Poly[(6-carboxy­picolinato-κ3 O 2,N,O 6)(μ3-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ato-κ5 O 2,N,O 6:O 2′:O 6′)dysprosium(III)]

In the title complex, [Dy(C7H3NO4)(C7H4NO4)]n, one of the ligands is fully deprotonated while the second has lost only one H atom. Each DyIII ion is coordinated by six O atoms and two N atoms from two pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ate and two 6-carboxy­picolinate ligands, displaying a bicapped trigonal-prismatic geometry. The average Dy—O bond distance is 2.40 Å, some 0.1Å longer than the corresponding Ho—O distance in the isotypic holmium complex. Adjacent DyIII ions are linked by the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ate ligands, forming a layer in (100). These layers are further connected by π–π stacking inter­actions between neighboring pyridyl rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.827 (3) Å] and C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, assembling a three-dimensional supra­molecular network. Within each layer, there are other π–π stacking inter­actions between neighboring pyridyl rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.501 (2) Å] and O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, which further stabilize the structure

The relationship between red blood cell distribution width and metabolic syndrome in elderly Chinese: a cross-sectional study

© 2019 The Author(s). Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of risk factors which includes hypertension, hyperglycemia, abnormal cholesterol levels, and obesity. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that reflects the heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume. But the relationship between MS and RDW is intricate and remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that high RDW was associated with MS via inflammation. Our study aimed to investigate the association between RDW and MS in Chinese elderly large cohort. If RDW had a strong correlation with MS, RDW could become a predictor of MS? Methods: We recruited 10,887 ostensibly healthy participants aged from 60 to 93 (5795 male, 5092 female). Associations between RDW and other variables were assessed by Pearson correlation. Crude and adjusted odds ratio for MS with 95% confidence intervals was calculated by binary logistic regression models. Results: In elderly Chinese, RDW was significantly higher in males than in females. The prevalence of both men and women decreased with the rise of RDW. For both sexes, RDW demonstrated positive correlations with age, systolic blood pressure (0.070 in males,0.058 in females), high density lipoprotein(0.027in males,0.064 in females), negative correlations with triglycerides (- 0.120 in males,-0.074 in females) and fasting glucose (- 0.048 in males,-0.016 in females). Notably, we detected the associated reduced risks at the the third and fourth quartile of RDW in males. In women, there was no statistical significance. Conclusion: We found the adjusted odds ratios of MS was lower at the third and fourth quartile of RDW in males

Analysis of fluid force and flow fields during gliding in swimming using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Gliding is a crucial phase in swimming, yet the understanding of fluid force and flow fields during gliding remains incomplete. This study analyzes gliding through Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. Specifically, a numerical model based on the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method for flow-object interactions is established. Fluid motion is governed by continuity, Navier-Stokes, state, and displacement equations. Modified dynamic boundary particles are used to implement solid boundaries, and steady and uniform flows are generated with inflow and outflow conditions. The reliability of the SPH model is validated by replicating a documented laboratory experiment on a circular cylinder advancing steadily beneath a free surface. Reasonable agreement is observed between the numerical and experimental drag force and lift force. After the validation, the SPH model is employed to analyze the passive drag, vertical force, and pitching moment acting on a streamlined gliding 2D swimmer model as well as the surrounding velocity and vorticity fields, spanning gliding velocities from 1 m/s to 2.5 m/s, submergence depths from 0.2 m to 1 m, and attack angles from −10° to 10°. The results indicate that with the increasing gliding velocity, passive drag and pitching moment increase whereas vertical force decreases. The wake flow and free surface demonstrate signs of instability. Conversely, as the submergence depth increases, there is a decrease in passive drag and pitching moment, accompanied by an increase in vertical force. The undulation of the free surface and its interference in flow fields diminish. With the increase in the attack angle, passive drag and vertical force decrease whereas pitching moment increases, along with the alteration in wake direction and the increasing complexity of the free surface. These outcomes offer valuable insights into gliding dynamics, furnishing swimmers with a scientific basis for selecting appropriate submergence depth and attack angle

4-(2,3-Dimeth­oxy­phen­yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C13H12N2O2, obtained in a search for analogs of the fungicide fludioxonil [systematic name: 4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile], contains two independent mol­ecules, A and B. The benzene and pyrrole rings are inclined to each other at 38.5 (1) and 29.3 (1)° in mol­ecules A and B, respectively. In the crystal, bifurcated N—H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bonds link A mol­ecules into chains along [001], while B mol­ecules are linked into layers parallel to the bc plane via bifurcated N—H⋯(N,N) hydrogen bonds

In Vitro Activity of Plant Extracts and Alkaloids against Clinical Isolates of Extended-Spectrum b-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Strains

The antibacterial activity of 80% ethanol extracts of 10 medicinal plants collected in Yunnan (Southwest China), was tested against clinical isolates of extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. Their MIC values ranged between 1.56–12.50 mg/mL. The most active plant extract was Chelidonium majus L. (MIC = 1.56 mg/mL). Two potent isoquinoline alkaloids, 8-hydroxydihydrosanguinarine and 8-hydroxydihydrochelerythrine, were identified as the major active principles through bioassay-guided fractionation and identification of the active ethyl acetate fraction from C. majus, with minimum MIC/MBC values of 15.63/62.50 mg/mL

Dark matter dominated dwarf disc galaxy Segue 1

Several observations reveal that dwarf galaxy Segue 1 has a dark matter (DM) halo at least ~ 200 times more massive than its visible baryon mass of only ~ 103 solar masses. The baryon mass is dominated by stars with perhaps an interstellar gas mass of < 13 solar masses. Regarding Segue 1 as a dwarf disc galaxy by its morphological appearance of long stretch, we invoke the dynamic model of Xiang-Gruess, Lou & Duschl (XLD) to estimate its physical parameters for possible equilibria with and without an isopedically magnetized gas disc. We estimate the range of DM mass and compare it with available observational inferences. Due to the relatively high stellar velocity dispersion compared to the stellar surface mass density, we find that a massive DM halo would be necessary to sustain disc equilibria. The required DM halo mass agrees grossly with observational inferences so far. For an isopedic magnetic field in a gas disc, the ratio f between the DM and baryon potentials depends strongly on the magnetic field strength. Therefore, a massive DM halo is needed to counteract either the strong stellar velocity dispersion and rotation of the stellar disc or the magnetic Lorentz force in the gas disc. By the radial force balances, the DM halo mass increases for faster disc rotation.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

MicroRNA miR-34 Inhibits Human Pancreatic Cancer Tumor-Initiating Cells

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006816.Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in cancer initiation and progression via their ability to affect expression of genes and proteins that regulate cell proliferation and/or cell death. Transcription of the three miRNA miR-34 family members was recently found to be directly regulated by p53. Among the target proteins regulated by miR-34 are Notch pathway proteins and Bcl-2, suggesting the possibility of a role for miR-34 in the maintenance and survival of cancer stem cells. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined the roles of miR-34 in p53-mutant human pancreatic cancer cell lines MiaPaCa2 and BxPC3, and the potential link to pancreatic cancer stem cells. Restoration of miR-34 expression in the pancreatic cancer cells by either transfection of miR-34 mimics or infection with lentiviral miR-34-MIF downregulated Bcl-2 and Notch1/2. miR-34 restoration significantly inhibited clonogenic cell growth and invasion, induced apoptosis and G1 and G2/M arrest in cell cycle, and sensitized the cells to chemotherapy and radiation. We identified that CD44+/CD133+ MiaPaCa2 cells are enriched with tumorsphere-forming and tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem/progenitor cells with high levels of Notch/Bcl-2 and loss of miR-34. More significantly, miR-34 restoration led to an 87% reduction of the tumor-initiating cell population, accompanied by significant inhibition of tumorsphere growth in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate that miR-34 may restore, at least in part, the tumor suppressing function of the p53 in p53-deficient human pancreatic cancer cells. Our data support the view that miR-34 may be involved in pancreatic cancer stem cell self-renewal, potentially via the direct modulation of downstream targets Bcl-2 and Notch, implying that miR-34 may play an important role in pancreatic cancer stem cell self-renewal and/or cell fate determination. Restoration of miR-34 may hold significant promise as a novel molecular therapy for human pancreatic cancer with loss of p53–miR34, potentially via inhibiting pancreatic cancer stem cells

Detachment Activated CyPA/CD147 Induces Cancer Stem Cell Potential in Non-stem Breast Cancer Cells

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for cancer metastasis and recurrence, are generated from non-CSCs after chemo-radiation therapy. This study investigated the induction of CSC potential in non-stem breast cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms in detachment culture. Methods: Bulk breast cancer cells, or sorted non-CSCs and CSCs were cultured under an attached or detached condition to assess CSC numbers, ability to form tumor spheres, expression of stemness markers, and chemoresistance. Lentivirus carrying CD147 shRNA or cDNA was used to manipulate CD147 expression, while CD147 ligand recombinant cyclophilin A (CyPA) or its inhibitor was used to activate or inhibit CD147 signaling. Results: Detachment promoted anoikis resistance, chemoresistance, sphere formation, self-renewal, and expression of stemness markers in breast cancer cells. Detachment increased functional ALDH+ or CD44highCD24–/low CSCs, and induced CSC potential in ALDH– or CD44lowCD24high non-CSCs. Upon detachment, both CD147 expression and CyPA secretion were enhanced, and CyPA-CD147 activation mediated detachment induced CSC potential in non-CSCs via STAT3 signaling. Clinically, CD147 and pSTAT3 were highly co-expressed and correlated with poor overall survival and tumor recurrence in breast cancer patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that detachment induces the generation of CSCs from non-stem breast cancer cells via CyPA-CD147 signaling, indicating that targeting CD147 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for lethal metastatic breast cancer by eliminating induced CSCs.National Basic Research Program (#2015CB553700)National Science and Technology Major Project (#2015ZX09501-009)National Natural Science Foundation of China (#31571469 and #81872349

Solute Carrier Family 1 (SLC1A1) Contributes to Susceptibility and Psychopathology Symptoms of Schizophrenia in the Han Chinese Population

Objective: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a common and complex psychiatric disorder that has a significant genetic component. The glutamate hypothesis describes one possible pathogenesis of SZ. The solute carrier family 1 gene (SLC1A1) is one of several genes thought to play a critical role in regulating the glutamatergic system and is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of SZ. In this study, we identify polymorphisms of the SLC1A1 gene that may confer susceptibility to SZ in the Han Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped 36 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using Illumina GoldenGate assays on a BeadStation 500G Genotyping System in 528 paranoid SZ patients and 528 healthy controls. Psychopathology was rated by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Results: Significant associations were found in genotype and allele frequencies for SNPs rs10815017 (p = 0.002, 0.030, respectively) and rs2026828 (p = 0.020, 0.005, respectively) between SZ and healthy controls. There were significant associations in genotype frequency at rs6476875 (p = 0.020) and rs7024664 (p = 0.021) and allele frequency at rs3780412 (p = 0.026) and rs10974573 (p = 0.047) between SZ and healthy controls. Meanwhile, significant differences were found in genotype frequency at rs10815017 (p = 0.015), rs2026828 (p = 0.011), and rs3780411 (p = 0.040) in males, and rs7021569 in females (p = 0.020) between cases and controls when subdivided by gender. Also, significant differences were found in allele frequency at rs2026828 (p = 0.003), and rs7021569 (p = 0.045) in males, and rs10974619 in females (p = 0.044). However, those associations disappeared after Bonferroni\u27s correction (p\u27s \u3e 0.05). Significant associations were found in the frequencies of four haplotypes (AA, CA, AGA, and GG) between SZ and healthy controls (chi (2) = 3.974, 7.433, 4.699, 4.526, p = 0.046, 0.006, 0.030, 0.033, respectively). There were significant associations between rs7032326 genotypes and PANSS total, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and general psychopathology in SZ (p = 0.002, 0.011, 0.028, 0.008, respectively). Conclusion: The present study provides further evidence that SLC1A1 may be not a susceptibility gene for SZ. However, the genetic variations of SLC1A1 may affect psychopathology symptoms

Depressive Neurosis Treated by Acupuncture for Regulating the Liver —A Report of 176 Cases

ObjectiveTo observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture for regulating the liver on depressive neurosis.MethodsIn a multi-center randomized controlled trial, 440 patients were divided into 3 groups: Acupuncture group for regulating the liver (Acup., 176 cases) was treated by acupuncture at Siguan Points, i.e. bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN3) plus ear-acupuncture, Prozac group (P., 176 cases) by oral administration of Prozac, and Non-acupoint needling group (NAN, 88 cases) by acupuncture at non-acupoints as acupuncture placebo. Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was examined before treatment, and one month, two and three months after treatment respectively to evaluate therapeutic effect, and Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS) was used to evaluate the safety.ResultsAfter one month of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.05) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After 2 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.05), showing the SDS scores in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After 3 months of treatment, SDS scores in Acup. Group were also significantly lower than that in P. Group (P<0.01) and than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), and SDS scores in P. Group were also lower than that in NAN Group (P<0.01), showing the SDS score in Acup. Group <P. Group <NAN Group. After treatment, SERS scores were 0.16±0.95, 6.51±5.09 and 0.23±1.36 in Acup. Group, P. Group and NAN Group respectively. A significant difference existed between Acup. Group and P. Group (P<0.05), but no significant difference between Acup. Group and NAN Group (P>0.05), showing the SERS scores in Acup. Group <NAN Group <P. Group. No side effect was found in Acup. and NAN groups.ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of acupuncture on depressive neurosis is better than or similar to that of Prozac but with less side effect