Synthesis of 1,2 '-Biazulenes by Palladium-Catalyzed Unusual Homocoupling Reaction of 1-Haloazulenes in the Presence of Ferrocene

The synthesis of 1,2-biazulenes was established by palladium-catalyzed homocoupling reactions of the corresponding 1-haloazulenes in the presence of ferrocene. The optical properties of the novel 1,2-biazulenes were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The redox behaviors of 1,2-biazulenes were also examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV).ArticleSYNTHESIS. 89(11):2438-2448 (2016)journal articl

Influence of Biomedical Factors on the Five Viscera Score (FVS) on Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals: Application of Structural Equation Modeling

The five viscera score (FVS) is a diagnostic scale for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The purposes of current study are to elucidate the characteristics of FVS obtained from middle-aged to elderly individuals and to investigate the validity of FVS using biological medical data of middle-aged and elderly individuals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to conduct assessments between FVS and medical data. Eighty men and 99 women participated in this study, whose mean ages (SD) were 58 ± 7 years in both genders showing no significant difference. FVS of women was significantly higher than that of men in the spleen of the 50s (P=0.019) and liver of the 60s age group (P=0.030). By SEM, the following biomedical factors were found to influence viscera: gender, diastolic blood pressure, and HDL-C for the liver; GLU, GOT, and γ-GTP for the spleen; age, BMI, and HCRP for the lungs; and HbA1c and creatinine clearance for the kidneys. These results provide objective evidence that FVS can be used for TCM diagnosis in middle-aged and elderly individuals

Depression, Alcoholism, and Genetic Alcohol Sensitivity Regulated by ALDH2 and ADH1B Polymorphisms among Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults

Background: Although strong association between drinking and depression as well as alcohol- related disorders (ARD) has been reported, the relationship between potential ability to drink (genetic alcohol sensitivity) and depression or ARD is unclear. Genetic alcohol sensitivity is regulated by two alcohol metabolic enzyme genes, ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms. We have already evaluated the&nbsp; association&nbsp; between&nbsp; depression&nbsp; and&nbsp; these&nbsp; polymorphisms&nbsp; in Japanese white-collar&nbsp; workers.Current study expanded this issue on community-dwelling relatively older adults. Methods: A total of 654 community-dwelling people were interviewed regarding their ARD by a brief psychiatric structured interview (MINI). Severity of depression was evaluated by the Center for&nbsp; Epidemiologic&nbsp; Studies&nbsp; Depression&nbsp; Scale&nbsp; (CES-D). We investigated&nbsp; the&nbsp; relationship&nbsp; of ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism combinations with depression and ARD risks. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between those polymorphisms and mental disorders, adjusting for sex, age, number of family members, physical exercise, job status, and serum lipid&nbsp; abnormality. The degree of alcohol sensitivity&nbsp; was&nbsp; classified&nbsp; into&nbsp; five&nbsp; groups&nbsp; according&nbsp; to&nbsp; the combination of two enzyme genotypes (Group I-V, in order from the lowest alcohol sensitivity). Results: Those&nbsp; with ALDH2 1 / * 2 and &nbsp; ADH1B * 1 / * 1&nbsp; were&nbsp; likely&nbsp; to&nbsp; be&nbsp; at&nbsp; an&nbsp; increased&nbsp; risk&nbsp; of depression&nbsp; (OR&nbsp; 6.63,&nbsp; 95%&nbsp; CI&nbsp; 1.12-39.21).&nbsp; On&nbsp; the&nbsp; other&nbsp; hand,&nbsp; a&nbsp; genotype&nbsp; combination&nbsp; of ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and&nbsp; ADH1B * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 was significantly associated with an increased risk of ARD (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.86-8.31). Similar findings were observed when depression and ARD were combined as an&nbsp; outcome variable. Conclusions: Genetic alcohol sensitivity&nbsp; with&nbsp; the genotype&nbsp; combination&nbsp; of ALDH2 * 1 / * 2 and ADH1B * 1 / * 1&nbsp; was significantly&nbsp; associated&nbsp; with an&nbsp; increased&nbsp; risk&nbsp; of&nbsp; depression,&nbsp; while&nbsp; Japanese community-dwellers in rural areas with ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and&nbsp; ADH1B&nbsp; * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 were at a&nbsp; significantly elevated risk of ARD. </p