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Titanium (Ti) is a biocompatible alloy widely used in dental implants, thanks to the protective Ti oxide film that forms spontaneously on the surface. Unfortunately, the film is bioinert and prone to the release of metal ions. In a previous study, we applied oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation (O-PIII) treatment to Ti surface to enhance the corrosion resistance and cell response of Ti. In this study, we examined the surface characteristics of the treated alloy, including roughness, hydrophilicity, and chemical composition. We investigated the blood response to the O-PIII-treated Ti surfaces, including the blood-clotting ability and platelet adhesion. We also investigated resistance of the treated alloy to the adhesion of oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, in terms of bacterial attachment and morphology. Our results demonstrate that O-PIII treatment did not have a significant effect on surface roughness or hydrophilicity. This treatment resulted in the formation of a Ti oxide film containing mainly TiO2, Ti2O3, and TiO. The presence of surface Ti oxides (particularly TiO2) positively influenced blood-clotting ability and platelet adhesion as well as resistance to bacterial adhesion. These effects were particularly evident when O-PIII treatment was applied at a higher voltage. Our results demonstrate that the proposed O-PIII treatment promotes blood-clotting and resistance to bacterial adhesion in dental implant applications.

Ti-6Al-4V is a biocompatible alloy widely used for dental prostheses. Unfortunately, the oxide film that forms spontaneously on the surface is bioinert and sometimes prone to the release of metal ions. In this study, we applied nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (N-PIII) treatment to Ti-6Al-4V in order to improve corrosion resistance and biological responses, including cell growth and antibacterial adhesion, for dental applications. We then analyzed the surface characteristics, such as topography, chemical composition, hardness, and hydrophilicity. Resistance to corrosion was examined using potentiodynamic polarization curves obtained in artificial saliva, simulated body fluid, and simulated blood plasma solutions. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were used to test cell responses, including adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization. The oral bacteria, Streptococcus salivarius, was used to evaluate antibacterial adhesion, including bacterial attachment and morphology. Our results demonstrate that N-PIII treatment did not significantly affect surface roughness at the macroscopic (micrometer) scale or hydrophilicity. During N-PIII treatment, a thin film of TiN (

The title compound, C21H15FN2O4S, contains two chiral carbon centres, but crystal symmetry generates a racemic mixture. The crystal structure features N—H...O hydrogen bonding. The sulfonate group is disordered with an occupancy ratio of 0.933 (4):0.067 (4).

An efficient NHC-catalyzed amidation between esters and amines or hydrazines is described. This strategy was tolerant for a wide scope of substrates, affording a series of amides (or hydrazides) in good to excellent yields (60–96%) under simple conditions. The approach was also used to synthesize the pharmaceutically relevant antidepressant moclobemide in 85% yield.

The antiobesity effects of quercetin-rich supplement (QRS), which contain quercetin, lycopene, taurine, and litchi flower extract, on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats were investigated. The rats that consume HFD with QRS (185 mg/kg rat) have significantly modulated the final body weights [490 ± 11 (HFD) → 441 ± 11 (HFD+QRS) g], total body fat [112.9 ± 4.5 (HFD) → 86.6 ± 5.7 (HFD+QRS) g], liver weights [14.8 ± 0.4 (HFD) → 12.6 ± 0.4 (HFD+QRS) g/rat], and the serum TG [102.5 ± 7.3 (HFD) → 90.7 ± 6.5 (HFD+QRS) mg/dL] to a level that resembled the regular diet-consumed rats (p < 0.05). The excretion of lipid in the faeces augmented in QRS groups as compared with the nonsupplemented HFD group [faecal total lipid: 62.43 ± 2.80 (HFD) → 73.15 ± 0.88 (HFD+QRS) mg/g dried faeces, p < 0.05]. In the histological analysis, quercetin-rich formulation supplemented groups presented a much less lipid accumulation and smaller size of adipocytes. Moreover, a decreased serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [1.55 ± 0.17 (HFD) → 0.78 ± 0.04 (HFD+QRS) nmol MDA eq/mL serum] increased levels of serum Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [3.89 ± 0.08 (HFD) → 6.46 ± 0.20 (HFD+QRS) μmol/mL serum], and more active hepatic antioxidant enzymes were observed in the supplemented groups (p < 0.05). The result of this work is a good demonstration of how a combination of bioactive compounds could work synergistically and become very effective in disease prevention.

Black garlic (also called aged garlic) is a type of fermented garlic product from fresh garlic that is often used as a food ingredient and a functional food in Asian countries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether black garlic ameliorates obesity induced by a high-fat diet in rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) (30% lard, w/w) combined with 0, 0.2, 0.6, or 1.2% black garlic (BG) (w/w) for a period of six weeks. The results demonstrated that body weight, tissue weights of liver, peritoneal fat, and epididymal fat, serum triglycerides, and hepatic lipid profiles (total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol) in the HFD+BG groups were significantly decreased compared with those in the HFD group. BG also reduced hepatic oxidative stress (reduced GSSG and enhanced TEAC, GSH, GRd, and GPx) in HFD-induced obese rats. These results suggest that black garlic may be useful for the treatment of obesity.

Phytochemicals have multifunctional bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities. However, there are still relatively few studies that have investigated the possible anti-fatigue of functional phytochemical compounds (such as resveratrol, triterpenoids, and catechins) in animal models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop of in vitro models as tools for cellular and molecular studies of anti-fatigue. C2C12 myotubes were used for evaluating in vitro the anti-fatigue of functional compounds. The results indicated that treatment with some functional compounds (including resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin) significantly increased the expression of mitochondrial DNA genes (including cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II ) and the activities of mitochondrial enzymes (including citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase) in C2C12 myotubes. These results demonstrated that resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin have great potential as novel mitochondrial-activating agents that may play an important role in anti-fatigue.

We investigated whether post-exercise capsinoids (CSN) supplementation could enhance muscle glycogen resynthesis via GLUT4/Akt expressions in human skeletal muscle. Nine male college students (aged 21.4±0.2 years, BMI 21.9±1.3 kg/m2, VO2max 47.1±1.8 ml/kg/min) participated in this crossover designed study, and completed a 60-min cycling exercise at 70% VO2max. Immediately after exercise, participants consumed high-carbohydrate diet (2 g carb/kg bodyweight) with CSN (12 mg, single dosage) or placebo. Biopsied muscle samples (vastus lateralis) were obtained immediately (0h) and 3h after exercise. Blood and expired gas samples were collected before and after exercise. We found oral CSN supplementation immediately after exercise was unable to enhance glycogen resynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle. Despite, CSN could alter the energy reliance on fat oxidation during post-exercise recovery, based on gaseous exchange measurement (NEFA and glycerol). We further identified no significant differences in postprandial glucose/insulin area under curve in both trials. Western blot data showed no significant response of p-Akt/Akt ratio with CSN during post-exercise recovery. Inconsistent with glycogen levels, muscle GLUT4 expression was significantly elevated at 3h in CSN trial. Our findings emphasize the necessity of further evidences to confirm the ergogenic properties of CSN in connection with glycogen recovery in exercised human skeletal muscle.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the roots of Ficus beecheyana (EERFB and AERFB) and their phenolic components. In this study, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of EERFB were higher than those of AERFB. Major phenolic compounds in the extracts were gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin; which were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Flow cytometric analysis of HL-60 cells exposed to EERFB showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells increased in a dose-dependent manner. EERFB treatment resulted in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells through a Fas- and mitochondrial-mediated pathway. Finally, pretreatment with general caspase-9/-3 inhibitors prevented EERFB from inhibiting cell viability in HL-60 cells. Our finding suggests that EERFB is an agent that may have antioxidant activity and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Deep sea water (DSW) is a natural marine resource that has been utilized for food, agriculture, cosmetics, and medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DSW has beneficial lipid metabolic effects in an animal model. Our previous in vitro study indicated that DSW significantly decreased the intracellular triglyceride and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. DSW also inhibited the gene levels of adipocyte differentiation, lipogenesis, and adipocytokines, and up-regulated gene levels of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In the present study, the results showed that body weight, liver, adipose tissue, hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol, and serum parameters in the high-fat diet (HFD) + DSW groups were significantly lower compared to the HFD group. Moreover, the fecal output of total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the HFD + DSW groups was significantly higher than that of the HFD group. Regarding gene expression, DSW significantly increased the gene levels of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, and decreased the gene levels of adipocytokine in the adipose tissue of rats with HFD-induced obesity. These results indicate a potential molecular mechanism by which DSW can suppress obesity in rats with HFD-induced obesity through lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation.

This work reports the current-temperature characteristics of the low-temperature-sputtered (Ba 0.8 Sr 0.2 )TiO 3 (BST) film post treated by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) in O 2 ambient. The top electrode was biased under negative/positive voltage to investigate the interface properties of the Pt/BST/Pt multifilm. As the results, the current density of the RTA-treated BST film was greatly reduced owing to compensation of oxygen vacancies. The RTA-treated BST thin film biased at negative voltage exhibits a negative temperature-coefficient-resistivity (NTCR) behavior, but, intriguingly, that biased at positive voltage reveals a positive temperature-coefficient-resistivity (PTCR) behavior. According to the leakage current analysis, the Schottky emission dominates the negative biased current at upper interface, but the Heywang barrier scattering confines the positive biased current.

An azide-bridged polymeric cationic chain complex, [LCu2(N3)2]n(ClO4)2n·n(H2O)**, where L=the dinucleating macrocyclic ligand bis-p-xylylBISDIEN, has been prepared and characterized by x-ray crystallography, u.v.-vis and i.r. spectra, and by magnetic measurements. The structure consists of cationic azide-bridged [LCu2(N3)2]2+ (unit) chains, non-coordinated perchlorate anions and crystallized water molecules. The azide anion is bound to two copper atoms in neighboring units with an end-to-end bridging mode. In each unit, the copper atoms have a different coordination geometry; Cu(1) is a four-coordinated, distorted square-planar geometry, whereas Cu(2) is a five-coordinated, distorted square-pyramid. The electronic spectra of the title complex differ in anhydrous and in aqueous MeCN solutions, indicating that dissociation and solvation occur in aqueous solutions. The characteristic i.r. absorptions of azides and perchlorates are described. Magnetic moments vary from 2.05 (B.M.) at 300K to␣2.01 (B.M.) at 80K, which suggests that very weak interactions exist between the metals.

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new dinuclear nickel(II) complex [LNi2(AcO)4]·14H2O, where L = 3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo [23.3.1.111,13] triaconta-1(29),11(30),12,14,25(26),27-hexene, has been studied. X-ray structure analysis shows that the compound consists of a discrete [LNi2(AcO)4] complex and 14 lattice water molecules. Each Ni atom is six coordinated by three N atoms from the macrocycle and three O atoms from the two coordinated acetates; two nickel atoms in each macrocycle are at the distance of 7.028A. The result of the magnetic measurement indicates that the zero-field splitting constant of nickel(II) centres |D| = 1.87 cm−1.

A pair of seldom seen hydrate isomers with a formula of LCu 2 (CH 3 COO) 2 (H 2 O) 2 (ClO 4 ) 2 , where L is the dinucleating macrocyclic ligand bis- p -xytylBISDIEN, have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV⧹Vis spectra and magnetic measurements. The blue isomer, [LCu 2 (CH 3 COO) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] (ClO 4 ) 2 , crystallizes in the triclinic system and the violet isomer, [LCu 2 (CH 3 COO) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 · 2H 2 O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. The blue complex consists of one cation [LCu 2 (CH 3 COO) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] 2 and two ClO 4 − anions. The two copper atoms are independent to each other with a separation of 6.781(9) A. Each has a square pyramidal geometry and is five-coordinated by three N atoms from the macrocycle and two O atoms from the monodentate acetate anion and the coordinated water molecule, respectively. In violet isomer, both central copper atoms are located in an approximately square planar environment and are not coordinated by the water molecules. The isomers have different reflectance spectra due to the different coordination geometry but can rapidly interchange in solution at ambient temperature. Both compounds exhibit quite weak antiferromagnetic couplings verified by the small but negative Weiss constant ( θ = −5.72 K for the blue and −25.6 K for the violet isomer).

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the imidazolate-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex [LCu 2 (Im)(DMSO) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 3 (DMSO), where ImH is imidazole, and L is 3, 6, 9, 17, 20, 23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1 11,13 ]triaconta-1(29), 11(30), 12, 14, 25(26), 27-hexaene, have been studied. Single crystal X-ray diffraction determination reveals the distorted tetragonal pyramid geometries of the imidazolate bridged dicopper(II) center are incorporated within the binucleating macrocycle. Both copper atoms are five-coordinated by four basal nitrogen atoms (three from the macrocycle and one from the imidazolate) and one oxygen atom from the DMSO molecule. Two coordinated DMSO molecules are situated at the same side of the macrocycle. The Cu–Cu separation in the complex is 5.93 A. Magnetic measurements and ESR spectroscopy studies exibit an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with a coupling constant of J = − 26.94 cm −1 . Investigations on the pH-dependent ESR of the title compound in frozen 50% aqueous DMSO solution confirm the existence of the bridged cation [LCu 2 (Im)] 3+ as a major species in solution mainly in the range 5.2⩽pH⩽11.5. The imidazolate bridge is broken in the pH range of 5.2–3.3, which is close to that for the native enzyme.

Two compounds of formulae (Mn(dtbz)2(NITpPy)2(H2O)2 (1) and Mn(tnp)2(NITpPy)2(H2O)2·3H2O (2), where dtbz=3,5-dinitrobenzoate, tnp=2,4,6-trinitrophenolate, NITpPy=2-(4-pyridal)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl 3-oxide, have been synthesized. Mn(dtbz)2(NITpPy)2(H2O)2 (1) has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a=10.136(2), b=10.338(1), c=10.691(1) A , α=78.92(1), β=88.27(1), γ=86.35(1)° and Z=1 . The structure of this compound is mononuclear with the manganese(II) ion octahedrally coordinated and bound to the nitronyl nitroxide radicals through the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of both compounds suggests that the manganese ion and the radicals are ferromagnetically coupled with J = 2.08 and 1.07 cm−1 for compounds 1 and 2, respectively, due to the orbital orthogonality between the π∗ molecular orbital of the NITpPy radical (which contains the unpaired electron and the pyridine nitrogen lone pair) and the metal orbitals dxy, dyz and dxz.

A novel hexaaza macrocycle bearing two hydroxyethyl pendants (L), 3,6,9,16,19,22-hexaaza-6,19-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)tricyclo[22,2,2,2(11,14)]triaconta-1,11,13,24,27,29-hexaene, was synthesized as a potential binucleating ligand. The corresponding Cu(II) complex [Cu(2)LCl(2)]Cl(2) small middle dot5.5H(2)O was isolated as a blue crystal, triclinic, space group P with a= 9.4920(19) A, b = 4.783(3) A, c = 16.553(3) A, alpha = 63.87(3) degrees, beta = 86.10(3) degrees, gamma = 83.8(3) degrees, V = 2072.8(7) A(-3), Z = 2, R1 = 0.0658, and wR2 = 0.1839. Both Cu ions adopt the geometry of a distorted trigonal bipyramid in a pentacoordinated environment. A complexation study on the novel title complex has revealed that the alcoholic OH groups of the complex Cu(2)L exhibit an obvious acidity with rather low pK(a) values at 25 degrees C. The Cu(II)-bound alkoxides, which act as reactive nucleophiles toward the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate in 10% (v/v) CH(3)CN at 25 degrees C, with I = 0.10 (NaNO(3)) and pH 9.3, have shown a second-order rate constant, 0.41 +/- 0.02 M(-1) s(-1), a value that is approximately 10 times greater than the corresponding value for the mononuclear Cu(II) complex formed by a relatively simple tripodal ligand (L1). The pH-rate profile gave a sigmoidal curve. The possible catalytic mechanism has been proposed, and the reason for the high catalytic activity of the title complex has been discussed.