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A concise method was established to determine the relative and absolute configurations of aryl-glycerols that depend on the chemical shift differences (Δ

A phytochemistry of the whole plant of Agrimonia pilosa led to the discovery of two new nortriterpenoids, agrimonorterpenes A and B (1 and 2), together with one known triterpenoid fupenzic acid (3) and seven known sesquiterpenoids (4-10). The new structures were determined as 19α-hydroxy-2-oxo-nor-A (3)-urs-11,12-dien-28-oic acid (1) and 2, 19β-dihydroxy-3-oxo-23-noroleana-1, 4, 12-trien-28-oic acid (2) by the spectroscopic data of UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR. Notably, the structure of 1 possessed a rare five-membered A- ring. And this is the first time to discover the sesquiterpenoids (4-10) from A. pilosa. Compound 3 displayed the selective cytotoxicity against HCT116, BGC823, and HepG2 cell lines with the IC

Two new benzoic acid derivatives, sophophenoside A (

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizome of

Three new compounds named tanshinoic acid A (

With great practical potential of aerobic methane coupled to denitrification (AME-D) in deep denitrification of tailwater in urban sewage plants, an AME-D extreme denitrification system with low concentration of methane, was established in an improved denitrification biofilter. The finding indicated that in an intermittent operation mode, the average concentration of total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen in the effluent could reach 1.05 mg·L

Background Long noncoding (lncRNA) single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the susceptibility to the development of various malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and its SNPs in lung cancer. Methods Initially, the expression of HOTAIR in different tumors was investigated using the online Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) resource. Three SNPs (rs920778, rs1899663, and rs4759314) of HOTAIR were identified using the MassArray system. Following this, the relationship between these SNPs and susceptibility to lung cancer was investigated. Results Expression of HOTAIR was found to increase in a variety of cancers, including nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found that the genotypes of these SNPs (rs920778, rs1899663, and rs4759314) were not significantly associated with lung cancer type, family history, lymph node metastasis, or lung cancer stage. In gender stratification, the results of rs920778 genotypes showed that, compared to genotype AA, the AG (OR = 0.344, 95% CI: 0.133–0.893, p = .028) and AG + GG (OR = 0.378, 95% CI: 0.153–0.932, p = .035) genotypes of rs920778 are protective factors against NSCLC in females. In smoking stratification, compared with AA of rs920778, the genotype AG + GG (OR = 0.507, 95% CI: 0.263–0.975, p = .042) was a protective factor against NSCLC in nonsmoking people. No statistical differences were observed in the classifications of rs1899663 and rs4759314 genotypes. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed a high linkage disequilibrium between the rs920778 and rs1899663 (D′ = 0.99, r 2 = .74), rs920778 and rs4759314 (D′ = 0.85, r 2 = .13), and rs1899663 and rs4759314 (D′ = 0.79, r 2 = .00). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that HOTAIR expression increased in NSCLC, and that the genotypes of rs920778 could be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer., This study investigated the roles of HOTAIR and its SNPs in lung cancer. We found that HOTAIR increased in nonsmall cell lung cancer, and the genotypes of rs920778 are protective factors for female patients and nonsmoking people, which are useful for screening and prognosis for lung cancer.

Four new compounds including two new phenylpropanoid esters of sucrose, polygonusucroside A (1) and B (2); two new anthraquinones, 8-O-β- d -(6′-galloyl)-glucopyranoside (3) and polyanthraquinoside A (4), together with six known compounds were isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum. Their structures were established using UV, IR, HRESIMS, and NMR data. All compounds were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and neuroprotective effects. Compounds 5, 7 and 9 showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 27.30, 5.51, and 1.09 μmol/L, respectively (acarbose as positive control, IC50 = 6.17 μmol/L). In addition, the assessment of neuroprotective effect showed that compound 3 exhibited remarkable effect against PC12 cells injured by serum-deprivation and compounds 2, 7, and 9 exhibited moderate effects against PC12 cells injured by rotenone.

Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort is a famous health promoting plant cultivated in China, and widely consumed due to its various curative effects. To study the potential bioactive constituents from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong, a chemical investigation was thus performed. In present study, we report the isolation and identification of ten new compounds, including two coumarins (1-2), four lignans (3-6), and four phenols (7-10), along with five known compounds (11-15) from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong. The structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, CD, NMR spectral data and comparison to reported data. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammation and hepatoprotective activities of all these compounds were evaluated. The results show that compounds 5, 6 and 7 showed excellent inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells stronger than curcumin, and compounds 5, 7 and 9 exhibited greater hepatoprotective effect than that of bicyclol.

One new tanshinone derivative, which possesses an unusual 6/6/5/6 fused-ring skeleton system (1), together with four new five-membered lactone benzohexa-membered ring compounds (2, 3, 4A and 4B), and three new carboxyl substituted 5,5-spiroketal compounds (5-7), were isolated from the dried rhizomes of

Three new compounds named tanshinoic acid A (1), tanshinoic acid B (2), and tanshinoic acid C (3) were isolated from the rhizomes of Salvia miltiorrhiza, together with two known compounds methyl salvianolate A (4) and methyl salvianolate C (5). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR). The in vitro assay indicated that 4 and 5 could improve the survived rate of cells on oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) induced neurons damage model and glutamate-induced neurons damage model at a concentration of 10 μM.

Two new benzoic acid derivatives, sophophenoside A (1) and sophophenoside B (2), were isolated from Sophora flavescens. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were assayed for their hepatoprotective activity on the cytotoxic effect of D-galactosamine on HL-7702 cells, and compound 1 exhibited a moderate hepatoprotective activity at a concentration of 10 μM.

Two new quinochalcone glycosides, hydroxysafflor yellow A-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 3'-hydroxyhydroxysafflor yellow A (2), were isolated from the safflower yellow pigments of Carthamus tinctorius. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by a detailed spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, ECD). The in vitro assay indicated that compound 1 could improve the survived rate of primary mouse cortical neurons on glutamate-induced neurons damage model at a concentration of 10 μM.

The generation of Miocene–Pliocene post-collisional magmatic rocks in northern Tibet was coeval with surface uplift, meaning that understanding the petrogenesis of these rocks should provide clues to the mechanism of uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. However, the nature of the source(s) of Miocene–Pliocene post-collisional rocks is unresolved, especially for potassic–ultrapotassic rocks. This study focuses on 16 Ma olivine leucitites in the Hoh Xil Basin of northern Tibet, which display the lowest SiO2 (43·4–48·8 wt%) contents of all Miocene–Pliocene magmatic rocks in northern Tibet and have high MgO (4·85–8·57 wt%) contents and high K2O/Na2O (>1) ratios. Whole-rock geochemical compositions suggest that the olivine leucitites did not undergo significant fractional crystallization or crustal assimilation. All samples are enriched in large ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements, and they exhibit uniform whole-rock Sr–Nd isotope [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0·7071–0·7077 and εNd(t) = −3·1 to −3·9] and olivine O isotope (5·8–6·6 ‰, mean of 6·2 ± 0·2 ‰, n = 21) compositions. We propose that the olivine leucitites were derived by low-degree partial melting of phlogopite-lherzolite in garnet-facies lithospheric mantle. Given the tectonic evolution of the Hoh Xil Basin and adjacent areas, we suggest that southward subduction of Asian (Qaidam block) lithosphere after India–Asia collision transferred potassium and other incompatible elements into the lithospheric mantle, forming the K-enriched mantle source of the Miocene–Pliocene potassic–ultrapotassic rocks. Removal of lower lithospheric mantle subsequently induced voluminous Miocene–Pliocene magmatism and generated >1 km surface uplift in the Hoh Xil Basin.

Three new thionic compounds, (S)-2-(2-carboxyl-2-hydroxyethylthio)-ferulic acid (1), (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-(methylsulfonyl)prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol (2), and thiosenkyunolide C (3), together with two new aromatic glycosides (4 and 5) were isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Two known compounds (6 and 7) were also obtained. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). Furthermore the absolute configurations were established by comparison of their calculated and experimental circular dichroism spectra and by a dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo2(AcO)4]-induced circular dichroism procedure. All compounds were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in BV2 cells, and compounds 4 and 5 showed strong inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 2.03 and 3.09 µmol/L, respectively (positive control curcumin, IC50 = 6.17 µmol/L). In addition, compound 1 showed weak proteintyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity. KEY WORDS: Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Thionic compounds, Aromatic glycosides, Anti-inflammatory, Natural products

In our ongoing investigation of the bioactive compounds from the extract of the roots of Sophora flavescens, two novel prenylated flavanones, named sophoflavanones A (1) and B (2), each with an unusual pyran ring were isolated. Their structures, as well as their absolute configurations, were elucidated based on spectroscopic data including a comparison of their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Additionally, compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antioxidant activities against Fe2+/cysteine-induced toxicity at a concentration of 0.1 µM (inhibition values of 71.65% and 72.49%, respectively, using vitamin C as a positive control (87.83%)).

To determine the removal efficiency of typical antibiotics in Guiyang wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the impact of effluent on aquatic organisms in receiving waters, nine antibiotics in the influent, effluent, and receiving water of two WWTPs in Guiyang City were investigated. The concentrations of antibiotics in the influent and effluent ranged from 0 to 835.60 ng·L

Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease and has become a heavy economic and social burden due to its high prevalence and morbidity. The most effective strategy is that patients with DKD should be diagnosed and treated early. Preliminary studies showed that the Chinese herbal Tangshen Formula (TSF) may delay the progression of DKD, reducing microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria and improving renal function. We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of TSF in patients with DKD. Methods/design This trial is a 13-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 632 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an experiment group (TSF plus losartan) and a control group (placebo plus losartan). The trial cycle will last 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the urine microalbumin–creatinine ratio from baseline to week 24. The secondary outcome will be the change in the rate of progression to the clinical proteinuria period after intervention, the rate of urine microalbumin negative conversion, the rate of normal urinary microalbumin, the doubling rate of the baseline creatinine value and the glomerular filtration rate between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. Discussion We hypothesize that patients with type 2 diabetes in the early stage of DKD will benefit from TSF. If successful, this study will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03009864. Registered January 2017.

Four new sesquiterpene compounds, (5R,7R,10S)-3-O-β- d -glucopyranosylisopterocarpolone-11-O-β- d -apiofuranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -glucopyranoside (1), (5R,7R,10S)-14-carboxylisopterocarpolone-11-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (2), (1R,7R,10R)-1-hydroxylcarissone-11-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (3), and (1R,7R,10S)-10,11-dihydroxy-4-guaien-3-one 11-O-β- d - glucopyranoside (4), were isolated from the Atractylodes lancea by high-performance liquid chromatography. The compounds’ structures were elucidated through detailed spectroscopic methods.

Abstract Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end stage kidney disease(ESKD) and It has become a heavy economic and social burden due to its high prevalence and morbidity. However, the current therapies for DKD are not entirely perfect. The most effective strategy is that patients with DKD should be diagnosed and treated early. Preliminary studies showed the Chinese herbal Tangshen Formula(TSF) may delay the progression of DKD, reducing micro-and macro-albuminuria, improving renal function. This trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of TSF used in combination with conventional treatment. Methods/design: We are implementing a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical trial as a means of evaluating the effectiveness and safety of TSF. 623 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an experiment group (TSF plus Losartan) and a control group (placebo plus Losartan). The trial cycle lasts 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be changes in ACR from baseline to 24 weeks between the two groups and ACR will be compared at baseline and treatment endpoint in each group. The secondary outcome will be changes in the ratio of progression into the clinical proteinuria period after intervention, Urine micro albumin negative conversion rate, the ratio of normal urinary micro albumin, doubling rate of baseline creatinine value and GFR between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. Discussion: We hypothesize that type 2 diabetic patients in early stage of DKD will benefit from TSF. If successful, this study will provide an evidence-based complementary remedies for delaying the progression of DKD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03009864) Keywords: Diabetes Kidney Disease, Traditional Chinese medicine, Treatment, Clinical trials，Randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the suitability of domestic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber for preparing high ductility cementitious composites (HDCC), single PVA fiber pullout tests were conducted. The tests were carried out with four matrices having a water-to-cement ratio of 0.25 or 0.30, and fly ash replacement level 60% or 80%. The micromechanical behavior of single PVA fiber pullout from the matrix was monitored using a fiber tensile testing machine. Micromorphology of the pulled fiber was subsequently investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the slip-hardening coefficient is greater than zero and that the fiber therefore meets the micromechanical requirements for preparing HDCC. The chemical bonding energy and frictional bond strength were determined to decrease with the increasing fly ash content and/or water-to--cement ratio. SEM images indicate a significant number hydration products attached to the fiber surface, associated with an increase friction force during fiber pullout. After the pullout test, a complete tunnel containing fiber fragments was observed in the matrix, indicative of matrix cutting.

An efficient 1H NMR spectroscopic approach for determining the relative configurations of lignans with a 7,9′:7′,9-diepoxy moiety has been established. Using the chemical shift differences of H2-9 and H2-9′ (ΔδH-9 and ΔδH-9′), the configurations of 8-H and 8-OH furofuran lignans can be rapidly and conveniently determined. The rule is applicable for data acquired in DMSO-d6, methanol-d4, or CDCl3. Notably, the rule should be applied carefully when the C-2 or C-6 substituent of the aromatic rings may alter the dominant conformers of the furofuran moiety.

Four new ferulic acid derivatives ligusticumacid A-C (1-3) and ligusticumaldehyde A (4), one new dimer ligusticumacid D (5), and two novel 8-8' lignans ligusticumacid E-F (6-7) were isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. In particular, compounds 1-2, 5 were rarely phenylpropanoid phenolic acid dimers through different polymerization action in natural products. Their structures were established using UV, IR, HRESIMS, NMR data. The absolute configurations of 3 was determined by quantum ECD calculation and 4, 6-7 were determined by the ECD exciton chirality method. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by H2O2. Compound 2 had a moderate neuroprotective activity and 7 had a weak neuroprotective activity on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by H2O2 respectively.

Eight new amino acid derivatives (1–8) and two known compounds (9–10) were isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Their structures were established using UV, IR, HRESIMS, and NMR data. Notably, phenylpropanoid–amino acid adducts 1–6 are the first reported natural products, which possess a unique adduct structure. In addition, their analogues (1–5) were successfully synthesized by nucleophilic substitution and hydrolysis. The absolute configurations of 1–5 were determined by comparison of the specific rotations with those of their analogues and the natural amino acid methyl ester hydrochloride in acetic acid. In addition, these compounds were all evaluated for their neuroprotective effects, and compound 9 showed a moderate protective effect towards human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by H2O2.

Although Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) solid electrolyte has the advantages of high ionic conductivity , low cost, and satisfying air stability, it is thermodynamically unstable with lithium metal, which could reduce the Ti 4+ to Ti3+ and form a highly resistive interface, leading to the fast degradation of battery performance. Herein, through an in-depth study on the degradation mechanism of LATP by delocalized π electrons in succinonitrile (SN), we propose a novel plastic composite interlayer (PCI) based on succinonitrile and polyacrylonitrile, which can not only realize a rapid and uniform transmission of lithium ions but also localize π electrons, inhibit the continuous deterioration of LATP. Compared with previous battery tests at elevated temperatures or by adding liquid components, the PCI-based Li|Li symmetric cell has achieved a cyclability for more than 300 h at room temperature. Moreover, the discharge capacity of the all-solid-state battery based on PCI still retains 87.9% after 170 cycles at 0.1C, which is in sharp contrast to the 38.6% capacity retention after 50 cycles of LFP/SN/LATP/SN/Li battery. These results show that PCI, as an effective anode interlayer, paves a way for high-performance solid-state batteries based on NASICON-type electrolytes.

Five new dimeric phloroglucinol derivatives, agrimones A − E (1–5), were isolated from the whole plant of Agrimonia pilosa. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by a series of spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR), complemented with the comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra, and gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations. Notably, compounds 1 and 2 represent a highly oxidized 6/6/6 tricyclic ring skeleton based on the cis-fused paraquinone and chroman. Compounds 1a, 4, and 5 exhibited moderate hepatoprotective activities against APAP-induced HepG2 cell injury at 10 μM.

Six new phenylethanoid glycosides possessing dioxane moieties, named forsyoxasides A−F ( 1–6 ), together with four known such compounds ( 7–10 ) were isolated from the fruits of Forsythia suspensa . These structures were illustrated by extensive NMR spectroscopic techniques and by comparing their NMR data with the related literatures. Notably, forsyoxaside A ( 1 ) is a novel dioxane phenylethanoid glycoside with an axial aromatic ring, which is rare in the natural sources. Compounds 1 , 4 , 7 and 8 showed remarkable bioactivities against rotenone induced PC12 cell damage. Furthermore, 1 and 7 displayed strong activities against serum deprivation induced damage on the same cells.

Five new heterocyclic compounds, 5-α-d-fructofuranosylmethyl-furfural (1), 5-β-d-fructofuranosylmethyl-furfural (2), 5-β-d-fructopyranosylmethyl-furfural (3), 4-(2-((2S-2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)methyl)-5-formyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)butanoic acid (4), and 3S,4S-4,5,8-trihydroxy-3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)isochroman-1-one (5), were obtained from the root of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb., which is a traditional Chinese anti-tuberculosis medicine. Their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, HRESIMS, NMR data, and the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Notably, compounds 1-3 are rarely occurring furfural fructosides in natural sources. These heterocyclic compounds could be further studied for the synthetic chemists and pharmacologists due to the source and structural properties.

Portable and ultra-sensitive film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) is a promising device to satisfy the requirement of detecting gas and biological molecule. In this work, a novel sensing device was developed to achieve ultrahigh sensitivity, by coupling polymer micropillars with a FBAR substrate to form a two-degrees-of-freedom resonance system (FBAR-micropillars). We systematically investigated the effects of micropillar structure on the characteristics of FBAR-micropillars device by finite element method (FEM). It was found that the resonant frequency shift increased with increasing the height of micropillars (h) within a certain range, and the FBAR-micropillars device displayed nonlinear frequency response, which was opposite to the linear response of conventional FBAR devices. In addition, a positive resonant frequency shift was captured near the “coupled resonant point” of the FBAR-micropillars device. The geometric parameters of micropillars, including micropillar diameter and micropillar spacing could also cause a change of Q-factor and mass sensitivity. The optimized design of the proposed device achieved a threefold improvement in sensitivity relative to conventional FBAR without pillars, suggesting a feasible method to improve the mass sensitivity of acoustic resonators.

In this work, CO2 solubility in aqueous potassium lysinate solutions has been measured for the concentrations of (1.25–3.28) mol·kg−1 and at temperatures of (313–343) K. The vapour-liquid equilibrium data were correlated using a Soft model and a semi-empirical (SE) model. The proposed models can match well with the experimental data with AAD within 20%. The heat of absorption for LysK was estimated as about (55–70) kJ·mol−1 CO2 absorbed from the solubility data. The lower heat of absorption, compared with that of 30 mass% MEA, will be beneficial for the reduction of regeneration energy.

Two new compounds, named lyciumlignan D ( 1 ) and lyciumphenyl propanoid A ( 2 ), along with seven known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense . Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, CD), as well as by comparison with those of the literature. Compounds 3 9 were isolated from this genus for the first time. In the in vitro assay, compounds 3 , 6 , and 7 exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory effects than the positive control curcumin at a concentration of 10 μmol/L.

Four new and rare iridoid glucosides, cornusfuroside A-D (1-4), containing the furan ring were identified from water extract of the fruit of Cornus officinalis. These new chemical structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, HRESIMS, experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Notably, this study is the first report on the isolation of four iridoid glucoside structures with acetal functions in the sugar moiety. The neuroprotective effects of these compounds were also evaluated in vitro.

Three new caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, chrysanthemorimic acids A-C (1-3), and 11 known compounds (4-14) were isolated and characterized from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic data as well as by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Chrysanthemorimic acids A-C possess a rare 8-oxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one ring that is formed through a [5+2] cycloaddition of caffeoylquinic acid with a d-glucose derivative. Compounds 1-3, 6-8, 12, and 13 displayed significant effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells at 10 μM.

Four new glycosides including a eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid (1), a guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid (2), and two C14-polyacetylenes (3, 4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS). The absolute configurations of their aglycones were established based on the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD), whereas those of monosaccharide moieties were determined by the GC method after chiral derivatization. Compound 4 showed weak anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-induced NO production in microglia BV2 cells at a concentration of 10 μmol L−1.

An approach for discriminating the threo and erythro configurations of polyacetylene glycosides by 1H NMR spectroscopy was developed. Using acetic acid-d4/D2O as the solvent, a relatively larger 3JHH value (7.0 Hz) for the acyclic vicinal diol group was unambiguously assigned to the threo configuration, whereas the smaller value (3.5 Hz) was assigned to the erythro configuration. This convenient method requires no hydrolysis or derivatization and is suitable for micromolar concentrations of polyacetylene glycosides. The underlying mechanism is discussed via visualized conformations.

Lycium chinense Mill. is a deciduous shrub in the Solanaceae family that is known for its fruits (Lycii fructus) and root bark (Lycii cortex). In our ongoing search for α-glucosidase inhibitors from the root bark of L. chinense, lyciumflavane A, one new flavane with an unusual benzofuran unit, one new amide possessing a naphthalene skeleton, one new sesquiterpene, three new lignan glucosides, and three new phenolic glucosides were isolated along with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated using NMR, HRESIMS, UV, ECD, and IR spectroscopic data. Their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was screened using acarbose as a positive control (IC50 = 385 μM). Compound 1 showed strong inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 = 20.89 μM).

Eleven new phthalide derivatives (1–11) have been isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong. In particular, 1 and 2 contain a mercaptopropionic acid moiety in the phthalide derivatives. All the structures, including their absolute configurations, were determined by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic measurements, and by a comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Results of a bioassay showed that compound 4 has a moderate neuroprotective activity on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by H2O2 and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD).

Forsythenethosides A (1) and B (2), two new phenylethanoid glycosides with an unprecedented 15-membered carbon scaffold ring, were isolated from the fruits of Forsythia suspensa. Their structures, including their geometric configurations, were determined via extensive NMR spectroscopy techniques, especially using 2D NMR data combined with systematic conformational analysis. Forsythenethosides A and B showed strong neuroprotective activities against serum-deprivation-induced PC12 cell damage. Furthermore, they were active on rotenone-induced PC12 cell damage.

During our continuing study on the fruits of Forsythia suspensa, one new heterodimer (forsythoneoside E) containing a flavonoid and a phenethanoid glycoside formed through a pyran ring, one new phenylethanoid glycoside dimer (forsythoneoside F) with a C–O bond, along with a pair of flavonoid glycoside dimers (forsythobiflavone A and B) possessing different axial chirality, were obtained. Their chemical structures, including absolute configurations, were established by NMR, HRESIMS, UV, IR, and ECD spectroscopic data and comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. All of the compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells at 1 μM.

Zircon is probably the most important mineral used in the dating formation of high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks. The origin of zircon, i.e., magmatic or metamorphic, is commonly assessed by its external morphology, internal structure, mineral inclusions, Th/U ratios and trace element composition. In this study, we present an unusual case of metamorphic zircon from the Qiangtang eclogite, north-central Tibet. The zircon grains contain numerous eclogite-facies mineral inclusions, including omphacite, phengite, garnet and rutile; hence, they are clearly of metamorphic origin. However, they display features similar to common magmatic zircon, including euhedral crystal habit, high Th/U ratios and enriched heavy rare earth elements pattern. We suggest that these zircon grains formed from a different reservoir from that for garnet where no trace elements was present and trace element equilibrium between zircon and garnet was achieved. U–Pb dating of zircon gave an age of 232–237 Ma for the eclogite, and that of rutile yielded a slightly younger age of ca. 217 Ma. These ages are consistent with the reported Lu–Hf mineral isochron and phengite Ar–Ar ages. The zircon U–Pb and mineral Lu–Hf isochron ages are interpreted as the time of the peak eclogite-facies metamorphism, whereas the rutile U–Pb and phengite Ar–Ar ages represent the time of exhumation to the middle crust. Thus, the distinction between metamorphic and magmatic zircons cannot be made using only Th/U ratios and heavy REE compositions for HP–UHP metamorphic rocks of oceanic derivation.

An ongoing phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea resulted in the isolation of four new C10-type polyacetylene glycosides (1-4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). The absolute configurations of compounds 2-4 were determined by comparing the specific rotations of their aglycones. Notably, compounds 2 and 3 exhibited significant hepatoprotective activities against APAP-induced HepG2 cell injury at a concentration of 10 μM. Compounds 2 and 3 showed weak anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced NO production in microglia BV2 cells at a concentration of 10 μM.

Well-characterized matrix-matched natural mineral references of known age are an important prerequisite for SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) U–Th–Pb dating. We have characterized RW-1, a 44 g yellowish-brown single monazite specimen from a Norwegian pegmatite as an excellent hi-Th reference material for secondary ion mass spectrometric U–Th–Pb dating. A total of 206 secondary ion mass spectrometric analyses over six analytical sessions were performed on different monazite fragments of RW-1. The analyses resulted in 207Pb-based common lead corrected 206Pb/238U ages and Th–Pb ages with overall 2 % (2 SD = standard deviation) variations, indicating the good U–Th–Pb system homogeneity. The homogeneity of Th content of 11.8 ± 1.0 wt% (2 SD) and Th/U of 42 ± 3 (2 SD) make this crystal also a good compositional reference material. We used the combined ID–TIMS(Pb)/ID–MC–ICP–MS(U) technique (i.e. isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry for Pb, and isotope dilution multi-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry for U) to determine U–Pb ages of the monazite samples studied. The mean 207Pb/235U age of 904.15 ± 0.26 Ma (95 % confidence level) is recommended as the best estimate crystallization age for RW-1 monazite. Considering that the most commonly distributed U–Pb monazite reference materials have rather low ThO2, we suggest that this RW-1 monazite with its ThO2 of 13.5 wt% is a suitable reference material providing investigators more confidence when dating high-Th monazite unknowns.

Two new isobenzofuranone derivatives, polyphthaliside A (

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) serve important roles in the chemotherapeutic effect of anticancer drugs. To investigate the roles of miRNAs in cisplatin‑induced suppression of lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin. An MTT assay demonstrated that cisplatin inhibited A549 cell proliferation in a dose‑dependent manner. Cisplatin induced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration by increasing the levels of miR‑93, miR‑26a and miR‑26b. Furthermore, as an upstream factor, miR‑93 was proposed to regulate cyclin D2 expression in miR‑93‑transfected A549 cells. Cisplatin also induced Bcl‑2‑associated X protein expression, and decreased that of Bcl‑2 and c‑Myc in lung adenocarcinoma cells. In vivo analysis further supported that cisplatin inhibited lung adenocarcinoma cell growth by regulating cyclin D2 and miR‑93 expression. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that cisplatin could effectively inhibit lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by decreasing cyclin D2 expression via miR‑93.

Two new naturally occurring products named salviamine G (1) and 4-methyl-9-(ethoxycarbonyl)-8-naphthoic acid (2) were isolated from the rhizomes of

Background: Presently, the efficacy of drug treatments for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is not satisfactory. This study is designed to provide evidence that a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation delays the development of DR. Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial, consisting of 384 participants to be randomized in a 1:1 ratio in the treatment and control groups, and receive a basic treatment. Furthermore, the treatment and control groups will be administered the TangWang prescription and the placebo, respectively, each at a dose of one bag twice a day. The study period will last for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the changes in the degree of retinal microvascular lesions before and after treatment. The secondary outcome will be changes in the degree of hemangioma, microvascular bleeding, microvascular leakage, macular edema, and vision. All statistical tests will be two-sided, and a P < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Discussion: We hypothesize that the patients with DR will benefit from TangWang prescription, and in addition to the central random system and platform of dynamic information collection, the patients’ conditions will be monitored and the data collected for analysis. If successful, this study will provide evidence that the TCM formulation delays the development of DR. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03025399. Registered on January 19 2017. Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, TangWang prescription, randomized controlled trial, traditional Chinese medicine

As part of our ongoing investigation of the bioactive constituents from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., seven new flavonoid glycosides (1–7) were obtained along with 19 known compounds (8–26). All of the isolates possessed one or more sugar moieties. Their structures, as well as the absolute configurations, were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and CD). In the in vitro assay, compounds 3 and 7 showed moderate antioxidant activities at a concentration of 0.1 μM; compound 2 showed hepatoprotective activity at a concentration of 10 μM.