Effects of LB broth, naphthalene concentration, and acetone on the naphthalene degradation activities by Pseudomonas putida G7.

Luria-Bertani broth and acetone were usually used in naphthalene degradation experiments as nutrient and solvent. However, their effect on the degradation was seldom mentioned. In this work, we investigated the effect of LB, naphthalene concentration, and acetone on the degradation of naphthalene by Pseudomonas putida G7, which is useful for the degradation of naphthalene on future field remediation. By adding LB, the naphthalene degradation efficiencies and naphthalene dioxygenase were both decreased by 98%, while the catechol dioxygenase was decreased by 90%. Degradation of naphthalene was also inhibited when naphthalene concentration was 56 ppm and higher, which was accompanied with the accumulation of orange-colored metabolism products. However, acetone can stimulate the degradation of naphthalene, and the stimulation was more obvious when naphthalene concentration was lower than 2000 ppm. By assaying the enzyme activities of naphthalene dioxygenase and catechol dioxygenase, it was thought that the degradation efficiency was depending on the more sensitive enzymes on the complicated conditions.

Hydrothermal synthesis and green luminescent properties of Lu2O3:Yb3+/Ho3+ nanocubes.

Uniform and dispersive Lu2O3:Yb3+/Ho3+ nanocubes have been successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal process followed by a subsequent calcination at 800 degrees C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra, as well as lifetimes measurements were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. The as-formed RE(3+)-doped lutetium oxide precursor via the hydrothermal process as a template could transform to RE(3+)-doped Lu2O3 with their original cubic morphology and slight shrinkage in the size after the post-annealing process. The formation mechanism for the lutetium oxide precursor cubes has been proposed. Under the excitation of UV light, 980-nm laser and low-voltage electron-beams, Lu2O3:Yb3+/Ho3+ phosphors all show the characteristic emission of the Ho3+ ion (5F4, 5S2 --> 18 transition) withgreen color, which is easily observed by naked eyes. The corresponding luminescent mechanisms have been discussed. Due to the excellent PL (including up-conversion and down-conversion) properties and CL properties of the Lu2O3:Yb3+/Ho3+ phosphors, they are potentially applicable in fluorescent lamps, up-conversion fluorescent labels and FED devices as an efficient green phosphor.

Synthesis and protective effect of new ligustrazine-benzoic acid derivatives against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells.

A series of novel ligustrazine-benzoic acid derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their protective effect against cobalt chloride-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells. Combining hematoxylin and eosin staining, we found compound that (3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methyl 3-methoxy-4-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methoxy]benzoate (4a) displayed promising protective effect on the proliferation of the injured PC12 cells (EC50 = 4.249 µM). Structure-activity relationships are briefly discussed.

A new ligustrazine derivative--pharmacokinetic evaluation and antitumor activity by suppression of NF-kappaB/p65 and COX-2 expression in S180 mice.

A new anticancer ligustrazine derivative, 3beta-hydroxyolea-12-en-28-oic acid-3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-methyl ester (T-OA, C38H58O3N2), was previously reported. It was synthesized via conjugating the effective antitumor ingredients of a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation. In the present study, anticancer efficacy of T-OA was evaluated in vivo using a murine sarcoma S180 model. Reduction of the tumor weight and tumor HE staining regions demonstrated that T-OA had promising inhibition effects and a 50% inhibitory rate in S180 mice. Combining the immunohistochemistry, we found T-OA exerted its antitumor activity by preventing the expression of nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB/p65 and COX-2 in S180 mice. The acute toxic test showed that LD50 value of T-OA exceeded 6.0 g/kg via gavage in mice. In addition, a simple and rapid HPLC-UV method was developed and validated to study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the compound. After single-dose oral administration, time to reach peak concentration of T-OA (3.97 microg/mL) was 8.33 h; the elimination half-life and area under the concentration-time curve from t = 0 to the last time of T-OA was 4.50 h and 48.01 microg x h/mL, respectively.

The fate and supply capacity of potassium in biochar used in agriculture.

We used chemical extraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to study the potassium (K) in biochar prepared from corn straw at different temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C). The characteristics of biochar were analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and specific surface area analysis. We found that the potassium in biochar can be divided into water soluble potassium, exchangeable potassium, non-exchangeable potassium, and insoluble potassium according to the availability of agricultural potassium. The fate of potassium in straw changed as follows: with increasing pyrolysis temperature, the proportion of the sum of exchangeable and non-exchangeable potassium decreased, and the proportions of insoluble and lost potassium increased. The total, water soluble and exchangeable potassium contents in biochar were highest at 700 °C. The non-exchangeable and insoluble potassium contents were highest at 300 °C and 900 °C, respectively. Kinetics experiments were conducted to determine the different fates of potassium released from biochar at different temperatures; pot experiments were also undertaken. The release of different forms of potassium in biochar at different temperatures is mainly dominated by heterogeneous diffusion. Biochar increased not only the content of different forms of potassium in soil but also the potassium content of soybean stems and leaves. We calculated the potassium supply capacity of biochar by two strategies, measurements of the potassium content in biochar and the conversion rate of potassium in straw during pyrolysis. The most active and efficient potassium supply capacities were 33.60 g·kg-1 and 9.53 g·kg-1 at 700 °C and 300 °C, respectively. Biochar provides readily available (water soluble and exchangeable) potassium and a long-term (non-exchangeable) potassium supply to soil.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new ligustrazine derivatives as anti-tumor agents.

To discover new anti-cancer agents with multi-effect and low toxicity, a series of ligustrazine derivatives were synthesized using several effective anti-tumor ingredients of Shiquandabu Wan as starting materials. Our idea was enlightened by the "combination principle" in drug discovery. The ligustrazine derivatives' anti-tumor activities were evaluated on the HCT-8, Bel-7402, BGC-823, A-549 and A2780 human cancer cell lines. In addition the angiogenesis activities were valued by the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. 1,7-bis(4-(3,5,6-Trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (4) and 3 α,12 α-dihydroxy-5ß-dholanic acid-3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-methyl ester (5) not only displayed antiproliferative activities on these cancer cells, but also dramatically suppressed normal angiogenesis in CAM. The LD50 value of the compound 5 exceeded 3.0 g/kg by oral administration in mice.

Research and application of in-situ control technology for sediment rehabilitation in eutrophic water bodies.

Phosphorus (P) is often the limiting nutrient for algal growth, and P in sediments can be released under suitable conditions. To control P release, in-situ control technology with lanthanum (La) modified bentonite clay (Phoslock(®)) was proposed and its effectiveness was tested and evaluated both in laboratory and field trials. The results of static and dynamic simulation experiments under different environmental conditions showed that with the application rate of Phoslock(®) at 0.5 kg/m(2), the orthophosphate (PO(4)-P) concentration of the overlying water decreased to a low level (≤0.02 mg/L) within 10 days. Even under anaerobic and high pH (pH = 9.0) conditions, the phosphate release suppression efficiency reached 98.3%, and the P-release rate was -8.20 mg/m(2) d (negative value indicates P adsorption by Phoslock(®)). The monitoring data of the field sediments rehabilitation project were consistent with the results achieved in laboratory experiments, thus showing that the application of Phoslock(®) could inhibit the internal P release effectively.

Lipidomics Indicates the Hepatotoxicity Effects of EtOAc Extract of Rhizoma Paridis.

Rhizoma Paridis is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in the clinical treatment of gynecological diseases. Previous studies have shown that aqueous extracts of Rhizoma Paridis exhibit some hepatotoxicity to hepatocytes. Here, using lipidomics analysis, we investigated the potential hepatotoxicity of Rhizoma Paridis and its possible mechanism. The hepatic damaging of different solvent extracts of Rhizoma Paridis on zebrafish larvae were determined by a combination of mortality dose, biochemical, morphological, and functional tests. We found that ethyl acetate extracts (AcOEtE) were the most toxic fraction. Notably, lipidomic responsible for the pharmacological effects of AcOEtE were investigated by Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific high-resolution) coupled in tandem with a UHPLC system. Approximately 1958 unique spectral features were detected, of which 325 were identified as unique lipid species. Among these lipid species, phosphatidylethanolamine cardiolipin Ceramide (Cer), lysophosphatidylinositol sphingosine (Sph), etc., were significantly upregulated in the treated group. Pathway analysis indicates that Rhizoma Paridis may cause liver damage via interfering with the glycerophospholipid metabolism. Collectively, this study has revealed previously uncharacterized lipid metabolic disorder involving lipid synthesis, metabolism, and transport that functionally determines hepatic fibrosis procession.

Biochar can improve biological nitrogen fixation by altering the root growth strategy of soybean in Albic soil.

Albic soil is a low-yielding soil that is widely distributed in Northeast China. The high viscosity and acidity and the lack of nutrients in the Albic layer limit the growth of crop. In our previous studies, we found that applying biochar as a soil amendment could improve the properties of Albic soil and promote soybean growth. Increases in the nitrogen contents of the soil and the soybeans were key aspects of these improvements. Soybean is a nitrogen-fixing crop, the increase in nitrogen in the Albic soil may have been due to an improvement in biological nitrogen fixation by the soybean with biochar amendment, but the function mechanism was still uncertain. We hypothesized that biochar could improve biological nitrogen fixation of soybean by affecting soybean root growth in the Albic soil. Therefore, we conducted pot experiments with five treatment levels (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g·kg-1 biochar) for two years to study how biochar affects the root growth strategy and biological nitrogen fixation of soybean based on its root structure and root nutrient acquisition ability at different stages. The soybean root structure and activity indexes, nodulation ability and nitrogen uptake were measured at different growth stages; in the second year, at the late seed-filling stage, the stable 15N isotope method was used to elucidate the biological nitrogen fixation process. Regarding root structure at the pod-setting stage, biochar resulted in increases in root length density, specific root length, root diameter and specific tip density but a decrease in root tissue mass density at the pod-setting stage. Biochar improved root nutrient acquisition by increasing root activity, root tip number and root-bleeding sap amount. The change in root growth strategy contributed to the promotion of biological nitrogen fixation by the rhizobia that live symbiotically with soybean, thereby increasing crop yield.

Integrated UPLC-MS and Network Pharmacology Approach to Explore the Active Components and the Potential Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Decoction for Treating Nephrotic Syndrome.

Background: Yiqi Huoxue Decoction (YQHXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, facilitates diuresis, and alleviates edema. It is composed of 10 herbal medicines and has extensive application in treating nephrotic syndrome (NS). However, the active components and the potential mechanism of YQHXD for treating NS remain unclear. Methods: We set up a sensitive and rapid method based on Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Mass (UPLC-MS) to identify the compounds in YQHXD and constituents absorbed into the blood. Disease genes were collected through GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM database. Genes of compounds absorbed into blood were predicted by the TCMSP database. We constructed Disease-Drug-Ingredient-Gene (DDIG) network using Cytoscape, established a Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using String, Gene biological process (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed using DAVID. Cellular experiments were performed to validate the results of network pharmacology. Result: A total of 233 compounds in YQHXD and 50 constituents absorbed into the blood of rats were identified. The 36 core targets in the PPI network were clustered in the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-RAC serine/threonine-protein kinase (PI3K-AKT) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Luteolin, Wogonin, Formononetin, and Calycosin were top-ranking components as potentially active compounds. Conclusion: The results of our studies show that YQHXD is able to enhance renal function, alleviate podocyte injury, and improve adriamycin nephrotic syndrome.

[Identification of dihydroflavonol glycoside isomers in Smilax glabra by HPLC-MS and HPLC-1H NMR].

OBJECTIVE: To identify dihydroflavonol glycoside isomers in Smilax glabra. METHOD: The sample was analyzed by HPLC-MS in combination with HPLC-1H-NMR. RESULT: Four dihydroflavonol glycoside isomers were identified as astilbin, neoastilbin, isoastilbin, neoisoastilbin. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and rapid for the identification of dihydroflavonol glycosides in S. glabra.

[Qualitative and quantitative determination of the main components of huanglianjiedu decoction by HPLC-UV/MS].

AIM: To establish a comprehensive HPLC analytical method of Huanglianjiedu decoction. METHODS: This study was performed by HPLC-UV/MS to identify the chemical constituents of the whole and individual herbs of the "Huanglianjiedu decoction". Zorbax Extend C18 (150 mm x 4. 6 mm ID, 5 microm) column was used; the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile (A) and water (B, with 0.5% acetic acid) with gradient elution; the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was setup at 25 degrees C. The detection wavelength was 254 nm. RESULTS: The chromatogram of Huanglianjiedu decoction showed 21 main peaks. Peaks 1, 2, 5 and 18 were from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Peaks 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 21 from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. While 10 from Coptis chinensis Franch and 20 from Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Peaks 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 and 12 came from them together. Peak 7 presented in the chromatograms of the herbs except Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. By comparison of the retention time, the on-line UV spectra and MS spectra, 11 peaks were identified as 5 (geniposide), 9 (jatrorrhizine), 10 (coptisine), 11 (palmatine), 12 (berberine), 13 (baicalin), 15 (oroxin A), 17 (wogonoside), 19 (baicalein), 20 (obaculactone), 21 (wogonin), then eight of them were quantified by HPLC-UV. CONCLUSION: The method could represent the characteristics of Huanglianjiedu decoction, and it could be used to evaluate the quality and quantity of Huanglianjiedu decoction. It distinguished between Coptis chinensis Franch and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. by HPLC for the first time.

Characterization of the transcriptomes and cuticular protein gene expression of alate adult, brachypterous neotenic and adultoid reproductives of Reticulitermes labralis.

The separation of primary reproductive and secondary reproductive roles based on the differentiation of alate adults and neotenic reproductives is the most prominent characteristic of termites. To clarify the mechanism underlying this differentiation, we sequenced the transcriptomes of alate adults (ARs), brachypterous neotenics (BNs) and adultoid reproductives (ANs) from the last instar nymphs of Reticulitermes labralis. A total of 404,152,188 clean sequencing reads was obtained and 61,953 unigenes were assembled. Of the 54 identified cuticular protein (CP) genes of the reproductives, 22 were classified into the CPR family and 7 were classified into the CPG family. qRT-PCR analyses of the 6 CP genes revealed that the CP genes involved in exocuticle sclerotization were highly expressed in the ARs and RR-1 involved in soft endocuticle was highly expressed in the ARs and ANs. These results suggest that the alate adults might increase cuticular component deposition to adapt to new or changing environments and that the development of reproductive individuals into primary or secondary reproductives is controlled by the expression of cuticular protein genes involved in the hardening of the exocuticle. In addition, the AN caste is a transitional type between the BN and AR castes in the process of evolution.

Separation and identification of Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites in human urine.

To study the safety of Aconitum medicinal herbs in clinic and identify Aconitum alkaloids poisoning in forensic medicine, Aconitum alkaloids and their metabolites were separated and identified in human urine by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-multi-stage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS(n)) and chemical pathway of metabolism was investigated. The alkaloids and their metabolites in the urine sample were extracted with solid-phase cartridges and separated by HPLC with acetonitrile-water-formic acid (40:60:0.5) mobile phase. Structures of five metabolites and three parent Aconitum alkaloids were identified with multi-stage mass spectrometry data through comparison with authentic substances as aconitine (M(1)), mesaconitine (M(2)), hypaconitine (M(3)), benzoylaconine (M(4)), benzoylmesaconine (M(5)), benzoylhypaconine (M(6)), 16-O-demethylaconitine (M(7)) and 16-O-demethylhypaconitine (M(8)), respectively. Among them, M(8) was identified and reported for the first time. Metabolic pathways of Aconitum alkaloids in human body were proposed.

Identification of the metabolites of Ixerin Z from Ixeris sonchifolia Hance in rats by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Ixerin Z, one of major sesquiterpene lactones from Ixeris sonchifolia Hance, was considered to be a major active compound because of their special structure and activity. However, studies on Ixerin Z metabolism have rarely been reported. This study is the first to investigate the in vivo metabolism of Ixerin Z following intravenously administered of Ixerin Z by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry and multiple mass defect filters (MMDF) technique. A total of 41 metabolites as well as parent drug after using two MMDF filter templates were unambiguously or tentatively identified based on accurate mass measurements, fragmentation patterns, and chromatographic retention times. The metabolic pathways of Ixerin Z were also proposed for the first time. The results demonstrated that Ixerin Z underwent extensive metabolic reaction including hydrogenation, hydroxylation, hydrolysis, methylation, cysteine conjugation, glutathione (GSH) conjugation, sulfate conjugation, N-acetylcysteine conjugation, and glucuronidation. In conclusion, our study provided an insight into the metabolism of Ixerin Z.

[Study on metabolites on aconitine in rabbit urine].

AIM: To identify the main metabolites of aconitine in the urine of rabbits. METHODS: After oral administration of aconitine (5 mg.kg-1), the urine of male rabbits was collected and extracted by solid phase extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Aconitine and 4 metabolites were found in the rabbit urine. Their protonated molecular ions at m/z 632, m/z 604, m/z 590, m/z 500 and multistage fragment ions with neutral loss of 60 u, 32 u, 28 u and 18 u were monitored. Their relative concentration were M1 > Aconitine > M4 > M2 > M3. CONCLUSION: The metabolites M1-M4 were deduced as 16-O-demethylaconitine, benzoylaconine, 16-O-demethylbenzoylaconine and aconine, respectively.