Iridoid Glycosides and Flavonoids Isolated from the Twigs and Leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

A new iridoid glycoside, named 6'-O-trans-feruloyl-8-epiloganic acid, together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora, a traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory-related diseases. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. Bioassay results revealed that twelve of the isolates could obviously inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell lines with IC50 values from 0.64 to 38.72 µM. Among them, compounds 1 (3.27 µM), 6 (5.23 µM), 13 (1.56 µM) and 14 (0.64 µM) exhibited significantly higher activities than that of the positive control (27.13 µM). Additionally, it was supposed that the presence of the carboxy group at the C-4 position of iridoid glycosides and glycosylation at C-3 position of flavonoids might impact their inhibitory activities against NO production.

The Effect of TCM-Induced HAMP on Key Enzymes in the Hydrolysis of AD Model Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) process is characterized classically by two hallmark pathologies: ß-amyloid (Aß) plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Aß peptides play an important role in AD, but despite much effort the molecular mechanisms of how Aß contributes to AD remain unclear. The present study evaluated the effects of the active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae induced HAMP on key enzymes in the hydrolysis of APP in HT22 cells. The active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae could effectively up-regulate the expression of HAMP, alleviate the iron overload in the brain tissues of mice, significantly improve the learning and memory ability of AD, down-regulate the expression of Aß and reduce the deposition of SP in an APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mouse model of AD. HAMP and Aß25-35 induced HT22 cells are used as AD cell models in this study to investigate the effect of the compound consisting of the effective components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Pueraria on the key enzymes in the hydrolysis of APP. After the administration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the expression levels of ADAM10 and ADAM17 were increased while the expression level of BACE1 decreased. This indicates that TCM can promote the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17, inhibit the expression level of BACE1, thus further inhibiting the production of amyloid protein and reducing the production of Aß and SP. Compared with RNAi group, the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in Aß + RNAi group was decreased while the expression level of BACE1 increased. Compared with the Aß + RNAi group the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in the Aß + RNAi + TCM group was increased while the expression level of BACE1 was decreased. The present study indicated the effects of the active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae may alleviate AD by up-regulating the expression of HAMP, thus reducing brain iron overload, promoting the expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17, inhibiting the expression of BACE1, and reducing the deposition of Aß.

Implication of hsa_circ_0028007 in reinforcing migration, invasion, and chemo-tolerance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Given the reliability of circRNAs in symbolizing cancer progression, this investigation was designed to expound the involvement of hsa_circ_0028007 in regulating chemosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. METHODS: Altogether, 241 pairs of NPC tissues and para-cancerous normal tissues were collected to identify NPC-symbolic circRNAs, which have been screened by circRNA microarray in advance. Expressions of the circRNAs were determined by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Besides, human NPC cell lines (ie, CNE2 and HONE1) were transfected by si-hsa_circ_0028007 and si-NC. Scratch assay, transwell assay, and MTT assay were performed to assess migration, invasion, and paclitaxel/cisplatin-resistance of NPC cell lines. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0028007 expression was abnormally heightened within NPC tissues in comparison with matched non-tumor tissues (P < .05). Over-expressed hsa_circ_0028007 was strongly associated with advanced (III-IV) tumor stage, aggressive infiltration, and metastatic lymph nodes of NPC patients (P < .05). Regarding in vitro experiments, hsa_circ_0028007 expression was elevated in CNE2 and HONE1 cell lines as compared with HENE cell line (P < .05). Silencing of hsa_circ_0028007 not merely sensitized CNE2 and HONE1 cells against paclitaxel and cisplatin (P < .05), but also significantly repressed migration and invasion of the cell lines (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Hsa_circ_0028007 was involved in facilitating progression and chemo-resistance of NPC, which might offer an alternative for NPC treatment.

Delayed exposure to environmental enrichment improves functional outcome after stroke.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disabilities worldwide. Although exposure to an enriched environment (EE) initiated in the acute phase after stroke has neuroprotective effects and improves stroke outcome, it remains unclear whether EE has positive effects when started in a delayed time frame. Here we show that exposure to EE in the delayed phase notably ameliorates the ischemia-induced impairments in neurological functions and spatial learning and memory. In addition, delayed EE exposure after stroke significantly promotes the survival and neuronal fate choice of hippocampal newborn cells, increases synaptic density of hippocampal mature neurons, and enhances the migration of subventricular zone (SVZ)-derived cells towards the ischemic striatum. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), synapse-associated proteins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may respectively mediate these roles of delayed EE. Our findings provide the suggestion that exposure to EE initiated in the delayed phase after stroke promotes plastic changes via affecting neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and neuronal migration, and thus improves stroke outcome. Because EE initiated earlier than 24 h is clinically feasible, our work could be introduced into clinical studies of stroke directly and may provide stroke survivors with a new strategy for their functional recovery.

Utility of 360° Real-time Endoanal Sonography for Evaluation of Perianal Fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and performance of 360° endoanal sonography for preoperative evaluation of perianal fistulas using surgical results as a reference standard. METHODS: Between January 2012 and May 2016, 122 patients with suspicious anal fistulas and perianal abnormalities had real-time endoanal sonographic examinations using a 360° cross-sectional endoanal transducer (5-13 MHz) for preoperative evaluation of the disease. All patients underwent surgical interventions. The sonographic findings, including the fistulas and other inflammatory lesions, were correlated with surgical results. The types of fistulas on endoanal sonography were compared with the surgical classification of Parks et al (Br J Surg 1976; 63:1-2), and the internal opening of the fistula on endoanal sonography was confirmed by surgical results as a reference standard. RESULTS: The 122 patients studied included 111 male and 11 female patients. Endoanal sonography was able to show and track hypoechoic lesions, their locations, and internal openings of the fistulas. Compared with surgical results, endoanal sonography had sensitivity of 92.2%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 93.4% for the diagnosis of perianal fistulas. Also, endoanal sonography had accuracy of 87.4% for determining fistula types based on the Parks classification and 94.6% for identifying internal openings of the fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: Endoanal sonography is an accurate and noninvasive imaging modality for evaluation of fistulas. It is a very useful tool for preoperative management and surgical planning by providing precise and detailed information on fistulas.

Validation of the Spanish ASQ translation: Screening pediatric patients for suicide-risk in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The high frequency of suicide risk in adolescents necessitates the development and validation of specific tools for systematic screening. To date, there are translated, but not validated suicide risk screening tools in Spanish. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Spanish version of the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) for suicide risk screening in pediatric patients in Argentina. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional multicenter design, a convenience sample of pediatric patients aged 10 to 18 years old were recruited from outpatient/inpatient medical settings and private psychiatric clinics. The Spanish version of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) assessment tool was used as a standard criterion to validate the ASQ. RESULTS: A total of 301/380 pediatric patients were screened for suicide risk. Twentyeight percent of the entire sample (83/301) of youth screened positive on the ASQ, and 21% (62/301) screened positive on the SIQ/SIQ-JR and were considered "at risk" for suicide. Compared with the SIQ, the Spanish ASQ yielded a sensitivity of 96.8% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 88.8-99.6%), specificity of 90.4% (95% CI: 85.9-93.8%), positive predictive value of 72.3% (95 CI: 61.4-81.6%), and negative predictive value of 99.1% (95% CI: 96.7-99.9%). The positive Likelihood Ratio (LR) was 10.1 (95% CI: 6.1-14.0), and the negative LR was 0.03 (95% CI: -0.01-0.09). Kappa was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.69-0.86), and the Area Under the Curve was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.97). CONCLUSION: The Spanish language ASQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties, providing initial evidence that it is a valid tool for identifying Spanish-speaking youth at risk for suicide.

Application Research of Three-Dimensional Printing Technology and Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography in Segmentectomy.

Background: To compare the application of the emerging 3D printing technology and 3D-CT in segmentectomy. And to explore the advantages of 3D printing technology in thoracoscopic segmentectomy. Methods: We collected the clinical data of 118 patients undergoing thoracoscopic segmentectomy from January 2019 to April 2021 at the Thoracic Surgery Department, the Dianjiang People's Hospital of Chongqing and Southwest Hospital. Among them, 61 patients were in the 3D printing group and 57 patients were in the 3D-CT group respectively. The perioperative data of these two groups of patients were analyzed respectively. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender, tumor diameter, pathology, the preoperative complications of diabetes and heart disease. However, the patients with the complications of hypertension in the 3D printing group are significantly more than the 3D-CT group (P = 0.003). Compared with the 3D-CT group, patients in the 3D printing group had significantly shorter operation time (162.7 ± 47.0 vs. 190.3 ± 56.9 min, P = 0.006), less intraoperative fluid input (1,158.5 ± 290.2 vs. 1,433.2 ± 653.3, P = 0.013), and less total intraoperative fluid output, including intraoperative blood loss, urine excretion, and other fluid loss. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, 24 h pleural fluid volume, 48 h pleural fluid volume, postoperative chest tube duration, postoperative hospital stay and complications between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In thoracoscopic segmentectomy, the application of 3D printing technology shortens the operation time, reduces intraoperative fluid input and output, guides the operation more safely and effectively, and has better clinical application value.

NMR spectral assignments of two sterols from a soft coral Sinularia brassica.

Two new steroids, named 4α,22-dimethyl-Cholest-22-en-3ß-ol (1) and 4α-methyl-Cholest-7,22-dien-3ß-ol (2), along with two known steroids, were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia brassica. The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, (13)C-(1)H COSY, HMBC and NOESY) analysis.

Naloxone Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation and Microglial Activation via Inhibiting ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanism of naloxone on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced neuronal inflammation and microglial activation. METHODS: LPS-treated microglial BV-2 cells and mice were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of naloxone. RESULTS: The results showed that naloxone dose-dependently promoted cell proliferation in LPS-induced BV-2 cells, downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) and proinflammatory enzymes iNOS and COX-2 as well as the expression of free radical molecule NO, and reduced the expression of Iba-1-positive microglia in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells and mouse brain. Moreover, naloxone improved LPS-induced behavior degeneration in mice. Mechanically, naloxone inhibited LPS-induced activation in the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel. However, the presence of glibenclamide (Glib), an antagonist of KATP channel, ameliorated the suppressive effects of naloxone on inflammation and microglial activation. CONCLUSION: Naloxone prevented LPS-induced neuroinflammation and microglial activation partially through the KATP channel. These findings might highlight the potential of naloxone in neuroinflammation therapy.

Depression and hypertension among Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.

PURPOSE: In this study, we explored association between hypertension and depression in the very elderly using a sample ranged in age from 90 to 108 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The sample included 687 unrelated Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians (67.4% women, mean age 93.51 years). The mean depression score (measured with brief 23-item geriatrics depression scale Chinese-edition (GDS-CD)) was 8.46 (standard deviation (SD) 3.33 range 0-20). There was no significant difference in depression scores between subjects with and without hypertension and there was also no significant difference in depression prevalence between subjects with and without hypertension. There was no significant difference in prevalence of hypertension between subjects with and without depression and there were also no significant differences in levels of arterial blood pressure (including SBP and DBP). Neither odd ratio (OR) of depression as a function of increased hypertension nor OR of hypertension as a function of increased depression was significant. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that depression was not directly correlated with hypertension among Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians.

Study of the insulin signaling pathways in the regulation of ACAT1 expression in cultured macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the signaling pathways and components involved in insulin-mediated regulation of Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase1 (ACAT1). METHODS: THP-1 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and were induced into macrophages in the presence of 160 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Before insulin was added in, macrophages were preincubated with the inhibitors of the insulin signaling pathway, including wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor; PD98059, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor; SB203580, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor; SP600125, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor and U73122, phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) inhibitor. ACAT1 mRNA and protein expression level in macrophages were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting demonstrated that PD98059, SB203580 or SP600125 down-regulated the expression of ACAT1 in a dose-dependent manner. However, no obvious alteration was found in wortmannin and U73122 groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the ERK, p38MAPK and JNK signaling pathways may be involved in insulin-mediated regulation of ACAT1, but no PI3K and PLC-gamma signaling pathways were involved in the present study.

Correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction at different onset time.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of mortality. Early reperfusion to restore blood flow is crucial to successful treatment. In the current reperfusion regimen, an increasing number of patients have benefited from direct percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In order to understand whether there is a correlation between the components of coronary thrombosis and the absence of reflow or slow blood flow after coronary stent implantation in direct PCI, we collected data on direct PCI cases in our hospital between January 2016 and November 2018. AIM: To investigate the correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after stent implantation in direct PCI in AMI. METHODS: We enrolled 154 patients (85 male and 69 female, aged 36-81 years) with direct PCI who underwent thrombus catheter aspiration within < 3, 3-6 or 6-12 h of onset of AMI between January 2016 and November 2018. The thrombus was removed for pathological examination under a microscope. The patients of the three groups according to the onset time of AMI were further divided into those with a white or red thrombus. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow after stent implantation was recorded based on digital subtraction angiography during PCI. The number of patients with no-reflow and slow blood flow in each group was counted. Statistical analysis was performed based on data such as onset time, TIMI blood flow. RESULTS: There were significant differences in thrombus components between the patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (P < 0.01). In the group with PCI < 3 h after onset of AMI, there was no significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups. In the groups with PCI 3-6 and 6-12 h after onset of AMI, there was a significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the onset time of AMI and the occurrences of no-reflow and slow blood flow during PCI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In direct PCI, the onset time of AMI and color of coronary thrombus are often used to predict whether there will be no reflow or slow blood flow after stent implantation.

Mitogenic effect of arginine vasopressin on adult rat cardiac fibroblast: involvement of PKC-erk1/2 pathway.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy. We previously demonstrated that AVP is a mitogen for neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). In the present study, we extend our investigation to adult rat CFs to explore whether AVP could induce adult rat CFs proliferation and, if so, to identify the underlying mechanisms. We found that AVP stimulated cell proliferation, an effect abolished by V1 receptor antagonist, d(CH2)5[Tyr2(Me), Arg8]-vasopressin, but not V2 receptor antagonist, desglycinamide-[d(CH2)5, D-Ile2, Ile4, Arg8]-vasopressin. AVP also activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (erk1/2), a response mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), but abolished by depleting cellular PKC through chronic PMA incubation. Calphostin C, an inhibitor of PKC, attenuated and PMA mimicked the effect of AVP on cell proliferation, whereas Ca2+ chelating agent 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) had no effect. Further, AVP downregulated protein expression of p27Kip1, increased cyclins D1, A, and E expressions and induced cell cycle progression through G0/G1 into S stage. Antisense oligonucleotides against cyclins D1, A, and E decreased cell number in the presence of AVP. Whereas antisense treatment against p27Kip1 and overexpression of p27Kip1 exerted a stimulatory and inhibitory effect, respectively. Inhibiting erk1/2 activation by PD98059 abolished the effect of AVP on cell proliferation, cell cycle regulatory proteins, and cell cycle progression. These results suggest that AVP is a mitogen for adult rat CFs via the mediation of V1 receptor and PKC-erk1/2 pathway.

Insulin resistance, renal injury, renal 1-alpha hydroxylase, and bone homeostasis in aged obese rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the relationship among insulin resistance (IR), renal injury, renal 1-alpha hydroxylase activity (RHA), and bone homeostasis in the presence of obesity. METHODS: Obesity, obesity treated with vitamin D, and obesity treated with 1-alpha hydroxyvitamin D [1-alpha(OH)D] were studied in animal models using aged Wistar rats. Glucose infusion rates (GIR), levels of urinary albumin (UA), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D], serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D], and bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar vertebrae and femoral bone were measured. RESULTS: GIR in obese rats decreased. A negative correlation existed between UA level and GIR in the aged obese rats, which did not exist in the normal control rats. Levels of serum 25(OH)D in all models were similar. Obese rats had lower levels of serum 1,25(OH)(2)D and BMD than normal control rats. Treating obese rats with vitamin D had no effect on levels of serum 25-(OH)D, serum 1,25(OH)(2)D, and BMD. Administration of 1alpha-(OH)D to obese rats significantly increased serum 1,25(OH)(2)D to above-normal levels and BMD to normal level. In obese rats, levels of serum 1,25(OH)(2)D and BMD in lumbar vertebrae and femoral bone were positively correlated with GIR, and the level of serum 1,25(OH)(2)D was negatively correlated with the UA level. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of obesity, IR, renal injury, decrease in RHA and bone loss exist. IR-injured kidney accounts for a decrease in RHA, which is a precipitating factor for bone loss.

Renal injury, abnormal vitamin D metabolism and bone homeostasis in aged rats with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the relationship among renal injury, abnormal vitamin D metabolism, and bone homeostasis in insulin resistance (IR) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN AND METHODS: The animal models of IR, T2DM, and T2DM treated with 1-alpha hydroxyvitamin D (1-alphaOHD) were established on 18-month-old male Wistar rats. Glucose infusion rates (GIR) and levels of urinary albumin (UA), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-OH2D), and bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar vertebrae and femoral bone were measured. RESULTS: Urinary albumin level in the rats with T2DM significantly increased, and there existed a significant and negative correlation between GIR and UA level in the rats with T2DM or IR. The levels of serum 25-OHD in all models were similar. The levels of serum 1,25-OH2D and BMD in the rats with IR were significantly higher than those in the rats with T2DM and were lower than those in normal control rats. In the aged rats with T2DM, administration of 1-alphaOHD had no effect on serum 25-OHD level although significantly increased the levels of serum 1,25-O2D and BMD. There existed a negative correlation between the levels of serum 1,25-(OH)2D and UA in the rats with T2DM or IR. CONCLUSIONS: In IR or T2DM, abnormal vitamin D metabolism is characterized by 1,25-OH2D deficiency and is related to renal injury, and there also existed bone loss. In T2DM, both 1,25-(OH)2D deficiency and bone loss can be reversed by 1-alphaOHD.

Quantitative assessment of the degree of differentiation in colon cancer with dual-energy spectral CT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dual-energy spectral CT imaging in evaluating the degree of differentiation in colon cancer. METHODS: Forty-seven colon cancer patients underwent spectral CT during arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PP), and were characterized pathologically differentiated to well-differentiated (A, n = 18) and poorly differentiated or undifferentiated carcinoma group (B, n = 29). Lesion iodine concentration (IC) was measured and normalized to that of aorta (NIC). CT numbers were measured and the slope (λ HU) of the spectral HU curve was calculated. These parameters were statistically compared between the two groups. ROC curves were used to evaluate their diagnostic efficacies. RESULTS: There were significant differences in IC (1.01 ± 0.20 vs. 1.59 ± 0.57 mg/ml), NIC (0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0.19 ± 0.09), λ HU (1.41 ± 0.29 vs. 2.03 ± 0.85), and CT number at 70 keV (48.61 ± 9.03HU vs. 63.97 ± 15.86HU) between groups A and B in AP (p < 0.05), but no difference in PP. Using IC = 1.13 mg/ml in AP as the threshold, one obtained a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 71.4% for differentiating well-differentiated from poorly differentiated or undifferentiated carcinoma. These values were statistically higher than those (64.7% and 62.3%) using CT number at 70 keV. CONCLUSION: Spectral CT imaging parameters (IC, NIC, and λ HU) in AP provide improved accuracy for evaluating the degrees of differentiation in colon cancer than CT number at 70 keV.

Is money laundering a true problem in China?

Money laundering was stipulated as an offense by Chinese criminal law more than 10 years ago. However, the judicial situation is such that no one has yet been prosecuted for it. This article describes the phenomena that are closely related to money laundering, namely the current situation of the predicate offences and other factors conducive to money laundering such as corruption, underground bank shops, and shell companies. Based on these facts, the article infers that money laundering is a real problem in China. Then it explores the reasons why case examples of money laundering are not available. Finally, this article presents some of the factors necessary in the investigation of money laundering.

Neuroprotective effects of the Buyang Huanwu decoction on functional recovery in rats following spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: The Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription and has been used in China to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) for hundreds of years. Clinical trials have shown that BYHWD improves the outcome of SCI in clinical trials, but the mechanisms are not known. This study observed the neuroprotective effects of BYHWD on spinal nerve cells after SCI and investigated possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty female Wistar rats were randomized equally to four groups treated by sham injury, SCI, BYHWD, or methylprednisolone (MP). The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate hind-limb locomotor function. Neuron apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: In the sham group, walking was mildly abnormal after anesthesia but recovered completely in 2 days. The BBB score in the SCI model group was significantly different from that in the sham group. The BBB scores of rats in both the BYHWD and MP groups were significantly higher than scores of rats in the SCI group. BYHWD had an antiapoptosis effect, as shown by significant decreases in expression of caspase-3 and Bax and increase in Bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION: BYHWD treatment restored hind-limb motor function of rats with SCI. The neuroprotective effect of BYHWD was associated with modulation of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins.

[Effects of Algicidal Substance on Phaeocystis globosa and Its Fatty Acids by the Simulation Experiment].

In order to evaluate the effects of algicidal substance on Phaeocystis globosa (P. globosa) and its algal toxin-fatty acids, the changes of chlorophyll-a, pH, dissolved oxygen, permanganate index and N, P concentration were evaluated by the simulation experiment. Fatty acids composition in P. globosa was detected by GC-MS. After adding algicidal substance in simulative water with the volume ratio 1: 100, the levels of chlorophyll-a, pH and permanganate index were reduced, while the concentrations of dissolved oxygen and N, P were increased significantly within 14 days. Comparing with control group after 14 days, pH was reduced to 7. 51 from 8. 50, chlorophyll-a and permanganate index were reduced by 82. 3% (P < 0. 05) and 55. 2% (P < 0. 01), respectively. Dissolved oxygen was significantly increased by 29. 5% (P < 0. 05). The concentrations of NH4+ -N, NO2- -N, NO3- -N and PO(4)3- -P were respectively 0. 46, 1. 50 , 6. 24 and 1. 30 times higher than that in control group. 14 days after the addition of algicidal substance, the total fatty acids of P. globosa were reduced by 83. 4%. The major fatty acids C18:2, C16:0, and C18:1, were reduced by 100%, 97. 7% and 85. 4% (P <0. 01), respectively. Our results indicated that algicidal substance from Bacillus sp. BI can effectively inhibit the growth of P. globosa and reduce the concentration of algal toxin-fatty acid in the simulation experiment. This study provides a theoretical basis for ecological safety of algicidal substance form Bacillus sp. strain Bl.