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A kind of composite material PdZnAl(HT)/MCM-48 was synthesized by dispersing PdZnAl-type hydrotalcite (denoted as PdZnAl(HT)) on mesoporous silica MCM-48. PdZnAl(HT) was confirmed to be formed on the MCM-48 in small particles, and the small PdZnAl(HT) particles easily collapsed during increasing the temperature. A kind of novel PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48 catalyst was obtained after calcining and reducing the PdZnAl(HT)/MCM-48 precursor. PdZn alloy species were formed on the PdZnAl(HT)/MCM-48 after reducing in H 2 at 673 K. PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 (with a mass ratio of PdZn(Al)O to MCM-48 = 1) had a large BET surface area (431 cm2 g−1) and small size of PdZn particles (4.1 nm) at the same time. In the steam reforming of methanol, the catalytic stability of PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 was much higher than that of the Cu-based catalyst CuZn(Al)O at 503 K. The methanol conversion over PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 greatly increased with increasing reaction temperature and reached 99% at 513 K. PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 showed higher catalytic activity than PdZnAl(HT) and PdZn/MCM-48 (imp) at the same reaction temperature. The initial CO 2 selectivity and H 2 selectivity over PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 at 503 K were 99.6 and 99.4%, respectively. Moreover, PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 showed the highest rate of H 2 production among various catalysts in the steam reforming of methanol. In a long-time operation, the methanol conversion over PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48-2 decreased from 75.8 to 68.5% after 50 h on stream at 503 K. The size of PdZn particles did not increase after 50 h on stream but the carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst surface caused the deactivation. The deactivated catalyst could be regenerated by calcining in the air at 723 K followed by reducing in the H 2 at 673 K. The carbonaceous deposits were eliminated by calcining in the air and the PdZn active species were formed again by reducing in H 2. • PdZnAl-type hydrotalcite was synthesized on MCM-48 to form PdZnAl(HT)/MCM-48. • PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48 derived from PdZnAl(HT)/MCM-48 had small metal particles. • PdZn(Al)O/MCM-48 showed high activity and stability for methanol steam reforming. • Carbonaceous deposits caused the catalyst deactivation in long-time operation. • The used catalyst was regenerated by calcining in air and then reducing in H 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Squalene and Botryococcus braunii oil (Bot-oil) were hydrocracked to light hydrocarbons over NiMo-supported catalysts. • Squalene (C 30 H 50) was hydrogenated to squalane (C 30 H 62) on NiMo and then cracked to light hydrocarbons on solid acids. • Polyoxocation-pillared montmorillonite (Al 13 -Mont) is a weak solid acid with large pores and high temperature stability. • Cheap NiMo/Al 13 -Mont achieved a yield of aviation fuel-ranged hydrocarbons comparable to that of PtRe/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. An algae oil from Botryococcus braunii (C n H 2n–10 , n = 29–34) and its model compound (squalene, C 30 H 50) were hydrocracked to light hydrocarbons over NiMo-supported catalysts in batch reactors. Polyoxocation [AlO 4 Al 12 (OH) 24 (H 2 O) 12 ]7+-pillared montmorillonite (denoted by Al 13 -Mont) was prepared as a support for NiMo catalyst in the hydrocracking reaction. Al 13 -Mont had large micropores, large BET surface area, high temperature stability, and properly weak solid acidity. For the hydrocracking of squalene at 300 °C for 6 h under 4 MPa H 2 , NiMo/SiO 2 formed squalane (C 30 H 62) as a main product; NiMo/H-ZSM-5 formed C 1 −C 4 gas hydrocarbons as main products; NiMo/H-Y and NiMo/SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 formed C 5 −C 9 gasoline-ranged hydrocarbons as main products; NiMo/Al 13 -Mont formed C 10 −C 15 aviation fuel-ranged hydrocarbons as main products. The catalysts containing NiMo and solid acids acted as bifunctional catalysts in the squalene hydrocracking reaction: squalene (C 30 H 50) was firstly hydrogenated to squalane (C 30 H 62) on the NiMo sites, and then the formed squalane was cracked to light hydrocarbons on the solid acids. The NiMo/Al 13 -Mont catalyst achieved a C 10 −C 15 aviation fuel-ranged hydrocarbons yield of 52% for the hydrocracking of Botryococcus braunii oil at 300 °C for 6 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated CO 2 capture and conversion (ICCC) using dual-function materials (DFMs) is one of the key technologies for addressing critical global environmental and energy issues. DFMs generally consist of alkali or alkaline earth metals for CO 2 capture and transition metal catalysts for CO 2 conversion. In this study, we studied the ICCC to CO using transition-metal-free DFMs to demonstrate their potential to directly produce syngas from atmospheric-level CO 2. Among the DFMs prepared herein, Na/Al 2 O 3 exhibited excellent performance and achieved a CO 2 conversion exceeding 90% and CO selectivity exceeding 95% at a reaction temperature of 450–500 °C. Na/Al 2 O 3 maintained its capture and conversion capacity throughout a 50-cycle stability test without significant deactivation. Furthermore, in the scale-up experiments using Na/Al 2 O 3 DFM, a syngas-like mixture an H 2 /CO molar ratio of 3.3 (48.1 vol% H 2 and 14.5 vol% CO) was directly obtained from 400 ppm CO 2. These results suggest that ICCC using the transition-metal-free Na/Al 2 O 3 DFM may be practicable provided the CO 2 capture capacity of the DFM is further improved while maintaining the aforementioned advantages. [Display omitted] • A transition-metal-free dual-function material (DFM) Na/Al 2 O 3 was prepared. • Integrated CO 2 capture and conversion experiments were performed using the DFM. • CO 2 conversion and CO selectivity exceeded 90% under optimized conditions. • Capture and conversion capacities were retained during a 50-cycle stability test. • The DFM has the potential to produce syngas from atmospheric-level CO 2 (400 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cu/CeO2 (cop) was prepared by a coprecipitation method using NH3·H2O as a precipitant (in order to avoid the residues of alkali metals), followed by a boiling process to eliminate NH3 and decompose [Cu(NH3)4]2+ complex. Because the Cu particles in Cu/CeO2 (cop) were much smaller than those in Cu/CeO2 (imp) (prepared by an impregnation method), Cu/CeO2 (cop) showed a higher activity than that over Cu/CeO2 (imp) for the synthesis of mixed alcohols. Moreover, Cu/CeO2 (cop) showed a higher CO conversion than that over the industrial catalyst Cu/ZnO due to the reducibility of CeO2-based compounds. Although either Cu/ZnO or Cu/CeO2 (cop) produced methanol as a dominant product, the STY of higher alcohols (C2+OH) formed over Cu/CeO2 (cop) was much larger than that over Cu/ZnO because CeO2-based compounds could catalyze the synthesis of isobutane from syngas (isosynthesis). When Cs was introduced into the Cu/CeO2 (cop) catalyst, the mass ratio of C2+OH to MeOH in the products greatly increased from 0.13 to 0.71 but the CO conversion decreased slightly. Both the CO conversion and the selectivity for higher alcohols over CsCu/CeO2 (cop) were higher than those over CsCu/ZnO. By introducing Ni (an F–T element) into CsCu/CeO2 (cop), the CO conversion increased from 22.2% to 37.6% and the mass ratio of C2+OH to MeOH in the products increased from 0.71 to 0.85. Therefore, CsNiCu/CeO2 (cop) is an excellent catalyst for the synthesis of mixed alcohols. A slow deactivation was observed over CsNiCu/CeO2 (cop) in the reaction at 573K for 18h. The deactivated catalyst could be regenerated by calcination in air at 723K and followed by reduction in H2 at 573K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A gasoline distillate from the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (so-called as F–T gasoline) was collected in a cold trap set in a gas-flowed slurry reaction system. The F–T gasoline contained 92.8wt.% n-alkanes (ranged from n-C4H10 to n-C14H30), 2.4wt.% 1-alkenes, and 4.8wt.% iso-alkanes. By the hydroisomerization-cracking in an atmospheric flowed fixed-bed reactor over the catalysts containing Pt and heteropoly compound Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 (abbreviated as Cs2.5), the F–T gasoline was converted to gasoline distillated mixed alkanes with a high iso/n ratio. A mechanical mixture of Pt/Al2O3 and Cs2.5 (noted as Pt/Al2O3 +Cs2.5) showed the highest catalytic performance among various catalysts. The product over Pt/Al2O3 +Cs2.5 after 5h on-steam at 523K contained 94.4% C5–C9 (gasoline components) with a high iso/n ratio of 8.45. The co-grinding time of Pt/Al2O3 and Cs2.5 influenced the catalytic performance when the time was shorter than 10min but gave little influence on the catalytic performance when the time was longer than 10min. Because the iso/n ratio of products over Pt/Al2O3 +Cs2.5 increased by adding Pt in Cs2.5 and decreased with increasing H2/feedstock, the reaction proceeded through a bifunctional mechanism in which Pt sites achieved a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation function and acid sites achieved an isomerization/cracking function. The balance of Pt and solid acids was important to obtain a high catalytic performance in the hydroisomerization-cracking of F–T gasoline. Because Cs2.5 possessed moderate acidic strength and uniformly distributed acidic sites, Pt/Al2O3 +Cs2.5 showed a higher catalytic stability than that over Pt/Al2O3 +SO4/ZO2 and showed a higher catalytic activity than that over Pt/Al2O3 +H-ZSM-5. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The etiology and pathophysiology of depression remain unknown. Previous works were mostly performed on single observation time-point which might be insufficiently to reveal the molecular events changed during the disease development. Adult BALB/c mice were exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) for different periods and differential 2D gel electrophoresis (DIGE) approach was employed to the brain tissue to explore the molecular disease signatures. Sustained elevation of corticosterone level was observed, suggesting the hyperactivity of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis when the mice were subjected to the stressful situation. The behavioral results indicated the depressive alterations of the mice exposing to UCMS. The altered proteins identified by proteomics showed that abnormal energy mobilization under stress condition was accompanied by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Cytoskeleton protein and anti-oxidant enzymes were also changed by UCMS treatment. The results of biochemical and immunohistochemical assay confirmed the changes identified by DIGE analysis. These results indicated that the insufficiency of ATP synthesis, overwhelming ROS production and ER stress subsequently contributed to the cytoskeletal damage and inhibition to expression of some anti-oxidant proteins, which might ultimately bring functional neuron to apoptosis or death. Proteins whose expression is affected may provide tools for potential treatment strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rh/Ce1−x Zr x O2 (x =0–1) samples (with 2wt% Rh loading) were prepared by a coprecipitation method using NH3·H2O as a precipitant. The resultant samples were used as catalysts for the synthesis of ethanol from syngas in a high-pressure fixed-bed flow reactor under typical reaction conditions of T =548K, P =2.4MPa, H2/CO=2/1, and W/F =10ghmol−1. XRD results indicated that Zr4+ ions entered in the CeO2 lattices when x was less than 0.2 in Rh/Ce1−x Zr x O2. TPR results indicated that the reducibility of CeO2 increased by inducing Zr4+ ions into the CeO2 lattices in Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2. NH3-TPD and CO2-TPD results indicated that Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 contained both acid sites and base sites on the surface. Rh/CeO2 showed a CO conversion of 23.7%, which was higher than those over Rh/SiO2 (10.1%), Rh/MgO (10.8%), and Rh/ZrO2 (18.2%) at 548K because a strong interaction between support and metal (SISM) existed in Rh/CeO2. Moreover, the CO conversion over Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 (27.3%) was higher than that over Rh/CeO2 (23.7%) due to the smaller Rh particle size and the stronger reducibility in Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2. The main oxygenated products were acetaldehyde and ethanol over neutral or acidic supports supported Rh catalysts (Rh/SiO2, Rh/ZrO2), and were methanol and ethanol over basic supports supported Rh catalysts (Rh/MgO, Rh/CeO2, Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2). Rh/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 showed the highest selectivity for ethanol among various catalysts because the Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 support simultaneously possesses reducibility, acidity and basicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis was carried out in a gas-flowed slurry-phase reaction system over Mn- and Zr-modified Co/SiO2 catalysts. A 0.5 L stirred tank slurry reactor (STSR) was used for catalyst screening and a 12.5 L slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) was used for trial pilot operation. While using the 0.5 L reactor for catalyst screening, Co supported on the SiO2 with an average pore size of 10 nm showed a high catalytic performance for the F–T synthesis due to the suitable Co particle size in the catalyst. Zr promoter improved the activity and Mn promoter improved the stability of Co/SiO2 catalyst for the F–T synthesis. H2-TPR profiles indicated that Zr and Mn promoters improved the reduction degree of Co3O4 particles (on SiO2 surface) to Co0 active species in H2 flow at low temperature. While using the 12.5 L reactor for trial pilot operation over Mn–Zr–Co/SiO2 catalyst, the space-time yield (STY) of C5+ hydrocarbons (liquid fuel) showed almost the same values when various solvents (n-C16H34, n-C14H30, diesel from petrol station, F–T crude oil) were used. Diesel and F–T crude oil are suitable for using in a large-scaled F–T synthesis plant owing to the low prices. Mn–Zr–Co/SiO2 catalyst achieved a STY of C5+ hydrocarbons larger than 1000 g-C5+ kg-cat−1 h−1 in the 12.5 L reactor. The production capacity of liquid fuel from the 12.5 L reactor reached to 15.6 L per day (assumed for 24 h continuous operation). The stirring was very important for the F–T synthesis both reaction in the 0.5 L reactor and reaction in the 12.5 L reactor. The shape of slurry reactor also influenced the CO conversion for the F–T synthesis: reaction in the 12.5 L SBCR gave a higher CO conversion than that of reaction in the 0.5 L STSR (at the same W/F value under the same stirring speed) because the slender column reactor (SBCR) extended the residue time of reaction gas in the slurry-phase containing catalyst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Heteropolyacid (HPA) and Pd(OAc)2 were immobilized through chemical bonds onto the functional organic groups modified solid surfaces of hexagaonal mesoporous silica (HMS) and polyimine (PIM). The obtained hybrid samples were used as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of benzene to phenol by molecular oxygen and compared to the homogeneous catalytic system containing HPA and Pd(OAc)2 (denoted by HPA+Pd(OAc)2). The activity of various catalytic systems was in the order of HPA+Pd(OAc)2 >HMS–HPA+Pd(OAc)2 >PIM–HPA+Pd(OAc)2 >HPA+HMS–Pd(OAc)2 >HMS–HPA+HMS–Pd(OAc). Although the benzene conversions over the heterogeneous catalytic systems containing solid catalysts were lower than that over the homogeneous catalytic system HPA+Pd(OAc)2, HMS–HPA+Pd(OAc)2 gave the same maximum achievable yield of phenol as that over HPA+Pd(OAc)2 by extending the reaction time or increasing the catalyst amount. Moreover, HMS–HPA+Pd(OAc)2 was able to be reused after simple filtration without leaching HPA. The benzene conversion and the selectivity to phenol over the heterogeneous system HMS–HPA+Pd(OAc)2 did not decrease even after reused five times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The catalytic system containing Pd(OAc)2 and peroxo-heteropoly compound [(C6H13)4N]3{PO4[W(O)(O2)2]4} (denoted by THA-PW4) in methanol showed 81.6% selectivity for propylene oxide at a propylene conversion of 42.7% using molecular oxygen as an oxidant in an autoclave reactor at 373K for 6h, whereas, Pd(OAc)2 or THA-PW4 alone showed low conversions. The catalytic system containing Pd(OAc)2 and THA-PW4 in methanol is reusable for propylene oxidation by means of vacuum distillation after reaction. XRD patterns and Pd K-edge EXAFS indicate that Pd0 species formed by the reduction of Pd(OAc)2 with methanol acts as an active species in propylene epoxidation with molecular oxygen. FT-IR spectra of Pd¿THA-PW4 before and after reaction proved that the peroxy oxygen bonds of THA-PW4 could be regenerated in methanol medium by molecular oxygen in the presence of Pd, but could not be regenerated in acetonitrile medium. It is likely that methanol molecule reacts with oxygen molecule over Pd0 species to form a peroxy intermediate HOCH2OOH, which regenerates the peroxy oxygen bonds of THA-PW4 and achieves catalytic turnover for propylene epoxidation. Because the peroxy intermediate HOCH2OOH is not stable and finally decompose to COx and H2O, a part of methanol is co-oxidized. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide also probably formed in situ in the catalytic system during the reaction and plays an important role to regenerate the peroxy oxygen bonds of THA-PW4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transition metal salts (Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+) of 10-molybdo-2-vanadophosphoric acid (H5[PMo10V2O40]) were supported on hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS), and the resultant materials were used as catalysts for the selective oxidation of propylene to acetone by molecular oxygen. CuH3[PMo10V2O40]/HMS showed a high selectivity for acetone of 84.2% at 17.8% propylene conversion in a tubular fixed-bed reactor system under atmospheric pressure at 423 K. The high yield of acetone over CuH3[PMo10V2O40]/HMS at 423 K resulted from the proper acidity and oxidation ability of the heteropoly compound, the nature (acid property, redox property, etc.) of the Cu2+ counter-ion, the high surface area of the HMS support and the proper reaction temperature for the propylene oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although favorable effects of estrogen replacement therapy on Alzheimer''s disease on postmenopausal women have been recognized, an associated increased incidence of uterine and breast tumors has jeopardized the clinical use of estrogen. Phytoestrogen α-zearalanol (α-ZAL) is a reductive product of the Gibberella zeae metabolite and abundant in plants and vegetables, which has been shown to protect cell injury with low side-effects on uterine and breast. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of α-ZAL, on the cultured differentiated PC-12 cells, while 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) has been used as an estrogen positive control. Following a 24h exposure of the cells to amyloid β-peptide fragment 25–35 (Aβ25–35), a significant reduction in cell survival and activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increased of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. However, preincubation of the cells with α-ZAL or 17β-E2 prior to Aβ25–35 exposure elevated the cell survival and SOD and GSH-Px activities, and decreased the level of MDA. In addition, Aβ25–35 caused a significant cell apoptosis and increased apoptotic rate, accompanied by decreasing of bcl-2 expression and increasing bax, caspase-3 expression, pretreatment of the cells with α-ZAL or 17β-E2 ameliorated these changes induced by Aβ25–35. Taken together, these data indicated that the phytoestrogen α-ZAL may effectively antagonize Aβ25–35-induced cell toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death, in a manner similar to 17β-E2. Our results suggested that α-ZAL can be used as a potential substitute of 17β-E2 in postmenopausal women for Alzheimer''s disease prevention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The site of SNP was identified in Chinese yellow cattle of MOGAT1 gene. • The MOGAT1 gene has an important influence on the growth traits of Chinese cattle. • The SNP of MOGAT1 gene had significant effect on body weight of QC cattle and XN cattle, and Chest depth of YL cattle. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has recently become one of the ideal genetic markers. SNP refers to the DNA sequence polymorphism caused by double nucleotide variation in the genome, including the conversion or transversion of segmented bases. The synthesis and metabolism of triglycerides are related to the changes of energy in the body of livestock, which in turn affects their growth and development. Studies have shown that MOGAT1 gene plays a role in the route of triglyceride synthesis. PCR-RFLP and agarose gel electrophoresis technology were used to type the SNP site of MOGAT1 gene at g.25940T > C in this study. Association analysis between typing results and growth trait data was detected by SPSS 20.0 software. Results show that MOGAT1 gene was in a low level of heterozygosity in Xianan, Qinchuan and Pinan cattle population (0 < PIC < 0.25), and in middle level of heterozygosity in YL cattle population(0.25 < PIC < 0.5). And genotype 'AA' was dominant gene in Chinese cattle population. In QC and XN cattle, genotype of GG possess advantage on Body weight (P < 0.05); in YL cattle, individuals with genotype of homozygous mutation decreased significantly on Chest depth (P < 0.05). The purpose of this research is to provide theoretical materials for molecular breeding of yellow cattle and to promote the process of improving the growth traits of Chinese local yellow cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low response rate was witnessed with the present monoaminergic based antidepressants, urging a need for new therapeutic target identification. Accumulated evidences strongly suggest that mitochondrial deficit is implicated in major depression and 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) plays an important role in regulating mitochondrial function. However the changes of TSPO and TSPO mediated mitophagy pathway in the depressive brain is unclear. In present study, a well validated animal model of depression, learned helplessness (LH), was employed to investigate the relevant changes. Significant behavioral changes were observed in the LH mice. Results showed that TSPO and other mitophagy related proteins, such as VDAC1, Pink1 and Beclin1 were significantly decreased by LH challenge. Moreover, KIFC2, relevant to the mitochondrial transport and Snap25, relevant to neurotransmitter vesicle release, were also obviously down-regulated in the LH mice, which further rendered supportive evidence for the existing mitochondrial dysfunction in LH mice. Present results demonstrated that LH induced depressive symptoms and affected TSPO-mediated mitophagy pathway, indicating a potential target candidate for depression treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Wuling powder (trade name: Wuling capsule), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), was extracted from mycelia of precious Xylaria Nigripes (Kl.) Sacc by modern fermentation technology, and has been claimed to be fully potent in improving the signs of insomnia and cognitive deficits. Moreover, Wuling capsule was effective in treating post-stroke and orther co-cormbid depression both in clinical and in basic research. In order to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the antidepressant effect of Wuling powder, we established learned helplessness (LH) depression animal model and focused on 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) mediated-mitophagy pathway. Materials and methods Mice were exposed to the inescapable e-shock (IS) once a day for three consecutive days to establish the LH model. Then mice were orally administered Wuling powder for 2 weeks. For the behavioral assessment, Shuttle box test, novelty suppressed feeding test (NSF) and forced swimming test (FST) were performed. Following the behavioral assessment, we assessed the protein expression level that were related to TSPO-mediated mitophagy signaling pathway by Western blotting analysis. Finally, immunohistochemistry method was used to assess the neuroprotective effects of Wuling powder. Results Compared with mice that were subjected to inescapable e-shock, Wuling powder exhibited antidepressant effect in the multiple behavioral tests. In addition, Wuling powder altered the expression level of multiple proteins related to TSPO-mediated mitophagy signaling pathway. Conclusions Our results suggested that Wuling powder exhibited an obvious antidepressant effect, which could be due to the improvement of TSPO-mediated mitophagy signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most current pharmacologic antidepressant treatments target monoaminergic systems confronts some problems such as low rate of remission and high risk for relapse indicating new therapeutic strategy is urgently need. Evidences showed that impairments in mitochondrial function were associated with the pathogenesis of mood disorders and improvement in its function may be a novel therapeutic choice. In the present study, effects of 5-(4-hydroxy-3-dimethoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone (RD-1) were investigated in mice model of depression/anxiety induced by corticosterone (20 mg/kg) subcutaneously repeated injections in 5-week male BALB/c mice. Our results showed that five weeks of corticosterone administration induced anxiety/depressive-like behavioral changes, including decreased central activities in open field test, increased the immobility time in forced swimming test and the latency in the novelty-suppressed feeding test, as well as reduced bodyweight. Results showed that oral administration with RD-1 at the doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg for five weeks significantly improved the anxiety/depressive-like behavioral changes induced by corticosterone. In glucose metabolism analysis by photon emission computed tomography/-computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, corticosterone significantly deactivated the prefrontal cortex (PFC), temporal lobe and hippocampus. RD-1 treatment obviously improved the energy metabolism in the involved brain regions. In primary cultured hippocampal neuron, corticosterone reduced speed of anterograde transport, yet speed of retrograde transport was increased. Furthermore, RD-1 enhanced the mitochondrial anterograde transport to supply energy for the neurotransmitter release. In conclusion, RD-1 prevents anxiety/depressive-like behavior of mice induced by corticosterone repeated injections with novel mechanism of improvement in the mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DAergic) system. Present treatment targeting to DAergic system solely ameliorated the symptoms but failed to retard the DAergic neuron degeneration, therefore new therapeutic methods aiming at preventing or delaying the neurodegenerative process are urgently needed. In the present study, we found that 5-(4-hydroxy-3-dimethoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone (RD-1), a compound derived from rhodanine, protected DAergicneurons from neurotoxicity of MPTP/MPP + . Firstly, RD-1 significantly improved the locomotor ability in the MPTP mice model, and elevated the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cell numbers in substantianigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the integrated optical density (IOD) of TH-positive nerve fibers in striatum respectively. Since mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in pathogenesis of PD, thereby we investigated the molecular mechanisms of RD-1 against MPTP/MPP + neurotoxicity, focusing on its effects on the mitochondrial dysfunction. Immunoblotting analysis showed that RD-1 significantly elevated the Parkin and Miro2 expression levels in acute MPTP treated mice, and improved mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis in MPP + -treated Neuro-2a cells. Moreover, RD-1attenuated impaired mitochondrial transport and vesicle release dysfunction evoked by MPP + cytotoxicity in cultured primary mesencephalic neurons. Taken together, these results indicate that improving the mitochondrial dysfunction may be a good choice to delay the neurodegenerative progression commonly associated with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The catalytic activities and different behaviors for catalyst deactivation by forming surface hydrocarbon deposits were investigated on the Cl-free Ru/MnCO3 Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts in a low pressure fixed-bed reactor. Catalytic activity of LT-Ru(NO) was found to be a little higher than that of Ru(NO). The differences seem to stem mainly from ruthenium particle sizes and reduction behavior of adsorbed CO on the catalysts, which would be consistent with the results of CH4 formation from temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) of pre-adsorbed CO, as well as Ru particle sizes, as ascertained by H2 and CO adsorptions and TEM measurements. The Ru particle sizes of used catalysts obtained after 120h-reaction were approximately close to those of fresh catalysts and no ruthenium aggregation occurred. The origin of catalyst deactivation was investigated in terms of the extent of hydrocarbon deposition. The adsorbed atomic carbon at the peak temperature around 250–350°C was eliminated by H2 treatment, but the more heavy hydrocarbons at peak temperature over 400°C such as polymeric and graphitic carbons were not removed by any treatment. The nature of hydrocarbon deposition would be suggested by measuring the deposited carbon with the help of the characterizations, such as thermo-gravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed reduction and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (FT-IR) measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]