[A review of clinical specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces in ancient and modern literature].

Scutellariae Radix is a commonly used Chinese medicinal first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. In the ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), Scutellariae Radix is used in two specifications, solid one(Ziqin) and hollow one(Kuqin). In the current rules and regulations of Chinese medicine, Scutellariae Radix is used without the specific requirements for the specifications applied. To clarify the evolution of Scutellariae Radix specifications and analyze the current specifications of Scutellariae Radix pieces, the present study reviews the Scutellariae Radix from ancient literature, modern rules and regulations, and differences between Ziqin and Kuqin in composition, efficacy, and transformation mechanism. According to the research on ancient books, Kuqin is effective in clearing the fire of the upper energizer, and Ziqin in purging the heat of the lower energizer. Modern studies have revealed that Kuqin and Ziqin are significantly different in chemical components, and Ziqin and Kuqin target the colon and lung, respectively, which are consistent with the relevant records in ancient books. The review study suggests that the two specifications of Scutellariae Radix are reasonable since they can facilitate the precise treatment of Scutellariae Radix.

[Study on dryness effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma based on theory of dry-dry and dryness-induced Yin deficiency].

In order to establish a more perfect evaluation system for dryness effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma, determine the main dry parts of Atractylodis Rhizoma，and further define the mechanism of stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma in reducing the dryness. The healthy rats were given with different doses of water extract and volatile oil of raw Atractylodis Rhizoma and stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma for 21 days. Based on the theory of the dry-dry and dryness-induced Yin deficiency, the amount of drinking water, tissue morphology of submandibular glands, urine volume and the expression of aquaporin 2 (AQP2) in the kidneys, as well as blood rheology, ratio of cAMP/cGMP in serum and the content of Na⁺-K⁺-ATP enzyme were selected as the evaluation indexes. The results indicated that the rats with high dose volatile oil from raw Atractylodis Rhizoma had a significant increase in the amount of drinking water, urine volume, blood viscosity, ratio of cAMP/cGMP and content of Na⁺-K⁺-ATP enzyme in the serum（P<0.05）as compared with the soybean oil group; meanwhile, atrophy of submandibular acinar gland was obvious，and the expression of aquaporin 2 was reduced significantly（P<0.05）. There were significant differences between volatile oil high dose group of raw Atractylodis Rhizoma and volatile oil high dose group of stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma. There was no significant difference between the water extract groups of raw and stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma and the saline group. A comprehensive evaluation system for the dryness effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma was established. It was confirmed that the volatile oil part was the main dry part of Atractylodis Rhizoma. It revealed that the mechanism of dryness effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma was not only related to the decrease of the total content of the volatile oil, but also may be related to the transformation of dryness components in the volatile oil. It provides references for the study of material basis of Atractylodis Rhizoma dryness, provides an experimental basis for the clinical application of Atractylodis Rhizoma, further clarifies the mechanism of stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma in reducing the dryness, and provides thoughts for the evaluation of other dry traditional Chinese medicines.

Pollution resistance assessment of existing landscape plants on Beijing streets based on air pollution tolerance index method.

Various plant species of green belt in urban traffic area help to reduce air pollution and beautify the city environment. Those plant species growing healthily under long-term atmospheric pollution environment are considered to be resilient. This study aims to identify plant species that are more tolerant to air pollution from traffic and to give recommendations for future green belt development in urban areas. Leaf samples of 47 plant species were collected from two heavy traffic roadside sites and one suburban site in Beijing during summer 2014. Four parameters in leaves were separately measured including relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll content (TCH), leaf-extract pH (pH), and ascorbic acid (AA). The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) method was adopted to assess plants' resistance ability based on the above four parameters. The tolerant levels of plant species were classified using two methods, one by comparing the APTI value of individual plant to the average of all species and another by using fixed APTI values as standards. Tolerant species were then selected based on combination results from both methods. The results showed that different tolerance orders of species has been found at the three sampling sites due to varied air pollution and other environmental conditions. In general, plant species Magnolia denudata, Diospyros kaki, Ailanthus altissima, Fraxinus chinensis and Rosa chinensis were identified as tolerant species to air pollution environment and recommend to be planted at various location of the city, especially at heavy traffic roadside.

Preliminary strategic environmental assessment of the Great Western Development Strategy: safeguarding ecological security for a new western China.

The Great Western Development Strategy (GWDS) is a long term national campaign aimed at boosting development of the western area of China and narrowing the economic gap between the western and the eastern parts of China. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) procedure was employed to assess the environmental challenges brought about by the western development plans. These plans include five key developmental domains (KDDs): water resource exploitation and use, land utilization, energy generation, tourism development, and ecological restoration and conservation. A combination of methods involving matrix assessment, incorporation of expert judgment and trend analysis was employed to analyze and predict the environmental impacts upon eight selected environmental indicators: water resource availability, soil erosion, soil salinization, forest destruction, land desertification, biological diversity, water quality and air quality. Based on the overall results of the assessment, countermeasures for environmental challenges that emerged were raised as key recommendations to ensure ecological security during the implementation of the GWDS. This paper is intended to introduce a consensus-based process for evaluating the complex, long term pressures on the ecological security of large areas, such as western China, that focuses on the use of combined methods applied at the strategic level.

4-Meth-oxy-N-methyl-benzamide.

In the title compound, C(9)H(11)NO(2), the dihedral angle between the amide group and the benzene ring is 10.6 (1)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, supported by a C-H⋯O contact, forming chains along b. These chains are linked by C-H⋯π inter-actions to give a three-dimensional network.

4-Chloro-N-methyl-benzamide.

There are two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(8)H(8)ClNO, which are linked in the crystal structure via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along the b axis. C-H⋯O contacts also occur. The benzene ring makes dihedral angles of 5.9 (1) and 16.7 (1)°with the attached amide group in the two independent molecules.

5-Bromo-4-iodo-2-methyl-aniline.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(7)H(7)BrIN, contains two independent mol-ecules, which are linked by weak N-H⋯N hydro-den-bonding inter-actions between the amino groups.

5-Meth-oxy-1,3,4-thia-diazol-2(3H)-one.

The three mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(3)H(4)N(2)O(2)S, are connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers normal to [001]. The rings of the mol-ecules are approximately planar, with r.m.s. deviations of 0.0051 (1), 0.0044 (1) and 0.0111 (1) Å.

Individual and combined effects of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms on leukemia risk: An updated meta-analysis.

Background: Several meta-analyses have analyzed the association of GSTM1 present/null, GSTT1 present/null, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms with leukemia risk. However, the results of these meta-analyses have been conflicting. Moreover, they did not evaluate the combined effects of the three aforementioned gene polymorphisms. Furthermore, they did not appraise the credibility of the positive results. Finally, many new studies have been published. Therefore, an updated meta-analysis was conducted. Objectives: To further explore the relationship of the three aforementioned gene polymorphisms with leukemia risk. Methods: The crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to evaluate the association of the individual and combined effects of the three aforementioned genes. Moreover, the false-positive report probability (FPRP) and Bayesian false discovery probability (BFDP) were applied to verify the credibility of these statistically significant associations. Results: Overall, the individual GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms added leukemia risk. On combining GSTM1 and GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1, and GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms, positive results were also observed. However, no significant association was observed between the combined effects of these three polymorphisms with leukemia risk in the overall analysis. Moreover, when only selecting Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and medium- and high-quality studies, we came to similar results. However, when the FPRP and BFDP values were applied to evaluate the credibility of positive results, the significant association was only observed for the GSTT1 null genotype with leukemia risk in Asians (BFDP = 0.367, FPRP = 0.009). Conclusion: This study strongly suggests a significant increase in the risk of leukemia in Asians for the GSTT1 null genotype.

3-[2-Chloro-4-(trifluoro-meth-yl)phen-oxy]benzoic acid.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(14)H(8)ClF(3)O(3), comprises two independent mol-ecules. The rings in each molecule are connected together via O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form classical hydrogen-bonded carb-oxy-lic acid dimers. The dihedral angles between the benzene rings are 80.7 (1) and 68.7 (1)°.

Poly[[tetra-kis-(µ-2-anilinobenzoato-κO:O')tetra-µ(1,1,1)-azido-tetra-µ(1,1)-azido-octa-methano-lhexa-nickel(II)] methanol hexa-solvate].

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni(6)(C(13)H(10)NO(2))(4)(N(3))(8)(CH(3)OH)(8)]·6CH(3)OH, consists of a centrosymmetric hexa-nuclear [Ni(II) (6)(C(13)H(10)NO(2))(4)(N(3))(8)(CH(3)OH)(8)] mol-ecule and six methanol solvent mol-ecules. In the hexa-nuclear unit, the six octa-hedrally coordinated Ni(II) atoms are linked by four µ(1,1,1)-azide and four µ(1,1)-azide bridges, forming a face-sharing Ni(6)N(8) tetra-cubane-like unit with four missing corners. The Ni(II) atoms are further bridged by four µ(1,2)-carboxalate groups. Neighbouring hexa-nuclear units are connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions into a three-dimensional structure. Although the H atoms of the methanol OH groups could not be located, O⋯N/O contacts between 2.65 and 2.86 Šsuggest that these mol-ecules participate in hydrogen bonding.

Bis[4-(2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene-amino)-benzoato-κO]tetra-kis-(methanol-κO)cadmium.

In the title mononuclear complex, [Cd(C(14)H(10)NO(3))(2)(CH(3)OH)(4)], the Cd(2+) cation is situated on an inversion centre. It exhibits a distorted octa-hedral coordination, defined by two carboxyl-ate O atoms from two monodentate anions and by four O atoms from four methanol mol-ecules. The crystal structure comprises intra-molecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N, and inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The latter help to construct a layered structure extending parallel to (100).

Bis[2-(2-fur-yl)-1-(2-furylmeth-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-κN]diiodidocadmium.

In the title complex, [CdI(2)(C(16)H(12)N(2)O(2))(2)], the Cd(II) atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is four-coordinated by two N atoms from symmetry-related 2-(2-fur-yl)-1-(2-furyl-meth-yl)-1H-benzimidazole ligands and two I atoms in a distorted tetra-hedral configuration. The benzimidazole rings in adjacent mol-ecules are parallel, with an average inter-planar distance of 3.486 Å. The I atom is disordered over two sites in a 0.85 (5):0.15 (5) ratio.

miR-222 regulates cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal isolated from slow transit constipation rats by targeting c-kit.

BACKGROUND: Excessive autophagy and apoptosis of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been identified in gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders including slow transit constipation (STC). MicroRNA 222 (miR-222) has been shown to affect GI motility. This study aimed to explore whether miR-222 influences apoptosis and excessive autophagy of isolated ICC. METHODS: miR-222, c-kit, and stem cell factor (SCF) were evaluated in colon tissues in STC rats compared with normal control by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. The condition of autophagy of colon tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope. ICC were isolated from the colon of STC rats. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay were carried out to examine the cell viability and migration rate. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Annexin V-Flourescein Isothiocyanate/Propidine Iodide (FITC/PI) apoptosis detection kit. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the c-kit and SCF expression; apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and pro-caspase-3; and autophagy-related proteins LC3B and Beclin-1. The connection between miR-222 and c-kit was detected by bioinformatics and luciferase activity analysis. RESULTS: miR-222 expression was significantly higher, whereas c-kit and SCF expressions were markedly lower in STC rats' colon tissue compared with normal control. Meanwhile, STC rats exhibited excessive autophagy in colon tissue than normal control. Inhibition of miR-222 expression promoted cell proliferation as well as migration and inhibited autophagy, whereas upregulation of miR-222 had the opposite effect. In addition, miR-222 upregulation induced apoptosis and excessive autophagy compared with normal controls (NC). Western blot analysis showed that miR-222 overexpression caused decreased c-kit and SCF protein levels compared with NC. Bioinformatics and luciferase activity analysis revealed that miR-222 could be a predictive regulator of c-kit. CONCLUSION: miR-222 induces apoptosis and excessive autophagy of ICC and may serve as potential biomarker for ICC loss in STC.

The azide-bridged mixed-valent cobalt(II,III) compound [(CH(3))(3)NH](2)[CoCo(2)(N(3))(10)].

The crystal structure of the title compound, poly[bis-(tri-methyl-ammonium) hexa-µ(1,1)-azido-tetra-azido-tricobalt-ate(II,III)], [(CH(3))(3)NH](2)[Co(II)Co(III) (2)(N(3))(10)], consists of anionic chains [Co(II)Co(III) (2)(N(3))(10)](2-) extending parallel to the c axis and [(CH(3))(3)NH](+) counter-cations situated between the chains. In the anionic chain, one tetra-hedrally coordinated Co(II) atom (site symmetry 2) and two octa-hedrally coordinated Co(III) atoms are arranged alternately and are linked by µ(1,1)-azide bridges. The anionic chains and cations are connected via N-H⋯N hydrogen bonding into a three-dimensional structure.

Azido-{2-[bis-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)amino]-ethano-lato-κN,O,O',O''}cobalt(II).

In the title complex, [Co(C(6)H(14)NO(3))(N(3))] or [Co(teaH(2))N(3)], the Co(II) atom resides in a trigonal-bipymidal O(3)N(2) environment formed by three O atoms and one N atom from a simply deprotonated tetra-dentate triethano-lamine ligand, and one N atom from an azide ligand. The O atoms define the equatorial plane whereas both N atoms are in axial positions. The mononuclear units are linked through O-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the ethanol OH groups and the ethano-late O atom of a neighbouring complex into chains running parallel to [010].

Dichloridobis[2-(2-fur-yl)-1-(2-furylmeth-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-κN]cadmium(II).

In the title complex, [CdCl(2)(C(16)H(12)N(2)O(2))(2)], the Cd(II) ion exhibits site symmetry 2. It shows a distorted tetra-hedral coordination defined by two N atoms from symmetry-related 2-(2-fur-yl)-1-(2-furylmeth-yl)-1H-benzimidazole ligands and by two symmetry-related Cl atoms. Intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds stabilize the mol-ecular configuration. Adjacent mol-ecules are linked through C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds into a network structure.

A new one-dimensional CdII coordination polymer incorporating 2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate).

Imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H3IDC) and its derivatives are widely used in the preparation of new coordination polymers owing to their versatile bridging coordination modes and potential hydrogen-bonding donors and acceptors. A new one-dimensional coordination polymer, namely catena-poly[[diaquacadmium(II)]-µ3-2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylato)], [Cd(C16H6N4O8)0.5(H2O)2]n or [Cd(H2Phbidc)1/2(H2O)2]n, has been synthesized by the reaction of Cd(OAc)2·2H2O (OAc is acetate) with 2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) (H6Phbidc) under solvothermal conditions. In the polymer, one type of Cd ion (Cd1) is six-coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from one H2Phbidc4- ligand and by two O atoms from two water molecules, forming a significantly distorted octahedral CdN2O4 coordination geometry. In contrast, the other type of Cd ion (Cd2) is six-coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two symmetry-related H2Phbidc4- ligands and by two O atoms from two symmetry-related water molecules, leading to a more regular octahedral coordination geometry. The Cd1 and Cd2 ions are linked by H2Phbidc4- ligands into a one-dimensional chain which runs parallel to the b axis. In the crystal, the one-dimensional chains are connected through hydrogen bonds, generating a two-dimensional layered structure parallel to the ab plane. Adjacent layers are further linked by hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure in the solid state.

A new two-dimensional managnese(II) coordination polymer constructed by 2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate).

In recent years, N-heterocyclic carboxylate ligands have attracted much interest in the preparation of new coordination polymers since they contain N-atom donors, as well as O-atom donors, and have a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to polymers with intriguing structures and interesting properties. A new two-dimensional coordination polymer, namely poly[[µ3-2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(4-carboxy-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylato)-κ6O4,N3,N3',O4':O5:O5']manganese(II)], [Mn(C16H8N4O8)]n or [Mn(H4Phbidc)]n, has been synthesized by the reaction of Mn(OAc)2·4H2O (OAc is acetate) with 2,2'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) (H6Phbidc) under solvothermal conditions. In the polymer, each MnII ion is six-coordinated by two N atoms from one H4Phbidc2- ligand and by four O atoms from three H4Phbidc2- ligands, forming a significantly distorted octahedral MnN2O4 coordination geometry. The MnII ions are linked by hexadentate H4Phbidc2- ligands, leading to a two-dimensional structure parallel to the ac plane. In the crystal, adjacent layers are further connected by N-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional structure in the solid state.

Lead and cadmium in leaves of deciduous trees in Beijing, China: development of a metal accumulation index (MAI).

Lead and cadmium uptake was investigated for common deciduous street trees in Beijing in this study. Species having Cd accumulation included Populus tomentosa, Sophora japonica and Catalpa speciosa. P. tomentosa had the highest ratios between leaf and soil Cd (0.848), followed by S. japonica (0.536), C. speciosa (0.493), Paulownia tomentosa (0.453) and Juglans regia (0.415). Pb levels were high in leaves of C. speciosa, J. regia and Pa. tomentosa. S. japonica had the highest ratio between leaf Pb and soil Pb (0.146), followed by Pa. tomentosa (0.143), Ginko biloba (0.103) and C. speciosa (0.095). A predictive foliar metal accumulation index (MAI) was developed and C. speciosa was calculated to have the highest MAI value (53.8). This suggests that C. speciosa would be a good choice for planting in areas of Beijing where soil contamination with Cd and Pb may be a problem.