In the presence of guest 2,4'-bpy molecules or under acidic conditions, three compounds, [Cd(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).(2,4'-bpy)(2).H(2)O (1), [Zn(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).(2,4'-bpy)(2).H(2)O (2), and [Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(4).(4,4'-H(2)bpy) (3), were obtained from the reactions of the metal salts and 4,4'-bpy in an EtOH-H(2)O mixture. 1 has a 2-D square-grid network structure, crystallizing in the monoclinic space group P2/n, with a = 13.231(3) Å, b = 11.669(2) Å, c = 15.019(3) Å, beta = 112.82(3) degrees, Z = 2; 2 is isomorphous with 1, crystallizing in the monoclinic space group P2/n, with a = 13.150(3) Å, b = 11.368(2) Å, c = 14.745(3) Å, beta = 110.60(3) degrees, Z = 2. The square grids superpose on each other into a channel structure, in which each layer consists of two pairs of shared edges, perfectly square-planar with an M(II) ion and a 4,4'-bpy at each corner and side, respectively. The square cavity has dimensions of 11.669(2) x 11.788(2) and 11.368(2) x 11.488(2) Å for 1 and 2, respectively. Every two guest 2,4'-bpy molecules are clathrated in each hydrophobic host cavity and are further stabilized by pi-pi stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. The NMR spectra clearly confirm that both 1 and 2 contain 4,4'-bpy and 2,4'-bpy molecules in a 1:1 ratio, which have stacking interaction with each other in the solution. 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibam, with a = 11.1283(5) Å, b = 15.5927(8) Å, c = 22.3178(11) Å, Z = 4. 3 is made up of two-dimensional square [Cu(4)(4,4'-bpy)(4)] grids, where the square cavity has dimensions of 11.13 x 11.16 Å. Each [4,4'-H(2)bpy](2+) cation is clathrated in a square cavity and stacks with one pair of opposite edges of the host square cavity in an offset fashion with the face-to-face distance of ca. 3.95 Å. Within each cavity, the [4,4'-H(2)bpy](2+) cation forms twin three-center hydrogen bonds with two pairs of ClO(4)(-) anions. The results suggest that the guest 2,4'-bpy molecules and protonated [4,4'-H(2)bpy](2+) cations present in the reaction systems serve as structure-directing templates in the formation of the crystal structures and exclude self-inclusion of the networks having larger square cavities.
To explore the species diversity and toxin profile of Pseudo-nitzschia, monoclonal strains were established from Chinese southeast coastal waters. The morphology was examined under light and transmission electron microscopy. The internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analyses, and the secondary structure of ITS2 was predicted and compared among allied taxa. A combination of morphological and molecular data showed the presence of two new species, Pseudo-nitzschia hainanensis sp. nov. and Pseudo-nitzschia taiwanensis sp. nov. Pseudo-nitzschia hainanensis was characterized by a dumpy-lanceolate valve with slightly blunt apices and a central nodule, as well as striae comprising two rows of poroids. Pseudo-nitzschia taiwanensis was characterized by a slender-lanceolate valve, and striae comprising one row of split poroids. The poroid structure mainly comprised two sectors. Both taxa constituted their own monophyletic lineage in the phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS2 rDNA and were well differentiated from other Pseudo-nitzschia species. Morphologically, P. hainanensis and P. taiwanensis could be assigned to the Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima and the Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima complex, respectively. Particulate domoic acid was measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), but no detectable pDA was found. With the description of the two new species, the species diversity of genus Pseudo-nitzschia reaches 58 worldwide, among which 31 have been recorded from Chinese coastal waters.
In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.