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Platycodi radix is a widely used herbal medicine that contains numerous phytochemicals beneficial to health. The health and biological benefits of P. radix have been found across various diseases. The utilization of umbilical cord stromal stem cells, derived from Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord, has emerged as a promising approach for treating degenerative diseases. Nevertheless, growing evidence indicates that the function of stem cells declines with age, thereby limiting their regenerative capacity. The primary objective in this study is to investigate the beneficial effects of P. radix in senescent stem cells. We conducted experiments to showcase that diminished levels of Lamin B1 and Sox‐2, along with an elevation in p21, which serve as indicative markers for the senescent stem cells. Our findings revealed the loss of Lamin B1 and Sox‐2, coupled with an increase in p21, in umbilical cord stromal stem cells subjected to a low‐dose (0.1 μM) doxorubicin (Dox) stimulation. However, P. radix restored the Dox‐damage in the umbilical cord stromal stem cells. P. radix reversed the senescent conditions when the umbilical cord stromal stem cells exposed to Dox‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential are significantly changed. In Dox‐challenged aged umbilical cord stromal stem cells, P. radix reduced senescence, increased longevity, prevented mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS and protected against senescence‐associated apoptosis. This study suggests that P. radix might be as a therapeutic and rescue agent for the aging effect in stem cells. Inhibition of cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction and aging‐associated ROS with P. radix provides additional insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with a marked increase in prevalence with advancing age. Due to the multifactorial nature of glaucoma pathogenesis, dissecting how ageing impacts upon glaucoma risk requires analysis and synthesis of evidence from a vast literature. While there is a wealth of human clinical studies examining glaucoma pathogenesis and why older patients have increased risk, many aspects of the disease such as adaptations of retinal ganglion cells to stress, autophagy and the role of glial cells in glaucoma, require the use of animal models to study the complex cellular processes and interactions. Additionally, the accelerated nature of ageing in rodents facilitates the longitudinal study of changes that would not be feasible in human clinical studies. This review article examines evidence derived predominantly from rodent models on how the ageing process impacts upon various aspects of glaucoma pathology from the retinal ganglion cells themselves, to supporting cells and tissues such as glial cells, connective tissue and vasculature, in addition to oxidative stress and autophagy. An improved understanding of how ageing modifies these factors may lead to the development of different therapeutic strategies that target specific risk factors or processes involved in glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visual biomarkers of Parkinson's disease (PD) are attractive as the retina is an outpouching of the brain. Although inner retinal neurodegeneration in PD is well-established this has overlap with other neurodegenerative diseases and thus outer retinal (photoreceptor) measures warrant further investigation. Objective: To examine in a cross-sectional study whether clinically implementable measures targeting outer retinal function and structure can differentiate PD from healthy ageing and whether these are sensitive to intraday levodopa (L-DOPA) dosing. Methods: Centre-surround perceptual contrast suppression, macular visual field sensitivity, colour discrimination, light-adapted electroretinography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were tested in PD participants (n = 16) and controls (n = 21). Electroretinography and OCT were conducted before and after midday L-DOPA in PD participants, or repeated after ∼2 hours in controls. Results: PD participants had decreased center-surround contrast suppression (p < 0.01), reduced macular visual field sensitivity (p < 0.05), color vision impairment (p < 0.01) photoreceptor dysfunction (a-wave, p < 0.01) and photoreceptor neurodegeneration (outer nuclear layer thinning, p < 0.05), relative to controls. Effect size comparison between inner and outer retinal parameters showed that photoreceptor metrics were similarly robust in differentiating the PD group from age-matched controls as inner retinal changes. Electroretinography and OCT were unaffected by L-DOPA treatment or time. Conclusions: We show that outer retinal outcomes of photoreceptoral dysfunction (decreased cone function and impaired color vision) and degeneration (i.e., outer nuclear layer thinning) were equivalent to inner retinal metrics at differentiating PD from healthy age-matched adults. These findings suggest outer retinal metrics may serve as useful biomarkers for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overview: This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of aluminum complexes containing the amine‐functionalized pyrrolylaldiminate ligand N‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)‐5‐tert‐butyl‐pyrrol‐2‐ylaldiminate ([PyImN]−). Synthesis: The condensation reaction of N,N‐dimethylethylenediamine with 5‐tert‐butylpyrrole‐2‐carbaldehyde in methanol at room temperature produces H[PyImN]. Alkane elimination reactions of MeAlCl2 with H[PyImN] in toluene at 110°C and AlR3 (R = Me, Et) with H[PyImN] in toluene at −35°C afford [PyImN]AlCl2 and [PyImN]AlR2, respectively. Characterization: Solution NMR studies reveal the coordination preferences of [PyImN]—whose hemilabile amine donor is bound to the aluminum center in [PyImN]AlCl2 but unbound in [PyImN]AlR2 (R = Me, Et). Catalysis: The catalytic activities of [PyImN]AlMe2 in controlled ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including organ degeneration and cancer. Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells provide a valuable source for stem cell‐based therapy and represent an emerging therapeutic approach for tissue regeneration. This study focused on screening the senomorphic properties of Ohwia caudata aqueous extract as an emerging strategy for preventing or treating mitochondrial dysfunction in stem cells. Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were incubated with 0.1 μM doxorubicin, for 24 h to induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Next, the cells were treated with a series concentration of Ohwia caudata aqueous extract (25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) for another 24 h. In addition, an untreated control group and a doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction positive control group were maintained under the same conditions. Our data showed that Ohwia caudata aqueous extract markedly suppressed doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing Tid1 and Tom20 expression, decreased reactive oxygen species production, and maintained mitochondrial membrane potential to promote mitochondrial stability. Ohwia caudata aqueous extract retained the stemness of Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and reduced the apoptotic rate. These results indicate that Ohwia caudata aqueous extract protects Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells against doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and can potentially prevent mitochondrial dysfunction in other cells. This study provides new directions for the medical application of Ohwia caudata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive substances are a diverse group of chemical substances that are ever-evolving structurally. Novel psychoactive substances are being reported in and are becoming increasingly popular in East and Southeast Asia, with synthetic cathinones becoming the drugs of choice. The use of synthetic cathinones has increased significantly over the years. However, the easy accessibility of these substances and their potentially damaging health effects have raised many concerns. Herein, we present the case of a patient who ingested mixed synthetic cathinones and eventually developed acute myocarditis and subsequent psychotic symptoms. The delayed presentation of psychosis coupled with initial cardiovascular symptoms was a unique phenomenon, making differential diagnosis challenging. The association between the use of synthetic cathinones and psychosis and myocarditis should be explored in view of the lack of relevant clinical data and potentially dire outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are two major risk factors for glaucomatous optic neuropathy; a condition characterized by the selective, progressive injury, and subsequent loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We examined how age modified the capacity for RGCs to functionally recover following a reproducible IOP elevation (50 mmHg for 30 min). We found that RGC functional recovery (measured using electroretinography) was complete by 7 days in 3-month-old mice but was delayed in 12-month-old mice until 14 days. At the 7-day recovery endpoint when RGC function had recovered in young but not older eyes, we examined RGC structural responses to IOP-related stress by analyzing RGC dendritic morphology. ON-RGC cell volume was attenuated following IOP elevation in both young and older mice. We also found that following IOP elevation OFF-RGC dendritic morphology became less complex per cell volume in young mice, an effect that was not observed in older eyes. Our data suggest that adaptations in OFF-RGCs in young eyes were associated with better functional recovery 7 days after IOP elevation. Loss of RGC cellular adaptations may account for delayed functional recovery in older eyes. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) morphological changes 7 days after intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation to 50 mmHg for 30 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1,4-bis((9H-carbazol-9-yl)methyl)benzene (DCB)-containing homopolymer (P(DCB)) and four DCB- and ED-derivative (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-methanol (EDm))-containing copolymers (P(DCB-co-ED), P(2DCB-co-ED), P(DCB-co-EDm), and P(2DCB-co-EDm)) were electropolymerized on ITO-polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates and their electrochromic performances were studied. DCB displays a lower Eonset than that of EDOT and EDm, conjecturing that the biscarbazole-containing DCB group shows a stronger electron-donating property than that of the ED derivatives. The P(2DCB-co-ED) film presents slate grey, dark khaki, and dark olive green at 0.0, 1.0, and 1.2 V. Bleaching-to-coloring switching studies of polymers show that P(2DCB-co-EDm) shows a high ΔT (31.0% at 725 nm) in solutions. Five dual-layer flexible electrochromic devices (ECDs) based on P(DCB), P(DCB-co-ED), P(2DCB-co-ED), P(DCB-co-EDm), and P(2DCB-co-EDm) as the anodic materials and PEDOT-PSS as the cathodic material are constructed. The P(2DCB-co-ED)/PEDOT-PSS flexible ECD shows a high ΔT (40.3% at 690 nm) and long-term electrochemical cycling stability, while the P(DCB-co-EDm)/PEDOT-PSS ECD shows a high ΔT (39.1% at 640 nm) and short response time (≤1.5 s). These findings offer us a new structural insight for the valuable design of conjugated polymers in high-contrast, flexible ECDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four 1,4-bis((9H-carbazol-9-yl)methyl)benzene-containing polymers (PbCmB, P(bCmB-co-bTP), P(bCmB-co-dbBT), and P(bCmB-co-TF)) were electrosynthesized onto ITO transparent conductive glass and their spectral and electrochromic switching performances were characterized. The PbCmB film displayed four types of color variations (bright gray, dark gray, dark khaki, and dark olive green) from 0.0 to 1.2 V. P(bCmB-co-bTP) displayed a high transmittance variation (∆T = 39.56% at 685 nm) and a satisfactory coloration efficiency (η = 160.5 cm2∙C−1 at 685 nm). Dual-layer organic electrochromic devices (ECDs) were built using four bCmB-containing polycarbazoles and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as anodes and a cathode, respectively. PbCmB/PEDOT ECD displayed gainsboro, dark gray, and bright slate gray colors at −0.4 V, 1.0 V, and 2.0 V, respectively. The P(bCmB-co-bTP)/PEDOT ECD showed a high ∆T (40.7% at 635 nm) and a high coloration efficiency (η = 428.4 cm2∙C−1 at 635 nm). The polycarbazole/PEDOT ECDs exhibited moderate open circuit memories and electrochemical redox stability. The characterized electrochromic properties depicted that the as-prepared polycarbazoles had a satisfactory application prospect as an electrode for the ECDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive damage to the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the retina. RGCs are a heterogenous class of retinal neurons which can be classified into multiple types based on morphological, functional and genetic characteristics. This review examines the body of evidence supporting type-specific vulnerability of RGCs in glaucoma and explores potential mechanisms by which this might come about. Studies of donor tissue from glaucoma patients have generally noted greater vulnerability of larger RGC types. Models of glaucoma induced in primates, cats and mice also show selective effects on RGC types - particularly OFF RGCs. Several mechanisms may contribute to type-specific vulnerability, including differences in the expression of calcium-permeable receptors (for example pannexin-1, P2X7, AMPA and transient receptor potential vanilloid receptors), the relative proximity of RGCs and their dendrites to blood supply in the inner plexiform layer, as well as differing metabolic requirements of RGC types. Such differences may make certain RGCs more sensitive to intraocular pressure elevation and its associated biomechanical and vascular stress. A greater understanding of selective RGC vulnerability and its underlying causes will likely reveal a rich area of investigation for potential treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance Data on the incidence of presenting vision impairment (PVI) and spectacle coverage rate (SCR) in urban China is limited. Background: To estimate the 6‐year incidence and risk factors for PVI and the SCR in urban Southern China. Design Population‐based cohort study. Participants: A total of 1817 participants aged ≥35 years were identified from Guangzhou in 2008 at baseline and 1427 attended follow‐up examination in 2014. Methods: Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was measured using the ETDRS chart with habitual spectacles. Participants with PVA ≤20/40 underwent subjective refraction at the follow‐up visit. Incidence of PVI was calculated using the WHO and US criteria, respectively. The met‐need SCR was defined as the percentage of participants with PVA <20/40 that had been improved to ≥20/40 after correction. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of PVI and SCR. Results: Incidence of PVI was 8.3% (95%CI, 6.9‐9.8) and 12.2% (95%CI, 10.5‐14.0) based on the WHO and US definition, respectively. Older age, female, lower education level, more myopic spherical equivalent and worse PVA at baseline were significantly related to a higher PVI incidence based on the WHO criteria, with similar associations identified using the US criteria except for gender. The overall met‐need SCR was 42.5%, and was lower among the elderly, more hyperopic participants or participants with lower education level. Conclusions and Relevance: The incidence of PVI is high in urban Southern China and spectacle wearing is available in less than half of those in need. This highlights the needs to promote spectacle coverage even in the urban population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance This study helps to better understand the need and trend in presbyopic add power in the aging society. Background: Distribution and progression of presbyopic add power in East Asian population is largely unknown. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants: About 303 participants from a population‐based study of residents aged 35 years and older in Guangzhou, China. Methods: Visual acuity (VA) test and non‐cycloplegic automated refraction were performed at baseline in 2008 and the 6‐year follow‐up per standardized protocol. Participants with presenting near VA ≤ 20/40 underwent distance subjective refraction and add power measurement by increasing plus lens at a standard distance of 40 cm at each visit. Main outcome measures: Add power at baseline and follow‐ups. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age of the study participants was 57.6 (11.1) years and 50.2% were female. The mean add power at baseline was 1.43, 1.73, 2.03 and 2.20 diopters (D) for individuals in the age groups of 35–44, 45–54, 55–64 and 65+ years, respectively. Participants with older age and lower educational level had significantly higher add power requirements (P < 0.001). The overall 6‐year increase in add power was 0.15D (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.25), and was smaller in myopic subjects (P = 0.03). Baseline age and add power, but not changes in biometric factors, were associated with longitudinal change in add power (P < 0.001). Conclusions and Relevance: Distribution and progression of add power in Chinese was different from that previously suggested by Caucasian studies. More studies are needed to establish up‐to‐date age‐related add power prescription norms for population of different ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic test equipment must have high-precision and low-power pulse generators (PGs) for testing memory and device-under-test ICs. This paper describes a high-accuracy and wide-data-rate-range PG with a 10-ps time resolution. The PG comprises an edge combiner (EC) and a multiphase clock generator (MPCG). The EC can produce an arbitrary waveform through 32 phase outputs of the MPCG. The EC adopts a one/zero detector and phase selection logic to define an operational data rate range and a timing resolution, respectively. Therefore, the EC uses the phase selection logic to combine the period window of the one/zero detector with the MPCG output phases. The EC also uses a countdown counter for a wide operational range. In the MPCG, a multiphase oscillator (MPO) adopts a ring oscillator scheme with subfeedback loops to extend its maximum operational frequency. The MPO also uses a phase error corrector to reduce the output phase error resulting from process and layout mismatches. Thus, the PG can obtain high-accuracy waveforms owing to small phase errors. The test chip was implemented using a 0.13- \mu \textm CMOS process. The core area and power consumption of the PG were measured to be 250 \times 300 \,\,\mu \textm^2 and 18.7 mW, respectively. The data rate range of the PG was determined to be from 3.2 kHz to 893 MHz. The time resolution and average accuracy of the PG were measured to be 10 ps and ±0.3 LSB, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-phase digital crystal-less clock generator (CLCG) with a phase error corrector is presented for on-chip and multi-phase systems. For the temperature variations, the digital temperature compensator (DTC) adjusts the CLCG frequency to achieve the target frequency. The proposed DTC adopts a ring oscillator to detect the frequency drift under the temperature variations. In the trimming process, the supply current controller (SCC) adopts the mutual compensation of threshold voltage and mobility variations to achieve the non-sensitive voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for temperature variations. The digital CLCG adopts a phase error corrector to calibrate CLCG output phase errors. This digital CLCG output produces the target frequency of 600 MHz and 24 phase outputs, at the 1.2 V supply voltage. The core area of test chip is the 130 × 180 μm in a 130 nm CMOS process. When the temperature range is from −20 to 80 °C, the frequency accuracies of CLCG are less than ± 60 ppm/°C under the three test chips. The RMS jitter of the period and cycle-to-cycle jitters are 5.3 and 2.4 ps, respectively. The power consumption at 600 MHz is 3.2 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate longitudinal changes in refraction and biometry in Chinese adults. Design: Population-based prospective cohort study. Methods: 1817 subjects aged ≥ 35 years were randomly recruited from Yuexiu district, Guangzhou, China in 2008. Of which 1595 (87.8%) were reexamined in 2010 and 1427 (78.5%) were reexamined in 2014. Non-cycloplegic automated refraction and visual acuity test were performed at baseline and the 6-year follow-up examination for all participants. In addition, 50% of the participants were randomly selected for axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) measurements using non-contact partial coherence laser interferometry. Lens power (LP) was calculated with the Bennett’s equation. Results: A total of 1300 participants were included in current analysis (2008 mean [SD] age, 51.4 [10.6] years; 54.5% women). Mean change in spherical equivalence (SE) was +0.24 (95% confidence interval [CI], +0.19 to +0.30), +0.51 (95% CI, +0.46 to +0.57), +0.26 (95% CI, +0.15 to +0.38) and -0.05 (95% CI, -0.21 to +0.10) diopters (D) for individuals in the age groups of 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64 and 65+ years at baseline, respectively. Corneal power, AL and LT increased while ACD and LP decreased during the follow-up. Baseline SE and changes in biometric factors could explain 97.2% of the variance in longitudinal SE change while LP solely could explain 65.2%. Six-year mean change in cylinder power was -0.16 (95% CI, -0.19 to -0.13) D, the axis of astigmatism changed from “with-the-rule” to “against-the-rule” in 16.4% of the participants and to “oblique” in 0.9%. Conclusions: This study confirms a hyperopic shift in the elderly before 65 years old and a myopic shift thereafter. Longitudinal refraction change could be well explained by corresponding biometry changes, especially LP. There is also a shift to “against-the-rule” astigmatism for the adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present the rates of referral of participants in the National Eye Health Survey (NEHS) for further eye care. Materials & methods: A national sample of 3098 non-Indigenous Australians aged 50–98 and 1738 Indigenous Australians aged 40–92 years living in 30 randomly selected sites was recruited using a door-to-door approach. Participants completed a general questionnaire and a series of eye tests, including vision and anterior segment assessment, intra-ocular pressure measurement, visual field testing and fundus photography. A predefined protocol was used to guide the referral of participants for follow up eye care. An ophthalmologist was on-call to assist with the triaging of participants. Results: Of the total sample, 32.1% (994/3098) of non-Indigenous participants and 43.6% (757/1738) of Indigenous participants were referred for further eye care (p<0.001). A significant difference in referral rates for Indigenous Australians was observed between regions of differing geographic remoteness [range = 32.2% (Inner Regional)—60.4% (Very Remote), p <0.001]. After adjusting for covariates, males (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06–1.46), older age (OR = 1.02 per year, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.02) and longer time since previous eye examination (OR = 1.15 per year, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.19) were associated with higher rates of eye care referral in the non-Indigenous population. In the Indigenous population, older age (OR = 1.02 per year, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03), self-reported diabetes (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.37–2.12), greater geographical remoteness (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.09–1.29) and longer time since previous eye examination (OR = 1.10 per year, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.13) were associated with a higher rate of referral after multivariate adjustments. A total of 25 participants (1.4%) were referred for urgent follow-up of potentially sight threatening conditions. Conclusions: Our data has identified several high risk groups that required ophthalmic referral including older Australians, non-Indigenous men, Indigenous Australians with self-reported diabetes and those residing in very remote populations who may benefit from improvements in the provision and/or uptake of eye health services. Future longitudinal research is warranted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of implementing a referral protocol within a population-based research setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes the synthesis, structure, and reactivity of aluminum complexes containing tridentate biphenolate phosphine ligands of the type [RP(2-O-3,5-C6H2tBu2)2]2− (R = tBu (2a), Ph (2b)). Alkane elimination of AlMe3 with one equiv. of H2[2a] or H2[2b] in THF at 0 °C cleanly affords colorless crystalline [2a]AlMe(THF) (3a) and [2b]AlMe(THF) (3b), respectively. An X-ray diffraction study of 3a showed it to be a five-coordinate THF-bound species, whose coordination geometry is best described as trigonal bipyramidal, having the phosphorus donor and THF at axial positions. Treatment of either in situ prepared or isolated methyl complexes 3a,b with one equiv. of benzyl alcohol in toluene or THF generated their corresponding benzyloxides {[2a,b]Al(μ2-OCH2Ph)}2 (4a,b). An X-ray diffraction study of 4a revealed a dimeric structure, in which the coordination geometry of aluminum is also distorted trigonal bipyramidal with the tridentate 2a ligand being facially bound. In the presence of one equiv. of benzyl alcohol, complex 3a is a competent catalyst precursor for the living ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and rac-lactide (rac-LA), producing poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(rac-lactide), respectively, in a controlled manner. As such, well-defined block copolymers of ε-CL with rac-LA can also be prepared by catalytic 3a. Kinetic studies revealed that 3a catalyzes the polymerization of rac-lactide at a rate 2-fold faster than that of 3b, indicating the significance of the P-substituent effect on this catalysis. Interestingly, the polymerization rate of rac-lactide by 3a is 16.5 times faster than that of l-lactide under otherwise identical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive types of primary brain tumor. After complete surgical resection combined with radiation and chemotherapy, approximately 10% of patients survive for more than 5 years. Therefore, a novel therapy for GBM is needed. Aurora-A (AURKA) plays important roles in cell cycle regulation, such as centrosome maturation, chromatic separation, bipolar spindle assembly, and mitotic entry. To investigate the effects of AURKA inhibition, three GBM cell lines, including GBM 8401, GBM 8901, and U87-MG cells, were treated with the AURKA inhibitor VE-465. Sensitivities to VE-465, as indicated by 50% inhibitory concentration values for GBM 8401, GBM 8901, and U87-MG cells, were 6, 25, and 19 nM, respectively. Additionally, colony formation of GBM 8401 and GBM 8901 cells was decreased after treatment with the VE-465. VE-465 treatment increased polyploidy and p53 protein expression, and inhibited cell growth in a caspase-independent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that the inhibition of AURKA by a small-molecule inhibitor may have potential to serve as a novel therapeutic approach for GBM. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of five-coordinate aluminum complexes supported by o-phenylene-derived amido diphosphine ligands, [N(o-C[sub6]H[sub4]PR[sub2])[sub2][ ([R-PNP]; A = Ph, [supi]Pr) and [N(o- C[sub6]H[sub4]PPh[sub2])(o-C[sub6]H[sub4]P[supi]Pr[sub2])] ([Ph-PNP-[supi]Pr]), have been prepared and structurally characterized. Alkane elimination reactions of trialkylaluminum with H[Ph-PNP] (1a), H[[supi]Pr-PNP] (1b) and H[Ph-PNP-[supi]Pr] (lc) in toluene at -35 °C respectively produced the corresponding dialkyl complexes [Ph-PNP]AIR[sub2], [[supi]Pr-PNP]AIR[sub2], and [Ph-PNP-[supi]Pr]AIR[sub2] (R = Me (2a-c), Et (3a-c), [supi]Bu (4a-c)) in high isolated yield. The dihydride complexes [Ph-PNP]AIH[sub2] (6a), [[supi]Pr- PNP]AIH[sub2] (6b), and [Ph-PNP-[supi]Pr]AIH[sub2] (6c) were prepared in one-pot reactions of in situ prepared dichloride precursors (5a-c) with LiAIH[sub4] in THF at room temperature. X-ray diffraction studies of 2a-c, 3b-c, 5b, and 6b revealed a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal structure for these molecules in which the two phosphorus donors are mutually trans. The solution structures of these organoaluminum complexes were all characterized by [sup1]H, [sup13]C, and [sup31]P NMR spectroscopy. The NMR data are indicative of solution C[sub2] symmetry for [Ph-PNP][sup-] and [[supi]Pr-PNP][sup-] complexes, whereas they are indicative of C1 for [Ph-PNP-[supi]Pr][sup-] derivatives. The 1H NMR spectra of 3a-c and 4a-c revealed diastereotopy for the a-hydrogen atoms in these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination chemistry of N,N′-ethylenedi(5-tert-butyl-pyrrol-2-ylaldiminate) dianion (L2−) is described. The ligand precursor H2L was prepared in high yield from the condensation reaction of ethylenediamine with 5-tert-butylpyrrole-2-carbaldehyde. Treatment of H2L with Zr(CH2Ph)4 generated mononuclear ZrL(CH2Ph)2 (1), whereas the reaction of H2L with MgnBu2 or ZnEt2 produced dinuclear M2L2 (M=Mg, 2; Zn, 3). In addition to spectroscopic characterizations of all new compounds, X-ray crystal structure of 2 was obtained. The X-ray study revealed a double-stranded helical structure in which the magnesium atoms are bound to two interwined L2− ligands with a Mg⋯Mg separation of 4.116 A˚. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 1,3-bis(carbazol-9-yl)benzene derivative (BPBC) was synthesized and its related homopolymer (PBPBC) and copolymers (P(BPBC-co-BT), P(BPBC-co-CDT), and P(BPBC-co-CDTK)) were prepared using electrochemical polymerization. Investigations of polymeric spectra showed that PBPBC film was grey, iron-grey, yellowish-grey, and greyish-green from the neutral to the oxidized state. P(BPBC-co-BT), P(BPBC-co-CDT), and P(BPBC-co-CDTK) films showed multicolor transitions from the reduced to the oxidized state. The transmittance change (ΔT) of PBPBC, P(BPBC-co-BT), P(BPBC-co-CDT), and P(BPBC-co-CDTK) films were 29.6% at 1040 nm, 44.4% at 1030 nm, 22.3% at 1050 nm, and 41.4% at 1070 nm. The coloration efficiency (η) of PBPBC and P(BPBC-co-CDTK) films were evaluated to be 140.3 cm2 C−1 at 1040 nm and 283.7 cm2 C−1 at 1070 nm, respectively. A P(BPBC-co-BT)/PEDOT electrochromic device (ECD) showed a large ΔT (36.2% at 625 nm) and a fast response time (less than 0.5 s), whereas a P(BPBC-co-CDTK)/PEDOT ECD revealed a large η (534.4 cm2 C–1 at 610 nm) and sufficient optical circuit memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five carbazole-containing polymeric membranes (PDTC, P(DTC-co-BTP), P(DTC-co-BTP2), P(DTC-co-TF), and P(DTC-co-TF2)) were electrodeposited on transparent conductive electrodes. P(DTC-co-BTP2) shows a high ΔT (68.4%) at 855 nm. The multichromic properties of P(DTC-co-TF2) membrane range between dark yellow, yellowish-green, gunmetal gray, and dark gray in various reduced and oxidized states. Polymer-based organic electrochromic devices are assembled using 2,2′-bithiophene- and 2-(2-thienyl)furan-based copolymers as anodic membranes, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT-PSS) as the cathodic membrane. P(DTC-co-TF)/PEDOT-PSS electrochromic device (ECD) displays a high transmittance change (ΔT%) (43.4%) at 627 nm as well as a rapid switching time (less than 0.6 s) from a colored to a bleached state. Moreover, P(DTC-co-TF2)/PEDOT-PSS ECD shows satisfactory optical memory (the transmittance change is less than 2.9% in the colored state) and high coloration efficiency (512.6 cm2 C−1) at 627 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]