Search

As large numbers of people are suffering from gout, an accurate, rapid, and sensitive method for the detection of gout biomarker, uric acid, is important for its effective control, diagnosis, and therapy. Although colorimetric detection methods based on uricase have been considered, they still have limitations as they produce toxic H2O2 and are expensive and not stable. Here, a novel uricase‐free colorimetric method was developed for the sensitive and selective detection of uric acid based on the light‐induced oxidase‐mimicking activity of a new photosensitized covalent organic framework (COF) (2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile–4‐[2‐(4‐formylphenyl)ethynyl]benzaldehyde COF [DCTP–EDA COF]). DCTP–EDA COF has a strong ability to harvest visible light, and it could catalyze the oxidation of 1,4‐dioxane, 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine under visible light irradiation to produce obvious color changes. With the addition of uric acid, however, the significant inhibition of the oxidase‐mimicking activity of DCTP–EDA COF remarkably faded the color, and thus uric acid could be colorimetrically detected in the range of 2.0–150 μM with a limit of detection of 0.62 μM (3σ/K). Moreover, the present colorimetric method exhibited high selectivity; uric acid level in serum samples was successfully determined, and the recoveries ranged from 96.5% to 105.64%, suggesting the high accuracy of the present colorimetric method, which demonstrates great promise in clinical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion changes after China's Grain‐for‐Green Program (GGP) have attracted widespread attention. Many studies have reported positive contributions of the GGP to sediment reduction; however, GGP effects on runoff remain under debate. The objective of this study was to identify runoff and sediment changes and estimate the contribution of human activities to soil erosion decreases in the Mang River basin (MRB) in the southeastern Loess Plateau. The temporal trends of the rainfall‐runoff‐sediment series between 1960 and 2017 and the contribution of human effects to runoff and sediment changes were determined using time‐series analysis methods. The main transformations in land‐use types were from farmland to forestland in the upstream MRB and farmland to built‐up land in the downstream MRB. Rainfall remained in a relatively steady state, while runoff and sediment had descending trends, both of which began to mutate in 1990 and 1994, respectively. The average runoff (sediment load) decreased by 33 × 104 m3 (5 × 104 t yr−1), of which the human effect contributed to 79% (93%) of the decreases. During the descending period, the human effects on runoff and sediment increased with time. Sediment experienced a much larger reduction effect than runoff because of increased forestland area, which can greatly reduce soil erosion, in the MRB upstream of our study site; however, runoff was increased in the MRB downstream of our study site because urbanization led to the expansion of impervious surfaces. Our results provide new lessons for assessing the reduction effects of the GGP on soil erosion in an urbanized basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in land use impact the landscape pattern and habitat quality (LPHQ) of ecosystems. Since 1999, the Grain‐for‐Green Program (GGP) has brought dramatic changes in land use in Western China. Although many studies have reported positive contributions of the GGP to sediment reduction, the effects of the GGP on LPHQ remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal characteristics of LPHQ in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir Area in China (XRAC) before and after GGP implementation (in 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020) using the InVEST habitat quality model. The results showed that: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the main land use changes in the XRAC were a 34.97% increase in forestland and a 37.56% decrease in farmland. The landscape pattern showed decreased fragmentation and tended toward aggregation, and forestland became the dominant land use type. (2) Habitat quality in the XRAC improved from 0.63 to 0.91 between 1990 and 2020. High‐quality habitat (0.80–1) was observed in 88.24% of the XRAC in 2020. The spatial distribution of habitat degradation decreased overall, with some localized increases; areas with high levels of habitat degradation shrank and aggregated with the concentration of human activities. (3) The spatiotemporal evolution of habitat quality was influenced by both natural factors and human activities; the short‐term improvement in habitat quality in the XRAC was significantly related to the increase in forestland area, decrease in farmland area, and increase in vegetation coverage. Our results provide evidence for assessing the ecological benefit of the GGP in the Yellow River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfall interception is one of the main hydrological functions of leaf litter. However, the effect of slope on the interception capacity of leaf litter has received little attention. The objectives of this study were to determine the capacities of leaf litters to intercept rainwater under different slopes (i.e., flat ground at 0° and inclined slopes at 5°, 15°, 25° and 35°) and to analyse the ways in which the slope affects the interception capacity of leaf litter. Under a simulated rainfall intensity of 50 mm/h, litter flows (i.e., infiltration flow, slope flow and lateral flow) through three types of leaf litter (i.e., Pinus massoniana needleleaves and Osmanthus fragrans and Magnolia grandiflora broadleaves) were measured. The leaf litter biomass per unit area was 0.5 kg/m2 in the experimental box, and the interception capacity was calculated using the difference between rainfall and litter flow. The results show that the interception capacity of broadleaves was greater than that of needleleaves. The effect of slope was more pronounced than that of leaf shape because the rainwater stored on the leaf surfaces contributed to the generation of litter flow as the slope increased. The rainfall amount intercepted by each leaf litter decreased with increasing slope, and changes in the proportion of rainfall interception by leaf litter with increasing rainfall duration can be described by an exponential function (R2 > 0.80, p < 0.001). The maximum dynamic interception capacity (Cmax) and effective interception capacity (Cmin) of the three leaf litter types decreased as the slope increased. Statistical analyses show that 15° is a critical slope threshold that influences rainfall interception by leaf litter and litter flow. When the slope was greater than 15°, leaf litter interception capacities significantly decreased and the level of litter flow significantly increased. Therefore, slope affects the interception capacity of leaf litter and this impact should be considered in the estimation of litter interception storage on an inclined slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney is one of the most important organs in maintaining the normal life activities. With the high abundance of mitochondria, renal tubular cell plays the vital role in functioning in the reabsorption and secretion of kidney. Reports have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is of great importance to renal tubular cell senescence and subsequent kidney ageing. However, the underlying mechanisms are not elucidated. Cannabinoid receptor 2 is one of the two receptors responsible for the activation of endocannabinoid system. CB2 is primarily upregulated in renal tubular cells in chronic kidney diseases and mediates fibrogenesis. However, the role of CB2 in tubular mitochondrial dysfunction and kidney ageing has not been clarified. In this study, we found that CB2 was upregulated in kidneys in 24‐month‐old mice and d‐galactose (d‐gal)‐induced accelerated ageing mice, accompanied by the decrease in mitochondrial mass. Furthermore, gene deletion of CB2 in d‐gal‐treated mice could greatly inhibit the activation of β‐catenin signalling and restore the mitochondrial integrity and Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. In CB2 knockout mice, renal tubular cell senescence and kidney fibrosis were also significantly inhibited. CB2 overexpression or activation by the agonist AM1241 could sufficiently induce the decrease in PGC‐1α and a variety of mitochondria‐related proteins and trigger cellular senescence in cultured human renal proximal tubular cells. CB2‐activated mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence could be blocked by ICG‐001, a blocker for β‐catenin signalling. These results show CB2 plays a central role in renal tubular mitochondrial dysfunction and kidney ageing. The intrinsic mechanism may be related to its activation in β‐catenin signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A predictive model for acquired premature ejaculation (APE) in PE patients has not yet been established. Objectives: This study was aimed at determining which factors were independently associated with the possibility of predicting APE in PE patients, and whether an effective pre‐treatment nomogram for predicting their individual chances of being APE in PE patients can be developed. Materials and methods: We analyzed the medical histories of 915 PE patients diagnosed at Xijing Hospital (Xi'an, China) and Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital (Xi'an, China) between May 2019 and May 2020. The diagnostic nomogram was developed using a multivariate logistic regression model by integrating selected significant variables determined through univariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to measure the predictive accuracy of the nomogram and its constituted variables, and calibrations were performed by making a comparison of nomogram‐predicted probability with actual rate of APE. Results: The independent predictors for APE that were identified include Age, Intra‐vaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (IELT), Frequency of sexual desire (FSD), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire‐Revised Short Scale for Chinese (psychoticism) [EPQ‐RSC(P)] scores. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram was 0.782 (95% CI: 0.723–0.841). Also, excellent agreement was demonstrated between the nomogram‐predicted probability and the actual rate of APE. Discussion and conclusion: We identified 4 independent predictors for APE and demonstrated the potential significant differences in psychoticism between LPE and APE patients. This was the first internally validated predictive APE nomogram where good discrimination and calibration were applied, and it offers a promising role in clinical practice. More studies are necessary for verification of its universal applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)‐37 has been described as a negative regulator of immune responses and is critical for asthma pathogenesis, but the mechanisms behind the protective role of IL‐37 against allergic asthma are less well understood. We show here that IL‐37 administered intranasally inhibited house dust mite (HDM)‐induced chronic airway eosinophilic inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, peribronchial collagen deposition and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. In contrast to a weakened Th2 response in the lung that was characterized by the downregulation of Th2‐associated cytokines and chemokines in IL‐37‐treated mice, IL‐37 has no effect on relevant markers of systemic Th2 immune including serum immunoglobulins expression and in vitro production of Th2‐associated cytokines by splenocytes on HDM recall. We demonstrated that the production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the lung tissue was associated with IL‐37. Importantly, compared with IL‐37 alone, TSLP coadministration with IL‐37 restored HDM‐induced airway inflammation and structural alterations, increased AHR to methacholine and promoted Th2‐associated cytokine production. We further found that IL‐37 inhibited the induction of TSLP expression by the main antigen of house dust mite, Der p1, by suppressing NF‐κB and extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation in human bronchial epithelial (16‐HBE) cells in vitro. These data highlight the importance of TSLP in IL‐37‐mediated protective role in asthma. IL‐37 might represent a useful innovative and alternative therapy to control TSLP production in the airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), can influence the bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis by attenuating the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells, but whether NaHS affects paraquat (PQ)‐induced EMT and the molecular mechanisms remain unclarified. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of exogenous NaHS on PQ‐induced EMT in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) and assess if this effect occurs through regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. The expressions of endogenous H2S producing enzymes, namely cystathionine β‐synthase, cystathionine γ‐lyase and 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, were detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The induced EMT was assessed by morphological and phenotypic characterizations, and the protein level of E‐cadherin and vimentin were detected by western blotting. To investigate the effect of NaHS on PQ‐induced EMT and potential mechanism, A549 cells were pretreated with NaHS before incubating with PQ and then evaluated by morphological changes, cell migration ability, the expression of EMT markers and TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway related proteins. PQ significantly downregulated the expression levels of cystathionine β‐synthase and cystathionine γ‐lyase, but not 3‐mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, in a time‐dependent manner in A549 cells. Exogenous NaHS could significantly retard PQ‐induced morphological changes and cell migration ability. Furthermore, exogenous NaHS significantly upregulated the expression of E‐cadherin, whereas it downregulated the expression of vimentin. In addition, exogenous NaHS could also significantly attenuates PQ‐induced TGF‐β1, phosphorylated Smad2/3 proteins expression, which induced by PQ in a time‐dependent manner. This study provides the first evidence that exogenous NaHS attenuates PQ‐induced EMT and migration of human alveolar epithelial cells through regulating the TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Exogenous H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), can influence the bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis by attenuating the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells, but whether NaHS affects paraquat (PQ)‐induced EMT and the molecular mechanisms remain unclarified. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of exogenous NaHS on PQ‐induced EMT in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) and assess if this effect occurs through regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids are the main bioactive components of Sini decoction, which is a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine formula for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure in China. In this work, an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with microdialysis method was successfully established and applied for investigating for the first time comparative plasma pharmacokinetics of three monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids (benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine) in normal and MI rats after oral administration of Sini decoction. The statistical results of pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrated that benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine showed lower peak concentration, longer half‐life, smaller area under the concentration–time curve, slower clearance, time to peak concentration and mean residence time in MI rats than in normal rats (p < 0.05), which indicated that monoester‐diterpenoid alkaloids exhibited lower systemic exposure and slower elimination in the MI rats. The results provided the experimental basis for understanding the metabolic fate and therapeutic effects of Sini decoction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflavone aglycone-rich calcium-binding soy protein hydrolysates were prepared by subcritical water treatment and subsequent protease hydrolysis. Contaminated β-glucosidase in the Protease M preparation could effectively convert glycosides into aglycones. Compared with Alcalase hydrolysates, Protease M hydrolysates exhibited higher molecular weight (>5000 Da) and more hydrophobic characteristics because of its weaker proteolytic activity. The antioxidant activity of Protease M hydrolysates was obviously improved. Initial increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rate of Protease M hydrolysates may be ascribed to the conversion of isoflavones (<30 min) and a gradual release of antioxidant peptides. In the later hydrolysis, a gradual exposure of isoflavones involved in the interior of heat-induced protein aggregates was mainly responsible for further improved antioxidant activities. Higher calcium-binding capacity (up to 7.86%) with lower yield of peptide-calcium complex was observed for Protease M hydrolysates. These results could help researchers to develop a feasible protocol for producing nutrient-enhanced soy protein hydrolysates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits and may occur following stressful events or infectious gastroenteritis such as giardiasis. Recent findings revealed a link between cholecystokinin (CCK), neurotrophin synthesis, and intestinal hyperalgesia. The aim was to investigate the role of CCK in visceral hypersensitivity using mouse models challenged with a bout of infection with Giardia lamblia or psychological stress, either alone or in combination. Methods: Abdominal pain was evaluated by visceromoter response to colorectal distension. Nerve fibers in intestinal tissues were stained using immunohistochemistry (PGP9.5). Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells incubated with bacterial-free mouse gut supernatant or recombinant CCK-8S were assessed for neurite outgrowth and nerve growth factor (NGF) production. Results: Intestinal hypersensitivity was induced by either stress or Giardia infection, and a trend of increased pain was seen following dual stimuli. Increased CCK levels and PGP9.5 immunoreactivity were found in colonic mucosa of mice following stress and/or infection. Inhibitors to the CCK-A receptor (L-364718) or CCK-B receptor (L-365260) blocked visceral hypersensitivity caused by stress, but not when induced by giardiasis. Nerve fiber elongation and NGF synthesis were observed in SH-SY5Y cells after incubation with colonic supernatants from mice given the dual stimuli, or after treatment with CCK-8S. Increased nerve fiber length by colonic supernatant and CCK-8S was attenuated by L-365260 or neutralizing anti-NGF. Conclusions: This new model successfully recapitulates intestinal hypernociception induced by stress or Giardia. Colonic CCK contributes to visceral hypersensitivity caused by stress, but not by Giardia, partly via NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sugar beet pectin and soy protein were used to prepare the double-network ( DN) modified-tofu by sequential laccase and microbial transglutaminase treatments. The mechanical properties of modified-tofu were analysed by uniaxial compression test and texture profile analysis. The DN modified-tofu exhibited greater mechanical toughness than the corresponding single-network modified-tofu, while the ratio of soy glycinin to soy protein isolate reached and exceeded 50%. The enhancement of mechanical toughness may be mainly ascribed to the hierarchical microstructure which is observed in DN modified-tofu by scanning electron microscopy. DN modified-tofu provided a distinctive mechanical and sensory tough texture as compared to other tofu samples. In addition, the oral processing measurements indicated that DN modified-tofu required higher jaw-closing muscle activities, a greater number of chews and longer chewing duration to be processed. Furthermore, the chewing pattern of DN modified-tofu was different from other tofu samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are significant associative factors for functional impairment related to aging. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, and their associations with functional status among men aged 80 years and older in Beijing. Methods A total of 75 young healthy volunteers, and 101 older men aged 80 years and older participated in the present study. Demographic characteristics, anthropometry, skeletal muscle mass measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry ( DXA), 6-m gait speed and handgrip strength were collected. Relative appendicular skeletal muscle index ( RASM) and percentage skeletal muscle index ( SMI) were obtained. Results Overall, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 45.7% by using RASM. By the weight-adjusted skeletal muscle index definition ( SMI), the prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.2%. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was lower by using RASM than SMI (4.9% vs 11.5%, P < 0.05). When we compared the sarcopenia prevalence (%) in obese participants, it was also remarkably lower by using RASM (40.0%) than SMI (95.0%). By using either RASM or SMI, gait speed was of no significant difference among the pure sarcopenia group, pure obese group and sarcopenic obesity group (0.76 ± 0.27 vs 0.82 ± 0.37 vs 0.82 ± 0.27 m/s, P > 0.05, by RASM; 0.75 ± 0.25 vs 0.92 ± 0.27 vs 0.82 ± 0.35 m/s, P > 0.05 by SMI), respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that thigh skeletal muscle mass was positively correlated with gait speed independently (β = 0.221, P = 0.011), and total body fat (β = −0.216, P = 0.002) and age (β = −0.524, P = 0.000) were negatively correlated with gait speed independently. Conclusions The prevalence of sarcopenia is high either based on RASM or SMI among Chinese men aged 80 years and older. Functional limitations were significantly associated with older age, skeletal muscle mass and total body fat. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14 (Suppl. 1): 29-35. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between self-efficacy, self-care behavior, anxiety, and depression for Taiwanese individuals with type 2 diabetes were determined in this study. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms that can contribute toward adverse medical outcomes. A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. The sample comprised 201 patients with type 2 diabetes from diabetes outpatient clinics at three teaching hospitals in Taiwan. The results of this study revealed that people with diabetes who had received diabetes health education, regularly made clinical visits, underwent treatment, and did not smoke demonstrated a high self-efficacy score ( P < 0.05). Self-efficacy among people with diabetes positively correlated with illness duration ( P < 0.05), treatment ( P < 0.01), and self-care behavior ( P < 0.01). Self-efficacy among people with diabetes negatively correlated with anxiety and depression ( P < 0.01). Self-efficacy can be a predictor of anxiety and depression ( P < 0.01). This study revealed that enhancing self-efficacy levels might reduce anxiety and depression. Self-efficacy-enhancing programs should be held regularly in clinical practices. Conducting psychological research on diabetes drives policy and healthcare system change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based health promotion program targeting people with hypertension and high cholesterol. A pre-experimental study was conducted. A total of 60 residents were recruited to participate. Participants were assessed at baseline and at a 6 month follow up at a regional hospital in northern Taiwan. The questionnaires used for data collection consisted of an assessment of self-efficacy, self-care activities, health outcomes, and physical fitness. Several teaching resources were used, including a DVD, a self-care booklet, group support (exercise and counseling sessions), and telephone follow up. A significant decrease in waist circumference ( t = 2.20, P = 0.03) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level ( t = 4.71, P < 0.00) was found at follow up. Moreover, the level of physical fitness activity, and sit-ups specifically ( t = 3.10, P < 0.00), was increased. Participants also showed significant increases between baseline and 6 month follow up in their efficacy expectation score ( t = −5.81, P < 0.00), outcome expectation scores (t = −4.76, P < 0.00) and self-care behavior scores ( t = −2.78, P = 0.007). The community-based health promotion program is an effective means of helping people with hypertension and high cholesterol and should be instituted regularly and evaluated in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title complex, [MnCl2(C21H19N3)]0.5CH2Cl2 or [MnCl2-(Plep)]·0.5C2Cl2 {Plep is 2,6-bis[1-(phenylimino)ethyl]- pyridine, derived from the condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and aniline in methanol} is composed of two crystallographically independent [MnCl2(Plep)] neutral units and a CH2Cl2 solvent molecule. Both complex molecules have similar geometries in which the MnII atom is coordinated by the N atoms of pyridine and the two imine groups of a neutral Schiff base, and by two chloride anions in a distorted trigonal- bipyramidal geometry. The structure of each [MnCl2(Plep)] unit exhibits a pseudo-mirror plane through the metal atom, two chloride anions and the pyridine ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular C—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯π and interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cites a study on lipid-like juvenile hormone (JH) in insects. Examination of the role of JH, the most versatile animal hormone, in genetics and endocrinology; Influence of JH on processes and traits in Drosophila development and life history; Analysis on the chemical structure of JH.

Occupations requiring frequent periods of static lumbar flexion are known epidemiologically to be risk factors for the development of cumulative low back disorder. The impact of the load magnitude sustained during a series of short static lumbar flexions followed by an equally long rest period on the development of a cumulative low back disorder was addressed in an in vivo feline model. Static loads of 20, 40, and 60 N were applied over 10 min of flexion followed by 10-min rest sessions that were repeated six times (for a total of 2 h) while monitoring lumbar viscoelastic creep (laxity) and reflex electromyographic (EMG) activity from the multifidus muscles. Creep and EMG were also monitored over 7 h of rest following the six flexion–rest sessions. It was found that the creep developed in the 10-min flexion periods did not recover completely during the following 10 min of rest, giving rise to a large cumulative creep at the end of the work–rest session. Muscle activity demonstrated spasms during the static flexion periods as well as initial and delayed hyperexcitability during the 7-h rest period. Loads of 20 and 40 N did not result in delayed hyperexcitability, whereas loads of 60 N resulted in delayed hyperexcitability. Statistical analysis demonstrated that increased load significantly intensified the magnitude of the hyperexcitabilities (P < 0.05). Thus, repeated periods of static lumbar flexion were found to result in a transient neuromuscular disorder with an intensity directly related to the load magnitude, which should be considered a compounding risk factor. Muscle Nerve 29: 300–308, 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations of the insulin signal pathway in Drosophila melanogaster produce long-lived adults with many correlated phenotypes. Homozygotes of insulin-like receptor ( InR) and insulin-like receptor substrate ( chico) delay time to eclosion, reduce body size, decrease reproduction and increase life span. Because these mutations are expressed through all life stages it is unclear when insulin signals must be reduced to increase life span. As a first analysis of this problem in D. melanogaster we have manipulated the larval diet to determine if changes in metabolic regulation at this stage are sufficient to slow aging. We controlled the dietary yeast fed to third instar larvae and studied the size, mortality, fecundity and hormones of the resulting adults, which were fed a normal, yeast-replete diet. Adults from yeast-deprived larvae phenocopied many traits of InR and chico mutants: small body size, delayed eclosion, reduced ovariole number and reduced age-specific fecundity. But unlike constitutive mutants of the insulin/IGF system, adults from yeast-deprived larvae had normal patterns of demographic senescence, and this was accompanied by normal insulin-like peptide and juvenile hormone syntheses. Surprisingly, the normal aging in these adults was also associated with greatly reduced fecundity. Although nutritional conditions of the larvae can affect the subsequent body size and fecundity of adults, these are not sufficient to slow aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, [Pd(C14H12O2P)2]·CH2Cl2, consists of mononuclear [(Ph2PCH2COO)2Pd] complexes and dichloro­methane mol­ecules in a 1:1 molar ratio. The two (diphenyl­phosphino)acetate ligands are coordinated to the central Pd atom by their P and O atoms, forming five-membered chelate rings. The PdII atom has a distorted square-planar configuration [Pd—O = 2.076 (3) and 2.082 (3) Å, and Pd—P = 2.214 (1) and 2.216 (1) Å]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green approach for Sonogashira coupling of aryl halides and terminal alkynes is developed using copper-, amine-, and phosphine-free catalytic system based on palladium glycine ligand complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cd atom in the title complex, [Cd(C2H3O2)(NCS)(C7H8N4O)(H2O)]·H2O, is coordinated by one neutral Schiff base ligand, one acetate anion, one thiocyanate anion and one water molecule, forming a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry. The thiocyanate S atom and the coordinated water ligand occupy the apical positions of the coordination polyhedron. The acetate acts as a bidentate ligand through the carboxylate O atoms. The Schiff base, derived from the condensation of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and semicarbazone, acts as a tridentate ligand, coordinating the metal through the amide, imine and pyridyl N atoms in a meridional fashion. The crystal packing is stabilized by π–π stacking interactions between the neighboring pyridine rings and hydrogen bonds involving the Schiff base, thiocyanate, water molecules and uncoordinated solvent water molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, C(14)H(6)O(7)·C(10)H(8)N(2), has been hydro-thermally synthesized. Structural ananlysis indicates that the crystals are produced by cocrystallization of naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetra-carboxylic acid 1,8-anhydride and 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) mol-ecules. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances = 3.5846 (9) Å].

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(14)H(10)F(2)O, the dihedral angles between the benzene rings in the two crystallographically independent mol-ecules are 46.9 (2) and 47.6 (2)°. The mol-ecules are linked into dimers by C-H⋯F inter-actions and these dimers are further stacked into columns along the b axis by π-π inter-actions between the benzene rings [centroid-centroid distance = 3.8221 Å; the dihedral angle between the planes of these rings is 4.87 (2)°]. In addition, C-F⋯π interactions also contribute to the crystal packing (C⋯centroid distance = 3.5919 Å).

The title mononuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu(C(7)H(6)ClN(4)O(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O, based on 8-chloro-theophylline (HCt), has the Cu atom at a center of symmetry in a slightly distorted trans square-planar geometry coordinated by two N atoms of two deprotonated HCt ligands and two O atoms of water mol-ecules. The crystal packing is stabilized by hydrogen bonds involving deprotonated HCt ligands, coordinated water mol-ecules and uncoordinated solvent water mol-ecules.

Mutations of the insulin signal pathway in Drosophila melanogaster produce long-lived adults with many correlated phenotypes. Homozygotes of insulin-like receptor (InR) and insulin-like receptor substrate (chico) delay time to eclosion, reduce body size, decrease reproduction and increase life span. Because these mutations are expressed through all life stages it is unclear when insulin signals must be reduced to increase life span. As a first analysis of this problem in D. melanogaster we have manipulated the larval diet to determine if changes in metabolic regulation at this stage are sufficient to slow aging. We controlled the dietary yeast fed to third instar larvae and studied the size, mortality, fecundity and hormones of the resulting adults, which were fed a normal, yeast-replete diet. Adults from yeast-deprived larvae phenocopied many traits of InR and chico mutants: small body size, delayed eclosion, reduced ovariole number and reduced age-specific fecundity. But unlike constitutive mutants of the insulin/IGF system, adults from yeast-deprived larvae had normal patterns of demographic senescence, and this was accompanied by normal insulin-like peptide and juvenile hormone syntheses. Surprisingly, the normal aging in these adults was also associated with greatly reduced fecundity. Although nutritional conditions of the larvae can affect the subsequent body size and fecundity of adults, these are not sufficient to slow aging.