Roles of AMPA receptors in social behaviors.

As a crucial player in excitatory synaptic transmission, AMPA receptors (AMPARs) contribute to the formation, regulation, and expression of social behaviors. AMPAR modifications have been associated with naturalistic social behaviors, such as aggression, sociability, and social memory, but are also noted in brain diseases featuring impaired social behavior. Understanding the role of AMPARs in social behaviors is timely to reveal therapeutic targets for treating social impairment in disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. In this review, we will discuss the contribution of the molecular composition, function, and plasticity of AMPARs to social behaviors. The impact of targeting AMPARs in treating brain disorders will also be discussed.

Cu(ii)/Ni(ii)-organic frameworks constructed from the homometallic clusters by 5-(2-carboxyphenoxy)isophthalic acid and N-ligand: synthesis, structures and visible light-driven photocatalytic properties.

Four new complexes, namely, Cu2(O-cpia)(btb)0.5·(OH) (1), Cu3(O-cpia)2(bpy)2 (2), [Ni2(O-cpia)(phen)·(OH)·H2O]·2H2O (3) and [Ni3(O-cpia)2(bpy)3·2H2O]·2H2O (4) (O-cpia = 5-(2-carboxyphenoxy)isophthalic acid, btb = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) were successfully isolated under hydrothermal conditions. The four complexes exhibit different architectures constructed from different homometallic clusters varying from mononuclear, binuclear to tetranuclear metal(ii) polyhedra as Second Building Blocks (SBUs). 1 features a 3D framework constructed from the tetranuclear clusters [Cu4(µ3-OH)2] as SBUs, linked with Cu(1)O4N and Cu(2)O5 polyhedra by O-cpia/btb mixed linkers. 2 also exhibits a 3D structure based on trinuclear clusters [Cu3(COO)4] SBUs, bridged with Cu(1)O3N2 and Cu(2)O4 polyhedra via O-cpia/bpy mixed ligands. 3 shows a 2D network consisting of tetranuclear clusters [Ni4(µ3-OH)2] SBUs, which are bridged with Ni(1)O4N2 and Ni(2)O6 through O-cpia ligands. It is worth noting that 4, with a 3D structure, is generated from the binuclear clusters [Ni2(COO)4] (Ni(1)O4N) and mononuclear metal Ni(2) cores (Ni(2)O4N2) as SBUs, and bridged by O-cpia/bpy mixed ligands. Meanwhile, the degradation of dyes (RhB) by the complexes under visible light irradiation was studied. 1-4 are semiconducting in nature, with E g of 1.30 eV (1), 1.78 eV (2), 2.85 eV (3) and 2.14 eV (4). Cu(ii) complexes 1 and 2 are highly efficient photocatalysts for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation.

Correction: Cu(ii)/Ni(ii)-organic frameworks constructed from the homometallic clusters by 5-(2-carboxyphenoxy)isophthalic acid and N-ligand: synthesis, structures and visible light-driven photocatalytic properties.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA01496A.].

[Sex hormone-binding globulin of gestational diabetes mellitus pregnant women with well-controlled glucose and pregnancy outcomes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnant women with well-controlled glucose and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-one GDM pregnant women of 24 - 28 weeks in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were recruited from Mar. 2005 to Mar. 2010. Two hundred and sixteen cases of GDM with well-controlled glucose were defined as glycemic satisfied group, and they were treated by diet therapy (169 cases) or insulin therapy (47 cases). Thirty-five cases with unsatisfied glucose were defined as glycemic unsatisfied group. One hundred and ninety-two healthy pregnant women of 24 - 28 weeks were defined as healthy control group. Serum SHBG and homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at 24 - 28 weeks and above 36 weeks were measured. GDM was diagnosed by "two-step" method according to the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria. The pregnancy outcomes and complications of the three groups were recorded. RESULTS: (1) Comparison of pregnancy outcomes and complications:glycemic satisfied group was less likely to develop hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (10.6%), premature birth (8.3%), large for gestational age (LGA) (8.8%), neonatal asphyxia (3.7%) and neonatal hypoglycemia (2.3%) compared to glycemic unsatisfied group (42.9%, 34.3%, 31.4%, 22.9% and 11.4%, respectively). And the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was no significant difference for incidence of polyhydramnios, pueperal infection, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia between the two groups (P > 0.05). When compared to healthy control group (7.3%, 2.1%, 4.2%, 2.1% and 1.6%), no significant difference was found for incidence of premature birth (8.3%), pueperal infection (3.2%), postpartum hemorrhage (5.1%), neonatal asphyxia (3.7%) and neonatal hypoglycemia (2.3%, P > 0.05). (2) Comparison of results of 24 - 28 weeks and above 36 weeks: serum SHBG of glycemic satisfied group [(384 ± 88), (457 ± 48) nmol/L] was significantly higher than that of glycemic unsatisfied group [(313 ± 45), (401 ± 73) nmol/L]; HOMA-IR of glycemic satisfied group (5.3 ± 1.1, 5.5 ± 1.1) was significantly lower than that of glycemic unsatisfied group (7.0 ± 1.3, 7.6 ± 1.7; P < 0.01). Serum SHBG of glycemic satisfied group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group [(492 ± 95), (565 ± 40) nmol/L]; and HOMA-IR of glycemic satisfied group (5.3 ± 1.1, 5.5 ± 1.1) was significantly higher than that of healthy control group (3.6 ± 0.6, 3.9 ± 0.5; P < 0.01). FPG of glycemic satisfied group [(5.84 ± 0.28), (5.16 ± 0.13) mmol/L] was significantly lower than that of glycemic unsatisfied group [(6.13 ± 0.16), (5.68 ± 1.14) mmol/L;P < 0.01]. FINS of glycemic satisfied group [(20.4 ± 2.1), (24.1 ± 4.2) mmol/L] was significantly lower than that of glycemic unsatisfied group [(24.7 ± 4.5), (29.9 ± 2.7) mmol/L; P < 0.01]. (3) Correlation analysis. Between 24-28 weeks, SHBG was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR in the three groups (r = -0.952, P < 0.01); and SHBG was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR in glycemic satisfied group (r = -0.903, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Well-controlled glucose can not completely improve maternal and fetal outcomes of GDM pregnant women. High insulin resistance and low serum SHBG can influence pregnancy outcomes.

Two new prenylated coumarins from Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames.

Two new prenylated coumarins, sinensins A and B, have been isolated from the roots of Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames. Their structures were elucidated as 5-gamma, gamma-dimethylallyl-8-[2-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-dimethyl-but-2-enyol]-umbelliferon (1) and 4,6-di(gamma, gamma-dimethylallyl)-8-lavandulyl-umbelliferon (2) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

Two new bioactive prenylated dihydroflavanoids from the medicinal plant Dolichos tenuicaulis (Baker) Craib.

Two new prenylated dihydroflavanoids have been isolated from the medicinal plant of Dolichos tenuicaulis (Baker) Craib. Their structures were elucidated as (2S)-5,2',6'-trihydroxy-8-prenyl-6,7-(3-prenyl-2,2-dimethylpyrano)-3',4'-(2,2-dimethyl-1-keone-cyclohexadiene)-flavanone (1) and (2S)-5,2',6'-trihydroxy-8-prenyl-6,7-(3-prenyl-2,2-dimethyl-1-keone-cyclohexadiene)-flavanone (2) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

[Preparative separation of gentiopicrin from Radix Gentianae by high-speed counter-current chromatography with macroporous resin].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for the preparative separation of gentiopicrin from Radix Gentianae by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). METHOD: The crude alcohol extracts were eluted on a macroporous resin column and then purified by high speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). A two-phase solvent system composed of ethyl acetate: n-butanol: water (2 : 1 : 3) was used, and the lower phase was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL x min(-1), while the apparatus rotated at 800 r x min(-1) and the eluate was detected at 254 nm. RESULT: 136 mg gentiopicrin with purity of 99.6% determined by HPLC were obtained from 300 mg crude extraction only in one-step separation and less than 200 minutes. CONCLUSION: The established method is simple, high efficiency and suitable for large-scale separation of gentiopicrin.