Structural deformation monitored by vibrational properties and orbital modeling in (Pb,Sm)TiO3 systems

Pb_1−xSm_xTiO₃ (PST) powders with x varying from 0 to 0.1 were obtained by the polymeric precursor method, a soft chemical route. The vibrational properties relating tetragonal to pseudo-cubic phase transition were studied by Raman spectroscopy. The results obtained showed that the phase transition is extremely dependent upon the samarium content and presents a diffuse behavior. Monitoring of the oxygen 2p and titanium 3d orbitals was performed by the periodic mechanical quantum method, revealing the changes that occur with the distribution and contribution of the hybrid orbitals due to the samarium influence.     

Chemical bonding and pseudogap formation in D022- and L12-structure (V, Ti)Al3

To obtain a rigorous definition of the chemical bonds in binary transition-metal aluminides, topological analyses were performed for VAl₃ and TiAl₃ in the D0₂₂ and L1₂ structures. The analyses were based on the valence charge densities calculated with the ab initio density functional theory. To better understand the formation mechanism of the pseudogap in these compounds, the band structure, the density of states (DOS) and the band decomposed charge density (BDCD) were calculated. The topological analyses reveal that the interactions between the (V, Ti) and Al atoms are all pure shared-shell interactions, the bonds are covalent and clearly have π-bond character. The study of the band structure, DOS and BDCD shows that the formation of the pseudogap is due to the crystal field energy splitting of the (V, Ti)-3d orbitals combined with the inter-unit-cell orbital interaction.     

α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制剂Radicamine A的合成

天然产物Radicamines A和B是日本植物学家Kusano等从半边莲中分离到的两个新型吡咯烷型生物碱,发现它们是有效的α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制剂,根据各种光谱数据推断它们为全反式取代的吡咯烷结构,绝对构型为(2S,3S,4S,5S) [1].后来,本课题组[2]和其它课题组[3,4]分别采用不同的全合成方法纠正了Radicamines A和B的构型,确定其为(2R,3R,4R,5R)(图1).去年,另一课题组采用与我们相似的合成路线率先报道了Radicamines A和B的合成及其对三种糖苷酶的活性研究[5].     

Verticillane‐Type Diterpenoids and an Eudesmanolide‐Type Sesquiterpene from the Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata

Four new diterpenes, cespihypotins W–Z ( 1 – 4 ), having the verticillane skeleton and characterized by an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐hydroxycyclopentanone moiety, and a new eudesmanolide‐type sesquiterpene, cespilactam A ( 5 ), containing an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactam residue, were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the Taiwanese soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata. The structure and relative configuration of these metabolites was elucidated through extensive interpretation of MS, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds.     

Copper‐catalyzed one‐pot synthesis of propargylamines via C?H activation in PEG

An efficient and convenient three‐component A³ coupling reaction of aldehyde, amine and alkyne via C? H activation with CuI alone as the catalyst in PEG is developed, providing a wide range of propargylamines with yields ranging from moderate to excellent. Additionally, the catalyst system was recovered and reused several times without evident loss in activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Degradation-fragmentation of marine plastic waste and their environmental implications: A critical review

This review critically evaluates the plastic accumulation challenges and their environmental (primarily) and human (secondarily) impacts. It also emphasizes on their degradation and fragmentation phenomena under marine conditions. In addition, it takes into account the leachability of the various chemical substances (additives) embedded in plastic products to improve their polymeric properties and extend their life. Regardless of their effectiveness in enhancing the polymeric function of plastic products, these additives can potentially contaminate air, soil, food, and water. Several findings have shown that, regardless of their types and sizes, plastics can be degraded and/or fragmented under marine conditions. Therefore, the estimation of fragmentation and degradation rates via a reliable developed model is required to better understand the marine environmental status. The main parameter, which is responsible for initiating the fragmentation of plastics, is sunlight/UV radiation. Yet, UV- radiation alone is not enough to fragment some plastic polymer types under marine conditions, additional factors are needed such as mechanical abrasion. It should be also mentioned that most current studies on plastic degradation and fragmentation centered on the primary stages of degradation. Thus, further studies are needed to better understand these phenomena and to identify their fate and environmental effects.     

Metabolomic-based investigation of Yinlan alleviating hyperlipidemia by inhibiting blood stasis and phlegm turbidity through the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR pathway

Yinlan lipid regulatory capsule (YL) is a composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) new drug to alleviate hyperlipidemia, while its therapeutic mechanism in vivo was not clarified with nontargeted metabolomics investigation. An animal model was established in rats fed a high-fat diet, and their body weights, body mass index (BMI) and blood cholesterol levels were measured. Serum, liver and kidney tissue samples were also extracted for PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR signaling pathway research using PCR and UHPLC–MS. The obtained plasma samples were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic investigation, which revealed PXR-CYP3A4-related metabolites and changes induced by YL. Finally, the key metabolites were chosen as index components, and their levels in the serum, liver, small intestine and bile were used for simultaneous UHPLC–MS-MS determination. The results indicated that YL was effective in rebalancing blood TG and TC levels (compared to controls). With respect to the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1 pathway, as a result of YL’s effect, gene expression or activity of the two targets decreased significantly in both the liver and kidney. The same trend was observed in the serum samples mentioned above. Metabolomics screening and data revealed that 44 metabolites can be regarded as biomarkers related to hyperlipidemia, fatty acids synthesis, and body energy consumption, as well as synthesis, transportation and exertion of cholesterol. YL’s treatment focused on 26 of them, primarily bile acids, indicating that the antihyperlipidemic effect of this drug lies in its inhibitory activity of cholesterol metabolism. Subsequent analysis of those in vivo components revealed that significant increases (compared to the model group) occurred in the blood, liver, small intestine and bile in groups that received medium and high doses of YL (while the low dose was relatively unchanged). Those target components exhibit a close relationship with PXR and/or CYP3A4. The use of YL repressed PXR expression and subsequently decreased CYP3A4 activity. As a result, synthesis of related bile acids increased, while cholesterol levels decreased, consequently leading to the attenuation of hyperlipidemia. This study comprehensively investigated the antihyperlipidemia mechanism of YL based on its repression of PXR-CYP3A4 activity and related metabolite yield, establishing an accurate method for evaluating the therapeutic effect of YL.     

Fermentation characteristics and the dynamic trend of chemical components during fermentation of Massa Medicata Fermentata

As a representative of traditionally fermented Chinese medicine, Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) shows the functions of invigorating the spleen and stomach and promoting digestion, which plays an important role in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The fermentation mechanism and the key factors that affect the quality of MMF have not been revealed yet, which has become an urgent issue that limits its clinical application. This article aims to systematically and comprehensively reveal the transformation of physical properties and the dynamic trend of chemical components including substrate components, volatile components, and lactic acid as anaerobic fermentation product during MMF fermentation. Along with obvious hyphae growth observed for MMF, the weight of MMF decreased, and the moisture and temperature increased. Through the quantified 14 components from substrate, ferulic acid increased from 45.53 ± 6.94 to 141.89 ± 78.40 μg/g, while glycosides and phenolic acids declined except caffeic acid. Also, within the 66 volatile components analyzed, alcohols and acids increased, while aldehydes and ketones decreased. Lactic acid was not detected in the fermentation substrate, but an apparent increase in lactic acid content was observed along with the increased fermentation days, resulting in 2.54 ± 0.15 mg/g on day 8. Based on the tested components, the fermentation process of MMF was discriminated into three distinct stages by principal component analysis, and an optimal fermentation time of four days was proposed. The results of this study will be of great significance to clarify the characteristics of fermentation and conduce to improving quality standards of MMF.     

The extraction,antioxidant and against β-amyloid induced toxicity of polyphenols from Alsophila spinulosa leaves

Alsophila spinulosa is a tree-like fern, and many evidences suggested that plant polyphenols had the potential therapeutic for Alzheimer s disease (AD). Herein, polyphenols (ASP) was isolated from A. spinulosa leaves and its major constituent were isoorientin and vitexin. ASP displayed excellent antioxidant activity and obvious anti-lipid peroxidation capacity in vitro. ASP improved the survival rate of C. elegans under high temperature by enhancing the antioxidant enzymes activities and decreasing the lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, ASP alleviated β-amyloid (Aβ) induced paralysis and reduced Aβ deposition, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and improved the level of skn-1 mRNA. In addition, ASP decreased the levels of pdk-1 and akt-1 mRNA in P13K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, ASP may be a potential ingredient for the alleviation of AD.