Comparative Study of the Supercapacitive Performance of Three Ferrocene-Based Structures: Targeted Design of a Conductive Ferrocene-Functionalized Coordination Polymer as a Supercapacitor Electrode.

As redox-active based supercapacitors are known as highly desirable next-generation supercapacitor electrodes, the targeted design of two ferrocene-functionalized (Fc(COOH)2 ) clusters based on coinage metals, [(PPh3 )2 AgO2 CFcCO2 Ag(PPh3 )2 ]2 ⋅7 CH3 OH (SC1 : super capacitor) and [(PPh3 )3 CuO2 CFcCO2 Cu(PPh3 )3 ]⋅3 CH3 OH (SC2 ), is reported. Both structures are fully characterized by various techniques. The structures are utilized as energy storage electrode materials, giving 130 F g-1 and 210 F g-1 specific capacitance at 1.5 A g-1 in Na2 SO4 electrolyte, respectively. The obtained results show that the presence of CuI instead of AgI improves the supercapacitive performance of the cluster. Further, to improve the conductivity, the PSC2 ([(PPh3 )2 CuO2 CFcCO2 ]∞ ), a polymeric structure of SC2 , was synthesized and used as an energy storage electrode. PSC2 displays high conductivity and gives 455 F g-1 capacitance at 3 A g-1 . The PSC2 as a supercapacitor electrode presents a high power density (2416 W kg-1 ), high energy density (161 Wh kg-1 ), and long cycle life over 4000 cycles (93 %). These results could lead to the amplification of high-performance supercapacitors in new areas to develop real applications and stimulate the use of the targeted design of coordination polymers without hybridization or compositions with additive materials.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy with Amlodipine and Olmesartan or an Olmesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Compound for Hypertension: A Prospective, Open-Label, and Multicenter Clinical Trial in China.

BACKGROUND: Amlodipine (AML) is the initial therapy most commonly prescribed for patients with hypertension in China. However, AML monotherapy is often less effective in achieving blood pressure (BP) control than other agents. OBJECTIVE: We performed a clinical study to evaluate efficacy and safety of a combination therapy with AML, olmesartan (OLM), or an OLM/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) compound for Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. METHODS: In the clinical trial, patients were initially treated with OLM 20 mg/d combined with AML 5 mg/d. Then OLM was uptitrated to 40 mg/d or changed to an OLM/HCTZ (20/12.5 mg/d) compound if the patients did not reach the target of seated diastolic BP <90 mm Hg (<80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes) after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The overall response rate of the combination therapy was 59.2% (95% CI, 54.23%-63.97%) at Week 2 and gradually increased to 97.1% (95% CI, 94.93%-98.47%) at the end of the study (Week 16). CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy with OLM or OLM/HCTZ was well tolerated. The total incidence of adverse events was 42.9% (n = 176). Most of the adverse events were mild in severity (39.5%; n = 162) and not associated with the drugs (33.2%). In conclusion, combination therapy with AML, OLM, or OLM/HCTZ can significantly lower BP safely and achieve a high BP control rate in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension in China. ClinicalTrial.org identifier: ChiCTR-ONC-12001963.

Effects of dietary arginine supplementation on muscle structure, meat characteristics and lipid oxidation products in lambs and its potential mechanisms of action.

This study aimed to assess the effect of dietary arginine supplementation on muscle structure and meat characteristics of lambs also considering lipid oxidation products and to contribute to reveal its mechanisms of action using tandem mass tagging (TMT) proteomics. Eighteen lambs were allocated to two dietary treatment groups: control diet or control diet with the addition of 1% L-arginine. The results revealed that dietary arginine supplementation increased muscle fibre diameter and cross-sectional area (P < 0.05), which was attributable to protein deposition, as evidenced by increased RNA content, RNA/DNA ratio, inhibition of apoptotic enzyme activity, and alterations in the IGF-1/Akt signaling pathway (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary arginine elevated pH24h, a* values, and IMF content, decreased shear force value and backfat thickness (P < 0.05), as well as decreased the formation of lipid oxidation products involved in meat flavor including hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal and 1-octen-3-ol by increasing the antioxidant capacity of the muscle (P < 0.05). The proteomics results suggested that seven enrichment pathways may be potential mechanisms by which arginine affected the muscle structure and meat characteristics of lambs. In summary, arginine supplementation in lamb diets provides a safe and effective way to improve meat quality, and antioxidant capacity of muscle of lamb.

Food preference strategy of four sympatric rodents in a temperate forest in northeast China.

Rodents are well known as both seed predators and dispersers of various plant species in forest ecosystems, and they play an important role in the regeneration of vegetation. Thus, the research on seed selection and vegetation regeneration by sympatric rodents is an interesting topic. To understand the characteristics of preferences of rodents for different seeds, a semi-natural enclosure experiment was performed with four rodent species (Apodemuspeninsulae, Apodemusagrarius, Tscherskiatriton, and Clethrionomysrufocanus) and the seeds of seven plant species (Pinuskoraiensis, Corylusmandshurica, Quercusmongolica, Juglansmandshurica, Armeniacasibirica, Prunussalicina, and Cerasustomentosa) to investigate the differentiation in niches and patterns of resource utilization of sympatric rodents. The results showed that all the rodents had consumed many seeds of Pi.koraiensis, Co.mandshurica, and Q.mongolica but differed significantly in how they selected the different seeds. The rate of utilization (Ri) of Pi.koraiensis, Co.mandshurica, and Q.mongolica exhibited the highest values. The Ei values indicated that the rodents tested exhibited differences in their priorities used to select the seeds from different plant species. All four species of rodents exhibited obvious preferences for certain seeds. Korean field mice preferentially consumed the seeds of Q.mongolica, Co.mandshurica, and Pi.koraiensis. Striped field mice favor the seeds of Co.mandshurica, Q.mongolica, P.koraiensis, and Nanking cherry. Greater long-tailed hamsters prefer to consume the seeds of Pi.koraiensis, Co.mandshurica, Q.mongolica, Pr.salicina, and Ce.tomentosa. Clethrionomysrufocanus likes to eat the seeds of Pi.koraiensis, Q.mongolica, Co.mandshurica, and Ce.tomentosa. The results supported our hypothesis that sympatric rodents overlap in food selection. However, each rodent species has a marked preference for food selection, and different rodent species differ in their food preferences. This reflects the role of distinct food niche differentiation in their coexistence.

Effects of habitat differences on the scatter-hoarding behaviour of rodents (Mammalia, Rodentia) in temperate forests.

To discover the differences in hoarding strategies of rodents for different seeds in different habitats, we labelled and released three different types of seeds, including Pinuskoraiensis, Corylusmandshurica, and Quercusmongolica, in temperate forests of northeastern China and investigated the fate of seeds in four different habitats that included a broad-leaved forest, mixed-forest edge, mixed forest, and artificial larch forest. Our research showed that the hoarding strategy of rodents was found to vary substantially in different habitats. The survival curves of seeds from different habitats showed the same trend, but the rates of consumption in different habitats varied. More than 50% of the seeds in the four habitats were consumed by the tenth day. It took 20 days to consume more than 70% of the seeds. The rate of consumption of P.koraiensis seeds reached 96.70%; 99.09% of the C.mandshurica seeds were consumed, and 93.07% of the Q.mongolica seeds were consumed. The seeds were consumed most quickly in the artificial larch forest. In general, most of the early seeds were quickly devoured. After day 20, the consumption gradually decreased. Rodents found the seeds in the artificial larch forest in a shorter average time than those in the other types of forests. The average earliest discovery time was 1.4 ± 0.9 d (1-3 d). The average earliest discovery time in all the other three habitats exceeded 7 d. The median removal times (MRT) was distributed around the seeds at 14.24 ± 10.53 d (1-60 d). There were significant differences in the MRT among different habitats. It was shortest in the artificial larch forest at 7.67 ± 6.80 d (1-28 d). In contrast, the MRT in the broad-leaved forest was the longest at 17.52 ± 12.91 d (4-60 d). There were significant differences in the MRT between the artificial larch forest and the other habitats. There was less predation of the three types of seeds at the mixed-forest edge, and the most seeds were dispersed. The rates of predation of the P.koraiensis, C.mandshurica, and Q.mongolica seeds were 28.33%, 15.83%, and 44.0%, and 59.17%, 84.17%, and 48.0% of the seeds were dispersed, respectively. The average dispersal distances of all the seeds were less than 6 m, and the longest distance recorded was 18.66 m. The dispersal distances and burial depths differed significantly among the four types of habitats. The distance of seed dispersal was primarily distributed in 1-6 m.

Study on Optimal Extraction and Hypoglycemic Effect of Quercetin.

Quercetin was extracted from Portulaca oleracea L. through biphasic acid hydrolysis to investigate its potential as a suppressor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and its hypoglycemic effect in type 2 diabetic mice. The extraction procedure was optimized utilizing the response surface method (RSM) in a single-factor experimental setting. An extraction efficiency of 0.675% was achieved using the following optimized parameters: 0.064 mol/L vitriol, 1 : 109.155 solid-liquid ratio, and 21.408 min ultrasonication. Overall, findings indicate the effectiveness of quercetin extraction. A mouse model for type 2 diabetes was established to receive oral treatment with various quercetin concentrations for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and the DPP-IV activity in the serum were significantly reduced. The weight and insulin levels of the mice in the quercetin group were raised compared to those in the model group (P < 0.01). Quercetin dose-dependently inhibited postprandial blood glucose excursions, as demonstrated by the oral glucose tolerance test. These results confirmed that quercetin has hypoglycemic effects and considerably improves insulin sensitivity via DPP-IV targeting.

Local ischemic postconditioning during primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate current evidence linking ischemic postconditioning (IPC) to cardioprotection in patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We performed searches of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases from January 1998 to May 2011 for identifying relevant studies comparing IPC with usual care in patients undergoing primary PCI. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was assessed by Review Manager 5.0. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were eligible. Compared to the control, observed outcomes such as peak creatine kinase [weighted mean difference (WMD) -537.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) -779.32 to -295.65 IU/l], peak creatine kinase-myocardial band (WMD -61.11, 95% CI -76.56 to -45.66 U/l), complete ST-segment resolution (risk ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.77), blush grade during reflow (WMD 0.64, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.78), corrected TIMI frame count, single-photon emission computed tomography determining infarct size, long-term left ventricular ejection fraction and short-term and long-term wall motion score indexes were improved in IPC group, with less occurrence of heart failure during the 3-month to 3.4-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Though current evidence indicates that IPC provides potential cardioprotection to patients receiving primary PCI, larger adequately powered studies should be undertaken to confirm its advantages.

Effects of season and food on the scatter-hoarding behavior of rodents in temperate forests of Northeast China.

To explore the differences in hoarding strategies of rodents for different seeds in various seasons, we labeled and released the seeds of Pinus koraiensis, Corylus mandshurica, Quercus mongolica and Prunus sibirica in temperate forests of Northeast China and investigated the fate of the seeds in spring and autumn. The analysis showed that the hoarding strategies of the rodents varied substantially between seasons. The seeds were consumed faster in the spring than in the autumn. More than 50% of the seeds in the two seasons were consumed by the 16th day. It took 36 days to consume 75% of the seeds in the spring and 44 days in the autumn. The rate of consumption of the seeds in the spring was greater than in the autumn, and the rate of spread of the seeds was greater in the autumn. The distances of removal for the consumption and dispersal of seeds in the spring (3.26 ± 3.21 m and 4.15 ± 3.52 m, respectively) were both shorter than those in the autumn (3.74 ± 3.41 m and 4.87 ± 3.94 m, respectively). In addition, the fate of different seeds varied significantly owing to differences in hoarding strategies. The seeds of the three preferred species, P. koraiensis, C. mandshurica, and Q. mongolica, were quickly consumed. More than 90% of the seeds of these species were consumed. Only 21% of Pr. sibirica seeds were slowly consumed, and the two seasons had the same seed consumption rate patterns: the consumption rate of P. koraiensis seeds was the highest, followed by C. mandshurica, then Q. mongolica, and finally Pr. sibirica. The median removal times of the two seasons were different, but the rules were the same: P. koraiensis was the shortest, followed by C. mandshurica, and the third was Q. mongolica. In both seasons, the most predated in situ seeds were those of P. koraiensis; the most hoarded seeds were those of C. mandshurica, and the most unconsumed seeds were those of Pr. sibirica.

Observations of the foraging behavior and activity patterns of the Korean wood mouse, Apodemus peninsulae, in China, using infra-red cameras.

Apodemus peninsulae, a dominant rodent species in temperature forests of northeastern China, is a model animal to explore the ecological functions of reciprocal coevolution of animals and plants. From August to October 2016, 24 infra-red cameras were installed to study the feeding behavior and activity patterns of A. peninsulae in its natural environment. By analyzing 5618 video records, we found that feeding behavior, followed by motor and sentinel behaviors, was their main activity. In the behavior spectra, motor behavior (creep, walk, and skip), feeding behavior (forage, feeding, transport, hoarding, and clean), and sentinel behavior (alert, flee, banishment, and coexistence) accounted for 57.96%, 40.36%, and 1.68% of their behavior, respectively. The peak of feeding behavior occurred between 18:00 and 23:00, and feeding behavior frequency, duration, and activity rhythms differ among August to October. Furthermore, activity was the greatest after sunset and before sunrise, indicating a nocturnal lifestyle; however, from August to October, the start time of the activity was earlier, and the end time was later than usual. On average, mice spent 21.6 ± 11.6 times/night feeding, with a duration of 63.58 ± 98.36 s; while they spent less time in foraging, 39.05 ± 51.63 s. We found a significant difference in feeding and foraging frequency, with mice spending on average 10.84 ± 9.85 times/night and 9.23 ± 11.17 times/night, respectively. Our results show that feeding and foraging behavior is also influenced by light intensity, suggesting a preference for crepuscular periods of the day. Infra-red cameras are very useful in detecting activity patterns of animals that are not easily observable; these cameras are able to capture a large amount of valuable information for research into ecological functions.

Effect of fermentation and postcooking procedure on quality parameters and volatile compounds of beef jerky.

In this study, jerky samples were prepared from seasoned beef with and without the addition of starter culture. They were then dried or fried and analyzed to identify the quality parameters and volatile flavor compounds. Samples (starter and control) were divided into drying (inoculated-drying, I-D; noninoculated-drying, N-D) and frying (inoculated-frying, I-F; noninoculated-frying, N-F) groups. Water activity (a w), lightness (L*), and redness (a*) values were significantly affected (p < .001) by the postcooking procedures (drying or frying). Hardness, chewiness, and resilience were significantly lower in the dried groups than in the fried groups (p < .05). The formation of volatile compounds was affected by cooking treatment, with the highest levels observed in the I-F group. After frying, the most abundant flavor compounds in the I-D and N-D groups were terpenes and sulfur-containing compounds, followed by aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, and alcohols. The most common compounds among all groups were acetoin, D-limonene, anethole, styrene, and tetramethylpyrazine. Overall, the jerky in the I-F group had the best color and tenderness scores among all groups.

Doxofyllinium tetra-chloridoanti-monate(III) monohydrate.

The title compound, (C(11)H(14)N(4)O(4))[SbCl(4)]·H(2)O, comprises a protonated doxofyllinium cation [7-(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmeth-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-3,7-dihydro-1H-purin-9-ium], an [SbCl(4)](-) anion and a water mol-ecule linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds: the [SbCl(4)](-) anions form centrosymmetric dimers via weak Sb⋯Cl inter-actions [Sb⋯Cl = 3.1159 (9) Å]. The geometrical arrangement in the crystal structure is characterized by slipped π-π stacking of the parallel purine ring systems, with an inter-planar separation of 3.32 Å.

Redetermination of ethyl-ene-diammonium bis-(p-methyl-benzene-sulfonate) monohydrate.

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(2)H(10)N(2) (2+)·2C(7)H(7)O(3)S(-)·H(2)O, there are two independent 4-methyl-benzene-sulfonate anions, one ethyl-enediammonium cation and a water mol-ecule. The present redetermination was carried out to improve the treatment of disorder, which was not refined in the previous study [Ahn & Kim (1985 ▶). J. Korean Chem. Soc.29, 335-340]. One of the sulfonate groups is disordered over two positions, with site-occupancy factors of 0.588 (14) and 0.412 (14). Inter-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds hold the three components together, affording a layer structure extending parallel to the (001) plane.

7-(1,3-Dioxolan-2-ylmeth-yl)-1,3-di-methyl-purine-2,6(1H,3H)-dione trichloro-acetic acid solvate.

In the title compound, C(11)H(14)N(4)O(4)·C(2)HCl(3)O(2), the dioxolane ring adopts an envelope conformation. Doxophylline [7-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl-meth-yl)-1,3-dimethyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione] and trichloro-acetic acid mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the masked shrew (Sorex caecutiens) from China.

The complete mitogenome sequence of the masked shrew (Sorex caecutiens) was determined using long PCR. The genome was 17,096 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, one origin of L strand replication, and one control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (32.9%), C (24.5%), T (29.3%), and G (13.3%). The base compositions present clearly the A-T skew, which is most obviously in the control region and protein-coding genes. The extended termination-associated sequence domain, the central conserved domain and the conserved sequence block domain are defined in the mitochondrial genome control region of the masked shrew. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. The five Sorex species formed a monophyletic group with the high bootstrap value (100%) in all examinations.

Ultrasonic effect on RuO2 nanostructures prepared by direct calcination of two new Ru(II)-organic supramolecular polymers.

Two novel Ru(II) complexes [(η6-p-cymene)RuCl(L1)]PF6 (R1) and [(η6-C6H6)RuCl(L1)]PF6 (R3) with ligand (E)-4-(methylthio)-N-((quinolin-2-yl)methylene)benzenamine (L1), were synthesized and investigated using elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Complexes R1 and R3 have coordination environments with formulated (η6-p-cymene)Ru(N2Cl) and (η6-C6H6)Ru(N2Cl) respectively. The thermal stabilities of compounds R1 and R3 were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The binding of the complexes R1 and R3 to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) was investigated by using electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence and redox behavior studies. Such experimental data showed that there are interactions between complexes and CT-DNA and the nature of this binding is electrostatic interaction type. Calcination of ultrasonic treated R1 and R3 results in the formation of nanoparticles of RuO2. The nanoparticles were characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also size and morphology of nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Isolation and absolute configurations of diastereomers of 8α-hydroxy-T-muurolol and (1α,6ß,7ß)-cadinane-4-en-8α,10α-diol from Chimonanthus salicifolius.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Chimonanthus salicifolius resulted in the isolation of two sesquiterpenoids, 8α-hydroxy-T-muurolol and (1α,6ß,7ß)-cadinane-4-en-8α,10α-diol, together with 13 known compounds. The 15 structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The relative and absolute configurations of 8α-hydroxy-T-muurolol and 8α,11-elemodiol were achieved by NOESY experiments and X-ray crystallography using CuKα radiation. 8α-hydroxy-T-muurolol and (1α,6ß,7ß)-cadinane-4-en-8α,10α-diol showed immunosuppressive activities in a dose-dependent manner.

Two half-sandwiched ruthenium (II) compounds containing 5-fluorouracil derivatives: synthesis and study of DNA intercalation.

Two novel coordination compounds of half-sandwiched ruthenium(II) containing 2-(5-fluorouracil)-yl-N-(pyridyl)-acetamide were synthesized, and their intercalation binding modes with calf thymus DNA were revealed by hyperchromism of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy; the binding constants were determined according to a Langmuir adsorption equation that was deduced on the base of careful cyclic voltammetry measurements. The two compounds exhibited DNA intercalation binding activities with the binding constants of 1.13×106 M-1 and 5.35 ×105 M-1, respectively.

[Application of genetic diversity in the researches on rodents].

Genetic diversity is the base of the species diversity and ecosystem diversity, and also the foundation for biological evolution and species differentiation. Furthermore, genetic diversity is important evidence for evaluation of biological resources of nature. The genetic diversity data from a wide variety of rodents have many complex applications. We summarized the application of rodent prevention, the origin and differentiation including evolutionary history of rodents, the potential adaptation of rodents, the dynamics of population and regulatory mechanisms, and the conservation biology of rodents. Researches in the future should focus on the systematic study on the relationships between population dynamics and genetic diversity, and long-term monitoring of genetic diversity of rodents.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Macrocyclized Betulin Derivatives as a Novel Class of Anti-HIV-1 Maturation Inhibitors.

A macrocycle provides diverse functionality and stereochemical complexity in a conformationally preorganized ring structure, and it occupies a unique chemical space in drug discovery. However, the synthetic challenge to access this structural class is high and hinders the exploration of macrocycles. In this study, efficient synthetic routes to macrocyclized betulin derivatives have been established. The macrocycle containing compounds showed equal potency compared to bevirimat in multiple HIV-1 antiviral assays. The synthesis and biological evaluation of this novel series of HIV-1 maturation inhibitors will be discussed.

Effects of intensive antihypertensive treatment on Chinese hypertensive patients older than 70 years.

This study was performed to investigate whether intensive antihypertensive treatment with achieved blood pressure (BP) ≤140/90 mm Hg, as compared with standard treatment with achieved BP ≤150/90 mm Hg, could further improve cardiovascular outcomes in Chinese hypertensive patients older than 70 years. A total of 724 participants were randomly assigned to intensive or standard antihypertensive treatment. After a mean follow-up of 4 years, the mean achieved BP was 135.7/76.2 mm Hg in the intensive treatment group and 149.7/82.1 mm Hg in the standard treatment group. The visit-to-visit variability in systolic BP and diastolic BP was lower in the intensive group than that in the standard group. Intensive antihypertensive treatment, compared with the standard treatment, decreased total and cardiovascular mortality by 41.7% and 50.3%, respectively, and reduced fatal/nonfatal stroke by 42.0% and heart failure death by 62.7%. Cox regression analysis indicated that the mean systolic BP (P=.020; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-1.069) and the standard deviation of systolic BP (P=.033; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-1.151) were risk factors for cardiovascular endpoint events. Intensive antihypertensive treatment with achieved 136/76 mm Hg was beneficial for Chinese hypertensive patients older than 70 years. Long-term visit-to-visit variability in systolic BP was positively associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events.