Synthesis and properties of anthracene-based cyclic π-clusters which possess two and four anthracene units are discussed. The optimal cyclization conditions were determined based on a nickel(0)-mediated reaction that afforded a cyclic anthracene dimer as the major product. Bringing two anthracene planes in close proximity in a face-to-face manner resulted in red-shifted absorption owing to the narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap. The cyclic anthracene dimer exhibits multi-stimuli responsiveness due to high π-congestion. For example, photoirradiation on the anthracene dimer affords its photoisomer having C-C bonds that are longer than 1.65 Å, which can undergo thermal reversion under gentle heating. This enabled mechanochromism of the photoisomer (colorless) to the original anthracene dimer (red). Photoisomerization was also observed in the crystalline state, accompanied by crystal jumping or collapsing, that is, the photosalient effect.
  To study the prevalence of the exposure of pregnant women to antimicrobials, a sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine nine antimicrobials, namely sulfadimidine, sulfapyridine, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, tetracycline, and lincomycin, in human serum.
 
  The sample preparation procedure included protein precipitation followed by a cleanup step with solid phase extraction (SPE). Separation was carried out using a CORTECS T3 column (100×2.1mm, 2.7µm) by gradient elution with a runtime of 8.0min. Detection was performed on a triple quadruple tandem mass spectrometer with scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) in positive ion scan mode.
 
  The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.5-50ng/ml, and the limit of quantitation was between 0.01 and 0.2ng/ml. For each level of quality control samples, the inter- and intra-assay precision values were less than 12.0%, and the accuracy ranged from 86.1% to 109.0%. No significant matrix effect or carryover was observed. The antimicrobials of interest were stable under all investigated conditions. The validated method was applied to analyze clinical samples from pregnant women in China, and 10 out of 500 samples showed the presence of antimicrobial residues. Moreover, compared with the time-resolved fluoro-immunoassay (TRFIA) method, the developed method showed greater sensitivity and specificity.
 
  This study provides a simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous measurement of nine antimicrobials in serum samples, which could be a useful tool in clinical utilization.
 This study provides a simple and rapid LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous measurement of nine antimicrobials in serum samples, which could be a useful tool in clinical utilization.A vinylogous aldol-type reaction of allylazaarenes and aldehydes is disclosed that affords a series of chiral γ-hydroxyl-α,β-unsaturated azaarenes in moderate to excellent yields with high to excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. With (R,RP )-TANIAPHOS and (R,R)-QUINOXP* as the ligand, the carbon-carbon double bond in the products is generated in (E)-form. With (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS as the ligand, (Z)-form carbon-carbon double bond is formed in the major product. In this vinylogous reaction, aromatic, α,β-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes are competent substrates. Moreover, a variety of azaarenes, such as pyrimidine, pyridine, pyrazine, quinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, and benzo[d]imidazole are well-tolerated.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/blebbistatin.html  At last, the chiral vinylogous product is demonstrated as a suitable Michael acceptor towards CuI-catalyzed nucleophilic addition with organomagnesium reagents.
  To isolate endophytic Trichoderma species and investigate the potential for biological control of the root rot pathogen Armillaria mellea.
 
  In all, 40 Trichoderma isolates were obtained from a range of host plants and identities were confirmed by ITS, rpb2 and tef1 sequence. When tested in dual culture assays for antagonism against A. mellea, Trichoderma isolates overgrew the A. mellea colonies within four days and by eightdays 38 Trichoderma isolates significantly reduced A. mellea colony size. Armillaria mellea was unable to be recovered from five of eight co-cultivations tested, suggesting Trichoderma had killed the A. mellea in these cases. Pre-colonized hazel disks were used to determine what happens in a more heterogeneous situation with A. mellea and a refined set of eight Trichoderma isolates. Similar to plate-based assays, Trichoderma quickly covered A. mellea stopping any further growth and two Trichoderma isolates were able to eradicate A. mellea.
 
  Of the Trichoderma spp. tested, endophytic isolates of Trichoderma virens and T. hamatum offered the greatest antagonism towards A. mellea. Using pre-colonized hazel disks was of great importance for this work to demonstrate the fungal interactions in plant material.
 
  Controlling Armillaria root rot is difficult with chemical treatments, thus an environmentally benign and cost-effective alternative is required. This study highlights the prospect of biological control as an effective, environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals.
 Controlling Armillaria root rot is difficult with chemical treatments, thus an environmentally benign and cost-effective alternative is required. This study highlights the prospect of biological control as an effective, environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals.
  Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is a common human pathogenic bacterium that is associated with gastric diseases. The current leading clinical therapy is combination antibiotics, but this treatment has safety issues, especially the induction of drug resistance. Therefore, developing a safe and effective vaccine against H.pylori is one of the best alternatives.
 
  To develop Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cerevisiae)-based oral vaccines and then demonstrate the feasibility of this platform for preventing H.pylori infection in the absence of a mucosal adjuvant.
 
  Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cerevisiae)-based oral vaccines, including EBY100/pYD1-UreB and EBY100/pYD1-VacA, were generated and analyzed by Western blot, Immunofluorescence analysis, flow cytometric assay, and indirect enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Further, antibody responses induced by oral administration of EBY100/pYD1-UreB, EBY100/pYD1-VacA, or EBY100/pYD1-UreB+EBY100/pYD1-VacA were measured in a mouse model. Lastly, the vaccinated mice were infected with H.