Effects of Codonopsis pilosula water extract on MicroRNA expression profile in D-galactose-induced senile mice.

This paper aims to observe and analyze effects of Codonopsis pilosula water extract on micro RNA (miRNA) expression profile in liver tissue of senile mice. The 110 Konminmice were randomly divided into five groups, including D-galactose-induced senile model group, normal control group, and low, middle and high dose intervention groups. Continuous modeling lasted 40 days. General symptoms and changes of body mass of the model mice were monitored and observed. The levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of mice were compared, and miRNA of differential expression during aging of D-galactose-induction and high-dose Codonopsis pilosula intervention was analyzed. The serum ALT and ALP levels in the aging model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P<0.05). The serum ALT and ALP levels of Codonopsis pilosula intervention group were lower than those of aging model group, and decrease in ALP value of high dose intervention group was higher (P<0.05). The expression profile of miRNA in the aging model group was significantly different from that in normal control group and high-dose Codonopsis pilosula intervention group, and miRNA expression profile in high-dose Codonopsis pilosula intervention group was clustered with that in the normal control group. The differentially expressed miRNAs of D-galactose-induced senescence and Codonopsis pilosula anti-aging usually belong to 7 miRNA clusters. The target gene function of the differentially expressed miRNAs during senescence process was enriched in 29 signal pathways. There were 67 regulatory signal pathways in differentially expressed miRNA target genes during Codonopsis pilosula intervention. The effect of miRNA targeting may play an important role during D-galactose-induced senescence and Codonopsis pilosula anti-aging period.

Natural cures for breast cancer treatment.

For centuries, herbs and plants have been used for medicinal purposes and as food as well. This review concerns about different types of plants that retain the immune stimulating and anti-tumor properties. Large variety of active phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, ligands, polyphenolics, terpenoids, sulfides, lignans and plant sterols has been identified in different types of herbs. These phytochemicals have different mechanisms of action. They either stimulate the protective enzyme like glutathione transferase or prevent the cell proliferation. This review has centered on the biochemical properties of Allium sativum, Echinacea, Curcuma longa, Arctium lappa, Camellia sinensis, Panax ginseng and Flax seed. Extracts and juices of Withania somnifera, Amoora rohituka, Dysoxylum binectariferum and Vaccinium macrocarpon, respectively also used as anti-breast cancer. The volatile oils and extracts of these herbs and plants inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate that lessen the tumor growth and cholesterol synthesis.

Analgesic effect and possible mechanism of SCH772984 intrathecal injection on rats with bone cancer pain.

This study is to establish a model of rat tibial osteocarcinoma pain, intrathecally inject specific ERK1/2 inhibitors SCH772984, observe the analgesic effect, and discuss the influence of ERK-P90RSK-Fos signal path in bone cancer pain. Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Establish a bone cancer pain model after putting the intrathecal tube 5d and determine the rats' mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) after tube 5d; 40 SD rats with intrathecal tube back 5d were randomly divided into 5 groups. Sham Group receives no medication, the other four respectively receive 5% DMSO 10 µl, SCH 0.1, 1.0, 10 µg (SCH dissolved in 10 µl 5% DMSO) intrathecally. Determine the rats' mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before and after giving medication 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 h, and 2 min spontaneous paw withdrawal. Western blot and immuno-fluorescence determine the expression condition of spinal cord dorsal horn of p-ERK, p-p90RSK and Fos protein. Intrathecal injection of SCH772984 has analgesic effects on rats with bone cancer pain, and the effects enhance with increasing dose; intrathecal injection of SCH772984 10 µg could greatly reduce the expression of spinal dorsal horn Fos protein. Injecting walker 256 tumor cells into rats' tibia could cause behavior changes, such as idiopathic pain sensitivity and pain; the intrathecal tube almost has no effect on motor function of rats; ERK1/2 is involved in bone cancer pain, and intrathecal injection of ERK1/2 specific inhibitors SCH772984 10 µg may effectively relieve bone cancer pain.

Diagnosis of Genus Helicobacter through a hemi-nested PCR assay of 16S rRNA.

The present study aimed to establish a genus-specific PCR-based assay to detect helicobacters using 16S rRNA gene as the target template. We designed the hemi-nested primers based on sequences of 16S rRNA gene of 34 types of Helicobacter species. The inclusivity, sensitivity, and specificity of the PCR assay using these primers were examined in three different models, comprising feces simulated samples, BLAB/c mice infection model and clinic patients samples. The detection sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter bilis strains from feces simulated samples was all 102 CFU/ml. We successfully detected H. hepaticus and H. bilis in the liver, cecum and feces of experimentally infected mice. H. pylori was successfully detected in the feces samples from 3 patients infected with H. pylori while not in the feces samples from 3 healthy human. However, the C97/C05-C97/C98 PCR assay detected H. pylori in the 2 positive samples. Due to the PCR assay's excellent inclusivity, high sensitivity and specificity it may be used to detect the presence of Helicobacters.

Sorption of tetracycline, oxytetracycline and tylosin to eight surface sediments of Taihu Lake.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the mechanism of tetracyclines and macrolieds absorption on Taihu Lake sediments. In the study, batch technique was used to study the adsorptive behavior of three pharmaceutical antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline and tylosin) from several sediments of Taihu Lake, Zhushan Bay, Western Lakeshore, Lake Center, Southern Lakeshore, East Tai Lake, Eastern Lakeshore, Gonghu Bay and Meiliang Bay. The eight sediments showed extraordinarily high absorption affinity for all the tested antibiotics. However, especially the sediments of East Tai Lake was exceptional. The observed sorbent to solution distribution coefficient (K(d), 1 kg(-1)) was 10(2)-10(4) . The sediment of East Tai Lake showed highest organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity. A remarkably strong sorption of antibiotics to the sediment of East Tai Lake can be attributed to the cation exchange and complexation reactions between the functional groups of antibiotics and the respective charged and polar sites of the sorbents. The sorption affinity of tetracycline and oxytetracycline from the eight sediments was higher than tylosin. Tetracycline and oxytetracycline had multiple polar and ionizable functional groups. In the study within the tested pH, the zwitterion speciation is predominated; therefore, the sorption interaction (cation exchange and surface complexation) between tetracycline and sediments was expected stronger than tylosin.

Application of bioenzymatic soil stabilization in comparison to macadam in the construction of transport infrastructure.

uver ninety percent or roaas anc nignways are pavea witn aspnait as it is less expensive, iexime and easy to construct and repair in comparison to concrete. The increasing effect of climatic change and cost of construction materials have forced to consider environment friendly methods to build roads. One economically feasible solution for achieving these objectives is use of enzyme soil stabilization. Use of bioenzymes is known to improve the stability of aggregates and soil materials in the roadways and other pavement structures. The present study was designed to introduce environment friendly TerraZyme to increase engineering qualities of soil for road construction. Soil classification and earth work characteristics were analyzed for two soil types representing pulverized local and transported soil with and without TerraZyme. Obtained results confirmed that treatment with TerraZyme increased engineering characteristics as indicated by increase in CBR values from 10.47 to 16.28 with 55 % improvement, increase of 4.28 % and 2.20 % in dry density and decrease of 18.13 % and 6.17 % in moisture content for untreated and treated soils, respectively. TerraZyme constructed roads will be effective for cost saving upto 15-20 % and maintenance cost reduction of60 % as compared to normal water bound Macadam road.

Hydrodynamic analysis of rigid and flexible pectoral fins.

Numerical study on unsteady hydrodynamic characteristics of rigid and flexible pectoral fins in viscous flow-field was performed in the present study. The effect of key kinematical parameters on the propulsion performance was analyzed. The propulsion mechanism was explored by evolution of wake vortices. Computational results revealed that optimal combination for investigated parameters was U = 4C, Φ(FLA) = 45°, ΔΦ(FL) = 60° and α(0) = 0.2. Wake vortices were shed from two edges of fin and fin tip and convect downstream as well as laterally. For flexible pectoral fin, the shedding time was delayed and shed wake vortices keep longer time near the fin that led to difference in variation amplitude of hydrodynamics as compared to rigid fin. The hydrodynamic performance of flexible fin was superior to that of rigid fin for low incoming velocity. However, the opposite situation occured for high incoming velocity.

Geographical distribution of persistent organic pollutants in the environment: A review.

The sources, distribution, transformation, toxicity and accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems have attracted global concern and attention over the last several decades. Although, POPs are toxic, degrade slowly and have a tendency to accumulate in the food chain, they are still widely used worldwide in many fields, such as industrial and agricultural activities. In addition, discharge of POPs into waterways may lead to serious health-related and environmental problems. This review provides an overview of the continental distributions of many types of POPs and the health risks associated with the exposure to POPs in daily life. This review also discusses the distribution of POPs in Malaysia, and the future work that will be conducted in the Klang River, one of the basins subjected to pollution due to development and urbanization.

Rapid propidium monoazide cPCR assay for exclusive quantification of viable Salmonella spp. cells.

Combination of pretreatment with propidium monoazide by competitive polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) was evaluated to enumerate the viability of Salmonella spp. The results showed that PMA treatment was effective in preventing the cPCR detection of target sequences from non- viable cells. In less than 5 hrs, this method generated a signal from viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Salmonella spp. The standard culture method gave approximately 1-2 log(10)cfu ml(-1) less as compared to the PMA-cPCR results. These results provided evidence to support the VBNC state, whereas, the viable cells failed to be cultured by SCM. The proposed method did not detect DNA from dead Salmonella spp. but recognizes the infectious potential of the VBNC state and is thereby, able to assess the effect of control strategies and provide trustworthy data for risk assessment.

Paired observation on light-cured composite resin and nano-composite resin in dental caries repair.

To compare the value of light-cured composite resin with that of nano-composite resin in dental caries repair. 88 patients taking dental caries repair in our hospital from May 2014 to April 2015 were selected, and divided into observation group and control group by coin method with 44 patients in each group. Nano-composite resin was used in observation group, while light-cured composite resin in control group. Then, the occurrence rates of odontohyperesthesia, aesthetic satisfaction with dental caries repair and complications were compared between two groups by visual analogue scale (VAS). The occurrence rate of odontohyperesthesia in observation group is significantly lower than that in control group (9.09% (4/44) vs 31.82% (14/44), 6.82% (3/44) vs 22.73% (10/44), 2.27% (1/44) vs 13.64% (6/44)) with difference of statistical significance (P<0.05) 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after repair. VAS score of patients in observation is significantly lower than that in control group ((2.78±0.56) scores vs (5.22±0.76) scores, (2.02±0.35) scores vs (4.32±0.57) scores, (1.12±0.14) scores vs (2.41±0.43) scores) 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after repair. Moreover, the difference in comparison of interactive effects between two groups, between different time points, and between groups at different time points has statistical significance (P<0.05). Nano-composite resin can lower the occurrence rate of odontohyperesthesia in dental caries repair, reduce the pain of patients, and improve the satisfaction of patients with tooth appearance.

Estimation of Anticipated Performance Index and Air Pollution Tolerance Index and of vegetation around the marble industrial areas of Potwar region: bioindicators of plant pollution response.

Mitigating industrial air pollution is a big challenge, in such scenario screening of plants as a bio monitor is extremely significant. It requires proper selection and screening of sensitive and tolerant plant species which are bio indicator and sink for air pollution. The present study was designed to evaluate the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Performance Index (API) of the common flora. Fifteen common plant species from among trees, herb and shrubs i.e. Chenopodium album (Chenopodiaceae), Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae), Amaranthus viridis (Amaranthaceae), Lantana camara (Verbenaceaea), Ziziphus nummulari (Rhamnaceae), Silibum merianum (Asteraceae), Cannabis sativa (Cannabinaceae), Calatropis procera (Asclepediaceae), Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), Melia azadirachta (Meliaceae), Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Eucalyptus globules (Myrtaceae), Broussonetia papyrifera (Moraceae), Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) and Sapium sabiferum (Euphorbiaceae) were selected growing frequently in vicinity of Marble industries in Potwar region. APTI and API of selected plant species were analyzed by determining important biochemical parameter i.e. total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, relative water content and pH etc. Furthermore the selected vegetation was studied for physiological, economic, morphological and biological characteristics. The soil of studied sites was analyzed. It was found that most the selected plant species are sensitive to air pollution. However B. papyrifera, E. globulus and R. communis shows the highest API and therefore recommended for plantation in marble dust pollution stress area.

Chemical species of metallic elements in the aquatic environment of an ex-mining catchment.

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical speciation of dissolved and particulate elements (lead, zinc, copper, chromium, arsenic, and tin) in the mining wastewater of a former tin-mining catchment. The speciation patterns of dissolved elements were estimated by an adsorptive stripping voltammeter (ASV), while particulate elements were analyzed by using a newly developed sequential-extraction leaching procedure. The procedure has been operationally defined among five host fractions, namely exchangeable, carbonate, reducible, organic bound, and residual fractions. A total of six elements (lead, zinc, copper, chromium, arsenic, and tin) were analyzed in thirty samples at ten locations (P1-P10), with three samples taken from each of the ten locations, to get the average value from the former tin-mining catchment. The results showed that the heavy metal pollutions in locations P4 and P8 were more severe than in other sampling sites, especially tin and lead pollution. In the water samples from locations P4 and P8, both the total contents and the most dangerous non-residual fractions of tin and lead were extremely high. More than 90% of the total concentrations of arsenic and chromium existed in the residual fraction. Concentrations of copper and zinc mainly occurred in the residual fraction (more than 60%), while lead and tin presented mostly in the non-residual fractions in surface water. For all of the six dissolved elements, the less-labile species formed the predominant fraction in their speciation patterns. The speciation patterns of particulate elements showed that most of the concentrations of zinc, copper, chromium, and arsenic were found in the reducible fraction; whereas lead and tin were mainly associated with the organic fraction.

Green biocides, a promising technology: current and future applications to industry and industrial processes.

The study of biofilms has skyrocketed in recent years due to increased awareness of the pervasiveness and impact of biofilms. It costs the USA literally billions of dollars every year in energy losses, equipment damage, product contamination and medical infections. But biofilms also offer huge potential for cleaning up hazardous waste sites, filtering municipal and industrial water and wastewater, and forming biobarriers to protect soil and groundwater from contamination. The complexity of biofilm activity and behavior requires research contributions from many disciplines such as biochemistry, engineering, mathematics and microbiology. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of emerging novel antimicrobial techniques, including those using myriad organic and inorganic products as well as genetic engineering techniques, the use of coordination complex molecules, composite materials and antimicrobial peptides and the use of lasers as such or their modified use in combination treatments. This review also addresses advanced and recent modifications, including methodological changes, and biocide efficacy enhancing strategies. This review will provide future planners of biofilm control technologies with a broad understanding and perspective on the use of biocides in the field of green developments for a sustainable future.

Release, deposition and elimination of radiocesium ((137)Cs) in the terrestrial environment.

Radionuclide contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has reached a dangerous level. The major artificial radionuclide present in the environment is (137)Cs, which is released as a result of weapon production related to atomic projects, accidental explosions of nuclear power plants and other sources, such as reactors, evaporation ponds, liquid storage tanks, and burial grounds. The release of potentially hazardous radionuclides (radiocesium) in recent years has provided the opportunity to conduct multidisciplinary studies on their fate and transport. Radiocesium's high fission yield and ease of detection made it a prime candidate for early radio-ecological investigations. The facility setting provides a diverse background for the improved understanding of various factors that contribute toward the fate and transfer of radionuclides in the terrestrial ecosystem. In this review, we summarize the significant environmental radiocesium transfer factors to determine the damaging effects of radiocesium on terrestrial ecosystem. It has been found that (137)Cs can trace the transport of other radionuclides that have a high affinity for binding to soil particles (silts and clays). Possible remedial methods are also discussed for contaminated terrestrial systems. This review will serve as a guideline for future studies of the fate and transport of (137)Cs in terrestrial environments in the wake of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011.

Using walnut shells as low-cost adsorbent materials in an anaerobic filter medium of a De-centralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS).

The flow of unprocessed sewage through municipal sewers is a great source of water contamination. This study aims to observe the pollutants removal efficiencies of walnut shells as an efficient low-cost adsorbent material compared to gravel materials as an anaerobic filter medium. Two models of the De-Centralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) were constructed. The wastewater flowing from toilets and handwashing places was connected to anaerobic filters filled with walnut shells and gravel. The efficiency of both filter media in the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO3), and phosphate (PO43), pH and temperature were observed at the influent of the settler tank and then at the effluent of the collection tank (CT). Temperature and pH were within the acceptable limit of wastewater discharge. The results also indicated that the walnut shells filter media was more efficient at removing organic pollutants (TSS 94%, BOD5 88%, COD 85%, Nitrate 57%, phosphate 46%, and TDS 29%) than the gravel (TSS 81%, BOD5 82%, COD 84%, Nitrate 35%, phosphate 38%, and TDS 26%) at the successive stages. The average removal efficiency of the walnut shell was 88% while in the gravel case, it was 83%. The removal efficiency of walnut shell filters was extensively better over the complete experiment compared to gravel filters for the removal of pollutants, representing the high sorption capability of the walnut shell material. The results of this study show that the walnut shells may be a very useful substitute for other conventional fillers for anaerobic treatment in the anaerobic filter of DEWATS.

Morphology, geology and water quality assessment of former tin mining catchment.

Bestari Jaya, former tin mining catchment covers an area of 2656.31 hectares comprised of four hundred and forty-two different-size lakes and ponds. The present study area comprise of 92 hectares of the catchment that include four large size lakes. Arc GIS version 9.2 used to develop bathymetric map, Global Positioning System (GPS) for hydrographical survey and flow meter was utilized for water discharge analysis (flow routing) of the catchment. The water quality parameters (pH, temperature, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen DO, total dissolved solids TDS, chlorides, ammonium, nitrates) were analyzed by using Hydrolab. Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures were strictly followed throughout the field work and data analysis. Different procedures were employed to evaluate the analytical data and to check for possible transcription or dilution errors, changes during analysis, or unusual or unlikely values. The results obtained are compared with interim national water quality standards for Malaysia indicates that water quality of area is highly degraded. It is concluded that Bestri Jaya ex-mining catchment has a high pollution potential due to mining activities and River Ayer Hitam, recipient of catchment water, is a highly polluted river.

Fabrication of silver phosphate-ilmenite nanocomposites supported on glycol chitosan for visible light-driven degradation, and antimicrobial activities.

Recently, photo-degradation process under ultraviolet-light irradiation is being used as a substantial treatment method for the removal of environmental pollution. In this study, a silver phosphate-ilmenite (Ag3PO4-FeTiO3) hetero structure supported on glycol chitosan catalyst was completely prepared, also, and its structural, and optical properties were characterized. Meantime, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, and UV-vis spectra were applied. The Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan catalyst was used to degrade metronidazole under visible-light irradiation. The degradation rate of metronidazole in 25 min by Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan nanocomposites was found to be 99.2% under UV light irradiation, which was higher than that by Ag3PO4-FeTiO3 (72.24%) and FeTiO3 (35.5%), respectively. The active species trapping test of Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan indicated that ·OH and ·O2- participated during the reaction. The diffusion method was evaluated to appraise the bactericidal activity of the synthesized nanomaterials when tested against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, with or without LED-light irradiation. The antibacterial tests show higher inhibition zones under light illumination as compared to dark conditions. The antifungal properties of the prepared nanomaterials were analyzed by fungi (Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani) using disc diffusion analysis. It was confirmed that the prepared nanomaterials have the best antifungal agent as compared to the standard antibiotics. When the Ag3PO4-FeTiO3/glycol chitosan was used, the amount of inhibition zone was enhanced.

Pyrolysis of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Seed with Fe2O3/NiO as nanocatalysts for the production of bio-oil material.

The rapid thermal cracking technology of biomass can convert biomass into bio-oil and is beneficial for industrial applications. Agricultural and forestry wastes are important parts of China's energy, and their high-grade utilization is useful to solve the problem of energy shortages and environmental pollution. To the best of our knowledge, the impact of nanocatalysts on converting biowastes for bio-oil has not been studied. Consequently, we examined the production of bio-oil by pyrolysis of Aesculus chinensis Bunge Seed (ACBS) using nanocatalysts (Fe2O3 and NiO catalysts) for the first time. The pyrolysis products of ACBS include 1-hydroxy-2-propanone (3.97%), acetic acid (5.42%), and furfural (0.66%). These chemical components can be recovered for use as chemical feedstock in the form of bio-oil, thus indicating the potential of ACBS as a feedstock to be converted by pyrolysis to produce value-added bio-oil. The Fe2O3 and NiO catalysts enhanced the pyrolysis process, which accelerated the precipitation of gaseous products. The pyrolysis rates of the samples gradually increased at DTGmax, effectively promoting the catalytic cracking of ACBS, which is beneficial to the development and utilization of ACBS to produce high valorization products. Combining ACBS and nanocatalysts can change the development direction of high valorization agricultural and forestry wastes in the future.