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Diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) is a novel MRI method for assessing brain interstitial fluid dynamics, potentially indexing glymphatic function. Failed glymphatic clearance is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. We assessed the contribution of age and female sex (strong AD risk factors) to DTI-ALPS index in healthy subjects. We also for the first time assessed the effect of head size. In accord with prior studies, we show reduced DTI-ALPS index with aging, and in men compared to women. However, head size may be a major contributing factor to this counterintuitive sex difference.

Behavioral and clinical studies have revealed a critical role of substance P (SP) in aggression; however, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying SP and aggression remain elusive. Here, we show that tachykinin-expressing neurons in the medial amygdala (MeATac1neurons) are activated during aggressive behaviors in male mice. We identified MeATac1neurons as a key mediator of aggression and found that MeATac1→ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMHvl) projections are critical to the regulation of aggression. Moreover, SP/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) signaling in the VMHvl modulates aggressive behaviors in male mice. SP/NK-1R signaling regulates aggression by influencing glutamate transmission in neurons in the VMHvl. In summary, these findings place SP as a key node in aggression circuits.

The present study investigates a multimodal imaging assessment of glymphatic function and its association with brain amyloid-beta deposition.

Abstract: Four new 3,4-secocycloartane triterpenoids, pseudolactones A–D (1–4), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the cones of Pseudol arixamabilis. Their structures were established by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The cones of P. arixamabilisare enriched in the ring-expanded or cleaved cycloartane triterpenoids. This work provides new insight into cycloartane triterpenoids from the cones of P. arixamabilis. Graphic Abstract:

Recently, the shale gas exploration of Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in Sichuan Basin has made a great breakthrough. However, the pore characteristics and controlling factors of the shale-gas reservoir in the Qiongzhusi Formation are not clear, which hinders further exploration and development of shale gas. This paper focuses on the Qiongzhusi Formation in the Lower Cambrian of the Sichuan Basin. On the basis of mineral composition and the lithofacies types of shale-gas reservoirs in Qiongzhusi Formation were classified by microscopic observation. Additionally, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM), advanced mineral identification and characterization system (AMICS) analysis, large-field stitching scanning electron microscope technology (MAPS) and nitrogen adsorption experiment were employed to comprehensively determine the differential characteristics and controlling factors of pore development. The results indicate that the pore types in Qiongzhusi Formation are mainly composed of interparticle pores and intercrystalline pores. The pore structure of Qiongzhusi Formation is complex. Significant differences in pore structure parameters are observed among different lithofacies. Quartz and feldspar contribute to the preservation of primary pores due to their strong compressive resistance. Clay minerals and carbonate minerals impede pore development by occluding pores. The influence of organic matter on the pore development is relatively small. According to the mineral composition and pore parameters, laminated shale is a relatively favorable reservoir facies among different lithofacies types.

Exacerbation of pain by chronic stress and comorbidity of pain with stress-related disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), represent significant clinical challenges. Previously we have documented that chronic forced swim (FS) stress exacerbates neuropathic pain in spared nerve injury (SNI) rats, associated with an up-regulation of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (GluN2B-NMDARs) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic FS stress (CFSS)-mediated exacerbation of pain sensitivity in SNI rats still remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that exposure of CFSS to rats activated the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)/CRF receptor type 1 (CRFR1) signaling in the CeA, which was shown to be necessary for CFSS-induced depressive-like symptoms in stressed rats, and as well, for CFSS-induced exacerbation of pain hypersensitivity in SNI rats exposed to chronic FS stress. Furthermore, we discovered that activation of CRF/CRFR1 signaling in the CeA upregulated the phosphorylation of GluN2B-NMDARs at tyrosine 1472 (pGluN2BY1472) in the synaptosomal fraction of CeA, which is highly correlated to the enhancement of synaptic GluN2B-NMDARs expression that has been observed in the CeA in CFSS-treated SNI rats. In addition, we revealed that activation of CRF/CRFR1 signaling in the CeA facilitated the CFSS-induced reinforcement of long-term potentiation (LTP) as well as the enhancement of NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in the BLA-CeA pathway in SNI rats. These findings suggest that activation of CRF/CRFR1 signaling in the CeA contributes to chronic stress-induced exacerbation of neuropathic pain by enhancing GluN2B-NMDAR-mediated synaptic plasticity in rats subjected to nerve injury.

Euodiae Fructus, referred to as “Wuzhuyu” in Chinese, has been used as local and traditional herbal medicines in many regions, especially in China, Japan and Korea, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, headache, emesis, aphtha, dermatophytosis, dysentery, etc. Substantial investigations into their chemical and pharmacological properties have been performed. Recently, interest in this plant has been focused on the different structural types of alkaloids like evodiamine, rutaecarpine, dehydroevodiamine and 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities in preclinical models, such as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cardiovascular disease, etc. This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information concerning the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Euodiae Fructus together with the toxicology and quality control, and discusses the possible direction and scope for future research on this plant.

Graphene oxide (GO) coated fiber via deposition of GO sheets on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber containing silver nanowires (AgNWs) was fabricated, and chemical reduction for GO on the fiber surface was carried out to obtain reduced GO (rGO) coated PVA-AgNWs (rGO/PVA-AgNWs) fiber. The results showed that the rGO sheets were closely adhered on the surface of fiber, the electrical conductivity of the fiber increased with coating times of GO, and the conductivity was high up to 2.05×10-3 S/m when GO was coated 3 times on the fiber and reduced. The synergistic effect of rGO and AgNWs for the conductivity was also clearly indicated.

Vlasoulamine A (1), an unprecedented sesquiterpene lactone dimer featuring a fully hydrogenated pyrrolo[2,1,5-cd]indolizine core, and vlasoulones A and B (2and 3), a pair of epimeric dimers formed from a proposed Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition between a germacrane sesquiterpene lactone and a eudesmane sesquiterpene, were isolated from the roots of Vladimiria souliei. Their structures and absolute configurations were established by NMR, MS, and single-crystal X-ray spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, 1exhibited neuroprotective activity when evaluated for glutamate-induced cytotoxicity, nuclear Hoechst 33258 staining, and measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, using a rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell-based model system.

A naphthalenediimide derivative (1) was designed and synthesized as a halogen bonding (XB) donor that is capable of forming complementary XBs with 2,2-dipyridine or 2,2-bipyrimidine acceptor. The XB interactions in the complexes (1/2,2-dipyridine and 1/2,2-bipyrimidine) significantly improved their OFET performance relative to the devices based on pure 1, with the average electron mobility increased more than doubled.

Phosphorescent 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid-capped Mn-doped ZnS (MES-MnZnS) quantum dots were developed for sensitively and selectively detecting l-tyrosine (l-Tyr) in human urine. l-Tyr can effectively quench the phosphorescence of MES-MnZnS even at low concentration levels. The mechanism of phosphorescence quenching is ascribed to electron transfer from MES-MnZnS QDs to l-Tyr. Under optimal conditions, the phosphorescent probe allowed a highly sensitive detection of l-Tyr with a wide linear range of 0.5–100 μM and a low detection limit of 0.22 μM. The developed method offers good selectivity over other compounds and was applied to determine l-Tyr in real urine samples with quantitative spike recoveries from 96.7% to 106.2%.

Pain chronicity involves unpleasant experience in both somatosensory and affective aspects, accompanied with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) neuroplastic alterations. However, whether specific PFC neuronal ensembles underlie pain chronicity remains elusive. Here we identify a nociceptive neuronal ensemble in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), which shows prominent reactivity to nociceptive stimuli. We observed that this ensemble shows distinct molecular characteristics and is densely connected to pain-related regions including basolateral amygdala (BLA) and lateral parabrachial nuclei (LPB). Prolonged chemogenetic activation of this nociceptive neuronal ensemble, but not a randomly transfected subset of dmPFC neurons, induces chronic pain-like behaviors in normal mice. By contrast, silencing the nociceptive dmPFC neurons relieves both pain hypersensitivity and anxiety in mice with chronic inflammatory pain. These results suggest the presence of specific dmPFC neuronal ensembles in processing nociceptive information and regulating pain chronicity.

NiP/SAPO-11 catalysts with various nickle loading amounts were prepared by the impregnation method, and their properties were determined by means of N2adsorption-desorption, DRIFTS of adsorbed pyridine, NH3-TPD and H2-TPR. The catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and isomerization of consecutive paraffin products were carried out in a fixed-bed continuous-flow reactor. Liquid products were qualitatively and quantitatively identified by GC-MS and GC respectively. Under the operation conditions of 340°C, 2.0 MPa, WHSV of 2.5 h−1, vH2of 60 mL/min, the catalyst with 3% nickel loading (mass content) attained the high conversion of FAME (97.8%), C15–18yield (84.5%) and isomerization rate (14.0%).

Recent advances in photoresponsive organic field-effect transistors by using three classes of photochromic molecules (spiropyran, diarylethene, and azobenzene) were summarized and highlighted to give some valuable insights.

High-sulfur and low-grade pyritc cinders are the waste products of sulfuric acid manufacturing plants. Many valuable components, such as iron oxide, are contained in pyrite cinders and difficult to be separated and purified just via the high temperature roasting process. Considering this, an innovative method including water-washing, aqua regia leaching, hydrothermal alkali activation and acid-washing was developed. And the effects of different parameters on recovery efficiency of iron oxide were systematically investigated. The optimum parameters were proposed as follows: water rinse-leaching at room temperature for 5 — 20 min, and melting at 160 °C for 2. Oh with NaOH (concentration of 30 mass%), followed by leaching with aqua regia solution (3. 0 vol. %) for 1. 0 h. After the treatment, the content of iron oxides increased from 54. 3 to 96. 0 mass% with the recovery rate exceeding 85%. Meanwhile, calcium sulphate was recovered as the high value-added products by alkali extraction liquid. Furthermore, the phase transformation and microstructure of the samples in the process were studied by physicochemical methods to reveal the separation mechanisms of different components in the pyrite cinders.

A series of organic semiconductors based on NDI-DTYM and thiophene were designed to investigate the relationship between molecular structure and the molecular frontier orbital energy levels. The results demonstrated that increasing the number of thiophene units leads to the gradually elevated HOMO energy levels but the almost unchanged LUMO levels.

In order to analyze the factors influencing sandstone mechanical compaction and its physical property evolution during compaction processes, simulation experiments on sandstone mechanical compaction were carried out with a self-designed diagenetic simulation system. The experimental materials were modern sediments from different sources, and the experiments were conducted under high temperature and high pressure. Results of the experiments show a binary function relation between primary porosity and mean size as well as sorting. With increasing overburden pressure during mechanical compaction, the evolution of porosity and permeability can be divided into rapid compaction at an early stage and slow compaction at a late stage, and the dividing pressure value of the two stages is about 12 MPa and the corresponding depth is about 600 m. In the slow compaction stage, there is a good exponential relationship between porosity and overburden pressure, while a good power function relationship exists between permeability and overburden pressure. There is also a good exponential relationship between porosity and permeability. The influence of particle size on sandstone mechanical compaction is mainly reflected in the slow compaction stage, and the influence of sorting is mainly reflected in the rapid compaction stage. Abnormally high pressure effectively inhibits sandstone mechanical compaction, and its control on sandstone mechanical compaction is stronger than that of particle size and sorting. The influence of burial time on sandstone mechanical compaction is mainly in the slow compaction stage, and the porosity reduction caused by compaction is mainly controlled by average particle size.

The virtual flight simulation of the Basic Finner projectile has been investigated through coupling solving unsteady Navier-Stokes equations, rigid-body six degree-of-freedom motion equations, guidance, navigation and control law. The flow solver uses a finite-volume method based on structure grid with dual time stepping, the chimera method is used to simulate relative motions, the fourth-order Runger-Kutta method is used to solve the motion equations. A closed loop feedback control law with PID control is required for the elevator to attain the commanded deflection. The predictions show that the PID parameters for the controller must be correctly selected to obtain the proper response. Simulation results show that the virtual flight simulation platform that we developed is capable of solving the complicated unsteady flows with moving boundary, has a strong applicability to engineering application.

The complicated unsteady flows with moving boundary were simulated numerically by coupling solving unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations and 6DOF rigid-body dynamics equations. The Chimera grid technology was used to handle the relative motion. The three-store ripple release of the wing-store configuration was simulated using this method. The computational results are in good agreement with data from other literature, showing that the method used has a strong applicability to complex multi-body separation problem.

The present paper investigates an approach that seeks to reduce the storage of the traditional hole-map method and enhance the reliability. The new composite method is based on the least hole-mapping model, which efficiently reduces the area of the hole-mapping region, and incorporates an ADT search procedure to improve the identification method of the points inside the fringe cells which would otherwise become ambiguous. Through a donor-search judgment, the identification can be accomplished efficiently even for a coarse hole-cutting model. Also a new method named ‘inverse mark’ is developed here using mesh nodes’ information to automatically identify exterior points, which are initial points to advance inside the grid region. Results have shown that the composite method is able to get rid of the restriction of high level approximation, decrease efficiently the amount of Cartesian grid and save storage memory. The present approach is of great efficiency and good reliability to complex configurations including small gap regions.

In order to improve the toughness and impact resistance of PLA, nano-ZnO modified with different surface treatment agents (titanium ester, silane coupling agent and alkylamine) was added to PLA matrix. The samples were examined by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, micropolariscopy and mechanical properties. The results show that when the addition of nano-ZnO reaches to 0.2 wt.%, the tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA/ZnO nanocomposites have the maximum values of 20.5MPa and 10.2%, respectively. The mechanical properties of PLA/ZnO nanocomposites can be improved apparently modified with different treatment agents, and the spherocrystal size of the samples can be reduced obviously. Infrared spectra of nano-ZnO modified with different treatment agents include two peaks at 2919 cm-1 and 2851 cm-1, which are corresponding to C-H stretching vibration.

Investigation of the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Ainsliaea macrocephala led to the isolation of five new sesquiterpenoids, namely ainsliadimer C (1), ainsliadimer D (2), ainsliaolide B (3), ainsliatone B (4), and ainsliaolide C (5), together with seventeen known sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene glycosides (6- 22). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The relative stereochemistry of ainsliadimers C (1) andD(2)were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Total extract of A. macrocephala and compounds 1-22 were tested for inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS, as well as for cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages. Of all samples tested, purified compounds 4, 7, and 12 strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide with IC50 values of 8.78, 2.50, and 7.11 μM, and simultaneously showed low cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures of 1,5-dihydroxy-3,8-epoxyvalechlorine (1a) and volvaltrate B (6a), two new chlorinated iridoids isolated from Valeriana jatamansiand V. officinalis, respectively, were originally assigned on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Reinvestigation using X-ray analysis and chemical transformation revealed that the original assignment of H-7 in 1aand OH-8 in 6ashould be inverted and that the structures should be revised to 1and 6, respectively. Correspondingly, the structure of valeriotetrate C (7a) should be revised to 7. Volvaltrate B (6) showed cytotoxic activity against the lung adenocarcinoma (A549), metastatic prostate cancer (PC-3M), colon cancer (HCT-8), and hepatoma (Bel7402) cell lines, with IC50values of 8.5, 2.0, 3.2, and 6.1 μM, respectively.

Thirteen new iridoids including seven iridolactones, jatamanins A−M (1−13), and a new lignan, (+)-9′-isovaleroxylariciresinol (14), together with seven known iridoids and 13 lignans were obtained from whole plants of Valeriana jatamansi. Structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods, and the absolute configuration of compound 1was assigned by application of the modified Mosher method. Jatamanins H (8) and I (9) are iridolactones with an unusual C-8−C-11 oxygen bridge, forming a cage-like structure. (+)-9′-Isovaleroxylariciresinol (14) showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity against PC-3M and HCT-8 cell lines, with IC50values of 8.1 and 5.3 μM, respectively.

Thirteen new acylated iridoids, jatamanvaltrates A−M (1−13), together with nine known valepotriates (14−22), were isolated from the whole plants of Valerianajatamansi(syn. Valeriana wallichii). The structures of these new compounds were assigned by detailed interpretation of spectroscopic data. Jatamanvaltrates D (4) and H (9) are the first examples of naturally occurring valepotriates containing an o-hydroxybenzoyloxy moiety at C-10. All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against lung adenocarcinoma (A549), metastatic prostate cancer (PC-3M), colon cancer (HCT-8), and hepatoma (Bel7402) cell lines.

An organic–inorganic hybrid polymeric complex, [BaPt(NCS)4(C20H36O6)(H2O)]nor [[Ba(DC18C6-A)(H2O)][Pt(SCN)4]]n(1) (DC18C6-A = cis-syn-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6) has been synthesized by the reaction of cis-syn-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 with Ba(SCN)2, BaCO3and H2PtCl4, and characterized by elementary analysis, FT-IR spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. It crystallizes as monoclinic, space group P21/nwith crystallographic data: a= 14.275(6) Å, b= 13.165(5) Å, c= 18.971(8) Å, β= 106.294(6)°, V= 3422(2) Å3, Z= 4, Dcalcd= 1.854 g/cm3, F(000) = 1856, R1= 0.0491, wR2= 0.0709. The asymmetric unit of complex 1contains one [Ba(DC18C6-A)(H2O)]2+complex cation and one [Pt(SCN)4]2−complex anion, which are assembled into an infinite polymeric chain via the bridging SCN groups. The coordinated water molecule gives two different intrachain and interchain hydrogen bonds.An organic–inorganic hybrid polymeric complex, [BaPt(NCS)4(C20H36O6)(H2O)]nor [[Ba(DC18C6-A)(H2O)][Pt(SCN)4]]n(1) (DC18C6-A = cis-syn-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6) has been synthesized by the reaction of cis-syn-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 with Ba(SCN)2, BaCO3and H2PtCl4, and characterized by elementary analysis, FT-IR spectra and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. It crystallizes as monoclinic, space group P21/nwith crystallographic data: a= 14.275(6) Å, b= 13.165(5) Å, c= 18.971(8) Å, β= 106.294(6)°, V= 3422(2) Å3, Z= 4, Dcalcd= 1.854 g/cm3, F(000) = 1856, R1= 0.0491, wR2= 0.0709. The asymmetric unit of complex 1contains one [Ba(DC18C6-A)(H2O)]2+complex cation and one [Pt(SCN)4]2−complex anion, which are assembled into an infinite polymeric chain via the bridging SCN groups. The coordinated water molecule gives two different intrachain and interchain hydrogen bonds.

Two organic–inorganic hybrid dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 complexes, [K(DC18C6-B)]2[Pd(i-mnt)2] (1) and [K(DC18C6-A)]2[Pt(i-mnt)2] (2) (DC18C6-A=cis-syn-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, A isomer; DC18C6-B = cis-anti-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, B isomer; i-mnt=1,1-dicyanoethene-2,2-dithiolate, isomaleonitriledithiolate), were synthesized by the reaction of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 with K2(i-mnt) and PdCl2 or K2PtCl4 respectively. These were characterized by elemental analysis, FT–IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, two [K(DC18C6-B)]+ complex cations and one [Pd(i-mnt)2]2− complex anion formed a neutral molecule through two K–N coordination bonds. The resulting molecule adopted a 1D chain arrangement via K N weak interactions. Complex 2 showed a 1D chain-like structure that was assembled by two [K(DC18C6-A)]+ complex cations and one [Pt(i-mnt)2]2− complex anion through N–K–N interactions.

Four new spiro-biflavonoids, named olgensisinols A–D (1–4), along with a known one, vitisinol (5), were isolated from the stem bark of Larix olgensisHenry var. koreanaNakai. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and molecular-model studies.

Abstract A supramolecular complex [Na(DC18C6-B)][Ni(mnt)2] (1) (DC18C6-B = cis-anti-cis-dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, isomer B; mnt = maleonitriledithiolate) has been prepared and characterized by elementary analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal diffraction. It crystallizes in triclinic, space group P1 with crystallographic data: a = 7.974(4) Å, b = 14.343(7) Å, c = 15.559(8) Å, α = 96.230(8)∘, β = 100.361(8)∘, γ = 93.849(9)∘, V = 1733.2(15) Å3, Z = 2, Dcalcd = 1.408 g/cm3, F(000) = 766, R1 = 0.0491, wR2 = 0.1018. The formula unit contains one [Na(DC18C6-B)]+ complex cation and one [Ni(mnt)2]− complex anion, which are constructed into an infinite chain-like structure through Na–N bonds. The resulting chains crisscross on the [Ni(mnt)2]− complex anions and further assemble into an unusual 3D supramolecular framework via the weak interactions.

Abstract A novel crown ether complex [Na(N15C5)]2[Cu(mnt)2] (1) (where N15C5 = 2,3-naphtho-15-crown-5 and mnt = maleonitriledithiolate, [C2S2(CN)2]2-) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra, UV-visible spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analysis reveals that the complex 1 consists of two [Na(N15C5)]+ complex cations and one [Cu(mnt)2]2- complex anion and the complex molecules are assembled into a novel 2D network by Na–N interactions. In the network, there are 34-member macrocycles formed by four sodium ions of complex cations and four complex anions through Na–N bonds. In each macrocycle, p–p stacking interactions occurred between two parallel naphthylene moieties of N15C5. It is interesting that the 2D network displays an open-capped wave-like sheet viewed along the crystallographic a axis.

Abstract: The reaction of 2,3-naphtho-15-crown-5 (N15C5) with Na2[Ni(i-mnt)2] [i-mn = 1,1-dicyanoethylene-2,2-dithiolate] affords the title complex [Na(N15C5)]2[Ni(i-mnt)2] (1), which is characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-visible spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic, space group P$$\bar{1}$$ with a = 8.291(4), b = 12.833(7), c = 12.913(6) Å, α = 115.732 (7), β = 105.030(7), γ = 90.912(8)∘, V = 1182.2(10) Å3, Z = 1 and R 1(wR 2) = 0.0422(0.1001). The single crystal X-ray analysis shows that the [Na(N15C5)]+ complex cations act as the bridges linking the [Ni(i-mnt)2]2− anions into a 1D infinite chain through Na–N interactions and S⋅sC and S⋅sπ interactions are observed in the chain with the shortest S⋅sC distance of 3.433 Å.

Thermodynamic parameters of complexation of naphto-15-crown-5 with four alkaline earth ions in aqueous media was determined using titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. The stability of the complexes, thermal effect and entropy effect of the complexation is discussed on the basis of the guest ions structure and the solvent effect. The stability constants tendency to vary with ion radius was interpreted. Complex of naphtha-15-crown-5 with calcium ion is very stable due to the synergism of static electric interaction and size selectivity between the host and the guest.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) presents with two primary symptoms: depressed mood and anhedonia, which suggests that distinct neuronal circuits may regulate MDD. However, the underlying circuits of these individual symptoms linked to depression remain elusive. Herein, we identify a discrete circuit of tachykinin precursor 1 (Tac1)-expressing neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) lateral shell, which project to ventral pallidum and contribute to stress-induced anhedonia-like behavior. Selective inhibition and activation of Tac1NAcneurons bidirectionally modulate stress susceptibility, revealing that Tac1 neurons in the NAc are critical for regulating anhedonia-like behaviors. We find that a subpopulation of VP neurons receives inhibitory inputs from Tac1NAcneurons and exhibits decreased excitability in susceptible mice. Furthermore, the inhibition of the neurokinin 1 receptor promotes susceptibility to social stress. Overall, our study reveals a discrete circuit regulating anhedonia-like behavior in mice.

Hylomecon japonica(Thunb.) Prantl. is a Chinese medicinal plant whose active components and their antimicrobial mechanism was studied by TLC bioautography-guided isolation and identification of 12 alkaloids and their antimicrobial activities evaluated using the standard broth microdilution method. The benzophenanthridine isoquinoline alkaloids showed the strongest inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Analysis of conductivity changes and observation of TEM images revealed that the antimicrobial mechanism involved cell integrity damage and cell division arrest.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

To evaluate the role of neurobehavioural factors in the aetiology of recurrent automobile accidents, we administered the Revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and choice and simple reaction time tests to 31 accident-prone automobile drivers. These drivers who had caused three or more traffic accidents during the years 1980–1984, were selected from records of 2723 traffic accidents registered by Hefei Traffic Police Department during the years 1980–1984. The same tests were administered to an equal number of sex-and age-matched control drivers who had no reported involvement in automobile accidents. None of the subjects had suffered from any neuropsychiatric illness or head injury. Comparisons between the two groups indicated that for accidentprone drivers scores on picture completion and block design subtests of the WAIS-R were significantly lowered (p<0.05); scores for neurosis extrovert behaviour and psychosis (EPQ) were significantly higher (p<0.05); and the number of errors in the choice reaction time test was significantly higher (p<0.01). It is suggested that accident-prone drivers have lower psychological performance, poorer judgement and a higher tendency than safe drivers to be neurotic, extrovert and psychotic.