Fluorination Modification of Methyl Vinyl Silicone Rubber and Its Compatibilization Effect on Fluorine/Silicone Rubber Composites.

Among numerous rubbers, high-performance rubber composites can be obtained by mixing fluororubber (FKM) with excellent oil resistance and silicone rubber (SiR) with excellent low-temperature resistance. While the difference in polarity between these two kinds of rubbers leads to a reduction in the properties of the composites. To solve the compatibility problem between the two-phase interfaces in FKM/SiR composites, in this research, fluorinated silicone rubbers (MVQ-g-PFDT) of methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) grafted with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) were prepared via a facile and efficient thiol-ene click reaction, which was then added into FKM/SiR composites. The results showed that the fluorine-containing side chains could effectively inhibit the low-temperature crystallization phenomenon of silicone rubber and further broaden its application ranges in low-temperature environments. The properties of FKM/SiR composites with the addition of MVQ-g-PFDT were significantly improved, with the highest tensile strength of 14.1 MPa and the lowest mass change rate of 6.71% after 48h immersion at 200 °C in IRM903 oil. Additionally, the hydroxyl groups between the fluorine-containing side chains of MVQ-g-PFDT and the surface of silica facilitate the enhancement of the uniform dispersion of fillers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization results showed a distinct enhancement of the compatibility between the two phases of FKM and SiR. This work would provide further insight into efforts to improve compatibility between rubbers with widely different polarities.

Mechanical property-enhanced thermally conductive self-healing composites: preparation using designed self-healing matrix phase and hyBNNSs.

Polymer composites with good thermal conductivity are gaining more and more attention in the current electronics sector, due to their superior heat management capabilities. However, conventional thermally conductive polymer composites are usually subject to interruptions in heat transfer because of physical damage. The present study prepared mechanical property-enhanced thermally-conductive self-healing composites through compositing a self-healing polyurethane matrix with hydroxylated boron nitride (hyBNNSs). The self-healing polyurethane was obtained by incorporating ligands and cerium(III) triflate [Ce(SO3CF3)3] as the metal center into the polyurethane elastomer. An optimal sample (PUp2C) with high tensile strength (6.8 MPa) and stretchability (1053%), ideal toughness (49.2 MJ m-3), and remarkable healing efficiency (97% healing after 48 h at 35 °C) was obtained. An increase in the content of hyBNNSs from 10% to 30% led to a significant increase in the mechanical performance of hyBNNSs20%/PUp2C, which manifested as the increase in the elongation at break (from 1053% to 1302.5%) and stress (from 6.8 MPa to 16.4 MPa). The XRD results revealed that combining PU with hyBNNSs through coordination bonds could significantly promote the crystallization of PUp2C, which was beneficial to enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites. The through-plane (λ⊥) and the in-plane (λ∥) values of the BNNSs30%/PUp2C composite reached 0.41 and 1.42 W mK-1, respectively, which were 195.2% and 507.1% higher than those of the original PUp2C, respectively.

Revealing the effects and mechanisms of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on manganese uptake and detoxification in Rhus chinensis.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can alleviate heavy metal phytotoxicity and promote plant growth, while the underlying mechanisms of AMF symbiosis with host plants under manganese (Mn) stress remain elusive. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the plant growth, micro-structure, Mn accumulation, subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and physiological and biochemical response of Rhus chinensis inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae (FM) under different Mn treatments. The results showed that compared with plants without FM, FM-associated plants exhibited higher growth status, photosynthetic pigments, and photosynthesis under Mn stress. FM-associated plants were able to maintain greater integrity in mesophyll structure, higher thickness of leaf, upper epidermis, and lower epidermis under Mn treatment, and promote leaf growth. Mn accumulation in leaves (258.67-2230.50 mg kg-1), stems (132.67-1160.00 mg kg-1), and roots (360.92-2446.04 mg kg-1) of the seedlings inoculated with FM was higher than non-inoculated ones. FM-associated plants exhibited higher osmotic regulating substances and antioxidant enzymes' activities under Mn exposure, suggesting lower Mn toxicity in FM inoculated seedlings, despite the augment in Mn accumulation. After FM inoculation, Mn concentration (151.04-1211.32 mg kg-1) and percentage (64.41-78.55%) enhanced in the cell wall, whilst the transport of Mn to aerial plant organs decreased. Furthermore, FM symbiosis favored the conversion of Mn from high toxic forms (2.17-15.68% in FEthanol, 11.37-24.52% in Fdeionized water) to inactive forms (28.30-38.15% in FNaCl, 18.07-28.59% in FHAc, 4.41-17.99% in FHCl) with low phytotoxicity. Our study offers a theoretical basis for remediation of the FM- R. chinensis symbiotic system in Mn-contaminated environments.

Decoupling effect and driving factors of carbon footprint in megacity Wuhan, Central China.

Background: China's 35 largest cities, including Wuhan, are inhabited by approximately 18% of the Chinese population, and account for 40% energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Wuhan is the only sub-provincial city in Central China and, as the eighth largest economy nationwide, has experienced a notable increase in energy consumption. However, major knowledge gaps exist in understanding the nexus of economic development and carbon footprint and their drivers in Wuhan. Methods: We studied Wuhan for the evolutionary characteristics of its carbon footprint (CF), the decoupling relationship between economic development and CF, and the essential drivers of CF. Based on the CF model, we quantified the dynamic trends of CF, carbon carrying capacity, carbon deficit, and carbon deficit pressure index from 2001 to 2020. We also adopted a decoupling model to clarify the coupled dynamics among total CF, its accounts, and economic development. We used the partial least squares method to analyze the influencing factors of Wuhan's CF and determine the main drivers. Results: The CF of Wuhan increased from 36.01 million t CO2eq in 2001 to 70.07 million t CO2eq in 2020, a growth rate of 94.61%, which was much faster than that of the carbon carrying capacity. The energy consumption account (84.15%) far exceeded other accounts, and was mostly contributed by raw coal, coke, and crude oil. The carbon deficit pressure index fluctuated in the range of 8.44-6.74%, indicating that Wuhan was in the relief zone and the mild enhancement zone during 2001-2020. Around the same time, Wuhan was in a transition stage between weak and strong CF decoupling and economic growth. The main driving factor of CF growth was the urban per capita residential building area, while energy consumption per unit of GDP was responsible for the CF decline. Conclusions: Our research highlights the interaction of urban ecological and economic systems, and that Wuhan's CF changes were mainly affected by four factors: city size, economic development, social consumption, and technological progress. The findings are of realistic significance in promoting low-carbon urban development and improving the city's sustainability, and the related policies can offer an excellent benchmark for other cities with similar challenges. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13717-023-00435-y.

Transformation of Thioacids into Carboxylic Acids via a Visible-Light-Promoted Atomic Substitution Process.

A visible-light-promoted atomic substitution reaction for transforming thiocacids into carboxylic acids with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the oxygen source has been developed, affording various alkyl and aryl carboxylic acids in over 90% yields. The atomic substitution process proceeds smoothly through the photochemical reactivity of the formed hydrogen-bonding adduct between thioacids and DMSO. A DMSO-involved proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and the simultaneous generation of thiyl and hydroxyl radicals are proposed to be key steps for realizing the transformation.

Downregulation of PDGF-D Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion in Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells.

BACKGROUND: The platelet derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) plays an important role in breast tumor aggressiveness. However, limited study has investigated the effect of silencing PDGF-D on the biological function of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to clarify the potential value of PDGF-D as a target for breast cancer treatment. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect PDGF-D expression in 5 different breast cancer cells. The lentiviral vector was usd to silence PDGF-D in MDA-MB-231 cells. Then, Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium was used to detect cell viability, 5-Ethynyl-2'- deoxyuridine and a soft agar assay were used to detect cell proliferation and clonality. Additionally, cell apoptosis after PDGF-D knockdown was measured by Annexin V/ Prodium Iodide staining, and cell migration was detected by trans-well assay. Survival rate and tumor size were measured by nude mice transplantation. RESULTS: The MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cell lines showed higher PDGF-D expression than the MCF7 cell lines (P<.05). After the PDGF-D gene was silenced, the growth and colony forming abilitys ignificantly decreased (P<.05) together with the induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells (P<.05). Moreover, MDA-MB-231 cells with PDGF-D silencing showed significantly diminished aggressive migration and invasion potential compared to other cells (P<.05). In vivo experiments also indicated that PDGF-D silencing inhibited tumor growth and improved the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of PDGF-D had dramatic effects on breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration, which indicates that it plays an important role in breast cancer development and progression.

The performance of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in the detection of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This paper presents a meta-analysis regarding the detection rate (DR) of fluorine-18 (18F)-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) in the management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Relevant studies regarding 18F-PSMA PET/CT in the management of PCa published until June 1, 2021, were electronically searched in online databases including EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was the DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in managing PCa patients, while the secondary outcome was the DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT according to Gleason scores and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The pooled DR was calculated on a per-patient basis, with pooled odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 17 observational studies evaluating 1019 patients with PCa met the inclusion criteria. The DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.88), in the random-effects model. Subsequently, the analysis of DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in PCa patients using Gleason score (≤7 vs ≥8), showed a significant difference in PCa patients. Based on the above results, the higher Gleason score of PCa patients, the higher DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT. The DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in PCa was 0.57 for PSA <0.5 ng ml-1; 0.75 for PSA ≥0.5 ng ml-1 and <1.0 ng ml-1; 0.93 for PSA ≥1.0 ng ml-1 and <2.0 ng ml-1; and 0.95 for PSA ≥2.0 ng ml-1. Therefore, the significant diagnostic value was found in terms of the DR of 18F-PSMA PET/CT in managing PCa patients and was associated with Gleason score and serum PSA level.

Hyper-Pseudo-Viscoelastic Model and Parameter Identification for Describing Tensile Recovery Stress-Strain Responses of Rubber Components in TBR.

Tires are often in service under dynamic conditions. Realizing the high-precision prediction of the mechanical response of rubber materials under cyclic loading can provide guidance for the design of high-performance tires. In this work, the tensile recovery stress-strain responses of rubber materials in nine different components of a truck and bus radial (TBR) tire were obtained through experiments. Before fitting, an experimental data processing method was proposed to facilitate the parameter identification for a hyper-pseudo-viscoelastic model, that is, the raw experimental data were changed to the adjusted test data. The HyperFit software was used to fit the adjusted test data based on the Yeoh hyperelastic model and the Ogden-Roxburgh pseudoelastic model to obtain the initial material parameters for the two models. In order to describe the permanent set, the Prony series viscoelastic model was introduced. The Isight software was adopted to optimize the parameters. The results showed that the hyper-pseudo-viscoelastic model (i.e., the combination of Yeoh, Ogden-Roxburgh and Prony series models) can describe the tensile recovery mechanical responses (loading curve, unloading curve and permanent set) of nine different rubber components in TBRs. The fitting results are in good agreement with the adjusted data, and all the coefficients of determination (R2) exceed 0.975. Finally, the cyclic deformation simulation of a dumbbell rubber specimen was carried out based on the above constitutive model and fitted parameters. R2 was used to describe the simulation accuracy and its value reached 0.968.

Two new labdane diterpenoids from the leaves of Callicarpa formosana Rolfe / 药学学报

Two new labdane diterpenoids were isolated from 95% ethanol extract of the leaves of Callicarpa formosana Rolfe by using silica gel column, MCI column, ODS column and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS, NMR and ECD spectral data. All of them are new compounds, named 13E-6β-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (1) and 13E-7α-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for antioxidant activity, and none of them had obvious activity.

Nucleus accumbens neurons expressing dopamine D1 receptors modulate states of consciousness in sevoflurane anesthesia.

Although general anesthesia (GA) enables patients to undergo surgery without consciousness, the precise neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have yet to be identified. In addition to many studies over the past two decades implicating the thalamus, cortex, brainstem, and conventional sleep-wake circuits in GA-induced loss of consciousness (LOC), some recent studies have begun to highlight the importance of other brain areas as well. Here, we found that population activities of neurons expressing dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a critical interface between the basal ganglia and limbic system, began to decrease before sevoflurane-induced LOC and gradually returned after recovery of consciousness (ROC). Chemogenetic activation of NAcD1R neurons delayed induction of and accelerated emergence from sevoflurane GA, whereas chemogenetic inhibition of NAcD1R neurons exerted opposite effects. Moreover, transient activation of NAcD1R neurons induced significant cortical activation and behavioral emergence during continuous steady-state GA with sevoflurane or deep anesthesia state with constant and stable burst-suppression oscillations. Taken together, our findings uncover that NAcD1R neurons modulated states of consciousness associated with sevoflurane GA and may represent an area for targeting GA-induced changes in consciousness and ameliorating related adverse effects.

Effects of individual differences on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine in cancer patients / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To study the effects of individual differences (gender, age, body surface area, and body weight) on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine in cancer patients in hoping of providing evidence for the rational use of capecitabine in clinic. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with various solid tumors were given a single dose of 0.6 g (0.15 g, 4 tablets) capecitabine in postprandial and blood samples were collected at multiple time points. The plasma concentration of capecitabine and its active metablolite, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs were calculated by Phoenix WinNonlin7.0 software. RESULTS: Following oral administration, the C

Association between mitochondrial oxidative stress and diabetic cardiomyopathy / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is described as the existence of abnormal myocardial structure and function caused by diabetes, which is considered to be an underlying cause of increased heart failure in diabetic patients. The pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy are complex and the detailed molecular networks remain obscure. Mitochondrial oxidative stress is the main pathogenic factor of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and it is one of the important factors that affect the heart function of diabetes. This review aims to discuss the recent advances of the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy, to provide new thoughts for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Expression of ASBT and ASGPR mediated receptors for oral liver-targeting preparations in a rat model of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of apical sodium-dependent bile salt transporter (ASBT) and asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the design of oral liver-targeting preparations for the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) by measuring the expression of ASBT and ASGPR. MethodsA total of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected, among which 10 were used to establish a model of HAE (HAE group) and 8 were used as controls (normal group). Immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR were used to measure the expression distribution, protein expression level, and mRNA expression level of ASBT in the ileal tissue of HAE model rats and normal rats; the same methods were used to measure the expression level of ASGPR in the non-diseased liver tissue and the marginal zone of liver tissue lesion of HAE model rats and the liver tissue of normal rats. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between three groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsThe results of immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR showed that compared with the normal group, the HAE group had significantly upregulated expression of ASBT in the ileal tissue (t=5309, 4.110, and 28.060, all P＜0.05) and a significantly higher expression level of ASGPR (the closer to the lesion, the higher the expression) (F=110666, 128.201, and 143.879, all P＜0.001). ConclusionASBT and ASGPR can be used as potential mediated receptors for oral liver-targeting preparations for HAE, which provides a theoretical basis for the design of oral liver-targeting preparations for the treatment of HAE.

Radical-mediated oxidative annulations of 1,n-enynes involving C-H functionalization.

The 1,n-enyne annulation reaction has emerged as one of the most powerful and straightforward tools to build carbo- and hetero-cyclic frameworks that are found in numerous natural products, pharmaceuticals and functional materials. Although the 1,n-enyne annulation methods have been well documented to date, there is a tremendous challenge with current methodologies for simultaneously incorporating external functional groups into the resulting cyclic systems. Recent advances in the radical-mediated oxidative 1,n-enyne annulation strategy involving C-H functionalization have been proven to be an ideal alternative to overcome these disadvantages. Such radical-mediated oxidative 1,n-enyne annulation can be accomplished by two different C-H functionalization modes: One proceeds through generation of the carbon-centered radicals from C-H bond direct oxidative cleavage and their subsequent addition across the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond or C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond enabling the 1,n-enyne annulation; the other employs the C-H bonds as the radical acceptors to terminate the initial oxidative radical-triggered annulation of 1,n-enyne. In addition, during many annulation processes the inherent C-H bonds of 1,n-enynes were functionalized. Here, we summarize recent progress in radical-mediated oxidative annulations of 1,n-enynes involving two different conceptual C-H functionalization strategies and the inherent C-H functionalization with an emphasis on the scope, limitations and mechanisms of these different reactions.

Effects of exogenous manganese on its plant growth, subcellular distribution, chemical forms, physiological and biochemical traits in Cleome viscosa L.

Cleome viscosa L. is a promising species for the phytoremediation of Mn-contaminanted soil. To reveal the adaptive mechanisms of species to Mn stress, plant growth, Mn subcellular distribution, Mn chemical forms, and plant physiological and biochemical traits were characterized in plants grown under different concentrations of Mn2+ (0, 1000, 5000, 10000, 15000 and 20000 µM). The results showed that C. viscosa plant biomass initially increased and then decreased with rising Mn treatment concentration. C. viscosa plants can accumulate high levels of Mn in roots and leaves, and both the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF) exhibited values higher than one. Mn was primarily retained in the cell wall and soluble fractions. Predominant chemical forms of Mn were pectate and protein, phosphates, and oxalates-integrated Mn. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and the contents of proline, soluble sugar, and soluble protein initially increased and then decreased with enhancing Mn treatment concentration, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content simultaneously displayed a gradual increase. Combined, these results indicate that C. viscosa can tolerate Mn-stress conditions by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and non-enzymatic metabolites contents. In addition, Mn immobilization in the cell wall and soluble fractions, alongside the storage of Mn in low-activity chemical forms are further important mechanisms to cope with high environmental Mn concentration. This study reveals the adaptive mechanisms of plants to Mn stress, and provides a theoretical basis for the use of C. viscosa as a candidate phytoremediation plant for Mn-contaminated soil.

Relationships between intracranial compartment volumes and clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus before and after cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationships of intracranial compartment volumes with the severity of clinical symptoms before surgery,and the degree of symptom improvement one year after cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)shunt surgery in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).Methods Twenty-one patients meeting the diagnosis criteria of international guidelines of iNPH and undergoing CSF shunt surgery in Department of Neurosurgery in our hospital from 2016 to 2017 were included.All patients underwent brain MRI measurement before surgery,and were evaluated by using 3-meter timed up and go test(TUG),minimum mental state examination(MMSE),idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus grading scale (iNPHGS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) before and one year after CSF shunt procedures.The ventricular volume,brain volume,pericerebral CSF volume,total intracranial volume and Evans' index were measured in the pre-operative imaging of the brain.The following four pre-operative intracranial compartment volumes were calculated:the relative ventricular volume,brain volume ratio,pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume.Results The scores of gait,cognitive function and urinary function were improved after surgery in iNPH patients (all P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant difference in the correlation of intracranial compartment volumes(the relative ventricular volume,brain volume ratio,pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume)and Evans' index with the severity of clinical symptoms including gait,cognitive function and urinary function before surgery,and with the degree of symptom improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients (all P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in intracranial compartment volumes between patients having improvement in mRS,TUG,MMSE and iNPHGS and patients having no improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients(all P＞0.05).Conclusions Patients with iNPH can benefit from CSF shunt surgery and have improvements of clinical symptoms including gait,cognitive function and urinary function.Preoperative intracranial compartment volumes(the relative ventricular volume,brain volume ratio,pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume)and Evans' index have no correlations with the severity of clinical symptoms before surgery,and have no correlations with the degree of symptom improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients.For this reason,preoperative intracranial compartment volumes and Evans' index cannot be used to predict whether or not CSF shunt surgery can improve specific clinical symptoms.

Relationships between intracranial compartment volumes and clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus before and after cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the relationships of intracranial compartment volumes with the severity of clinical symptoms before surgery, and the degree of symptom improvement one year after cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)shunt surgery in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus(iNPH).@*Methods@#Twenty-one patients meeting the diagnosis criteria of international guidelines of iNPH and undergoing CSF shunt surgery in Department of Neurosurgery in our hospital from 2016 to 2017 were included.All patients underwent brain MRI measurement before surgery, and were evaluated by using 3-meter timed up and go test(TUG), minimum mental state examination(MMSE), idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus grading scale(iNPHGS)and modified Rankin scale(mRS)before and one year after CSF shunt procedures.The ventricular volume, brain volume, pericerebral CSF volume, total intracranial volume and Evans' index were measured in the pre-operative imaging of the brain.The following four pre-operative intracranial compartment volumes were calculated: the relative ventricular volume, brain volume ratio, pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume.@*Results@#The scores of gait, cognitive function and urinary function were improved after surgery in iNPH patients(all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the correlation of intracranial compartment volumes(the relative ventricular volume, brain volume ratio, pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume)and Evans' index with the severity of clinical symptoms including gait, cognitive function and urinary function before surgery, and with the degree of symptom improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients(all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in intracranial compartment volumes between patients having improvement in mRS, TUG, MMSE and iNPHGS and patients having no improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients(all P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Patients with iNPH can benefit from CSF shunt surgery and have improvements of clinical symptoms including gait, cognitive function and urinary function.Preoperative intracranial compartment volumes(the relative ventricular volume, brain volume ratio, pericerebral CSF volume ratio and the ratio of ventricular volume to pericerebral CSF volume)and Evans' index have no correlations with the severity of clinical symptoms before surgery, and have no correlations with the degree of symptom improvement one year after surgery in iNPH patients.For this reason, preoperative intracranial compartment volumes and Evans' index cannot be used to predict whether or not CSF shunt surgery can improve specific clinical symptoms.

Synthesis of (E,E)-Dienones and (E,E)-Dienals via Palladium-Catalyzed γ,δ-Dehydrogenation of Enones and Enals.

A new strategy for the synthesis of conjugated (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals via a palladium-catalyzed aerobic γ,δ-dehydrogenation of enones and enals has been developed. The method can be employed in the direct and efficient synthesis of various (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals, including non-substituted α-, ß-, and γ- and/or δ-substituted (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals. The protocol is featured by the ready accessibility and elaboration of the starting materials, good functional group compatibility, and mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the reaction is of complete E,E-stereoselectivity and uses molecular oxygen as the sole clean oxidant.

Subcellular distribution and chemical forms involved in manganese accumulation and detoxification for Xanthium strumarium L.

Xanthium strumarium L. is a candidate species for manganese (Mn)-phyto-remediation. To reveal the mechanism of this species adaptive to Mn stress, the growth, Mn subcellular distribution, chemical forms, as well as micro-structure and ultra-structure responses of the mining ecotype (ME) of X. strumarium to Mn stress were studied with the non-mining ecotype (NME) as the reference by a hydroponic experiment. The results showed the ME demonstrated a higher tolerance to Mn stress with a superior growth and a higher tolerance index (TI) when compared with the NME. The concentrations of Mn in leaves, stems, and roots of the ME were 1.1-1.8, 1.2-1.9, and 1.3-1.9 times higher than those in the corresponding organs of the NME, respectively. The micro-structure and ultra-structure showed abnormal alterations, such as shrunken ducts and sieve canals, round-shaped chloroplasts, increased starch and osmiophilic granules, as well as expanded and non-compact granum thylakoids in the NME, compared to the ME. More than 83% of Mn was localized in cell wall and soluble fraction, while the Mn concentration in all fractions had a direct linear relationship with Mn treatment in the ME. The proportions of pectates and protein integrated-Mn, phosphate-Mn, and oxalate-Mn forms were dominant in leaves and stems of the ME, whereas, in the NME the relative proportions of inorganic Mn and water-soluble Mn forms in the roots was higher than the other forms. Altogether, the combination of preferential distribution of Mn in the cell wall and soluble fraction, and storage of Mn in low toxicity forms, such as phosphate-Mn, pectates and protein-bound Mn, and oxalate-Mn, might be responsible for alleviating Mn toxicity in the ME.

Integrative study of subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and physiological responses for understanding manganese tolerance in the herb Macleaya cordata (papaveraceae).

Macleaya cordata is a perennial herb, a candidate phytoremediation plant with high biomass and manganese (Mn) tolerance. To study the mechanism underlying its Mn adaptability, Mn2+ at various concentrations (0, 1000, 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 µM) were applied to M. cordata to investigate the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of Mn, as well as the resulting physiological and biochemical changes by pot culture experiment under natural light in a greenhouse. According to our results, Mn level in M. cordata increased with exogenous Mn concentrations; and Mn contents in different tissues exhibited a leaf > root > stem pattern. Meanwhile, biomass and the level of photosynthetic pigments increased at lower Mn concentrations but declined as Mn concentration further ascended. Subcellular distribution analysis revealed that Mn was sequestered in cell wall and vacuole; in addition, it was incorporated into pectates and protein, phosphates, and oxalates. These findings revealed a possible effective strategy for M. cordata to reduce Mn mobility and toxicity. Moreover, a continuous boost in the level of malondialdehyde was observed with Mn gradient; whereas contents of soluble proteins and proline, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were initially increased and then dropped. Altogether, these results indicated that most Mn was trapped in the cell wall and soluble fractions in low toxicity forms such as pectates and protein, phosphates, and oxalates. These strategies, that is functioning cooperatively with the well-coordinated antioxidant defense systems and the non-enzymatic metabolites, confer strong resistance to Mn in M. cordata.