Poly[μ-5-ammonio­isophthalato-aqua-μ-oxalato-dysprosium(III)]

The title complex, [Dy(C8H6NO4)(C2O4)(H2O)]n, is a dysprosium coordination polymer with mixed anions and was obtained under hydrothermal conditions. In the structure, the oxalate and 5-amino­isophthalate ligands link the dysprosium ions, building up a two-dimensional metal–organic framework parallel to the (10) plane. These sheets are further connected through O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure

2-(1,2-Dimethyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-{5-[3-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)phen­yl]-2-methyl­thio­phen-3-yl}-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexa­fluoro­cyclo­pent-1-ene

The title compound, C29H23F6NO2S, a member of a new family of photochromic diaryl­ethene compounds having an unsymmetrically substituted hexa­fluoro­cyclo­pentene unit, displays dihedral angles between the indole and thio­phene rings of 52.5 (4)°, and between the indole ring and the planar C—C=C—C unit of the cyclopentene ring of 53.8 (6)°. The distance between the potentially reactive C atoms from the two heteroaryl substituents of 3.817 (6) Å is proven to be short enough for photocyclization to occur

Expression profiling of ascorbic acid–related transporters in human and mouse eyes

PURPOSE: Ascorbic acid (AsA) is an important antioxidant in the eye. Ascorbic acid is usually transported by sodium-dependent AsA transporters (SVCTs), and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) by glucose transporters (GLUTs). This study investigates these AsA-related transporters in human compared with mouse eyes. METHODS: Five pairs of human donor eyes and 15 pairs of mouse eyes were collected. Immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization were performed to detect SVCTs and GLUTs expression in the ciliary epithelium, retina, and lens epithelial cells (LECs). These tissues were isolated with laser microdissection followed by extraction of total RNA. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to examine the mRNA level of SVCTs and GLUTs in human and mouse ocular tissues. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization showed SVCT2 and GLUT1 expression in human ciliary epithelium with varied distributions. Sodium-dependent AsA transporter 2 is expressed only in the pigmented epithelium (PE), and GLUT1 is predominately expressed in the nonpigmented epithelium (NPE). However, SVCT2 was not identified in mouse ciliary epithelium, whereas GLUT1 expressed in both PE and NPE. Laser microdissection and qPCR revealed high levels of SVCT2 mRNA in human RPE cells and murine neural retina. Sodium-dependent AsA transporter 1 mRNA could be detected only in human and murine LECs. Glucose transporter 3 and GLUT4 mRNA could not be detected in either the human or mouse ciliary processes or in the lens epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: These fundamental findings indicate AsA transporter expression in eyes of humans is significantly different compared with mice. This may explain why human aqueous and vitreous humors contain higher AsA levels compared with other animals

Synchronous infiltrating ductal carcinoma and primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the breast

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extramedullary plasmacytomas are seldom solitary and usually progress to diffuse myelomatosis. Plasmacytomas of the breast are rare, especially when not associated multiple myeloma. Synchronous infiltrating ductal carcinoma and primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the breast have not previously reported.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 27-years-old woman with an untreated upper outer quadrant breast mass for 1-year was referred to our cancer hospital for surgical evaluation of increasing breast pain. Postoperatively, microscopic examination revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma complicated by an extramedullary plasmacytoma divided by fibrous tissue in one section. Following surgery, the patient received chemotherapy for the carcinoma and radiotherapy for the plasmacytoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this case, careful histopathology examination was essential to make the correct diagnosis and therapy for these synchronous lesions. The patient finished chemotherapy and radiotherapy without significant adverse effects.</p

ATP synthase ecto-α-subunit: a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment failure for breast cancer is frequently due to lymph node metastasis and invasion to neighboring organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate invasion- and metastasis-related genes in breast cancer cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>. Identification of new targets will facilitate the developmental pace of new techniques in screening and early diagnosis. Improved abilities to predict progression and metastasis, therapeutic response and toxicity will help to increase survival of breast cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Differential protein expression in two breast cancer cell lines, one with high and the other with low metastatic potential, was analyzed using two-dimensional liquid phase chromatographic fractionation (Proteome Lab PF 2D system) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Up regulation of α-subunit of ATP synthase was identified in high metastatic cells compared with low metastatic cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of 168 human breast cancer specimens on tissue microarrays revealed a high frequency of ATP synthase α-subunit expression in breast cancer (94.6%) compared to normal (21.2%) and atypical hyperplasia (23%) breast tissues. Levels of ATP synthase expression levels strongly correlated with large tumor size, poor tumor differentiation and advanced tumor stages (<it>P </it>< 0.05). ATP synthase α-subunit over-expression was detected on the surface of a highly invasive breast cancer cell line. An antibody against the ATP synthase α-subunit inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion in these breast cancer cells but not that of a non-tumor derived breast cell line.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Over-expression of ATP synthase α-subunit may be involved in the progression and metastasis of breast cancer, perhaps representing a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and a therapeutic target for breast cancer. This finding of this study will help us to better understand the molecular mechanism of tumor metastasis and to improve the screening, diagnosis, as well as prognosis and/or prediction of responses to therapy for breast cancer.</p

A role of periaqueductal grey NR2B-containing NMDA receptor in mediating persistent inflammatory pain

The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) is a structure known for its roles in pain transmission and modulation. Noxious stimuli potentiate the glutamate synaptic transmission and enhance glutamate NMDA receptor expression in the PAG. However, little is known about roles of NMDA receptor subunits in the PAG in processing the persistent inflammatory pain. The present study was undertaken to investigate NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG and their modulation to the peripheral painful inflammation. Noxious stimuli induced by hind-paw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) caused up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG, while NR2A-containing NMDA receptors were not altered. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that NMDA receptor mediated mEPSCs were increased significantly in the PAG synapse during the chronic phases of inflammatory pain in mice. PAG local infusion of Ro 25-6981, an NR2B antagonist, notably prolonged the paw withdrawal latency to thermal radian heat stimuli bilaterally in rats. Hyperoside (Hyp), one of the flavonoids compound isolated from Rhododendron ponticum L., significantly reversed up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG and exhibited analgesic activities against persistent inflammatory stimuli in mice. Our findings provide strong evidence that up-regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the PAG involves in the modulation to the peripheral persistent inflammatory pain

Net exchanges of CO2, CH4, and N2O between China's terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere and their contributions to global climate warming

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2011. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Geophysical Research 116 (2011): G02011, doi:10.1029/2010JG001393.China's terrestrial ecosystems have been recognized as an atmospheric CO2 sink; however, it is uncertain whether this sink can alleviate global warming given the fluxes of CH4 and N2O. In this study, we used a process-based ecosystem model driven by multiple environmental factors to examine the net warming potential resulting from net exchanges of CO2, CH4, and N2O between China's terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere during 1961–2005. In the past 45 years, China's terrestrial ecosystems were found to sequestrate CO2 at a rate of 179.3 Tg C yr−1 with a 95% confidence range of (62.0 Tg C yr−1, 264.9 Tg C yr−1) while emitting CH4 and N2O at rates of 8.3 Tg C yr−1 with a 95% confidence range of (3.3 Tg C yr−1, 12.4 Tg C yr−1) and 0.6 Tg N yr−1 with a 95% confidence range of (0.2 Tg N yr−1, 1.1 Tg N yr−1), respectively. When translated into global warming potential, it is highly possible that China's terrestrial ecosystems mitigated global climate warming at a rate of 96.9 Tg CO2eq yr−1 (1 Tg = 1012 g), substantially varying from a source of 766.8 Tg CO2eq yr−1 in 1997 to a sink of 705.2 Tg CO2eq yr−1 in 2002. The southeast and northeast of China slightly contributed to global climate warming; while the northwest, north, and southwest of China imposed cooling effects on the climate system. Paddy land, followed by natural wetland and dry cropland, was the largest contributor to national warming potential; forest, followed by woodland and grassland, played the most significant role in alleviating climate warming. Our simulated results indicate that CH4 and N2O emissions offset approximately 84.8% of terrestrial CO2 sink in China during 1961–2005. This study suggests that the relieving effects of China's terrestrial ecosystems on climate warming through sequestering CO2 might be gradually offset by increasing N2O emission, in combination with CH4 emission.This study has been supported by NASA LCLUC Program (NNX08AL73G_S01) , NASA IDS Program (NNG04GM39C), and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) 973 Program (2002CB412500)

Nitrogen isotope composition of ammonium in PM 2.5 in the Xiamen, China: impact of non-agricultural ammonia

Abstract(#br)Since NH 3 is a significant precursor to ammonium in PM 2.5 and contributes significantly to atmospheric nitrogen deposition but largely remains unregulated in China, the insight into the source of NH 3 emissions by the isotopic investigation is important in controlling NH 3 emissions. In this study, atmospheric concentrations of NH 3 and water-soluble ion composition in PM 2.5 as well as nitrogen isotope ratios in NH 4 + (δ 15 N-NH 4 + ) in Xiamen, China, were measured. Results showed that average NH 3 concentration for the five sites in Xiamen was 7.9 μg m −3 with distinct higher values in the warm season and lower values in the cold season, and PM 2.5 concentration for the two sites (urban and suburban) was 59.2 μg m −3 with lowest values in summer. In the PM 2.5 , NH 4 +..

Nitrogen isotope composition of ammonium in PM2.5 in the Xiamen, China: impact of non-agricultural ammonia.

Since NH3 is a significant precursor to ammonium in PM2.5 and contributes significantly to atmospheric nitrogen deposition but largely remains unregulated in China, the insight into the source of NH3 emissions by the isotopic investigation is important in controlling NH3 emissions. In this study, atmospheric concentrations of NH3 and water-soluble ion composition in PM2.5 as well as nitrogen isotope ratios in NH4+ (δ15N-NH4+) in Xiamen, China, were measured. Results showed that average NH3 concentration for the five sites in Xiamen was 7.9 μg m-3 with distinct higher values in the warm season and lower values in the cold season, and PM2.5 concentration for the two sites (urban and suburban) was 59.2 μg m-3 with lowest values in summer. In the PM2.5, NH4+ concentrations were much lower than NH3 and showed a stronger positive correlation with NO3- than that with SO42- suggesting the formation of NH4NO3 and equilibrium between NH3 and NH4+. Although the concentrations of NH3 at the urban site were significantly higher than those at the suburban site, no significant spatial difference in NH4+ and δ15N-NH4+ was obtained. The distinct heavier δ15N-NH4+ values in summer than in other seasons correlated well with the equilibrium isotopic effects between NH3 and NH4+ which depend on temperature. The initial δ15N-NH3 values were in the range of waste treatment (- 25.42‰) and fossil fuel combustion (- 2.5‰) after accounting for the isotope fractionation. The stable isotope mixing model showed that fossil fuel-related NH3 emissions (fossil fuel combustion and NH3 slip) contributed more than 70% to aerosol NH4+. This finding suggested that the reduction of NH3 emissions from urban transportation and coal combustion should be a priority in the abatement of PM2.5 pollution in Xiamen