared-layer approach to heterobimetallic 3d-4f 3d-network solids.

A new series of heterometallic lanthanide(III)-copper(I) coordination polymers Ln2(bdc)2(ina)2(H2O)2Cu x X (Hina = isonicotinic acid; H2bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid; Ln = Eu (1), Sm (2), Nd (3), X = ClO4-; Ln = Nd (4), X = Cl-) have been hydrothermally synthesized in the presence/absence of HClO4. Both compounds are isostructural and contained two distinct units of 2D Ln-bdc layers and linear [Cu(ina)2]-. The linear [Cu(ina)2]- complexes act as pillars and further link the Ln-bdc layers resulting in four heterometallic metal-organic frameworks, which represent the first pillared-layer 3d-4f framework with two distinct types of channels along the b and c axes.

Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial.

Background: Flaxseed consumption has been shown to improve blood lipids in humans and flaxseed-derived lignan has been shown to enhance glycemic control in animals. The study aimed to investigate the effect of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement on glycemic control, lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methodology/principal Findings: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial and it was conducted between April and December 2006 in Shanghai, China.

Nitric oxide destabilizes Pias3 and regulates sumoylation.

Small ubiquitin-related protein modifiers (SUMO) modification is an important mechanism for posttranslational regulation of protein function. However, it is largely unknown how the sumoylation pathway is regulated. Here, we report that nitric oxide (NO) causes global hyposumoylation in mammalian cells.

Self-assembly of ionic liquids-stabilized Pt nanoparticles into two-dimensional patterned nanostructures at the air-water interface.

In this paper, we demonstrate the self-assembly of ionic liquids (ILs)-stabilized Pt nanoparticles into two-dimensional (2D) patterned nanostructures at the air-water interface under ambient conditions. Here, ILs are not used as solvents but as mediators by virtue of their pronounced self-organization ability in synthesis of self-assembled, highly organized hybrid Pt nanostructures. It is also found that the morphologies of the 2D patterned nanostructures are directly connected with the quantities of ILs.

A series of lanthanide-transition metal frameworks based on 1-, 2-, and 3D metal-organic motifs linked by different 1D copper(I) halide motifs.

Hydrothermal reactions of lanthanide(III) oxide and copper halide with isonicotinic acid (Hina) and pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (H2pdc) or 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2bdc) lead to three novel lanthanide(III)-copper(I) heterometallic compounds, namely, [Ce2(ina)5(na)2(H2O)2][Cu5Br4] (1, na=nicotinic acid), [Er4(ina)8(bdc)2(OH)(H2O)5][Cu8I7] (2), and [Ce3(ina)8(bdc)(H2O)4][Cu7Br6] (3). Compound 1 is constructed from two distinct units of the Ln-organic double chains and inorganic [Cu5Br4]nn+ chains. Compound 2 consists of 2D Ln-organic layers and 1D [Cu8I7]nn+ cluster chains.

Variants in the fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene are not associated with obesity in a Chinese Han population.

Objective: Recently, genome-wide association studies have provided evidence that several common variants within the fat mass-and obesity-associated (FTO) gene were significantly associated with obesity in populations of European origin. However, their effects in other ethnic populations remain to be elucidated.

Research Design And Methods: In this study, we examined the association between three FTO variants (rs8050136, rs9939609, and rs9930506) and obesity and related traits in a population-based study of 3,210 unrelated Chinese Han subjects from Shanghai and Beijing.

Linking two distinct layered networks of nanosized {Ln18} and {Cu24} wheels through isonicotinate ligands.

A new series of heterolanthanide(III)-copper(I) wheel-cluster complexes [Ln6(micro3-O)2](IN)18-[Cu8(micro4-I)2(micro2-I)3].H3O (IN=isonicotinate; Ln=Y 1, Nd 2, Dy 3, Gd 4, Sm 5, Eu 6, Tb 7) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction at low pH. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that two unusual trinuclear [Ln3(micro3-O)] and tetranuclear [Cu4(micro4-I)] cores are successfully used as secondary building units to make two different nanosized wheels [Ln18(micro3-O)6(CO2)48](6-), {Ln18}, and [Cu24(micro4-I)6(micro2-I)12]6+, {Cu24}, with 12-rings and a diameter of 26.

Elevated retinol-binding protein 4 levels are associated with metabolic syndrome in Chinese people.

Context: High retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is thought to be associated with insulin resistance in humans. However, evidence from large-scale populations about the relationship between RBP4 and metabolic diseases is scarce.

Objective: We evaluated plasma RBP4 distribution and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged and older Chinese.

Enterolactone induces apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells via a mitochondrial-mediated, caspase-dependent pathway.

The mammalian lignan enterolactone is a major metabolite of plant-based lignans that has been shown to inhibit the growth and development of prostate cancer. However, little is known about the mechanistic basis for its anticancer activity. In this study, we report that enterolactone selectively suppresses the growth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells by triggering apoptosis.

Diversity of crystal structure with different lanthanide ions involving in situ oxidation-hydrolysis reaction.

A series of lanthanide and lanthanide-transition metal compounds with isonicotinic acid (Hina) and oxalate ligands have been synthesized under hydrothermal reactions. X-Ray crystal structure analyses reveal that they have a rich structural chemistry. Three distinct structure types were exhibited with decreasing lanthanide radii: [LnCu(ina)(2)(C(2)O(4))].

Germanates of 1D chains, 2D layers, and 3D frameworks built from Ge-O clusters by using metal-complex templates: host-guest symmetry and chirality transfer.

The self-assembly of Ge-O polyhedra by metal-complex templates leads to initial examples of open germanate structures under mild solvothermal conditions. These materials are constructed from Ge-O cluster building blocks (Ge7X19 (X = O, OH, or F) or Ni@Ge14O24(OH)3) and span the full range of dimensionalities from 1D chains of Ge7O13(OH)2F3 x Cl x 2 [Ni(dien)2] (FJ-6) to 2D layers of Ge7O14F3 x 0.5 [In(dien)2] x 0.

Prevalence and geographic disparity of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly in China.

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly Chinese in northern and southern China.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was performed in Beijing and Shanghai. Participants included 3289 community residents aged 50-70.