Rationale
Depression is a serious neuropsychiatric disorder, which is characterized by sustaining mood disorders. Loganin, a major iridoid glycoside from Corni fructus, has a variety of ...pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective effect and hypnotic effect. However, little is known about the effects of loganin on stress-induced depression.
Objective
To investigate the effects of loganin on behavioral despair of mice, and whether serotonin (5-HT) and/or noradrenaline (NE) are involved in this process.
Methods
We tested the effectiveness of loganin using tail suspension test (TST). The possible mechanism was explored using reserpine-induced ptosis and hypothermia, and 5-HTP-induced head-twitch response in mice. The changes of 5-HT and NE in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum were measured through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Then, we identified the effects of depleting 5-HT and NE by PCPA (p-chlorophenylalanine) and DSP-4 (N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride) pretreatment, respectively.
Results
Loganin (12.5/50 mg/kg) induced antidepressant-like effects in mice submitted to TST. Loganin (12.5/50 mg/kg) ameliorated the reserpine-induced hypothermia and ptosis, as well as increased 5-HTP-induced head-twitch responses in mice. Loganin (50 mg/kg) significantly increased the levels of 5-HT in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Furthermore, only PCPA treatment could eliminate loganin-induced antidepressant-like effects in TST.
Conclusion
Loganin exerts antidepressant-like effect in the TST depending on 5-HT levels in the central nervous system, which provide a potential agent for depression therapy.
Ordered mesoporous carbon nitride (CN) has been synthesized through a nanocasting approach and utilized as a catalyst support to load Pd nanoparticles. The physical and chemical properties of Pd/CN ...materials were characterized using various techniques, including N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, small-angle X-ray scattering, TEM, XPS, FT-IR, O2-TPD, and CO2-TPD. The ordered mesoporous structures of CN have well remained after the introduction of Pd nanoparticles. In selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol under mild aerobic condition, Pd/CN materials showed excellent and recyclable catalytic conversions of benzyl alcohol. Under the same reaction condition, the catalytic activity acquired over Pd/CN was superior to those obtained over Pd/CNTs, Pd/AC, and Pd/mpg-C3N4 catalysts. The characterization revealed that mesoporous CN support with basic nitrogen-containing sites could not only disperse well the Pd nanoparticles but also facilitate in activating alcohol molecules. Furthermore, in a tandem reaction combining selective oxidation and Knoevenagel condensation, Pd/CN material also showed potential catalysis with its bifunctionality.
Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata resulted in the isolation of three new rosane diterpenoids, euphebracteolatins C–E (1–3), along with fourteen known analogs ...(4–17). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Euphebracteolatin C (1) contains a C‐1/C‐10 double bond and a keto group at C‐7, and euphebracteolatins D and E (2–3) possess an aromatic ring‐A in their skeleton. The plausible biogenetic pathways of all the isolates were also proposed. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 9 showed selective cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 14.29 and 12.33 μM, respectively, and 2–3 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer lines, with IC50 values ranging from 23.69 to 39.25 μM.
Increasing evidence indicates that dysfunction of glutamate receptors is involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Although accumulating efforts have been made to elucidate ...the applications and mechanisms underlying antidepressant-like effects of ketamine, a non-selective antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), the role of specific glutamate receptor subunit in regulating depression is not completely clear. The current review aims to discuss the relationships between glutamate receptor subunits and depressive-like behaviors. Research literatures were searched from inception to July 2020. We summarized the alterations of glutamate receptor subunits in patients with MDD and animal models of depression. Animal behaviors in response to dysfunction of glutamate receptor subunits were also surveyed. To fully understand mechanisms underlying antidepressant-like effects of modulators targeting glutamate receptors, we discussed effects of each glutamate receptor subunit on serotonin system, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuroinflammation. Finally, we collected most recent clinical applications of glutamate receptor modulators and pointed out the limitations of these candidates in the treatment of MDD.
Display omitted
•Metal halides were supported on mp-C3N4 supports via simple impregnation methods.•Metal halide was essentially active sites to activate propylene oxide molecule.•Various supported ...metal halides showed high performances in cycloaddition of CO2.
A series of ZnCl2/mp-C3N4 catalysts were prepared through a wet impregnation method using mesoporous g-C3N4 materials as catalytic supports. The physicochemical properties of the ZnCl2/mp-C3N4 catalysts were characterized using several techniques, including N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the cycloaddition reactions of CO2 with propylene oxide (PO) to propylene carbonate (PC), the ZnCl2/mp-C3N4 materials revealed high catalytic performances at 140°C and 6h. Furthermore, other metal halides including ZnBr2, CoCl2, FeCl3, NiCl2, and MgCl2 catalysts supported on mp-C3N4 were fabricated and the synthesized catalysts also demonstrated high performances in the catalytic cycloaddition of CO2. A possible catalytic mechanism has been proposed. The mp-C3N4 material served mainly as a basic support to adsorb CO2 whereas the supported metal halides were active sites to promote the activation of PO and realize its transform into PC.
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was employed as a catalyst support to load MgO. The physicochemical properties of the supported catalyst (MgO/g-C3N4) were characterized using several ...characterization techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, SEM, XPS and CO2-TPD. The incorporation of MgO has effectively enhanced the overall basicity of g-C3N4. In the transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) with methanol to dimethyl carbonate (DMC), MgO/g-C3N4 catalysts demonstrated high catalytic activity and good recyclability, affording the maximum DMC yield of 70% at 140°C. Moreover, the catalytic performance has also been compared with other reported heterogeneous catalysts.
Display omitted
•MgO/g-C3N4 catalysts prepared by a simple mixing and calcination•MgO has induced the decomposition of g-C3N4 and enhanced its basicity.•A maximum EC conversion of 81% obtained at 140°C.•Superior catalytic activity to ZnBr2-g-C3N4 composite
Increasing evidence suggests that the failure of clinical antidepressants may be related with neuroinflammation. The NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an ...intracellular multiprotein complex, and has been considered as a key contributor to the development of neuroinflammation. Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome is an effective method for depression treatment. In this review, we summarized current researches highlighting the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathology of depression. Firstly, we discussed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with depression and animal models. Secondly, we outlined the possible mechanisms driving the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Thirdly, we discussed the pathogenetic role of NLRP3 inflammasome in depression. Finally, we overviewed the current and potential antidepressants targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Overall, the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation-related depression.
Display omitted
Disseminated nocardiosis is liable to be misdiagnosed owing to the non-specific clinical manifestations and laboratory/imaging findings. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a ...culture-independent and rapid method for direct identification of all microorganisms in clinical specimens.
Objective
To determine whether there have been any changes in the causes and management of urethral strictures in China.
Patients and Methods
The data from 4 764 men with urethral stricture disease ...who underwent treatment at 13 medical centres in China between 2005 and 2010 were retrospectively collected. The databases were analysed for the possible causes, site and treatment techniques for the urethral stricture, as well as for changes in the causes and management of urethral strictures.
Results
The most common cause of urethral strictures was trauma, which occurred in 2 466 patients (51.76%). The second most common cause was iatrogenic injures, which occurred in 1 643 patients (34.49%). The most common techniques to treat urethral strictures were endourological surgery (1 740, 36.52%), anastomotic urethroplasty (1 498, 31.44%) and substitution urethroplasty (1 039, 21.81%). A comparison between the first 3 years and the last 3 years showed that the constituent ratio of endourological surgery decreased from 54% to 32.75%, whereas the constituent ratios of anastomotic urethroplasty and substitution urethroplasty increased from 26.73% and 19.18% to 39.93% and 27.32%, respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
During recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of urethral strictures caused by trauma and iatrogenic injury. Endourological urethral surgery rates decreased significantly, and open urethroplasty rates increased significantly during the last 3 years.
Phytochemical study on the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. yielded two new iridoid glucosides, named cornusglucoside A (1) and cornusglucoside B (2). The structures of 1 and 2 were ...elucidated via comprehensive NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS data analysis. Additionally, their inhibitory effects on IL‐6‐induced STAT3 activation were assessed.
PDF
