Molecular Structure, Vibrational Analysis and First Order Hyperpolarizability of 4-Methyl-3-Nitrobenzoic Acid Using Density Functional Theory

The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman spectra of 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid have been recorded in the range 4000 - 400 cm-1 and 3500 - 50 cm-1, respectively. The optimized geometry of the molecule, its vibrational frequencies along with corresponding intensities have been computed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) employing B3LYP/6-311++G basis set. The scaled values of harmonic vibrational frequencies obtained in the computations have been compared with their experimental counter parts. The scaling factors have been refined to reproduce the frequencies with an RMS error of 11.68 cm-1 between the experimental and computed frequencies. The theoretically constructed spectra agree satisfactorily with those of experimental spectra. First order hyperpolarizability constants have also been evaluated.

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist inhibits apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in a rabbit model of optic nerve injury

A rabbit model of traumatic optic nerve injury, established by occlusion of the optic nerve using a vascular clamp, was used to investigate the effects of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 on apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells following nerve injury. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay showed that retinal ganglion cells gradually decreased with increasing time of optic nerve injury, while GYKI 52466 could inhibit this process. The results demonstrate that following acute optic nerve injury, apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells is a programmed process, which can be inhibited by the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist.

Synthesis of (S)-2-(3-Arylacrylamido)-3-{4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl}propanoic Acids

The synthesis of （S）-2-（3-arylacrylamido）-3-{4-[2-（5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl）etho- xy]phenyl}propanoic acids is described. Their structures were confirmed by ^1H-NMR.

Crystal Structure and Biological Activities of (R)-N′-[2-(4-Methoxy-6-chloro)-pyrimidinyl]-N-[3-methyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)butyryl]-urea

The title compound （R）-N′-[2-（4-methoxy-6-chloro）-pyrimidyl]-N-[3-methyl-2-（4- chlorophenyl）butyryl]-urea has been synthesized, and its crystal structure and biological behaviors were studied. Crystallographic data： C17H18C12N4O3, Mr = 397.25, monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.331（2）, b = 14.025（3）, c = 23.085（5） A, β = 99.607（4）°, Z = 8, V = 3936.2（13） A3, Dc = 1.341 g/cm^3, F（000） = 1648, R = 0.0718, wR = 0.1585 and/t（MoKα） = 0.353 mm^-1. The preliminary biological tests showed that the title compound has definite insecticidal and fungicidal activities.

Prenatal and Postnatal Exposures to 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra Hydropyridine (MPTP) Impaired Mouse Midbrain Dopamine System and May Produce a Predisposing and Inducing Model for Parkinson’s Disease

Dopamine cell bodies in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and with their terminals projecting to the neostriatum form the nigrostriatum and these dopamine neurons degenerate in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Based on metabolic and func- tional specialization of the cell bodies versus the axon terminals, the level and disposition of dopamine, its metabolites and enzymes are different in both regions and are likely to be affected differently in PD. We examined changes in the midbrain dopamine system following 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), to test the hypothesis that a predisposing/sensitization stage and a inducing/precipitating stage underlie PD. Pregnant mice were treated with a low dose of MPTP during gestation days 8 - 12 to model the predisposing/sensitization stage, by interrupting the fetal mid- brain dopamine system during its neurogenesis. For the inducing/precipitating stage, the 12-weeks offspring were ad- ministered MPTP. The prenatal-MPTP offspring appear normal, but midbrain dopamine, 3,4-di-hydroxy-phenyl-acetic- acid, 3-methoxytyramine, tyrosine-hydroxylase and L-aromatic-amino-acid-decarboxylase, were reduced by 49.6%, 48%, 54%, 20.9% and 25%. Postnatal-MPTP of 10, 20, 30 mg/kg administered to the prenatal-PBS vs prenatal-MPTP offspring reduced midbrain dopamine by 43.6%, 47.2%, 70.3% vs 85.4%, 89.1%, 95.2%;tyrosine-hydroxylase by 30%, 63%, 81% vs 30.7%, 70.4%, 91.4%;L-aromatic-amino-acid-decarboxylase by 0%, 2%, 40% vs 32%, 40%, 58%. The prenatal-MPTP may render the DA system sensitive by causing sub-threshold reduction of DA, its metabolites and en- zymes, enabling postnatal-MPTP to reduce dopamine above the 70% - 80% PD-inducing threshold. Thus, the study may produce a prenatal predisposing/sensitization and postnatal inducing/precipitation model of PD. It also indicates that some cases of PD may have a fetal basis, in which sub-threshold nigrostriatal impairments occur early in life and PD-symptoms are induced during aging by further insults to the dopaminergic system that would not cause PD symptoms in normal indi-viduals.

The transient receptor potential melastatin 2:a new therapeutical target for Parkinson's disease?

The transient receptor potential melastatin 2 is a calcium-permeable cation channel member of the TRP family. Also known as an oxidative stress-activated channel, the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 gating mechanism is dependent on reactive oxygen species. In pathological conditions, transient receptor potential melastatin 2 is overactivated, leading to a Ca~(2+) influx that alters cell homeostasis and promotes cell death. The role of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and ischemia, has already been described and reviewed. However, data on transient receptor potential melastatin 2 involvement in Parkinson's disease pathology has emerged only in recent years and the issue lacks review studies that focus specifically on this topic. The present review aims to elucidate the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channel in Parkinson's disease by reviewing, summarizing, and discussing the in vitro, in vivo, and human studies published until August 2022. Here we describe fourteen studies that evaluated the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channel in Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's disease model used, transient receptor potential melastatin 2 antagonist and genetic approaches, and the main outcomes reported were discussed. The studies described transient receptor potential melastatin 2 activation and enhanced expression in different Parkinson's disease models. They also evidenced protective and restorative effects when using transient receptor potential melastatin 2 antagonists, knockout, or silencing. This review provides a literature overview and suggests where there is a need for more research. As a perspective point, this review shows evidence that supports transient receptor potential melastatin 2 as a pharmacological target for Parkinson's disease in the future.

An environmentally friendly synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives catalyzed by tungstate sulfuric acid

An efficient three-component synthesis of 6-amino-4-aryl-5-cyano-3-metriyl-1-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles via a reaction between 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one,aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile using tungstate sulfuric acid as a catalyst was described.Mild conditions,good to excellent yields,easily available catalyst and easy work-up are the key features of this method.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy alters synaptic plasticity of rat contralateral hippocampus following middle cerebral artery occlusion

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.

Binocular form deprivation influences the visual cortex

a-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors are considered to play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity in the developing visual cortex. In this study, we established a rat model of binocular form deprivation by suturing the rat binocular eyelids before eye-opening at postnatal day 14. During development, the decay time of excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by a-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors of normal rats became longer after eye- opening; however, the decay time did not change significantly in binocular form deprivation rats. The peak value in the normal group became gradually larger with age, but there was no significant change in the binocular form deprivation group. These findings indicate that binocular form deprivation influences the properties of excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by a-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors in the rat visual cortex around the end of the critical period, indicating that form stimulation is associated with the experience-dependent modification of neuronal synapses in the visual cortex.

Genetic variables of the glutamatergic system associated with treatment-resistant depression:A review of the literature

Depression is a common,recurrent mental disorder and one of the leading causes of disability and global burden of disease worldwide.Up to 15%-40%of cases do not respond to diverse pharmacological treatments and,thus,can be defined as treatment-resistant depression(TRD).The development of biomarkers predictive of drug response could guide us towards personalized and earlier treatment.Growing evidence points to the involvement of the glutamatergic system in the pathogenesis of TRD.Specifically,the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor(NMDAR)andα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor(AMPAR),which are targeted by ketamine and esketamine,are proposed as promising pathways.A literature search was performed to identify studies on the genetics of the glutamatergic system in depression,focused on variables related to NMDARs and AMPARs.Our review highlights GRIN2B,which encodes the NR2B subunit of NMDAR,as a candidate gene in the pathogenesis of TRD.In addition,several studies have associated genes encoding AMPAR subunits with symptomatic severity and suicidal ideation.These genes encoding glutamatergic receptors could,therefore,be candidate genes for understanding the etiopathogenesis of TRD,as well as for understanding the pharmacodynamic mechanisms and response to ketamine and esketamine treatment.

A Role for Transmembrane Protein 16C/Slack Impairment in Excitatory Nociceptive Synaptic Plasticity in the Pathogenesis of Remifentanil-induced Hyperalgesia in Rats

Remifentanil is widely used to control intraoperative pain. However, its analgesic effect is limited by the generation of postoperative hyperalgesia. In this study, we investigated whether the impairment of transmembrane protein 16C(TMEM16C)/Slack is required for a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic receptor(AMPAR) activation in remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia. Remifentanil anesthesia reduced the paw withdrawal threshold from 2 h to 48 h postoperatively,with a decrease in the expression of TMEM16C and Slack in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG) and spinal cord.Knockdown of TMEM16C in the DRG reduced the expression of Slack and elevated the basal peripheral sensitivity and AMPAR expression and function. Overexpression of TMEM16C in the DRG impaired remifentanilinduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and behavioral hyperalgesia. AMPAR-mediated current and neuronal excitability were downregulated by TMEM16C overexpression in the spinal cord. Taken together, these findings suggest that TMEM16C/Slack regulation of excitatory synaptic plasticity via GluA1-containing AMPARs is critical in the pathogenesis of remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia in rats.

Effects of intracerebroventricular NMDA and non-NMDA receptor agonists or antagonists on general anesthesia of propofol in mice

The effects of intracerebroventricular(icv)agonists and antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy–5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid(AMPA)receptors on the general anesthesia of propofol were studied.A total of 144 Kunming mice,male and female with body mass of(22P3)g,were used.Part One of the Experiment:a total of 104 Kunming mice,male and female,were randomly divided into 13 groups.Intracerebroventricular artificial cerebral fluid(aCSF)or different doses of NMDA,AMPA,MK-801 or NBQX was injected immediately after intravenously administered propofol 25 mg/kg and the recovery time following the loss of righting reflex(LORR)was recorded.Part Two of the Experiment:a total of 40 Kunming female mice were divided randomly into 5 groups and injected with icv aCSF or NMDA,AMPA,MK-801 or NBQX after intraperitoneally administered propofol 50 mg/kg.The pain threshold of the mice was then investigated by hot-plate test(HPPT).NMDA(0.05 or 0.075μg,icv)or AMPA(0.05μg,icv)exhibited no effects on the LORR,but NMDA(0.1μg,icv)or AMPA(0.075 or 0.1μg,icv)prolonged the LORR significantly compared with the aCSF group(P<0.05,P<0.01).The LORR of the 2μg MK-801 group had no changes,while those of the 4 or 8μg MK-801 groups were prolonged significantly.The LORR of the 0.5,2 or 4μg NBQX groups were all prolonged significantly.NMDA 0.05μg or AMPA 0.05μg decreased the pain threshold slightly but did not differ in effect compared with the aCSF group;2μg MK-801 or 0.5μg NBQX both increased the pain threshold significantly.Our results indicate that propofol produces general anesthesia partly through an interaction with brain NMDA and AMPA receptors in mice.