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In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safe usage of the oral contraceptive, Diane-35, in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when combined with the drug metformin. Eighty-two patients with PCOS were randomly divided into two equal groups: Diane-35 treatment group and Diane-35 plus metformin group. Three treatment cycles were administered. Patients’ biomedical data such as height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, acne score, hirsutism score and serum hormone levels were selected, which were tested between the second and the fifth day of the menstrual cycle and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), blood glucose, blood lipids and insulin levels(IR) were analyzed. Significant reduction in body mass index (BMI), acne score, LH and T levels were observed in both groups after three months of treatment; on the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentration elevated (p < 0.05). Combined treatment group had a significant change in BMI index and fasting blood glucose levels compared to Diane-35 alone treatment group (p < 0.05). With personalized nutrition and exercise program, Diane-35 only group or Diane-35 plus metformin group had both significantly lowered their serum testosterone levels and had improved acne symptoms. Diane-35 plus metformin combination had shown reduced fat percentage levels in patients with PCOS, and had shown improved glucose and lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Isostructural heterometallic diruthenium carbonates KM(H2O)6[M(H2O)2Ru2(CO3)4Cl2]·4H2O [M = Zn (1) and Mn (2)] were synthesized from the reaction of the precursors [Ru2(CO3)4Cl2]5− and transitional metal ions in aqueous solution. Complexes 1 and 2 show layered structures in which Ru2(ii,iii) units are linked by four octahedral environment M(H2O)22+ ions in a cross fashion and vice versa giving a negative bimetallic square grid layer {M(H2O)2Ru2(CO3)4Cl2}n3n−. M(H2O)62+ ions, linked by K+ forming zigzag chain {KM(H2O)6}n3+, are located in the void spaces between the layers. The adjacent bimetallic carbonate layers are connected with K–O and K–Cl bonds, and hydrogen bonding, forming a supramolecular 3D framework structure. Their magnetic properties were characterized in detail, and intralayer ferromagnetic coupling between the Ru2 dimer and Mn2+ ion, as well as long-range ordering (Tc = 5.2 K) coexistence of domain movement behavior were observed for complex 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pivalate-generating prodrugs have been suggested to cause clinically significant hypocarnitinaemia. Tenofovir dipivoxil, a novel ester prodrug of tenofovir, can be used for treatment for hepatitis B and HIV infection and it was necessary to evaluate the effect of its treatment on carnitine homeostasis. We sought to investigate the effect of Class 1 drug tenofovir dipivoxil on endogenous L-carnitine level during a 72-hr test in healthy Chinese volunteers and to establish a suitable dose of L-carnitine nutritional supplement for patients who were administered short-term tenofovir dipivoxil tablets for treatment for hepatitis B and herpes simplex virus infection. Tenofovir dipivoxil was administered in one of eight dosing regimens (single dose 150, 300 and 600 mg, multiple dose 300, 450, and 600 mg, multiple dose 450 (600) mg tenofovir dipivoxil and 0.5 g L-carnitine) to gender-balanced groups of 84 healthy Chinese volunteers. Plasma concentrations of L-carnitine were quantified before, during and after treatment. Plasma L-carnitine concentrations fell during tenofovir dipivoxil dosing. The nadir in L-carnitine concentration was dependent on the dose of tenofovir dipivoxil and it decreased from 6.1 ± 0.6 to 4.4 ± 0.8 μg/ml, 6.1 ± 1.8 to 3.3 ± 1.2 μg/ml, 6.2 ± 0.6 to 2.5 ± 0.5 μg/ml for single doses of 150, 300, 600 mg tenofovir dipivoxil tablets and from 6.0 ± 1.4 to 2.1 ± 1.5 μg/ml, 6.2 ± 0.4 to 0.9 ± 0.5 μg/ml for multiple doses of 450, 600 mg tenofovir dipivoxil tablets, respectively. Short-term administration of tenofovir dipivoxil results in hypocarnitinaemia and increased losses of carnitine in resulting of minor adverse events of decreased food appetite, nausea, abdominal distention and muscle weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembly of Ru2(CO3)43− units and Cu2+ ions in the presence of halogen (Cl− or Br−) has resulted in two novel isomeric layered structural heterometallic carbonates, K2Li[Cu(H2O)2Ru2(CO3)4X2]·5H2O [X = Cl (1), Br (2)]. X-ray structural analysis reveals that complexes 1 and 2 contain a similar square-grid negative layer [Cu(H2O)2Ru2(CO3)4X2]n5n−, in which each Ru2(CO3)4X25− unit is linked by four Jahn–Teller distorted Cu(H2O)22+ ions in a cross mode and vice versa. The adjacent negative layers are connected by K–O, Li–O bonds, and hydrogen bonding, which led to the formation of a supramolecular 3D network structure. The two complexes show ferromagnetic coupling between the Ru2 dimer and the Cu2+ ion. Detailed magnetism measurement demonstrates that complex 1 exhibits soft magnetic ordering below 2.9 K coexistent with domain movement, and complex 2 shows long-range ferromagnetic ordering below 3.8 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hetero-metallic carbonates, namely KCd(H2O)3Ru2(CO3)4·4H2O (1) and KCd(H2O)3Ru2(CO3)4·3.5H2O (2), have been synthesized in a neutral aqueous solution. Both of the 3D dimensional structured complexes contain mixed-valent diruthenium(ii,iii) carbonate paddlewheel cores of Ru2II,III(CO3)43− that are connected to each other in trans- or cis-modes by carbonate oxygen atoms, forming rectangular square-grid and isomeric parallelogram layers [Ru2(CO3)4]n3n− in 1 and 2, respectively. The reaction temperature is found to play an important role in directing the final products with particular topologies and their layered structural diversity is due to the various linking modes between the Ru2(CO3)43− units. The magnetic studies show that ferromagnetic interactions are propagated between the diruthenium units in both complexes 1 and 2 but their magnetic properties differ at low temperatures, in which the trans linking mode parallelogram layer [Ru2(CO3)4]n3n− in complex 2 leads to long-range magnetic ordering below 4.0 K. However, no Curie ordering down to 1.8 K is detected for complex 1 containing the isomeric rectangle square-grid layer linking in the cis mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Flavonoids are a class of compounds that exist in nature with the structure of 2-phenyl-chromone. In Chinese traditional medicine, herbal drugs containing flavonoids are widely used for the treatment of inflammation, cardiovascular disease, tumor and so on. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and related mechanisms of a novel synthetic flavonoid, (E)-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-prop-2-en-1-one (ETH) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages. Our results showed that ETH inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 release in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS mRNA production. LPS-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was also significantly attenuated by ETH. Pretreatment with ETH reduced the I-κBα phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation as well as NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity. In addition, ETH exhibited a significant protection against LPS-induced inflammatory mortality in mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that ETH can inhibit LPS-induced inflammation via suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway, indicating that ETH may be a potential anti-inflammatory agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Zinc supplementation is an important intervention against mortality from infectious disease. • Many patients using zinc supplementation will also be prescribed antimicrobials at some time. • Recently, an inhibitory effect of zinc on the absorption of β-lactam antibiotics has been demonstrated in animal studies, but there has been no clinical assessment of this drug-nutrient interaction. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Zinc sulfate dosing significantly impaired the bioavailability and decreased T > MIC of cephalexin in healthy volunteers, which might lead to a clinical failure. • The dosing recommendation is that zinc sulfate can be safely administered 3 h after a cephalexin dose. AIMS To investigate the effect of zinc sulfate on pharmacokinetics of cephalexin when administered concurrently or at strategically spaced dosing times designed to avoid the potential interaction in healthy volunteers. METHODS In this study, all subjects ( n= 12) were randomized to receive the following four treatments, separated by a wash-out period of 7 days: cephalexin 500 mg alone, concomitantly with zinc 250 mg, 3 h after zinc 250 mg or 3 h before zinc 250 mg. RESULTS All subjects completed the study safely. Zinc supplements administered concurrently with cephalexin significantly decreased the peak serum concentration ( Cmax), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0-∞) and the time for which the plasma concentration of the drug remained above the minimal inhibitory concentration of the pathogenic organism ( T > MIC) of cephalexin [mean percentage decrease (95% confidence intervals) of 31.05% (22.09-40.01%), 27.40% (18.33-36.47%) and 22.33% (12.51-32.16%), respectively; P < 0.05] compared with administration of cephalexin alone. Also, administration of zinc 3 h before cephalexin decreased the Cmax, AUC0-∞ and T > MIC of the drug compared with administration of cephalexin alone [mean percentage decrease (95% confidence intervals) of 11.48% (3.40-19.55%), 18.12% (9.63-26.60%) and 23.75% (14.30-33.20%), respectively; P < 0.05]. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of cephalexin was not notably altered by administration of zinc 3 h after cephalexin dosing ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The significant interaction between zinc and cephalexin might affect the clinical outcome of cephalexin therapy. The dosing recommendation is that zinc sulfate can be safely administered 3 h after a cephalexin dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A sensitive method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for the analysis of antihistamine drug azatadine in human plasma. Loratadine was used as internal standard (IS). Analytes were extracted from human plasma by liquid/liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. The organic phase was reduced to dryness under a stream of nitrogen at 30°C and the residue was reconstituted with the mobile phase. 5μL of the resulting solution was injected onto the LC–MS/MS system. A 4.6mm×150mm, I.D. 5μm, Agilent TC-C18 column was used to perform the chromatographic analysis. The mobile phase consisted of ammonium formate buffer 0.010M (adjusted to pH 4.3 with 1M formic acid)/acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) The chromatographic run time was 5min per injection and flow rate was 0.6mL/min. The retention time was 2.4 and 4.4min for azatadine and IS, respectively. The tandem mass spectrometric detection mode was achieved with electrospray ionization (ESI) iron source and the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) (291.3→248.2 m/z for azatadine, 383.3→337.3 m/z for IS) was operated in positive ion modes. The low limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.05ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precision of the quality control (QC) samples was 8.93–11.57% relative standard deviation (RSD). The inter-day accuracy of the QC samples was 96.83–105.07% of the nominal values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ropinirole is a nonergoline dopamine D2-receptor agonist and has been proven to be effective in both monotherapy and combination therapy for idiopathic Parkinson''s disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Madopar on the pharmacokinetics of ropinirole in healthy Chinese volunteers by using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). A single dose of 1mg ropinirole was given orally after administration of the placebo or Madopar (containing 200mg levodopa and 50mg benserazide) to six healthy males and six healthy females in a cross-over randomized study with a minimum washout period of 8 days. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for both treatments. Coadministration of ropinirole and Madopar did not result in a notable change in rate or extent of availability of ropinirole, as shown by the ratios (90% confidence intervals) of 1.045 (0.900, 1.222) for C max (maximum plasma concentration) and 1.167 (1.086, 1.262) for AUC0–inf (the area under the concentration–time curve). Likewise, no significant difference in any of the other pharmacokinetic parameters [T max (the time needed to reach the C max), MRT (mean residence time), volume of distribution (V/F), and clearance (CL/F)] was observed between the treatment groups. No clinically relevant adverse effects were detected under either conditions and there are no pharmacokinetic grounds for adjusting the dose of ropinirole when given in combination with Madopar in Chinese patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• ECH ameliorated motor deficit induced by MPTP in a mouse PD model. • ECH promoted DA neurons survival upon MPTP injury. • ECH interacts with TH predicted by the molecular docking simulation. • ECH inhibited the activated microglia-mediated NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β inflammatory signaling. Persistent microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation is considered to influence the pathogenesis of PD profoundly. Promoting DA neuron survival and/or inhibiting neuroinflammation may offer neuroprotection for PD. In the present study, we found that echinacoside (ECH), a phenylethanoid glycoside derived from Cistanche Deserticola, ameliorated motor deficit induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in a mouse PD model, characterized as decreased mobility distance in open field test and average time in rotarod test, as well as increased turn time and total time in pole test. ECH administration promoted the reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) under MPTP injury as the molecular docking simulation predicted that ECH would interact with TH. Moreover, ECH improved cell viability in MPP+-damaged SH-SY5Y cell, a cell line for DA neuron, in vitro. Furthermore, ECH administration alleviated MPTP-triggered microglial activation, thus downregulated the expression and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in mice SN, along with the involved proteins including Caspase (CASP)-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The inhibition of NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β neuroinflammatory signaling was further confirmed in murine N9 microglia activated by MPP+ insult after ECH treatment in vitro. Furthermore, MCC950, a selective inhibitor for NLRP3 activation, reduced the enhancive expression of NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β in MPP+-insulted N9, and also facilitated the inhibition of inflammation synergistically mediated by ECH treatment. All the collected data revealed that ECH ameliorated PD mice neuroethology through promoting DA neuron survival and inhibiting the activated microglia-mediated NLRP3/CASP-1/IL-1β inflammatory signaling. These findings highlight the crucial roles of NLRP3 inflammasome involved in PD neuropathology and ECH exertes neuroprotection for PD as double-targeting neuroinflammation and DA neuronal survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of heterometallic magnesium diruthenium(ii,iii) carbonates, namely K{Mg(H2O)6}2[Ru2(CO3)4Cl2]·4H2O (1), K2[{Mg(H2O)4}2Ru2(CO3)4(H2O)Cl]Cl2·2H2O (2), K[Mg(H2O)5Ru2(CO3)4]·5H2O (3) and K[Mg(H2O)4Ru2(CO3)4]·H2O (4), were synthesized from the reaction of Ru2(CO3)43− and Mg2+ in aqueous solution. Compound 1 is composed of ionic crystals with the Ru2(CO3)4Cl25− : Mg(H2O)62+ : K+ ratio of 1 : 2 : 1. Compound 2 consists of two dimensional layer structures, in which each octahedral environment Mg(H2O)42+ bonds to two [Ru2(CO3)4(H2O)Cl]4− units in a cis manner forming a neutral square-grid layer {Mg(H2O)4Ru2(CO3)4(H2O)Cl}n. For compound 3, one water molecule of each Mg(H2O)62+ is substituted by an oxygen atom of Ru2(CO3)43− forming [Mg(H2O)5Ru2(CO3)4]−, and then the neighboring Ru2 dimers are linked together by the rest of the two oxygen atoms of carbonates to form a layer structure {Mg(H2O)5Ru2(CO3)4}nn−. In compound 4, the neighboring squared-grid layers {Ru2(CO3)4}n3n−, similar to those in compound 3, are linked by each octahedral environment Mg(H2O)42+ in a cis manner forming the three-dimensional network {Mg(H2O)4Ru2(CO3)4}nn−. Compound 3 shows ferromagnetic coupling between Ru2 dimers, and a long-range ordering is observed below 3.8 K. Compound 4 displays a magnetic ordering below 3.5 K, and a systematic study of the size-dependent magnetic properties of compound 4 reveals that the coercivity of 4 has been improved with reduced sample particle size from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-assembly of Ru 2 (CO 3 ) 4 3− and Zn 2 + in neutral aqueous solution forms heterometallic carbonate ZnHRu 2 (CO 3 ) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ·2H 2 O ( 1 ). X-ray crystallographic analysis and magnetic investigation show that 1 behaves as 2D antiferromagnetic layers. It is different from those light transitional metal d 1–9 centers (Mn, Co, and Ni), which merely exhibit octahedral MO 6 environment and trans - or cis -mode link Ru 2 dimers to form 2D and 3D frameworks, the production of 1 shows Zn 2 + adopting tetrahedral environment. Compared with Zn 2 + adopting octahedral environment in KZn(H 2 O) 6 [Zn(H 2 O) 2 Ru 2 (CO 3 ) 4 Cl 2 ]·4H 2 O, it proves that the axial position ligands (L) of Ru 2 dimers account for the tetrahedral ZnO 4 (L = H 2 O) or octahedral ZnO 6 (L = Cl − ) environments, and this is also due to the d 10 electronic configuration of Zn 2 + with the equivalent crystal field energy of the tetrahedral ZnO 4 and octahedral ZnO 6 symmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between abnormal gut microbiome composition and depression is well established. However, the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiota regarding depressed women has been poorly addressed.Methods: Stool samples from 62 female patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 46 healthy controls (Con) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing; Twenty fecal samples from the patient group and 21 fecal samples from the Con group were further analyzed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Psychiatric symptoms and psychological, social, and professional functioning was also assessed.Results: Phylum Bacteroidetes, proteobaeteria, and Fusobacteria were greatly enriched in patients with MDD, while the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla were consistently higher in Con. Notably, 18 microbial markers were identified on a random forest model and achieve an area under the curve of 0.92 between patients with MDD and the Con group. Forty-five species and their associated function were identified with statistically significant differences between patients with MDD and the Con group.Limitations: The number of recruited samples, especially samples enrolled for shotgun metagenomic sequencing was relatively small, and the stool samples were collected only at baseline, making it difficult to establish a causal association between changes in gut microbiota compositions and disease remission.Conclusions: This study characterizes the gut microbiota and their related function in female MDD. The gut microbiota-based biomarkers may be helpful in diagnosis and the altered gut microbial metabolites may contribute to the pathogenesis of MDD in women, representing potential microbial targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Marek's disease (MD) is caused by the oncogenic Marek's disease virus (MDV), and is a highly contagious avian infection with a complex underlying pathology that involves lymphoproliferative neoplasm formation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in most cancers. The gga-miR-155 is downregulated in the MDV-infected chicken tissues or lymphocyte lines, although its exact role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of gga-miR-155 on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasiveness of an MDV-transformed lymphocyte line MSB1 and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results: The expression level of gga-miR-155 was manipulated in MSB1 cells using specific mimics and inhibitors. While overexpression of gga-miR-155 increased proliferation, decreased the proportion of G1 phase cells relative to that in S and G2 phases, reduced apoptosis rates and increased invasiveness. However, its downregulation had the opposite effects. Furthermore, gga-miR-155 directly targeted the RORA gene and downregulated its expression in the MSB1 cells. Conclusion: The gga-miR-155 promotes the proliferation and invasiveness of the MDV-transformed lymphocyte line MSB1 and inhibits apoptosis by targeting the RORA gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts with a quaternary onium center and a hydrogen-bonding donor group were prepared for the fixation of CO2 with commercially available epoxides under mild conditions by using a CO2 balloon (1 atm). In the presence of 2.5 mol% of achiral bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts, cyclic carbonates were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 95%). Additionally, optical carbonates and epoxides were obtained through the kinetic resolution of rac-epoxides by 1 mol% of chiral bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts with low enantioselectivities. These catalysts featured a simple synthetic route, good modularity and high efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Triple-layer scales occur in both the fine-grained and coarse-grained specimens. • Fine-grained specimens possess the thicker outer layer and the discrete inner layer. • Fine-grained specimens possess the shallower Te permeation along grain boundaries. • Fine-grained specimens possess the shallower Cr 3 Te 4 existence along grain boundaries. • Fine-grained specimens provide more paths for the outward diffusion of Cr. Abstract The effects of grain size on the tellurium corrosion behaviors have been investigated systematically in GH3535 alloy. After the exposure to Te vapor, the triple-layer scales, which consist of Ni 3 Te 2 , Cr 3 Te 4 , MnTe, M 6 C carbides and Fe-riched γ phase, occur in both the fine-grained and coarse-grained specimens. The thicker outer layer, the more discrete inner layer, the shallower Te permeation and Cr 3 Te 4 existence along grain boundaries can be observed in the fine-grained specimens. By comparing the Gibbs free energies and calculating the effective diffusion coefficients, the tellurization mechanism and the role of grain size were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effects of different cutting traits on bud emergence and early growth of the Chinese vegetable Toona sinensis . This work, including two indoor box experiments, was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at Nanjing University, Jiangsu Province, China. The plant characteristics include survival rate, number of buds, number of branches, maximum length of new shoot, number of new leaves, biomass, OD (Optical Density) value of soluble sugar and soluble protein, and concentration of chlorophyll. These characteristics were quantified with seedling age (1-year to 4-year-old seedlings), cutting position (apex, middle, base of the seedling stem) and cultivation methods (hydroponics and cuttage) in the age experiment, and cutting season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), cutting position (apex, middle, base of the seedling stem) and cultivation methods (hydroponics and cuttage) in the season experiment. Results showed that cuttings derived from 1-year-old seedling stems displayed better morphological and physiological characteristics than from other seedling ages. Cuttings of newly obtained from 1-year-old fresh seedling stems and derived from four seasons were all sprouted well in two cultivation methods (hydroponics and cuttage). Cuttings derived from apical and middle positions in spring and basal positions in autumn displayed better performance than the other treatments. Cuttings cultivated by cuttage exhibited better physiological characteristics than by hydroponics. We concluded that the cuttings of Chinese toon could be cultivated all year round for vegetable production. To obtain faster and more even stands of Chinese toon sprouts in plant factory, we recommended the use of cuttings from 1-year-old Chinese toon seedling stems, apical and middle parts from spring and basal positions from autumn, and use of cuttage method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect gustatory systems play important roles in food selection and feeding behaviors. In spite of the enormous progress in understanding gustation in Drosophila , for other insects one of the key elements in gustatory signaling, the gustatory receptor (GR), is still elusive. In this study, we report that fructose elicits behavioral and physiological responses in Helicoverpa armigera (Harm) to fructose and identify the gustatory receptor for this sugar. Using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) assays we found that females respond to fructose following stimulation of the distal part of the antenna, where we have identified contact chemosensilla tuned to fructose in tip recording experiments. We isolated three full-length cDNAs encoding candidate HarmGRs based on comparison with orthologous GR sequences in Heliothis virescens and functionally characterized the responses of HarmGR4 to 15 chemicals when this receptor was expressed in Xenopus oocytes with two-electrode voltage-clamp recording. Among the tastants tested, the oocytes dose-dependently responded only to d -fructose (EC 50 = 0.045 M). By combining behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular approaches, these results provide basic knowledge for further research on the molecular mechanisms of gustatory reception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The temperature manipulation induces the aggregation of Ru2(CO3)4 3− paddle-wheel precursors and Mn2+ ions in lower temperature ~10°C forming layer structural complex, K[Mn(H2O)4Ru2(CO3)4]·5H2O (1). It composes of new negative layer {Mn(H2O)5Ru2(CO3)4} n n−, and magnetic exchanges between spin centers result in ordering below 3.8K. The observed critical temperature is like the previously reported 3D hetero-metallic carbonates H0.3K0.7Mn[Ru2(CO3)4](H2O)5.5, which demonstrates that it is independent of the interlayer connecting in such heterometallic complexes based on square-grid layer {Ru2(CO3)4} n 3n−. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Safflower is a popular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to invigorate the blood and dispel ‘blood stasis’, which arises from poor blood circulation. The differences of pharmacokinetic properties between normal and blood stasis syndrome rats were seldom reported. Aim of the study: The present study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of hydroxysafflower yellow A (HSYA) following oral administration of hydroxysafflower yellow A and safflower extract with approximately the same dose of HSYA 100mg/kg in both normal and acute blood stasis rats. Materials and methods: The animals were orally administered with HYSA monomer and safflower extract. The blood samples were collected according to the time schedule. The concentrations of HSYA in rat plasma were determined by HPLC. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the plasma concentration versus time data using non-compartmental methods. Results: It was found that AUC0–t , C max, Vd and CL of HSYA in both HSYA monomer and safflower extract in acute blood stasis rats were with significant difference (P <0.05) comparing with that in normal rats. Conclusions: The results indicated that HSYA was with high uptake and eliminated slowly in the animals with blood stasis syndrome, suggesting that the rate and extent of drug metabolism was altered in acute blood stasis animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: [{MnIII(OH)(H2O)}3SiW9O34]4− 1a, has been isolated from the reaction of Na9[β-SiW9O34H]·23H2O and [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(HIm)3](O2CMe) (Im=imidazole C3H4N2) in aqueous solution. The trimetal-substituted polyoxometalate (TMSP) 1 has been fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. This monomeric anion is composed of one trilacunary Keggin fragment A-α-SiW9O34 and three manganese ions encapsulated resulting in a triangular {Mn(OH)}3 6+ ring core. Experimental structural and magnetism aspects of the material are reported and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The title compound is obtained from an aqueous solution of K3Ru2(CO3)4 and MnSO4 (10 °C, several weeks, 34% yield). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new complex (III) displays the [{MnIII(OH) (H2O)}3SiW9O34]4- anion, which contains a trilacunary Keggin fragment A-α-SiW9O34 encapsulating a triangular {Mn(OH)}35+ ring core, in which hydroxo bridges connect the high-spin Jahn-Teller distorted MnIII centers with antiferromagnetic coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]