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Self-assembly reaction of Cd(ClO 4 ) 2 · 6H 2 O with Norfloxacin (H-Norf) affords a novel 2D rectangular grid framework [Cd(Norf)(ClO 4 )(H 2 O)] ( 1 ) with strong blue luminescent emission ( λ em =425 nm), while Norf − acts as a tetradentate bridging linker to connect three Cd centers and ClO 4 − completes Cd center octahedron coordination geometry. The compound 1 has crystallographic data of triclinic, space group P 1 , a =9.4577(1) A, b =9.5012(2) A, c =12.2805(1) A, V =3624.4(3) A 3 , Z =2.

The reaction of H-Norf with (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2·6H2O and Fe(OH)3 (or Fe2O3) affords Fe(H-Norf)2(SO4)·2H2O (1) and Fe(Norf)2·4H2O (2), respectively, both of which have 2D polymeric structures. Their interesting magnetic properties are also reported. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, P21/c, a = 23.166(1), b = 10.0492(4), c = 7.7264(3) A, β = 98.379(1)°, V = 1779.50(13) A3, Z = 2; for 2: monoclinic, P21/c, a = 5.8411(12), b = 21.685(4), c = 13.265(3) A, β = 99.20(3)°, V = 1658.6(6) A3, Z = 2. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

Reaction of norfloxacin (H-Norf) with AgNO3 yields an unusual mononuclear complex [Ag(H-Norf)2]NO3 (1) in which the local coordination environment around Ag+ ion is approximately linear with a N–Ag–N angle of 162.1(2)°. Larger concentration of Ag+ ions was found in water solution of 1. The unique bonding in 1 may lead to the readily release of Ag+ ion from 1, and leads to better antibacterial action in topical burn treatments. Strong blue fluorescent emission of 1 was also observed.

The reaction of CdCl2·2H2O with temozolomide (TMZ) affords the complex [Cd(TMZ)Cl2]n, whose structure has been characterised by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. It crystallises in the orthorhombic system and space group Pbca, with a = 17.491(4), b = 6.8100(14), c = 18.989(4) Å, V = 2261.9(8) Å3, Z = 8, Dcalc = 2.217 g cm−3, F(000) = 1456, μ(MoKα)= 2.402 mm−1. In this preparation, the temozolomide did not undergo ring-opening as has been seen in previously reported reactions.

Two G-quadruplex ligands [Pt(L(a))(DMSO)Cl] (Pt1) and [Pt(L(b))(DMSO)Cl] (Pt2) have been synthesized and fully characterized. The two complexes are more selective for SK-OV-3/DDP tumor cells versus normal cells (HL-7702). It was found that both Pt1 and Pt2 could be a telomerase inhibitor targeting G-quadruplex DNA. This is the first report demonstrating that telomeric, c-myc, and bcl-2 G-quadruplexes and caspase-3/9 preferred to bind with Pt2 rather than Pt1, which also can induce senescence and apoptosis. The different biological behavior of Pt1 and Pt2 may correlate with the presence of a 6-hydroxyl group in L(b). Importantly, Pt1 and Pt2 exhibited higher safety in vivo and more effective inhibitory effects on tumor growth in the HCT-8 and NCI-H460 xenograft mouse model, compared with cisplatin. Taken together, these mechanistic insights indicate that both Pt1 and Pt2 display low toxicity and could be novel anticancer drug candidates.

The three-dimensional network of lanthanide (III) complexes with isophthalato (IPT) ligand, (Eu[C6H4(COO−)2-1,3](CH3COO−)(H2O)2}·H2O 1 and {Sm[C6H4(COO−)2-1,3](CH3COO−) (H2O)2} H2O 2, has been prepared by the hydro(solvo)thermal reaction of Eu(C1O4)3·6H2O or Sm(C1O4)3·6H2O, 1,3-dicyanobenzene and acetic acid in the presence of ethanol and H2O. In the reaction, 1,3-dicyanobenzene was hydrolyzed to give IPT ligand. Single crystal x-ray analysis revealed that crystals 1 and 2 are isomorphous with the isostructural {M[C6H4(COO−)2-1,3](CH3COO−)(H2O)2}·H2O unit. In 1 and 2, IPT acts as a bridging ligand to connect three adjacent metal atoms, forming a network like an undulating sheet paralleling the bc plane. The carboxylate from acetate bridges two adjacent metal atoms in a tridentate mode between the different sheets to extend the structure into a three-dimensional network.

We introduce a fast computational method for feature selection that facilitates the accurate spectral analysis of a chemical species of interest in the presence of overlapping uncorrelated variance. Using a genetic algorithm in a data-driven approach, our method assigns predictors according to a template determined to minimize prediction variance in a calibration space. This template-oriented genetic algorithm (TOGA) efficiently establishes features of greatest significance and determines their optimal combination. We demonstrate the efficacy of TOGA using an elementary model system in which we seek to quantify a target monosaccharide in mixtures containing other sugars added in random amounts. The results establish TOGA as an effective and reliable technique for isolating signature spectra of targeted substances in complex mixtures.

A novel copper-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles is described and a reaction mechanism is also proposed.

[Pt(Q)2] (1) and [Pt(MQ)2] (2) exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against BEL-7404, Hep-G2, NCI-H460, T-24, A549 tumor cells but low cytotoxicity on normal HL-7702 cells. 1 and 2 could cause the cell cycle arrest in G2 and S phase, respectively. While pifithrin-α, a specific p53 inhibitor, induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. Although 1, 2 and pifithrin-α caused serious inhibition on p53, 1 and 2 significantly cause the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase of the reactive oxygen species level, cytochrome c, apaf-1 and caspase-3/9 ratio in BEL-7404 cells. 1 and 2 may trigger the cell apoptosis through a mitochondrial dysfunction pathway whereas pifithrin-α does not. The interactions of 1 and 2 with DNA are most probably via an intercalation.

The reaction proceeds under solvent-free conditions and tolerates a wide range of functional groups.

The hydrothermal reaction of 4-cyanobenzoic acid with Ca(ClO4)2·6H2O yields the one-dimensional calcium-based coordination polymer [Ca(L)2(H2O)2]n 1 (where L= 4-cyanobenzoic acid) with strong blue fluorescent emission, and its solid-state structure has been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2/n, a=7.154 (2), b=16.402 (3), c=7.549 (2) A; β=115.83 (2)° ; Z=2; R=0.0536 for 1410 independent reflections with I>2α(I).

The solvothermal reaction of norfloxacin (H-Norf) with [Cu(MeCN)2(PPh3)]·ClO4 yields a mixed-ligand complex [Cu(PPh3)2(H-Norf)]·ClO4 1 which is characterized by single crystal X-ray determination, IR, far-IR and solid state 31 PNMR as well as fluorescent spectrum. Crystallographic data for 1, C52H48ClCuFN3O7P2, triclinic P-1 (No. 2), a=10.0434 (15) , b=13.5111 (17) , c=16.651 (2) A, α=97.478 (2)° , β=93.610 (2)° , γ=115.928 (2)° . Fw=1006.86, Z=2, V=2394.1 (5) A 3 , R1=0.0473, wR2=0.1155, S=0.735.

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of a novel chiral two-dimensional condensed metal–organic coordination polymer, bis(S-(-)-lactate)zinc(II) (1), are reported. Its crystal structure determination shows that a chiral cavity with approximate dimensions of 5.4×5.4 A2 is present. Crystallographic data for 1, C6H10O6Zn, monoclinic P21, a=7.4440(15), b=7.4550(15), c=7.4550(15) A, β=95.73(3)°, V=429.48(15) A3, R1=0.0272, wR2=0.0751.

The deposition and crystallization of amorphous GaN buffer layers on Si(1 1 1) is firstly investigated by using an atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The amorphous GaN layers were deposited by MOCVD at 300°C. The islanding process by annealing at higher temperatures has been revealed by AFM. It is found that the amorphous layers begin to be crystallized by solid-phase epitaxy at 500°C in MOCVD, and the full-developed islands formed at about 600°C. XRD data show that the GaN peak appeared only after an annealing at higher temperatures. Cross-sectional HRTEM micrographs of the buffer region of the samples with amorphous GaN buffer layers reveal that many domains exist in the GaN buffer layers and these domains misorientate each other with a small angle. The boundaries between domains locate near the bunched steps, and, the films on a terrace between steps have the same crystal orientation. The amorphous buffer layer deposited at 300°C and the buffer layer directly deposited at 550°C are used in the growth of GaN epilayers, respectively. The XRD results and photoluminescence at room temperature of such GaN epilayers show that using the amorphous GaN buffer layer lead to monocrystalline and a narrower full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of near band emission (16 nm) than using the buffer layer directly deposited at 550°C (FWHM of 21 nm). These results indicate that the quality of GaN epilayer on Si(1 1 1) can be improved by using the amorphous GaN buffer layer.

The oxidation of GaN epilayers in dry oxygen has been studied. The 1-µm-thick GaN epilayers grown on (0001) sapphire substrates by Rapid-Thermal-Processing/Low Pressure Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition were used in this work. The oxidation of GaN in dry oxygen was performed at various temperatures for different time. The oxide was identified as the monoclinic β-Ga2O3 by a θ−2θ scan X-ray diffraction (XRD). The scanning electron microscope observation shows a rough oxide surface and an expansion of the volume. XRD data also showed that the oxidation of GaN began to occur at 800°C. The GaN diffraction peaks disappeared at 1050°C for 4 h or at 1100°C for 1 h, which indicates that the GaN epilayers has been completely oxidized. From these results, it was found that the oxidation of GaN in dry oxygen was not layer-by-layer and limited by the interfacial reaction and diffusion mechanism at different temperatures.

The reaction of (Bu4N) 4 [Mo8O26] with a suitable amount of 2-mercaptophenol (H2mp) in MeOH in the presence of equimolar Et3N gave the complex (Bu4N) 2 [{MoO2 (2-SC6H4O) }2 (μ-O) ] (2 2′-HOC6H4SSC6H4OH) 2H2O (1) with a one-dimensional chain network formed via hydrogen bondings (average OH OMo distance 2655 A) of the hydroxyl groups in the spacer 2 2′-HOC6H4SSC6H4OH with the terminal oxo groups of the dimolybdenum anions 2 2′-HOC6H4SSC6H4OH was obtained by oxidation of H2mp in the presence of molybdenum when the reaction was run in air The characteristic cis-MoO22 absorptions appear at 913 and 864 cm−1 1 H NMR and 1 H–1 H COSY spectra characterized the phenyl protons of the mercaptophenol groups in the anion and in 22′-HOC6H4SSC6H4OH in the ranges of 6700–6270 and 7368–6799 ppmrespectivelywith 3J and 4J coupling constants of 8 and 1 Hz respectively.

The generation of a chiral network of composition, Ni2(R*COO)4(H2O)(4,4′-bipy)2 (R*COO− = dehydroabietate), was achieved through the deliberate use of enantiomerically pure carboxylic acid, dehydroabietic acid, under hydrothermal conditions.

In the title mononuclear cobalt(III) complex, [Co(C11H14N3O3)2]NO3, the octa­hedral CoIII atom is coordinated by two phenolate O atoms, two imine N atoms, and two amine N atoms from two Schiff base ligands. The CoIII complex and the nitrate anion possess crystallographic twofold rotation axis symmetry. The nitrate anions are linked to the cobalt(III) complexes through inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

The geometry of the Pt atom in the title compound, [PtCl2(C18H15P)2], is square planar. There are two crystallographically independent mol­ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit. The average Pt—P bond distances are 2.2614 (9) (in A) and 2.2659 (10) A (in B), with Pt—Cl distances of 2.3463 (8) (in A) and 2.3496 (10) A (in B). The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by inter­molecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π inter­actions.

In the title compound, C11H10ClN3O2S, the pyridazine ring and the benzene ring adopt a distorted V configuration, forming a dihedral angle of 73.79 (11)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Weak intra­molecular C—H⋯O and inter­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯N inter­actions are also observed. The mol­ecules are linked into one-dimensional chains along the c axis and these chains are inter­connected, forming a two-dimensional network.

The title compound, C28H34O3, is a new derivative of dehydroabietic acid, whose A and B rings exhibit a classical chair and half-chair conformation, respectively.

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles has been developed in this work. The polysubsituted pyrroles were synthesized directly from terminal alkenes, amines and β-keto esters through cross-coupling–cyclization–oxidation in the presence of a catalytic amount of cuprous chloride. This method provides a one-pot synthesis route from terminal alkenes to polysubstituted pyrroles for the first time and opens a new area in cuprous catalysis.

To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of oxoglaucine (OG) complexes: [Sm(OG)2(NO3)3]•H2O (1), [Eu(OG)2(NO3)3]•1.5CH3OH (2) and [Er(OG)2(NO3)3]•H2O (3) through comparison to oxoglaucine and lanthanide salts.The reactions of OG with corresponding lanthanide salts gave rise to complexes 1-3. The crystal structures of complexes 1-3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro cytotoxicity of oxoglaucine and complexes 1-3 against five human cancer cell lines were evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) method.Complexes 1-3 have similar mononuclear structures. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of complex 1 against SGC7901 cells was 32.1 μM; that of complex 2 against MCF-7 cells was 3.2 μM; those of complex 3 on HeLa and MCF-7 cells were 8.3 and 1.4 μM, respectively.The three OG-lanthanide complexes exhibited significantly enhanced cytotoxicity vs. OG and corresponding lanthanide salts.

The title compound, C18H21BrN2O6, exhibits weak inter­molecular C—H⋯Br and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which stabilize the structure. The title compound represents a new derivative of dehydro­abietic acid.

In the title complex, [Ni(C9H7NO3)(C2H6O)]n, each Ni atom is octa­hedrally coordinated by four O atoms and one N atom from three fully deprotonated N-salicylideneglycinate (salgly) anions and by one O atom from an ethanol mol­ecule. Two inversion-related Ni2+ ions are bridged by two O atoms from the phenolate groups of two salgly anions, forming a centrosymmetric dimeric unit which is further linked by carboxyl­ate O atoms to give a two-dimensional network coordination polymer in the bc plane.

A new rare earth metal and samarium-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H bond activation is reported in which 2-alkylazaarenes and propargylic alcohols were converted to indolizines. This process operates under mild conditions and solvent-free conditions. A broad scope of coupling partners has been established, and a likely mechanism has also been suggested.

Liriodenine (L), an antitumor active ingredient from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Zanthoxylum nitidum, afforded a platinum(II) complex (1) of L, cis-[PtCl2(L)(DMSO)], which previously reported for its in vitro antitumor activity and intercalative binding with DNA. In this study, complex 1 was further discussed for its antitumor mechanism and structure-activity relationship, comparing with L and cisplatin. Towards the most sensitive BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells, complex 1 significantly induced cell cycle arrest at both G2/M phase and S phase. It suggests that double helix DNA is not the simplex intracellular target for 1. On the other hand, the BEL-7404 cells incubated with 1 and stained by Hoechst 33258 and AO/EB showed typical cell apoptosis in dose-dependent manner. The BEL-7404 cells incubated with 1 and stained by JC-1 were also characteristic for cell apoptosis on the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, the G-quadruplex DNA binding property of complex 1 was also investigated by spectroscopic analyses, fluorescent indicator displacement (FID) assay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. The results indicated that 1 stabilized the human telomeric G4-HTG21 DNA better than L. The telomerase inhibition ratio of 1 ((62.50±0.03)%), which was examined by telomerase polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA), was much higher than L ((21.77±0.01)%). It can be ascribed to the better G4-HTG21 DNA stabilization of 1 than L. The results suggested that the nuclei, mitochondria and telomerase via G-quadruplex DNA stabilization all should be key targets for the antitumor mechanism of 1, in which the central platinum(II) played a key role.

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of δ,γ-alkenyl esters with complete E-stereochemistry by the 1,4-addition of alkenes to acrylate esters in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium chloride has been developed. This method provides a rapid and efficient access to substituted δ,γ-alkenyl esters.

The Co atom in the title complex, [Co(H-Pysc)2(H2O)4](CH3COO)2 {where H-Pysc is 3-[2-(amino­carbonyl)­hydrazono­methyl]­pyridine, C14H16N8O2}, occupies an inversion centre and is octahedrally coordinated by four aqua ligands and two mol­ecules of the neutral Schiff base derived from the condensation of pyridine-3-carb­aldehyde and semicarbazone (H-Pysc); the Schiff base mol­ecules act as monodentate ligands, coordinating the metal through the pyridyl N, with the amide O and imine N atoms remaining uncoordinated. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the cations and acetate counter-ions.

The Ni atom in the title complex, [Ni(C7H7N4O)2], is octahedrally coordinated by two mono-deprotonated Schiff bases that are derived from the condensation of pyridine-2-carb­aldehyde and semicarbazide; the Schiff bases act as meridional tridentate ligands, each of them coordinating the metal with the deprotonated amidate oxy­gen [Ni—O = 2.0909 (15) and 2.0959 (15) A], imine nitro­gen [Ni—N = 1.9892 (18) and 1.9822 (18) A] and pyridine nitro­gen [Ni—N = 2.100 (2) and 2.1317 (2) A]. The dihedral angle formed by the mean planes of the bicyclic chelate systems of each of the ligands is equal to 87.69 (4)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O interactions.

In the title compound, [Ni(NO3)2(C17H16N4O)2(H2O)], the six-coordinate Ni atom is bound by two trans 4-amino­antipyrine ligands. Such compounds possess antimicrobial properties. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and non-classical C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate a three-dimensional network.

Three cerium complexes: [Ce(ClQ)4] (1) (H-ClQ=5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxylquinoline), [Ce(ClIQ)4]·CH2Cl2·0.5H2O (2) (H-ClIQ=5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxylquinoline) and [Ce2(BrQ)4(H-BrQ)(H2O)3Cl2]·1.5H2O (3) (H-BrQ=5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxylquinoline) were synthesized. The structures of 1 and 2 are mononuclear whereas 3 has a binuclear structure. Compared with the H-ClQ, H-ClIQ and H-BrQ, complexes 1-3 exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity (IC50=0.09-5.23 μM) to SK-OV-3 and BEL-7404, 1 and 2 exhibited higher cytotoxicity to NCI-H460. Most the complexes and ligands exhibited higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin. Complexes 1-3 are much more sensitive to SK-OV-3 than to human normal liver cell HL-7702. Their antitumor activities were achieved through cell apoptosis and arrest at G0/G1-phase. Studies on the binding properties of 1-3 to DNA indicate that intercalation is the most probable binding mode.

New platinum(II) complexes containing aminophosphonate ester were synthesized and fully characterized, which were found to possess better solubility in both organic solvents and water than cisplatin. These platinum(II) complexes exhibited considerable cytotoxicity against tumor cells MG-63, SK-OV-3, HepG2, BEL-7404 and low cytotoxicity to normal human liver cells HL-7702. Their antitumor activities were achieved through the induction of cell apoptosis and the cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. The electrophoretic mobility studies and CD spectral analysis revealed that the binding mode of complex 6 to DNA might be different from that of cisplatin.

The crystal structure of a new compound, N,N-(2-benzo­thia­zole)(2-pyridyl­methyl)­amine C13H11N3S, has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The amino group and the pyridine-N atom are involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which link the mol­ecules into one-dimensional chains.

Solvothermal reactions of quinine with CuICl or CuIBr yield the two highly stable homochiral copper(I)−olefin coordination polymers Cu8Cl10(H-quinine)2 (1) and Cu8Br10(H-quinine)2 (2), respectively, in which both 1 and 2 are 2D layered networks and are isostructural. The electric hysteresis loop of 1 clearly shows it displays a typical ferroelectric behavior with a remanent polarization (Pr) of ca. 0.12 μC cm-2.

The hydrothermal reaction of norfloxacin (H-Norf) with NH4VO3 yields an unprecedented neutral nanosized molecular square grid containing a direct coordinate bond between quinololine drug and V(II), V(Norf)2·2H2O 1, which is characterized by single X-ray determination and IR spectrum as well as TGA.

We have developed an amplified chemiluminescence aptasensor based on bi-resonance energy transfer on gold nanoparticles and exonuclease III-catalyzed target recycling. This assay exhibits high detection sensitivity over traditional biosensors in three orders of magnitude and high specificity for target molecules.

Six new platinum(II) complexes with mono-aminophosphonate ester were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, ESI-MS as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. They are mononuclear structures. In all the crystal structures of complexes 1–6, the platinum centre adopts an approximately square-planar geometry, which were found to possess excellent solubility in both organic solvents and water and exhibit considerable cytotoxicity against MG-63, SK-OV-3 and HepG2 cell lines, but low cytotoxicity towards normal human liver cell HL-7702. In contrast to cisplatin, their antitumour activities are achieved through the induction of cell apoptosis by G1 cell-cycle arrest.

Background Hyperoncotic albumin may be a therapeutic option to improve tissue perfusion and organ injury in sepsis. To clarify the hypothesis and its mechanism, hyperoncotic albumin was administered to the rats in a polymicrobial sepsis–peritonitis model. Materials and methods Peritonitis was induced by a surgery of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 27 male Wistar rats. For control purposes, sham operations without ligating and puncturing the cecum were performed in 20 rats. Three hours later, rats were randomized to receive intravenously 3 mL/kg of 5% albumin, 25% albumin, or normal saline. All the hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were measured during the 18-h observation. Results In septic rats, 25% albumin attenuated hypotension, vascular hyporeactivity to norepinephrine, and the elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen. However, these improvements were not noted in CLP rats after 5% albumin treatment. In addition, 25% albumin decreased metabolic acidosis and improved the CLP-induced hypoperfusion in the intestine and kidney. Superoxide levels in the aorta and lung and the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the lung were also attenuated by 25% albumin in CLP rats. Microscopic findings confirmed that 25% albumin attenuated the substantial swelling and cell infiltration in the intestine and lung caused by CLP. Conclusions In this sepsis rat model, 25% albumin reduced macro- and microhemodynamic changes and attenuated intestine and lung injuries in peritonitis-induced sepsis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses a rich and ancient history, tracing its roots back several thousand years. The practice of TCM, highly influenced by the development of Chinese culture, involves physical therapy using acupuncture, moxibustion (application of heat to the acupuncture point by burning a piece of the Chinese plant Artemisia moxa on the skin or the acupuncture needle), and chemical therapy. TCM natural products are isolated as decoctions of animal, mineral and herbal materials (Chan, 1995; Shibata, 1985;). The objective of the system of TCM is on the patient rather than disease, which fundamentally intention to promote health and enhance the quality of life, with therapeutic strategies for treatment of specific disease or symptoms in holistic fashion. TCM represents an old Chinese philosophical thinking, where the human is considered the centre of the universe and acts as an antenna between celestial and earthly elements of the world. The world is a single unit and its movement affords yin and yang, the two main antithetic aspects. Moreover, Chinese believe that yin and yang are not absolute but relative. Consistent with the modern view of homeostasis, yin and yang are interchanged to meet the view that yang decline and yin rises? Or yang is raised to produce a decline of yin? The four bodily humors (qi, blood, moitsture and essence) and internal organ systems (zang fu) play an important role in balancing the yin and yang in human body. Proper formation, maintenance and circulation of these energies are essential for health. When the two energies fall out of harmony, and the balance is broken, disease develops (Patwardhan et al., 2005). The physician takes into account this concept while treating patients. Drugs or herbs are used to correct this imbalance of yin-yang in the human body (Cheng, 2000; Gibert, 1998). Different from TCM, western science and medicine are focused on the mechanism, which belongs to reductionism. Rather than addressing the overall well being of a patient, it is only the disease that is analyzed at the cellular, molecular, and pharmacological level. The history, philosophy, theory and practice of TCM can been seen in recent reviews (Liu, 1988), herein, we do not give unnecessary details. Although medicinal herbs have played an important role in Western medicine from ancient to modern times, medicinal plants gradually lost their importance as synthetic pharmaceuticals advanced in Western countries during the 20th century. Currently, there is a revival of interest in bioactive natural products as chemical lead compounds for the generation of semi-synthetic derivatives, namely regression nature.

In the title compound, [Zn(C2H3O2)2(C7H6N2S)2], the Zn atom is four-coordinated in the ZnO2N2 form in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The amino groups act as donors in N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Two intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds interconnect the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network. The planes of the acetate ligands are nearly orthogonal, and the Zn atom is displaced slightly from these two planes.

The hydro(solvo)thermal reaction of 4-quinolinecarbaldehyde with Cd(ClO4)2·6H2O yields a one-dimensional linear chain metal–organic coordination polymer with carboxylate-bridged and μ2-OH2: [Cd(μ2-H2O) (4-quinolinecarboxylato-O, O)2] 1 which is characterized by single crystal X-ray determination and IR. Crystallographic data for 1, C20H14CdN2O5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=15.368(2), b=14.399(2), c=7.7969(11) A , β=92.507(3)°, Z=4, V=1723.7(4) A 3 .

(n-Bu4N)4[Mo8O26] reacts with the Na salt of 2-mercaptopyridine N-oxide (NaPT) in MeCN to give the complex (n-Bu4N)2[MoO2(PT)2·Mo4O8(μ-O)2(μ3-O)2(PT)2] (1) which contains two metal centres: one being mononuclear molybdenum chelating to two PT ligands, and the other a tetranuclear oxomolybdenum cluster with two PT ligands at the terminal point. The i.r. spectrum of the title complex exhibits absorption bands at 911.5 and 881.9 cm−1, characteristic of the [cis-MoO2]2+ fragment.

A series of dual binding site acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, e.g. (I), are designed, synthesized, and tested for their ability to inhibit AChE, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), AChE-induced and self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation.