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The present study was carried out to evaluate the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on nuclear-factor- (NF-) κB in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with indicated concentrations of ginsenoside Rh2 for lh prior to the incubation of LPS (lΜg/mL) for indicated time period. Ginsenoside Rh2 reduced CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressions 24 h after LPS stimulation. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rh2 significantly inhibited TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) phosphorylation 30 min after LPS stimulation. Ginsenoside Rh2 was further shown to inhibit NF-κB p65 translocation into the nucleus by suppressing IκB-α degradation. Also, LPS increased mRNA expression of TNF- α and IL-lα time-dependently, while TQ reduced TNF-a within 3 h and IL-la within 1 h. And we firstly found that pretreatment of ginsenoside Rh2 successively inhibited hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-) la expression increased by LPS. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rh2 may inhibit LPS-induced NF-κB activation and reduce HIF-lα accumulation, suggesting that ginsenoside Rh2 may be considered as a potential therapeutic candidate for chronic inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three lead iodide–organic coordination polymers with different substituents on 1,10-phenanthroline, [(5-S-phen)PbI2]n(S = –NO2(1), –Cl(2) and –NH2(3)) have been synthesized in polar organic solvent under nearly the same conditions. 1and 2are structurally similar to each other, and exhibit 3-D networks based on inter-layer hydrogen bond interactions. 3also gives 3-D arrangement viahydrogen bonds among 1-D chains. To our interest, we found that the ligand's electronic nature is the dominant factor in the dimension extending behavior; EWGs (electron-withdrawing group) on the phenanthroline ring will lead to larger electron mobility in a coordinated skeleton, but EDGs (electron-donating group) will give a smaller charge carrier mobility. Consequently, from EWGs to EDGs, an enlarged band gap can be observed. Their luminescences were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrothermal reaction of Gd(NO)·6HO with 2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid(HBPDC) ligand results in the formation of a new Gd(III) polymer: {[Gd(BPDC)(HO)]·HO}( 1). The central gadolinium ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms to give a dicapped triangular prism geometry. Based on the versatile coordination modes of BPDC ligand, together with hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions, a 3-D network is presented. DFT calculation was executed to probe the electronic structure of 1. Graphical Abstract: A new Gd(III) polymer: {[Gd(BPDC)(HO)]·HO} has been syntehsized with hydrothermal reaction. The central gadolinium ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms to give a dicapped triangular prism geometry. Based on the versatile coordination mode of BPDC ligand, together with hydrogen bond interactions and π···π stacking interactions, a 3D network is presented [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In conventional optics, the Fabry–Pérot (FP) effect is only considered for transparent materials at a macroscopic dimension. Down to the nanometer scale, for absorptive metallic structures, the FP effect has not been directly observed so far. It is unclear whether such a macroscopic effect still holds for a subwavelength metallic nanostructure. Here, we demonstrate the probing of FP interference in a series of nanometer-thick Au films with subwavelength hole arrays. The evidence from both linear and second harmonic generation signals, together with angle-resolved investigations, exhibit features of a FP effect. We also derive an absorptive FP interference equation, which well explains our experimental results. Our results for the first time experimentally confirm the long-persisting hypothesis that the FP effect holds ubiquitously in a metallic nanostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver X receptors (LXRs)-mediated signals in acanthoic acid (AA) ameliorating liver fibrosis were examined in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mice and TGF-β stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). AA was isolated from the root of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae). CCl4-treated mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10% CCl4 in olive oil (2mL/kg for 8weeks). In AA treated groups, mice were intragastrically administrated with AA (20mg/kg or 50mg/kg) 3 times per week for 8weeks. Administration of AA reduced serum aminotransferase and tissue necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels evoked by CCl4, and the reverse of liver damage was further confirmed by histopathological staining. Administration of AA reduced the expression of fibrosis markers and regulated the ratio of MMP-13/TIMP-1, further reversed the development of liver fibrosis. TGF-β (5ng/ml) was added to activate HSC-T6 cells for 2h, and then treated with AA (1, 3, or 10μmol/l) for 24h before analysis. Cells were collected and proteins were extracted to detect the expressions of LXRs. AA could inhibit the expression of α-SMA stimulated by TGF-β and increase the expression of LXRβ. In vivo and in vitro experiments, AA could modulate liver fibrosis induced by CCl4-treatment via activation of LXRα and LXRβ, while inhibit HSCs activation only via activation of LXRβ. Acanthoic acid might ameliorate liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 via LXRs signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]