Aqua­(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)(formato-κ2 O,O′)(formato-κO)cobalt(II) monohydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Co(HCO2)2(C14H12N2)(H2O)]·H2O, contains a mononuclear complex mol­ecule hydrogen bonded to a lattice water mol­ecule. The CoII cation is in a distorted octa­hedral coordination environment defined by the two N atoms of the 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and four O atoms. Two of these are from a chelating formate anion, one from a monodentate formate and the last from an aqua ligand. In the crystal, mol­ecules are connected by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming double chains along [100] with the 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligands pointing outwards from each chain. These chains are further linked into layers parallel to (011) by inter-chain π–π stacking inter­actions with centroid–centroid distances of 3.61 (1) Å

Iron(III) Chloride-catalyzed Nucleophilic Substitution of Propargylic Alcohols: A General and Efficient Approach for the Synthesis of 1,4-Diynes

A wide variety of 1,4-diynes have been constructed via a novel FeCl(3)-catalyzed coupling reaction of propargylic alcohols with alkynylsilanes. This synthetic approach provides a general, efficient, and economical route to 1,4-cliynes.National Natural Science Foundation of China[20772098, 21072159

Aqua­(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)diformato-κ2 O,O′;κO-nickel(II) monohydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ni(HCO2)2(C14H12N2)(H2O)]·H2O, contains a mononuclear complex mol­ecule hydrogen bonded to a lattice water mol­ecule. The NiII atom exhibits a distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry formed by the N atoms from a 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, two O atoms of a chelating formate anion, one aqua O atom and one O atom of a coordinating formate anion. The mol­ecules are assembled into chains extending along [100] through by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The supra­molecular chains are further linked into layers parallel to (011) by weak π–π packing inter­actions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.768 (2) Å]. The resulting layers are stacked to meet the requirement of close-packing patterns

Geometric bionics: Lotus effect helps polystyrene nanotube films get good blood compatibility

Various biomaterials have been widely used for manufacturing biomedical applications including artificial organs, medical devices and disposable clinical apparatus, such as vascular prostheses, blood pumps, artificial kidney, artificial hearts, dialyzers and plasma separators, which could be used in contact with blood^1^. However, the research tasks of improving hemocompatibility of biomaterials have been carrying out with the development of biomedical requirements^2^. Since the interactions that lead to surface-induced thrombosis occurring at the blood-biomaterial interface become a reason of familiar current complications with grafts therapy, improvement of the blood compatibility of artificial polymer surfaces is, therefore a major issue in biomaterials science^3^. After decades of focused research, various approaches of modifying biomaterial surfaces through chemical or biochemical methods to improve their hemocompatibility were obtained^1^. In this article, we report that polystyrene nanotube films with morphology similar to the papilla on lotus leaf can be used as blood-contacted biomaterials by virtue of Lotus effect^4^. Clearly, this idea, resulting from geometric bionics that mimicking the structure design of lotus leaf, is very novel technique for preparation of hemocompatible biomaterials

MicroRNA expression profiling during the life cycle of the silkworm (Bombyx mori)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed by a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, and function in diverse biological processes. Numerous miRNAs have been identified in <it>Bombyx mori</it>, but the temporal expression profiles of miRNAs corresponding to each stage transition over the entire life cycle of the silkworm remain to be established. To obtain a comprehensive overview of the correlation between miRNA expression and stage transitions, we performed a whole-life test and subsequent stage-by-stage examinations on nearly one hundred miRNAs in the silkworm.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results show that miRNAs display a wide variety of expression profiles over the whole life of the silkworm, including continuous expression from embryo to adult (miR-184), up-regulation over the entire life cycle (let-7 and miR-100), down-regulation over the entire life cycle (miR-124), expression associated with embryogenesis (miR-29 and miR-92), up-regulation from early 3^rdinstar to pupa (miR-275), and complementary pulses in expression between miR-34b and miR-275. Stage-by-stage examinations revealed further expression patterns, such as emergence at specific time-points during embryogenesis and up-regulation of miRNA groups in late embryos (miR-1 and bantam), expression associated with stage transition between instar and molt larval stages (miR-34b), expression associated with silk gland growth and spinning activity (miR-274), continuous high expression from the spinning larval to pupal and adult stages (miR-252 and miR-31a), a coordinate expression trough in day 3 pupae of both sexes (miR-10b and miR-281), up-regulation in pupal metamorphosis of both sexes (miR-29b), and down-regulation in pupal metamorphosis of both sexes (miR-275).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present the full-scale expression profiles of miRNAs throughout the life cycle of <it>Bombyx mori</it>. The whole-life expression profile was further investigated via stage-by-stage analysis. Our data provide an important resource for more detailed functional analysis of miRNAs in this animal.</p

Genotyping of TRIM5 locus in northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina), a primate species susceptible to Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pig-tailed macaques are the only Old World monkeys known to be susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. We have previously reported that the <it>TRIM5-Cyclophilin A </it>(<it>TRIMCyp</it>) fusion in pig-tailed macaques (<it>Macaca nemestrina</it>) is dysfunctional in restricting HIV-1, which may explain why pig-tailed macaques are susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Similar results have also been reported by other groups. However, according to the current primate taxonomy, the previously reported <it>M. nemestrina </it>are further classified into three species, which all belong to the <it>Macaca spp</it>. This calls for the need to look into the previous studies in more details.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The local species Northern pig-tailed macaque (<it>M. leonina</it>) was analyzed for the correlation of <it>TRIM5 </it>structure and HIV-1 infection. Eleven <it>M. leonina </it>animals were analyzed, and all of them were found to possess <it>TRIM5-CypA </it>fusion at the <it>TRIM5 </it>locus. The transcripts encoding the dysfunctional <it>TRIM5-CypA </it>should result from the G-to-T mutation in the 3'-splicing site of intron 6. Polymorphism in the putative TRIMCyp recognition domain was observed. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of <it>M. leonina </it>were susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Consistent with the previous results, expression of the <it>M. leonina </it>TRIMCyp in HeLa-T4 cells rendered the cells resistant to HIV-2_RODbut not to SIVmac239 infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The susceptibility of <it>M. leonina </it>to HIV-1 infection is due to the dysfunctional <it>TRIM5-CypA </it>fusion in the <it>TRIM5 </it>locus. This finding should broaden our perspective in developing better HIV/AIDS non-human primate animal models.</p

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Depression: A Study Protocol for a Double Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Depressive disorders are the most common form of mental disorders in community and health care settings. Unfortunately, the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is far from satisfactory. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively new and promising physical treatment for depressive disorders. One particularly appealing element of VNS is the long-term benefit in mood regulation. However, because this intervention involves surgery, perioperative risks, and potentially significant side effects, this treatment has been limited to those patients with treatment-resistant depression who have failed medication trials and exhausted established somatic treatments for major depression, due to intolerance or lack of response. This double-blinded randomized clinical trial aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a novel method of stimulating superficial branches of the vagus nerve on the ear to treat MDD. The rationale is that direct stimulation of the afferent nerve fibers on the ear area with afferent vagus nerve distribution should produce a similar effect as classic VNS in reducing depressive symptoms without the burden of surgical intervention. Design: One hundred twenty cases (60 males) of volunteer patients with mild and moderate depression will be randomly divided into transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation group (tVNS) and sham tVNS group. The treatment period lasts 4 months and all clinical and physiological measurements are acquired at the beginning and the end of the treatment period. Discussion: This study has the potential to significantly extend the application of VNS treatment for MDD and other disorders (including epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and morbid obesity), resulting in direct benefit to the patients suffering from these highly prevalent disorders. In addition, the results of this double-blinded clinical trial will shed new light on our understanding of acupuncture point specificity, and development of methodologies in clinical trials of acupuncture treatment

Proto-oncogene c-erbB2 initiates rat primordial follicle growth via PKC and MAPK pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>c-erbB2, a proto-oncogene coding epidermal growth factor receptor-like receptor, also as a chemosensitivity/prognosis marker for gynecologic cancer, may be involved in initiation of growth of rat primordial follicles. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role and signal pathway of c-erbB2 in onset of rat primordial follicle development.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of c-erbB2 mRNA and protein in neonatal ovaries cultured 4 and 8 days with/without epidermal growth factor (EGF) were examined by in situ hybridization, RT-PCR and western blot. The function of c-erbB2 in the primordial folliculogenesis was abolished by small interfering RNA transfection. Furthermore, MAPK inhibitor PD98059 and PKC inhibitor calphostin were used to explore the possible signaling pathway of c-erbB2 in primordial folliculogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that c-erbB2 mRNA was expressed in ooplasm and the expression of c-erbB2 decreased after transfection with c-erbB2 siRNA. Treatment with EGF at 50 ng/ml significantly increased c-erbB2 expression and primary and secondary follicle formation in ovaries. However, this augmenting effect was remarkably inhibited by c-erbB2 siRNA transfection. Furthermore, folliculogenesis offset was blocked by calphostin (5 × 10(-4) mmol/L) and PD98059 (5 × 10(-2) mmol/L), but both did not down-regulate c-erbB2 expression. In contrast, the expressions of p-ERK and p-PKC were decreased obviously by c-erbB2 siRNA transfection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>c-erbB2 initiates rat primordial follicle growth via PKC and MAPK pathways, suggesting an important role of c-erbB2 in rat primordial follicle initiation and development.</p