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C27H20Cl2F2N2O3S, triclinic, P 1 ‾ $P‾{1}$ (no. 2), a = 8.7887(4) Å, b = 11.2517(6) Å, c = 13.7609(7) Å, α = 74.962(4)°, β = 81.084(4)°, γ = 71.259(4)°, V = 1240.68(11) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0582, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1543, T = 100.0(1) K.

C26H18F5NO3S, triclinic, P 1 ‾ $P‾{1}$ (no. 2), a = 7.8831(4) Å, b = 11.9591(7) Å, c = 13.3258(7) Å, α = 69.072(5)°, β = 88.556(4)°, γ = 73.730(5)°, V = 1122.48(11) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0507, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1216, T = 100.0(1) K.

Studies on transuranic oxides provide a particularly valuable insight into chemical bonding in actinide compounds, in which subtle differences between metal ions and oxygen atoms are of fundamental importance for the stability of these compounds as well as their existence. In the case of neptunium, it is still mainly limited to specific Np oxide compounds without periodicity in the formation of stable structures or different oxidation states. Here, we report a systematic global minimum search of Np2Ox (x = 1–7) clusters and the computational study of their electronic structures and chemical bonding. These studies suggest that Np(V) ion could play the structure-directing role, and thus the mixed-valent Np(III/V) in Np2O4 is predicted accessible. In comparison with lower oxidation state Np analogues, significant 5f-orbital covalent interactions with Np(V)O bonding are observed, which shows that these model neptunium oxides can provide new understandings into the behavior of 5f-electrons in chemical bonding and structural design.

Some methoxy-, hydroxyl-, pyridyl-, or fluoro-substituted 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones (BAPs) could reduce inflammation and promote hepatoma cell apoptosis by inhibiting activation of NF-κB, especially after introduction of trifluoromethyl. Herein, a series of trifluoromethyl-substituted BAPs (4-30) were synthesised and the biological activities were evaluated. We successfully found the most potential 16, which contains three trifluoromethyl substituents and exhibits the best anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activities. Preliminary mechanism research revealed that 16 could promote HepG2 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulating the expression of Bax, C-caspase-3. Meanwhile, 16 inhibited activation of NF-κB by directly inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα induced by LPS, together with indirectly inhibiting MAPK pathway, thereby exhibiting both anti-hepatoma and anti-inflammatory activities. Molecular docking confirmed that 16 could bind to the active sites of Bcl-2, p65, and p38 reasonably. The above results suggested that 16 has enormous potential to be developed as a multifunctional agent for the clinical treatment of liver cancers and inflammatory diseases.

The design of novel wound dressings with favorable mechanical properties, hemostasis, inherent antibacterial function, and biocompatibility to facilitate skin wound healing and inhibit scar formation has practical significance in clinical applications. Herein, a bilayered nanofibrous membrane (PQCQS) was fabricated by electrospinning poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/quaternized silicone (PQS, outer layer) and polyvinyl alcohol/collagen/quaternized chitosan (PCQC, inner layer) as wound dressings for damaged skin. The PQS nanofiber was utilized as the outer layer of the wound dressing because it combined the good mechanical property of PCL and antibacterial performance of quaternized silicone to suppress scar formation and provide a stable microenvironment for the wound healing process. The inner membrane (PCQC) exhibited hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and hemostasis, thus facilitating wound healing. The PQCQS membranes exhibited excellent hydrophilicity, outstanding thermal stability, comparable mechanical properties with human skin, efficient hemostatic performance, and cytocompatibility. Moreover, the PQCQS membranes demonstrated a good balance between antibacterial activity and cell proliferation. Moreover, the PQCQS membranes significantly expedited the wound healing process and inhibited scar hyperplasia better than commercial ointment (MSSG and KELO-COTE) in a rabbit ear full-thickness wounds defect model. That is, the bilayered nanofibrous membranes, with excellent antibacterial activity, hydrophilicity, hemostatic performance, scar inhibition, and wound healing properties, are appropriate candidates for wound dressings.

Two fluorine-substituted 1,4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin-2-amine (BQA) derivatives, namely 2-amino-4-(2-fluorophenyl)-9-methoxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin-3-ium chloride, (8), and 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-9-methoxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin-3-ium chloride, (9), both C19H19FN3O+·Cl−, were generated by Michael addition reactions between guanidine hydrochloride and the α,β-unsaturated ketones (E)-2-(2-fluorobenzylidene)-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one, C18H15FO2, (6), and (E)-2-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-7-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one, (7). Because both sides of α,β-unsaturated ketones (6) or (7) can be attacked by guanidine, we obtained a pair of isomers in (8) and (9). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicates that each isomer has a chiral C atom and both (8) and (9) crystallize in the achiral space group P21/c. The chloride ion, as a hydrogen-bond acceptor, plays an important role in the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds. Thus, adjacent molecules are connected through intermolecular hydrogen bonds to generate a banded structure. Furthermore, these bands are linked into an interesting 3D network via hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. Fortunately, the solubilities of (8) and (9) were distinctly improved and can exceed 50 mg ml−1 in water or PBS buffer system (pH 7.4) at room temperature. In addition, the results of an investigation of anti-inflammatory activity show that (8) and (9), with o- and p-fluoro substituents, respectively, display more potential for inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO secretion than starting ketones (6) and (7).

Greenhouse effect and excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have caused widespread public concern in recent years. Tremendous efforts have been made towards CO2 capture promoting the development of numerous sorbents. In this study, mesoporous melamine-formaldehyde spheres (MMFSs) with high surface area (298 m2 g−1), uniform pore sizes (3.0 nm) and high nitrogen content (∼45%) have been successfully synthesized using Pluronic F127 and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as the templates, glycol as the organic co-solvent, and melamine (M) and paraformaldehyde (PFA) as the precursors, respectively. These MMFSs are highly effective in capturing CO2, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 48.0 mg g−1 at 273 K for CO2. Moreover, the CO2/N2 selectivity at 298 K reaches 24.3, which is attributed to the high N content allowing for high binding affinity with CO2 and the well-defined mesopores (3.0 nm). This approach suggests a new direction in designing CO2 sorbents with excellent selectivity.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a kind of disease caused by metabolic disorders and microangiopathy. The main pathophysiological changes of DCM include fibrosis, myocardial cell apoptosis and autonomic neuropathy. Therefore, treatment aimed at these processes may benefit patients with DCM. We designed an experiment with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) agonist GW 1929 to detect whether the activation of PPARγ could alleviate the degree of DCM. To further detect the mechanism of PPARγ in DCM, we used the PPARγ antagonist GW 9662 and ERK antagonist PD 098059 both in vitro and in vivo and found that PPARγ functioned by inhibiting ERK. We also performed Western blot, PCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, TUNEL assay, Sirius red staining and gelatin zymography to investigate inflammation, apoptosis, MMP activity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results showed that the activation of PPARγ inhibited these reactions and inhibiting ERK also simulated this phenomenon. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that PPARγ activation in the diabetic myocardium of mice reduces myocardial fibrosis via regulation of the TGF-β/ERK pathway and EMT.

In this study, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) whiskers were grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by in-situ emulsion polymerization using γ-methacryloxy propyl trimethoxyl silane (γ-MPS) as a coupling agent, and the properties of resultant whisker were determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that PMMA has been successfully grafted onto the surface of CaCO3 whiskers and the maximum grafting degree (Gd) is 3.75%. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the tensile-fractured surfaces show that modified CaCO3 whiskers have strong interfacial adhesion to the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. The tensile strength increases from 44.0 MPa for PVC composite with unmodified whisker to 49.5 MPa for that with grafted whisker. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and TGA results indicate that the composites reinforced by modified CaCO3 whiskers have much higher modulus, glass transition temperature, and better thermal stability than their counterparts reinforced by unmodified CaCO3 whiskers. POLYM. COMPOS., 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

The interfacial bonding between functionalized polymers and chromate–phosphate treated aluminum (Al) foil were investigated in this study. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), acrylic acid (AA) and maleic anhydride (MAH) were grafted onto polypropylene (PP) to improve its adhesion strength with the treated Al foil. The interfacial peel strength was evaluated by the T-peel test, and the results showed that modification of PP resulted in a significant improvement in the interfacial peel strength from 1 N/15 mm for pure PP to 10–14 N/15 mm for the modified PP. The surface chemistry, topography and surface energy of the modified PP and Al foil after peeling were characterized by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle measurement. The treated Al foil could react with the functional groups of PP, resulting in the formation of new carboxylates. The new chemical bonding rather than the mechanical interlocking contributed to the improvement of adhesion strength.

Functional porous nanoparticles have been considered as potential adsorbents for chromium (Cr) removal due to their unique properties such as high surface area, nanosized structure and specific affinity for heavy metal ions. Among these adsorbents, magnetic supports are one of the most efficient adsorbents for their unique advantages of easy separation under external magnetic fields. In this study, magnetic mesoporous melamine–formaldehyde (MMMF) nanoparticles with high surface area (393 m2 g−1), uniform pore sizes (6.9 nm), and relatively high saturation magnetization (4.3 emu per g) have been prepared. These MMMF nanoparticles are highly effective in removing toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water within 5 to 10 min. More importantly, they can be easily regenerated by a simple basic treatment (0.1 M NaOH) and reused at least five times. The effects of initial Cr(VI) concentration, temperature and pH on the adsorption properties of MMMF are also investigated. The superior adsorption properties of MMMF make them an attractive adsorbent for water quality purification and improvement.

A highly mesoporous melamine-formaldehyde resin (MMF) has been successfully synthesized through a facile route. It shows a relatively high surface area (317 m2 g−1), uniform pore sizes (8.0 nm), enhanced adsorption capacity (66.65 mg g−1) and selectivity for hexavalent chromium.

Eight new natural products (four new cucurbitane aglycones, hemslepencins A–D (1–4), four new cucurbitane glucosides, hemslepensides F–I (5–8), along with seven known compounds (9–15), were isolated from the roots of Hemsleya pengxianensis. The structures of 1–8 were elucidated using IR, HRESIMS, and NMR. Compound 3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human cancer cell lines.

This paper describes an environment-friendly treatment for aluminum (Al) foil that can greatly improve the adhesion strength between foil with the polymer film to a similar extent as the traditional chromate–phosphate treatment. Al foil was treated with different methods, after which a modified polypropylene (PP) film (PP grafted with glycidyl methacrylate, PP-g-GMA) was directly joined with the treated Al foil by hot pressing. The T-peeling strengths of the Al/PP-g-GMA composites were measured, and the peeling strength of molybdate-treated foil was found to be approximately 10 times greater than that of untreated foil. The surface morphologies of the Al foils were observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscope, their chemical compositions were characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The hydrophilicities and surface energies of the treated Al foils were further evaluated by contact-angle measurements.

A quick method for surface treatment of aluminium foil with environment-friendly and effective molybdate-based coating was developed in this study. Aluminium foil samples were treated with molybdate-based solution. The microstructure and composition of the resulting molybdate-based conversion coatings were explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS). We found that the molybdate-based conversion coating was composed mainly of MoO 3 , (MoO 3 ) x (P 2 O 5 ) y and Al 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 compounds. Furthermore, corrosion resistance of the treated aluminium foil was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Our results show that all of the aluminium foils with molybdate-based conversion coatings have much better corrosion resistance than bare aluminium foil. Notably, the sample treated at 40 °C exhibited the best corrosion resistance. The new method is very suitable for continuous processing.

Mouse ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is a single layer of cubodial epithelial cells that covers the ovary surface and is involved in regulating the secretion and transport of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Recently, OSE cells have attracted particular interest as a major source of ovarian cancer. Death-associated protein DAXX along with PML (promyelocytic leukemia protein) nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) reportedly play roles in transcriptional regulation and apoptosis. However, little is known regarding a role for DAXX in mOSE cells. In this study, we both over-expressed DAXX and depleted DAXX in primary mOSE cells. We found that Daxx deletion accelerated senescence in a p53/p21-dependent manner and promoted DNA damage by interacting with PML bodies without affecting cell cycle progression. These results suggest that DAXX may transform mOSE cells to an ovarian oncogenic phenotype and may be an anti-cancer target.

To evaluate the immune activation and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides (CMP) in vivo, 90 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups. The mice in the three experimental groups were given cyclophosphamide at 80 mg/kg/d via intraperitoneal injection and 17.5, 35, or 70 mg/kg body weight CMP via gavage. The lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytic index, and biochemical parameters were measured. The results show that the administration of CMP was able to overcome the CY-induced immunosuppression, significantly increased the spleen and thymus indices, and enhanced the spleen lymphocyte activity and macrophage function. CMP can also improve the antioxidation activity in immunosuppressed mice, significantly increase the superoxidase dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels and the total antioxidant capacity, and decrease the malondialdehyde levels in vivo.

Two new steroidal alkaloids peimisine-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and puqiedinone-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with three known compounds peimisine (2), puqiedinone (4), and puqiedine (5), were isolated and characterized from the bulbs of Fritillaria unibracteata. Their structures were fully elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 1 showed moderate protection effect on neurotoxicity of PC12 cell lines induced by rotenone.

Seven new cucurbitane glucosides, hemslepensides J-P ( 1 – 7 ), and two known compounds, 16,25- O -diacetyl-cucurbitane F ( 8 ) and 25- O -acetyl-23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F ( 9 ), were isolated from the tubers of Hemsleya pengxianensis var. jinfushanensis . The structures of 1 – 7 were elucidated using infrared absorption spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The treatment of HT29 cells, human colon cancer cells, with compounds 8 and 9 inhibited cell proliferation. Further study demonstrated that compounds 8 and 9 induced F-actin aggregation, G 2 /M phase cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis in HT29 cells. In summary, the present study enriched the chemical composition research of H. pengxianensis , and suggested that the compounds 8 / 9 treatment may be a potentially useful therapeutic option for colon cancer.

Using thiol and acrylate as monomer,the absorption peaks of ene before and after polymerization are studied using FTIR spectrometer.The relationship of conversion rate and temperature is studied.A polymer stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal device(PSFLCD) is fabricated and the amount of monomer is 10%.The relationship between conversion rate and orientation order of ferroelectric liquid crystal is studied,It shows that,the conversion increases with the increase of temperature and the orientation order of ferroelectric liquid crystal.The conversion rate is dominated by the orientation order of ferroelectric liquid crystal,and SmA is the best polymerization when fabricating a polymer stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal device.

A new method for preparing (2Z, 4Z, 6Z)-4,5-diethyloxepinedicarboxylate by one-step is described. The synthesis of several oxepines and azepines derivatives was carried out by the reaction of substituted furans or pyrroles with diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in boiling toluene. The effect factors for this reaction were discussed and reaction condition was optimized.

Self-seeded aluminium nitride (AIN) crystals are grown in tungsten and hot pressed boron nitride (HPBN) crucibles with different shapes by a sublimation method. The qualities of the AIN crystals are characterized by high-resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the better quality crystals can be collected in conical tungsten crucible.

Background Previous studies found a range of prognostic factors but no consensus about the proper staging system for multiple myeloma has been achieved. This study explored the prognostic factors to find a staging system for multiple myeloma most suitable for Chinese patients. Methods Between February 1990 to August 2004, 206 patients (138 men and 68 women, mean aged (59 +/- 11) years) who were initially diagnosed as multiple myeloma in Changzheng Hospital (Shanghai, China) and had followup records were enrolled in this study. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Four staging systems were applied to compare their suitability for the patients. Results The median survival time of the patients was 33 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 80.18%, 48.08% and 33.7% respectively. Factors identified as adversely affecting survival were older age, severe bone lesions, low haemoglobin, low platelet, low serum calcium, low serum albumin, high proportion of plasma cells in marrow, high serum creatinine, high serum beta(2) microglobulin and high C-reactive protein. Among these, only C-reactive protein, beta(2) microglobulin, albumin and age were the independent prognostic factors. There were statistically significant survival differences among the three groups in Durie Salmon staging system and Bataille staging system, but not in British Medical Research Council staging system or International Staging System. Conclusions High beta(2) microglobulin, high C-reactive protein, low albumin and old age are independent prognostic factors of multiple myeloma. Bataille staging system appears to be optimal for Chinese multiple myeloma patients.

Thalidomide (Thal) has been used for a few years as salvage treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, the response rate in Chinese patients treated with Thal has not been determined and the prognostic factors for response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) not yet well identified. This study enrolled 110 Chinese patients with MM who received either Thal alone, Thal plus dexamethasone (Thal + Dex) or Thal plus conventional chemotherapy (Thal + CC). Their laboratory and clinical parameters were retrospectively analysed. The overall RR was 63.6% (complete response rate 6.4%, partial response rate 57.3%). Patients aged65 years, time from diagnosis to the start of Thal treatment6 months or combined therapy had a significantly higher RR (p0.05). In univariate analysis, age65years predicted a longer PFS (p = 0.008). Age65 years, serum creatinine176.8 micromol L-1 and serum beta 2 microglobulin (beta2M)3.5 mg L-1 were associated with longer OS (p = 0.028, 0.045 and 0.019, respectively). Multi-factor analysis suggested that serum beta2M was the only independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.025).

Objective. There is an important inflammatory component to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is therefore interesting that the risk of CVD is high in inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we investigated nontraditional risk factors for the development of CVD in patients with SLE. Methods. Twenty-six women (mean age 52 years) with SLE and a history of CVD were compared with 26 age-matched women with SLE and no clinical manifestations of CVD (SLE controls) and 26 age-matched healthy women (population controls). Serum levels of several novel nontraditional risk and protective factors were determined: heat-shock protein (HSP)–related factors (Hsp60, Hsp70, anti–human Hsp60, anti–human Hsp70, and anti–mycobacterial Hsp65), plateletactivating factor–acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity, secretory phospholipase A2 GIIA (sPLA2), and anti– endothelial cell antibody (AECA). The intima-media thickness and the presence of plaques in the common carotid arteries were determined by B-mode ultrasound as a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis. Results. Levels of PAF-AH, but not HSP-related factors, AECA, or sPLA2, were significantly increased in SLE cases. Only PAF-AH discriminated between SLE cases and SLE controls (P 0.005). PAF-AH was significantly associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the SLE cases (r 0.50, P 0.0093 and r 0.54, P 0.0045), but not in either control group. Conclusion. The increased levels of PAF-AH in SLE cases and the association between PAF-AH and LDL cholesterol adds support to the notion that PAF-AH may promote atherothrombosis in SLE. The role of HSPs in CVD is complex, since anti-Hsp65 appears to be associated with the presence of CVD, whereas Hsp70 might protect against it. In this crosssectional study, levels of HSP-related factors, AECA, and sPLA 2 were not associated with CVD in SLE.

Objective To investigate how blood lipid levels are related to disease activity, clinical characteristics, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and its soluble type 1 and 2 receptors, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Fasting blood samples were obtained from an unselected cohort of SLE patients at Karolinska Hospital (n = 208, mean ± SD age 45.7 ± 14.2 years). Disease activity was estimated using the SLE Disease Activity Measure (SLAM). Levels of circulating TNFα, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood lipid levels obtained after overnight fasting were analyzed by routine chemistry. Results Triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with the SLAM score (r = 0.48, P < 0.0001) and with the activities of TNFα (r = 0.29, P = 0.0001), sTNFR1 (r = 0.38, P < 0.0001), and sTNFR2 (r = 0.40, P < 0.0001). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were negatively associated with the SLAM score (r = −0.27, P = 0.0003) and with the activities of TNFα (r = −0.15, P = 0.04) and sTNFR2 (r = −0.19, P = 0.01). High levels of TGs, total cholesterol, TNFα, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 all showed close correlations with the presence of nephritis and arterial disease (P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression models, the TNFα activity and TG levels were independent determinants (P = 0.003 for both) of active disease (SLAM score ≥7). Conclusion Dyslipoproteinemia with high TG/low HDL levels correlates with disease activity in SLE, and enhanced activity in the TNFα/sTNFR system seems to be an important underlying factor. Both dyslipoproteinemia and enhanced activity of the TNFα system are closely related to cardiovascular and renal manifestations in SLE, and thus both may serve as markers of more severe disease.

Four new 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives, cathafurans A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), were isolated from the stem bark of Morus cathayana. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited moderate activities against five human cancer cell lines, with IC(50) values ranging from 6.17 to 9.60 microg/mL.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) may induce memory deficits with β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation. Simultaneous supplement of folate and vitamin B12 partially restored the plasma homocysteine level and attenuated tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ accumulation and memory impairments induced by Hhcy. However, folate and vitamin B12 treatment have no effects on Hhcy which has the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype mutation. In this study, we investigated the effects of simultaneous supplement of betaine on Alzheimer-like pathological changes and memory deficits in hyperhomocysteinemic rats after a 2-week induction by vena caudalis injection of homocysteine (Hcy). We found that supplementation of betaine could ameliorate the Hcy-induced memory deficits, enhance long-term potentiation (LTP) and increase dendritic branches numbers and the density of the dendritic spines, with up-regulation of NR1, NR2A, synaptotagmin, synaptophysin, and phosphorylated synapsin I protein levels. Supplementation of betaine also attenuated the Hcy-induced tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple AD-related sites through activation protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) with decreased inhibitory demethylated PP2A(C) at Leu309 and phosphorylated PP2A(C) at Tyr307. In addition, supplementation of betaine also decreased Aβ production with decreased presenilin-1 protein levels. Our data suggest that betaine could be a promising candidate for arresting Hcy-induced AD-like pathological changes and memory deficits.

Complexation of cyclohexanocucurbit[6]uril (Q*[6]), a water-soluble cucurbit[n]uril derivative, with Cd(2+) ions has been studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The electrochemical experimental data prove the formation of a highly stable 1:6 Q*[6]/Cd(2+) complex. We also obtained the single-crystal X-ray structure of a cadmium ion complex with Q*[6], in which each portal of Q*[6] chelates three cadmium ions. The present study suggests the potential utility of Q*[6] as an effective cadmium ion chelator and extractant.

Two new dimeric stilbenes austrafuran B (1) and austrafuran C (2) were isolated from the bark of Morus australis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods.

Ardisiacrenoside I (1), a new triterpenoid pentasaccharide with an unusual glycosyl glycerol side chain, was isolated from Ardisia crenata together with five closely related triterpenoid saponins. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of mass spectrometry, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated against several different human tumor cell lines by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method.