Anti-inflammatory activity of sappanchalcone isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model

Archives of Pharmacal Research - Sappanchalcone, a bioactive flavonoid isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. possesses anti-inflammatory effects. We studied the efficacy of...     

An efficient access to β-ketosulfones via β-sulfonylvinylamines: metal–organic framework catalysis for the direct C–S coupling of sodium sulfinates with oxime acetates

A copper-based framework Cu₂(OBA)₂(BPY) was synthesized and used as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of β-sulfonylvinylamines from sodium sulfinates and oxime acetates via direct C–S coupling reaction. The transformation was remarkably affected by the solvent, and chlorobenzene emerged as the best option. This Cu-MOF displayed higher activity than numerous conventional homogeneous and MOF-based catalysts. The catalyst was reutilized many times in the synthesis of β-sulfonylvinylamines without considerably deteriorating in catalytic efficiency. These β-sulfonylvinylamines were readily converted to the corresponding β-ketosulfones via a hydrolysis step with aqueous HCl solution. To the best of our knowledge, this direct C–S coupling reaction to achieve β-sulfonylvinylamines was not previously conducted with a heterogeneous catalyst.

Cu₂(OBA)₂(BPY) was used as catalyst for the synthesis of β-sulfonylvinylamines from sodium sulfinates and oxime acetates. These β-sulfonylvinylamines were readily converted to corresponding β-ketosulfones via a hydrolysis step.     

Expressional analysis of anti-apoptotic phospho-BAD protein and mutational analysis of pro-apoptotic BAD gene in hepatocellular carcinomas

BACKGROUND: It has become clear that, together with proliferation, deregulation of apoptosis plays a pivotal role in tumourigenesis. BAD is a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein and regulates the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Phosphorylation of BAD inhibits the apoptosis function of BAD. AIMS: To investigate whether alteration of the phospho-BAD protein and somatic mutation of BAD gene are characteristics of human hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed the expression of phospho-BAD in 20 hepatocellular carcinomas by immunohistochemistry. Also, we analysed the BAD gene for the detection of somatic mutations by a single-strand conformation polymorphism assay in 69 hepatocellular carcinomas. RESULTS: Phospho-BAD expression in the non-tumour hepatocytes was seen in all of the hepatocellular carcinomas, while the expression in the cancer cells was observed in 15% (3 of the 20) of the hepatocellular carcinomas. There was no somatic mutation of BAD Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain in the 69 hepatocellular carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that loss of phospho-BAD expression, but not BAD gene mutation, is a feature of hepatocellular carcinomas. The decreased expression of phospho-BAD in the hepatocellular carcinoma cells compared to the non-tumour hepatocytes suggests that loss of phospho-BAD expression may play a role in hepatocellular tumourigenesis.     

Sleep disorders and depression due to menopausal symptoms in middle-aged Korean females

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in the incidence of sleep disorders and depression in postmenopausal middle-aged females in South Korea. [Participants and Methods] This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 87 middle-aged females between the ages of 40 and 60 years were selected through convenience sampling. The data were collected with a self-reported questionnaire from May 1 to May 29, 2017. [Results] The mean menopause score of the study was 5.37. The menopause symptoms indicated significant differences in sexual life. The association between the incidence of menopausal symptoms and sleep disorders and depression scores based on a scale of 1 to 10 was analyzed. Menopausal symptoms strongly affected sleep and depression in middle-aged females. [Conclusion] The findings of this study may be useful in understanding depression and sleep disorders in middle-aged females and for developing more specific programs for depression and sleep disorders. Management strategies are also needed.