Sterols and Terpenoids from Viburnum odoratissimum

A new stigmasterol type natural product,viburodorol A(1),along with eleven known sterols and terpenoids(2–12),were isolated from the aerial parts of Viburnum odoratissimum.The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.It’s noteworthy that compound 2,the major constituent of this plant,can signifi-cantly stimulate glucose absorption in insulin resistant HepG2 cells without affecting cell viability.Furthermore,this compound can also restore the glucose absorption in DXMS-induced insulin resistant 3T3-L1 cells.

Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Cu-SnO_2-rGO based Composites Prepared by Plasma Activated Sintering

A novel chemical technique combined with unique plasma activated sintering（PAS） was utilized to prepare consolidated copper matrix composites（CMCs） by adding Cu-SnO2-rGO layered micro powders as reinforced fillers into Cu matrix. The repeating Cu-SnO2-rGO structure was composed of inner dispersed reduced graphene oxide（r GO）, SnO2 as intermedia and outer Cu coating. SnO2 was introduced to the surface of rGO sheets in order to prevent the graphene aggregation with SnO2 serving as spacer and to provide enough active sites for subsequent Cu deposition. This process can guarantee rGO sheets to suffi ciently disperse and Cu nanoparticles to tightly and uniformly anchor on each layer of rGO by means of the SnO2 active sites as well as strictly control the reduction speed of Cu^2＋. The complete cover of Cu nanoparticles on rGO sheets thoroughly avoids direct contact among rGO layers. Hence, the repeating structure can simultaneously solve the wettability problem between rGO and Cu matrix as well as improve the bonding strength between rGO and Cu matrix at the well-bonded Cu-SnO2-rGO interface. The isolated rGO can effectively hinder the glide of dislocation at Cu-rGO interface and support the applied loads. Finally, the compressive strength of CMCs was enhanced when the strengthening effi ciency reached up to 41.

Dielectric Properties of Bi_4Ti_3O_(12) Ceramics by Impedance Spectroscopic Method

Various lead-free ceramics have been investigated in search for new high-temperature dielectrics. In particular, Bi_4Ti_3O_（12） is a type of ferroelectric ceramics, which is supposed to replace leadcontaining ceramics for its outstanding dielectric properties in the near future. Ferroelectric ceramics of Bi_4Ti_3O_（12） made by conventional mixed oxide route have been studied by impedance spectroscopy in a wide range of temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns show that Bi_4Ti_3O_（12） ceramics are a single-phase of ferroelectric Bi-layered perovskite structure whether it is calcined at 800 ℃ or after sintering production. This study focused on the effect of the grain size on the electric properties of BIT ceramics. The BIT ceramics with different grain sizes were prepared at different sintering temperatures. Grain becomes coarser with the sintering temperature increasing by 50 ℃, relative permittivity and dielectric loss also change a lot. When sintered at 1 100 ℃, r values peak can reach 205.40 at a frequency of 100 k Hz, the minimum dielectric losses of four different frequencies make no difference, all close to 0.027. The values of Ea range from 0.52 to 0.68 e V. The dielectric properties of the sample sintered at 1 100 ℃ are relatively better than those of the other samples by analyzing the relationship of the grain, the internal stresses, the homogeneity and the dielectric properties. SEM can better explain the results of the dielectric spectrum at different sintering temperatures. The results show that Bi_4Ti_3O_（12） ceramics are a kind of dielectrics. Thus, Bi_4Ti_3O_（12） can be used in high-temperature capacitors and microwave ceramics.

The response of sedimentary record to catchment changes induced by human activities in the western intertidal flat of Yalu River Estuary,China

The response to the catchment changes of the sedimentary environment of the western intertidal flat of Yalu River Estuary was investigated by analyzing the vertical variations of the grain size of sediment cores,along with the hydrologic data and human activities in the catchment.The results demonstrated a stepwise decreasing trend for the variations of both the sediment load and water discharge into the sea,which could be divided into three stages as 1958–1970,1971–1990 and 1991–2009.Reservoir construction and the changes of catchment vegetation coverage turned out to be the two predominant contributors to the changes.There are four periods for the variation of the sensitive components of the sediment cores from 1940 to 2010,i.e.,1940–1950,1951–1980,1981–1990 and 1991–2010.The vertical distribution of grain size in the cores mainly varied with the changes of vegetation coverage in the catchment and reservoir construction from 1960 to 1980,whereas it varied depending on the intensity of water and soil erosion in the catchment from 1980 to 1990.Despite the further reduction of the water and sediment input into the sea from 1990 to 2009,this period was characterized by coarsening trends for the grain size of sediment in the estuarine intertidal flat and correspondingly,the significantly increased silt contents of the sensitive component.

Panthogenins A and B,two novel norergostanol steroids from Dioscorea panthaica

Two novel 27-norergostanol steroids, panthogenins A （1） and B （2）, possessing unusual rings E and F featuring a ketal moiety at C-25 were isolated from rhizomes ofDioscorea panthaica. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and the structure of panthogenin A was further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Both compounds showed potent in vitro insulin sensitizing activity.

Highly sensitive hybrid nanofiber-based room-temperature CO sensors： Experiments and density functional theory simulations

Chemical sensors （CSs） are an emerging area in nanoscience research, which focuses on the highly sensitive detection of toxic and hazardous gases and disease- related volatile organics. While the field has advanced rapidly in recent years, it lacks the theoretical support required for the rational design of innovative materials with tunable measurement responses. Herein, we present a one-dimensional （1D） hybrid nanofiber decorated with ultrafine NiO nanoparticles （NiO NPs） as an efficient active component for CSs. Highly dispersed （110）-facet NiO NPs with a high percentage of Ni2~ active sites with unsaturated coordination were confined in a TiO2 nanofiber （TiO2 NF） matrix that is favorable for surface catalytic reactions. The CSs constructed using the 1D heterostructure NiO/TiO2 nanofibers （NiOdrio2 HNFs） exhibited a highly selective response to trace CO gas molecules （1 ppm） with high sensitivity （AR/Ro = 1.02）, ultrafast response/ recovery time （T 〈 20 s）, and remarkable reproducibility at room tem- perature. The density functional theory （DFT） simulations and experimental results confirmed that the selective response could be attributed to the high molecular adsorption energy of the NiO nanoparticles with （110） facets and abundant interfaces, which act synergistically to promote CO adsorption and facilitate charge transfer.

Synthesis and Insulin-sensitizing Activity of a Series of 2-Benzyl-1,3-dicarbonyl Derivatives

A series of 2 benzyl 1,3 dicabonyl derivatives was synthesized. Their insulin sensitizing activity was evaluated in 3T3 L1 preadipocyte cells. Compounds 3, 26 and 27 were found to possess strong insulin sensitizing activity in vitro and were selected for further hypoglycemic evaluation in vivo.

A NEW EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL APPROACH OF COMBINING USAGE OF HIGHLY ACTIVE TUMOR-INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES AND HIGHLY SENSITIVE ANTITUMOR DRUGS FOR THE ADVANCED MALIGNANT TUMOR

In recent years, tumor-nfiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been reported to be effective for tumors in experimental and clinical research. In order to increase the therapeutical effect, we modified some steps of Rosenberg's approach a. cold digestion with collagenase at 4C for 24 hours; b. sedimentation instead of centrifugation; c. elimination of tumor cells before the cultivation procedure. Compared with the original approach, the proliferation, activity and cytotoxicity of TILs obtained by the modified procedure were much improved. TILs' expansion-old was greater than that with the original approach. Cytotoxicity against rumor cells was more potent. Increased TILs' subsets were CD3 and CD8 cells. Meanwhile, we took tumor cells from tumor tissues to test their in vitro chemosensitivities to different drugs in order to select highly sensitive antitumor drugs for treatment of cases with advanced tumors. According to the design of using highly active TILs and highly sensitive drugs (H & H therapy), preliminary clinical results of 50 cases showed higher response rates than those in treatment with TIL / IL2, LAK / 1L2 and TIL+IL2+CTX. Less toxic side effects were observed in 14 patients.

miR-202 contributes to sensitizing MM cells to drug significantly via activing JNK/SAPK signaling pathway

Objective To explore the role of miR-202 in multiple myeloma(MM)cells,and study the regulation of miR-202 on drug sensitivity of MM cells.Methods miR-202 and BAFF mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR.U266 cells were transfected with miR-202-mimics,miR-202-inhibitor,siB AFF and their negative controls.