A Spray-on, Nanocomposite-Based Sensor Network for in-Situ Active Structural Health Monitoring.

A new breed of nanocomposite-based spray-on sensor is developed for in-situ active structural health monitoring (SHM). The novel nanocomposite sensor is rigorously designed with graphene as the nanofiller and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the matrix, fabricated using a simple spray deposition process. Electrical analysis, as well as morphological characterization of the spray-on sensor, was conducted to investigate percolation characteristic, in which the optimal threshold (~0.91%) of the graphene/PVP sensor was determined. Owing to the uniform and stable conductive network formed by well-dispersed graphene nanosheets in the PVP matrix, the tailor-made spray-on sensor exhibited excellent piezoresistive performance. By virtue of the tunneling effect of the conductive network, the sensor was proven to be capable of perceiving signals of guided ultrasonic waves (GUWs) with ultrahigh frequency up to 500 kHz. Lightweight and flexible, the spray-on nanocomposite sensor demonstrated superior sensitivity, high fidelity, and high signal-to-noise ratio under dynamic strain with ultralow magnitude (of the order of micro-strain) that is comparable with commercial lead zirconate titanate (PZT) wafers. The sensors were further networked to perform damage characterization, and the results indicate significant application potential of the spray-on nanocomposite-based sensor for in-situ active GUW-based SHM.

The melanogenesis-inhibitory effect and the percutaneous formulation of ginsenoside Rb1.

Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is the most predominant ginsenoside isolated from the roots of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). This compound is active in various human biological pathways that are involved in human collagen synthesis and inhibition of cell apoptosis. In this study, the skin-whitening effects of Rb1 were investigated in B16 melanoma cells. Our results showed that Rb1 inhibited melanogenesis in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which collectively indicated that Rb1 may have skin-whitening effects and may be formulated into skin-whitening products for skin care. Accordingly, a ginsenoside collagen transdermal patch was developed as a vehicle to topically deliver Rb1 into pig skin. The percutaneous permeation, retention within skin, and release in vitro of Rb1 from seven transdermal patch formulas were studied. It was determined that the best formula for ginsenoside collagen transdermal patch is made of protein collagen hydrolysate powder (PCHP) 2.0% (w/w), methyl cellulose (MC) 0.5% (w/w), polyethyleneglycol 6000 (PEG6000) 0.5% (w/w), ginsenoside 0.036% (w/w), azone 0.4% (v/w), menthol 0.20% (w/w), and water.

Instant duodenal decompression after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can effectively reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis and hyperamylasemia.

Background: Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is significantly influenced by the reflux of duodenal fluid. While gastrointestinal decompression represents a fundamental approach in acute pancreatitis management, the effectiveness of immediate duodenal decompression following ERCP to prevent PEP remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of immediate duodenal decompression after ERCP on reducing the incidence of hyperamylasemia and PEP. Methods: This retrospective study encompassed patients with native papilla who underwent therapeutic ERCP for choledocholithiasis at the Department of Gastroenterology, Chun'an Branch of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Zhejiang, China) between January 2020 and June 2023. Based on the immediate placement of a duodenal decompression tube post-ERCP, patients were categorized into two groups: the duodenal decompression group and the conventional procedure group. Primary outcomes included the incidence of PEP and hyperamylasemia. Results: A total of 195 patients were enrolled (94 in the duodenal decompression group and 101 in the conventional procedure group). Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics exhibited no significant differences between the two groups. PEP occurred in 2 patients (2.1%) in the duodenal decompression group, in contrast to 11 patients (10.9%) in the conventional procedure group (Risk difference [RD] 8.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7%-16.5%, P = 0.014). Hyperamylasemia was observed in 8 patients (8.5%) in the duodenal decompression group, compared to 20 patients (19.8%) in the conventional procedure group (RD 11.3%; 95% CI 1.4%-21.0%; P = 0.025). Patients with PEP in both groups showed improvement after receiving active treatment. No severe cases of PEP occurred in either group, and no serious adverse events related to duodenal catheter decompression were reported. Conclusion: Immediate duodenal decompression following ERCP demonstrates an effective reduction in the incidence of hyperamylasemia and PEP.

[Cerebral microbleeds detected on T2-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic value of T2-weighted gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and its clinical significance. METHODS: The distribution of CMBs and follow-up observations were performed by routine T1WI, T2WI and T2-weighted gradient echo sequence in 634 patients clinically suspected for stroke. RESULTS: In 149 patients, a total of 1140 CMBs occurred predominantly in cortex-subcortical area (n = 471, 41.31%), basal ganglia (n = 289, 25.35%), thalamus (n = 199, 17.45%), brain stem (n = 90, 7.89%) and cerebellum (n = 91, 7.98%). Among them, 137 patients had various degrees of ischemic brain changes, displayed iso-intensity or hypo-intensity on T1WI, hyper-intensity on T2WI and FLAIR in basal ganglia, white matter around sided ventricle and brain stem. There were 23 patients with cerebral infarction and 5 with CMBs after hemorrhagic brain stroke. And 12 of them had new hemorrhagic stroke in 2-6 months. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted gradient echo MRI has obvious advantages in the detection of CMBs. The presence of CMBs suggests a risk of cerebral hemorrhage.

[Spectroscopic characteristics of different molecular weight dissolved organic matter in water from Yangtze River estuary].

Cross flow ultrafiltration systems and three dimensional fluorescence spectrum were used to investigate the fluorescence characterization of different molecular weight dissolved organic matter in water of wet season and dry season from Yangtze River estuary, in order to find out the sources and influencing factors. The results showed that four types of dissolved organic carbon (DOM) fluorescence peaks were observed in the water: humic-like fluorescence peak A and C, and protein-like fluorescence peak B and D. Fluorescent substances mainly existed in the truly dissolved organic matter (UOM, < 1 kDa), secondly in low and medium molecular weight of colloidal organic matter (1-500 kDa). Protein of DOM in water mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, then from autochthonous sources. Compared to protein, humic acid of DOM in wet season was both terrigenous and autochthonous sources, while in dry season mainly from terrestrial organic matter. In addition, humic acid in UOM was mainly derived from biological decomposition, however, in colloidal organic matter (COM) came from terrestrial organic matter and was affected by resuspension effects. There was linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and environmental parameters. It was revealed that the complex environmental conditions would influence the fluorescent substance of DOM in water from Yangtze River estuary.

Global Trends in Research of Perioperative Analgesia Over Past 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: The postoperative acute pain caused by surgery has been a major problem plaguing anesthesiologists, and even some acute pain progresses to chronic pain syndrome, terribly reducing the quality of life of patients. To this end, increasing attention has been paid to the management of perioperative analgesia. At present, with the increase of research on perioperative analgesia, the understanding and solution of this clinical problem have been further developed. Bibliometrics can estimate research hot-spots and trends of related fields in a certain period of time. However, a systematic bibliometric analysis has not been conducted to explore current research hotspots and future development trends, which is thus the purpose of this study. Methods: Articles and reviews published from 2012 to 2021 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, and the bibliometric analysis of the keywords and references of articles was performed using VOSviewer1.6.18. Besides, the number of articles related to perioperative analgesia in term of countries, affiliations, authors, and journals were analyzed. Results: Finally, 3157 articles meeting the screening requirements were retrieved, and it was hereby found that the research on perioperative analgesia had received more attention and interest in the past 10 years, with the United States making more contributions, where there were eight of the top ten affiliations by the number of publications. Kaye AD was the most active researcher in this field. Most related articles were published in Anesthesia and Analgesia, accounting for 2.76% of all literature. Enhanced recovery after surgery, different types of anesthesia and multi-mode analgesic drug intervention were the main trends and hotspots. Conclusion: Perioperative analgesia has attracted considerable academic interest. In the past decade, the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery, different types of anesthesia and multi-mode analgesic drug intervention on perioperative analgesia have become the research hotspots, which are also likely to be the focus of future study.

Pharmacokinetic interactions among major bioactive components in Radix Scutellariae via metabolic competition.

Baicalein (B), wogonin (W) and oroxylin A (OA) are major components in Radix Scutellariae with similar pharmacokinetic properties. Due to the co-presence of these three flavones in herbal formulations for Radix Scutellariae, they are likely consumed together. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the pharmacokinetics of individual flavones is influenced by each other and the underlying mechanism of the interaction. Various systems were utilized in the current study including a rat in vivo study, a Caco-2 cell monolayer model and a rat in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion as well as in vitro enzymatic kinetics studies. The B, W and OA given singly as well as in a mixture were administered and the corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and compared. After co-administration of the three flavones to rats, OA absorption increased significantly in comparison with when OA was administered alone. Mechanistic studies on the Caco-2 cell monolayer and rat in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion models revealed that co-administration of B, W and OA could significantly enhance their absorption and decrease the extent of phase II metabolism. Further in vitro enzymatic study and a transport study in transfected MDCK cells revealed that metabolic competition rather than membrane transporters might contribute to the pharmacokinetic interactions. The co-presence of multiple active components would result in metabolic interactions, which may induce further changes in pharmacodynamics.

[Significance of DNA ploidy analysis in diagnosis of ASCUS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of DNA ploidy analysis in diagnosis of atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS). METHODS: From Jan.2009 to Jul.2011, 875 women with ASCUS confirmed by liquid based thin layer cytology technique underwent DNA ploid analysis in Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Among 294 women underwent high risk HPV detection. All subjective were examined colposcopy directed biopsy at day 3 to 10 after menstruation. RESULTS: Among 875 ASCUS cases, 553 cases with histologically as chronic cervicitis (63.2%), 165 cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)I (18.9%), 45 cases with CINII (5.1%), 79 cases with CINIII (9.0%) and 33 cases with cervical invasive cancer (3.8%) were confirmed by colposcopy. Totally 532 cases were observed with DNA heteroploid, and 343 were not observed with DNA heteroploid. When DNA heteroploid negative and more than or equal to three ploid were used to predict CINII or more severe cervical diseases, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values were 98.7% and 90.3%, 47.5% and 46.1%, 29.1% and 40.8%, 99.4% and 92.1%, respectively. The amount of heteroploid cells > 2.5c and > 5c among every 100 detected cells in chronic cervicitis and CINI, CINII, CINIII and cervix cancer were respectively 2.53 ± 1.99 and 0.10 ± 0.07, 2.24 ± 1.69 and 0.20 ± 0.11, 4.10 ± 1.91 and 0.28 ± 0.19, 7.97 ± 7.33 and 1.27 ± 1.23, 8.99 ± 7.33 and 0.36 ± 0.33, there was no statistical difference in amount of heteropolid cells between >2.5c and > 5c at group of chronic cervicitis and CINI, CINIII and cervix cancer (P > 0.05). However, the amount of heteroploid cells at > 2.5c and > 5c at group of chronic cervicitis, CINI, CINIII and cervical were higher than that of CINII significantly (P < 0.05). Among 294 cases with high risk (HR) HPV detection, 216 cases were HR-HPV positive, and 78 cases were HR-HPV negative. The pathology result by colposcopy at group of negative heteroploid, heteroploid < 3, or ≥ 3 showed statistical distribution (χ(2) = 115.2775, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DNA ploidy analysis can be used for ASCUS diagnosis, which can avoid excessive biopsy under colposcopy, in the mean time, CIN and cervical cancer could decrease missed diagnosis.

[Expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 in cardiomyocytes differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) in cardiomyocytes differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells). METHODS: ES cells were differentiated into cardiomyocytes with hanging-drop cultures. Retinoic acid (RA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The co-expression of cardiac sarcomeric protein (α-actinin or troponin-T) and mGluR4 were verified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. The mRNA and protein expressions of mGluR4 were verified by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Meanwhile, the expression of mGluR4 in prenatal mouse heart was also examined. RESULTS: mGluR4 was expressed in both mouse ES cells and ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The level of mGluR4 protein expression decreased during the maturation of the cardiomyocytes. The co-expression rate of mGluR4 and Troponin T in the beating embryoid bodies (EBs) was only (3.00 ±1.00)%. On the other hand, mGluR4 gene and protein expressions showed remarkable down-regulation in the development of mouse fetal heart, which was not detected in mouse adult heart. CONCLUSION: The expression of mGluR4 is down-regulated in the cardiomyocyte differentiation of ES cells. The trend of expression is consistent with that in the prenatal mouse heart development.

[Expression of Junctophilin 1 during cardiogenesis of mouse embryonic stem cells and rat embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Junctophilin 1 (JP1) in cardiogenesis of mammalian. METHODS: Cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) was generated by hanging drop method. Fetal heart was obtained from the rats aged d 14-20 of gestation. The expression of JP1 and JP2 during cardiogenesis of ESCs and rat embryos was analyzed by RT-PCR or Western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to reveal the distribution of JP1 and JP2 in embryoid body (EB), probing for merging of JP1 and JP2 and cardiac sarcomeric α-Actinin or Troponin-T. Percentage of JP1 and JP2-positive staining cells was analyzed quantitatively by FCS on d17. RESULTS: JP1 mRNA was up-regulated at the early stage (d 5-11) and then decreased. The expression of JP1 protein was up-regulated at the early stage (d 7-9), then decreased gradually and disappeared after d 15. While JP2 gene and protein expression increased in a time-dependent manner during cardiogenesis of rat embryos. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that there was a parallel co-localization of JP2 with Troponin-T or α-Actinin on d17, while JP1 failed to express in the sarcomeric positive area at the same time point. Furthermore, FCS analysis showed that about 16.59% of cells were JP2-positive, while no cells were stained positively for JP1 in d17 EBs. CONCLUSION: JP1 gene is expressed during the whole process of cardiogenesis, while JP1 protein only appears on the early stage. The expression of JP1 in cardiogenesis of ESCs is consistent with that of rat embryos.

[Immunological analysis of piperaquine-resistant murine model of Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the immunological characteristics of murine model of piperaquine sensitive (PQS) line and resistant (PQR) line of Plasmodium berghei (Pb) ANKA strain. METHODS: 64 Kunming mice were divided into three groups, 16 in each of groups A and C, 32 in group B (16 of 32 were used for observing survival days). Each mouse in groups A and B was infected with 1 x 10(7) erythrocytic stage parasites of PbPQS and PbPQR, respectively. Mice in group C were injected with the same volume of normal saline. On days 4, 8, 12 and 16 after inoculation, 4 mice from each group were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for thin blood smear examination, and parasitemia rate calculated. Spleens were removed and spleen lymphocytes suspension prepared. Spleen lymphocytes were stimulated with ConA, and cell proliferation was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Nitrogen oxide (NO) and IFN-gamma level of spleen cell culture supernatants were detected by the Griess reagent and ELISA methods, respectively. Another 10 mice were each inoculated with 1 x 10(7) parasites of PbPQR line, and the mice were then challenged with lethal PQS line when the parasites turned into blue stained cells. The parasitemia and survival days were recorded. RESULTS: The average survival time of group A was (9.0 +/- 3.0) d, the parasitemia rate was over 50% at 6-12 days post- infection with severe anemia. On 16th day post-infection, no death was recorded in group B with a parasitemia rate of (2666 +/- 254) %. After ConA stimulation, the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in groups A (0.65 +/- 0.08) and B (0.86 +/- 0.20) at 12 days after infection was significantly higher than that of group C (0.18 +/- 0.03) (P < 00.01). NO level in spleen cell culture supernatant increased with prolonged infection time. On 12th day post-infection, NO level of groups A [(48.80 +/- 3.49) micromol/L] and B [(54.80 +/- 2.17) micromol/L] was higher than that of group C [(7.80 +/- 0.71) micromol/L] (P < 0.01). IFN-gamma concentration in spleen lymphocytes culture supernatant increased with prolonged infection time. The highest IFN-gamma level of group A was (752.20 +/- 39.49) pg/ml on 12th day post-infection, while in group B it was (855.80 +/- 33.65) pg/ml on 8th day after infection, then decreased on 12th day [(620.20 +/- 27.11) pg/ml]. IFN-gamma level showed a significant difference between groups A and B (P < 0.01). In 10 days after challenge, the parasitemia rate in PQR group was up to (2.44 +/- 2.07)%, and gradually disappeared. No parasite was detected on 40th day after challenge and no mice died. CONCLUSION: The proliferation of spleen cells, NO and IFN-gamma levels of spleen lymphocytes culture supernatant in PbANKA strain PQR line are significantly higher than that of PQS line. PbPQR line can induce certain protective immunoreaction.

Involvement of ubiquitin-proteasome system in icariin-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation of embryonic stem cells using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Icariin has been shown to significantly facilitate the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into cardiomyocytes in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying the icariin-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation is still not fully understood. In the present study, 52 differentially displayed proteins selected from two-dimensional electrophoresis gels were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. More than half of proteins could be assigned to six main categories: (1) protein synthesis, metabolism, processing and degradation, (2) stress response, (3) cytoskeleton proteins, (4) energy metabolism, (5) carbohydrate metabolism/transport, and (6) RNA/other nucleic acids metabolisms and transport, nuclear proteins. MALDI-TOF/MS showed that icariin treatment resulted in the induction of five ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-related proteins, such as ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2N, proteasome 26S, proteasome subunit-alpha type 6, and proteasome subunit-alpha type 2 in the differentiated cardiomyocytes. These results implied that UPS might play an important role in the control of cardiomyocyte differentiation. Epoxomicin (a proteasome inhibitor) significantly reduced the cardiomyocyte differentiation rate of ES cells and proteasome activities, as well as inhibited NF-κB translocation into the nucleus, which were evidently reversed by presence of icariin. Meanwhile, icariin could significantly reverse the reduction of four proteins (proteasome subunit-alpha type 6, proteasome subunit-alpha type 2, UCH-L1, and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2N) expressions owing to application of epoxomicin. These suggest UPS could be a means by which icariin may regulate expressions of key proteins that control cardiomyocyte differentiation. Taken together, these results indicated that UPS played an important role in ES cell differentiate into cardiomyocytes induced by icariin.

Observations of linear aggregation behavior in rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus).

Linear aggregation is present in some animals, such as the coordinated movement of ants and the migration of caterpillars and spinylobsters, but none has been reported on rotifers. The rotifers were collected and clone cultured in the laboratory at 25 ± 1°C, under natural light (light intensity ~130 lx, L:D = 14:10). The culture medium(pH = 7.3) was formulated as described by Suga et al., and rotifers were fed on the micro algae Scenedesmus obliquus grown in HB-4 medium to the exponential growth stage. When density was high (150 individuals ml-1), the behavior of rotifers was observed using a stereo microscope (Motic ES-18TZLED). In this paper, linear aggregation in Brachionus calyciflorus was found for the first time, and experiments were carried out to verify the correlation between linear aggregation and culture density of B. calyciflorus. With the increase of density, the number of aggregations increase, the number of individuals in the aggregation increased, and the maintenance time of the aggregation was also increased. Therefore, we speculate that the formation of aggregates is related to density and may be a behavioral signal of density increase, which may transmit information between density increase and formation of dormant eggs.

Angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotension II in the rostral ventrolateral medulla modulate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex and sympathetic activity in rats.

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays a pivotal role in regulating sympathetic vasomotor activity. The cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) contributes to the enhanced sympathetic outflow in chronic heart failure and hypertension. The aim of the present study was to determine whether angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1-7) in the RVLM modulate the CSAR and sympathetic activity. Bilateral sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy were carried out in anesthetized rats. The CSAR was evaluated as the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) response to epicardial application of capsaicin. The effects of bilateral microinjection of Ang II, Ang-(1-7), the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan or the Mas receptor antagonist D: -alanine-Ang-(1-7) (A-779) into the RVLM were determined. Either Ang II or Ang-(1-7) enhanced the CSAR as well as increased RSNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with losartan but not the A-779 abolished the effects of Ang II, while A-779 but not the losartan eliminated the effects of Ang-(1-7). The RVLM microinjection of losartan alone had no direct effect on the CSAR, RSNA, and MAP, but A-779 alone attenuated the CSAR and decreased RSNA and MAP. These results indicate that Ang-(1-7) is as effective as Ang II in sensitizing the CSAR and increasing sympathetic outflow. In contrast to Ang II, the effects of Ang-(1-7) are not mediated by AT(1) receptors but by Mas receptors. Mas receptors, but not the AT(1) receptors, in the RVLM are involved in the tonic control of the CSAR.

Herb-drug interactions between the medicinal mushrooms Lingzhi and Yunzhi and cytotoxic anticancer drugs: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Lingzhi and Yunzhi are medicinal mushrooms commonly used with cytotoxic chemotherapy in cancer patients in Asian countries. The current systematic review aims to identify potential pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interactions from the existing literature to ensure their effective and safe combination usage in cancer patients. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on nine major Chinese and English databases, including China Journal Net, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Ovid MEDLINE®, etc., to identify clinical, animal, and in-vitro studies that evaluate the effect of combined use of Lingzhi or Yunzhi with cytotoxic drugs. The Jadad scale was used to assess the quality of clinical studies. RESULTS: This search identified 213 studies, including 77 clinical studies that reported on the combined use of cytotoxic drugs with Yunzhi (n = 56) or Lingzhi (n = 21). Majority of these clinical studies demonstrated modest methodological quality. In clinical practice, the most commonly used cytotoxic drugs with Lingzhi were cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and paclitaxel, whereas Tegafur/uracil (UFT)/Tegafur, 5-FU, and mitomycin were the ones used more often with Yunzhi. Only two clinical pharmacokinetic studies were available showing no significant interactions between Polysaccharide K (PSK) and Tegafur. From the pharmacodynamic interactions perspective, combination uses of Yunzhi/Lingzhi with cytotoxic drugs in clinical practice could lead to improvement in survival (n = 31) and quality of life (n = 17), reduction in tumor lesions (n = 22), immune modulation (n = 38), and alleviation of chemotherapy-related side effects (n = 14) with no reported adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the clinical combination use of Lingzhi or Yunzhi with cytotoxic drugs could enhance the efficacy and ameliorate the adverse effects of cytotoxic drugs, leading to improved quality of life in cancer patients. More high quality clinical studies including pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions studies are warranted to verify these observations and mechanisms involved. Based on the high quality clinical data, pharmacoepidemiology methods and bioinformatics or data mining could be adopt for further identification of clinical meaningful herb-drug interactions in cancer therapies.

Enhanced cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex involved in sympathetic overactivity in renovascular hypertensive rats.

Sympathetic outflow is increased in hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) is enhanced in two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats, and whether the enhanced CSAR contributes, in part, to the increased sympathetic outflow. Furthermore, the role of central angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptors in mediating the CSAR was determined. Under urethane and alpha-chloralose anaesthesia, the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in sinoaortic denervated and cervical vagotomized rats. The CSAR was evaluated by the response of RSNA and MAP to epicardial application of 1.0 nmol of capsaicin. Compared with sham-operated rats, the CSAR, baseline RSNA and plasma noradrenaline level were significantly enhanced in 2K1C rats. Intrapericardial administration of resiniferatoxin, which abolishes the CSAR because of the desensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-containing cardiac afferent fibres, decreased the RSNA and MAP. The enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats was normalized by intracerebroventricular administration of the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan. Intracerebroventricular administration of angiotensin II further potentiated the enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats, a response which was abolished by pretreatment with losartan. These results indicate that the CSAR is enhanced in 2K1C rats and the enhanced CSAR contributes, in part, to the sympathetic activation and hypertension. Central AT(1) receptors are involved in the enhanced CSAR in 2K1C rats.

Effect of black carbon on sorption and desorption of phosphorus onto sediments.

The sorption behavior of phosphorus onto sediment was investigated with the addition of BC derived from incomplete biomass combustion (PC). The sorption kinetic curves of phosphorus onto PC and sediment could be described by a two-compartment first order equation, and the sorption isotherms fit the Freundlich model well. With increasing amounts of PC added, the sorption capacity increased while the HI did not change much. The distribution of phosphorus forms showed that CaP (ACa-P plus DAP) constituted the highest fraction in the sediment samples. Throughout the sorption process, CaP and OP changed very little, but the Ex-P and FeP increased obviously, and the presence of PC made this increase more significantly. The high specific area and the presence of iron and aluminum, as well as the modification of the sediments surface properties, make the addition of PC be favorable for the sorption of phosphorus onto sediments.

Gut Microbiota Reconstruction Following Host Infection with Blood-stage Plasmodium berghei ANKA Strain in a Murine Model.

Malaria remains a global health problem. The relationship between Plasmodium spp. and the gut microbiota as well as the impact of Plasmodium spp. on the gut microbiota in vertebrate hosts is unclear. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of blood-stage Plasmodium parasites on the gut microbiota of mice. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses at three stages. The gut microbiota changed during the three phases: the healthy stage, the infection stage, and the cure stage (on the 9th day after malarial elimination). Moreover, the gut microbiota of these infected animals did not recover after malaria infection. There were 254 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across all three stages, and there were unique strains or OTUs at each stage of the experiment. The percentages of community abundance of 8 OTUs changed significantly (P<0.05). The dominant OTU in both the healthy mice and the mice with malaria was OTU265, while that in the cured mice was OTU234. In addition, the changes in OTU147 were the most noteworthy. Its percentage of community abundance varied greatly, with higher values during malaria than before malaria infection and after malaria elimination. These results indicated that the external environment influenced the gut microbiota after host C57BL/6 mice were infected with blood-stage P. berghei ANKA and that the same was true during and after elimination of blood-stage P. berghei ANKA. In addition, we could not isolate OTU147 for further study. This study identified gut microbiota components that were reconstructed after infection by and elimination of blood-stage P. berghei ANKA in host C57BL/6 mice, and this process was affected by P. berghei ANKA and the external environment of the host.

Regulation of cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex by GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors in paraventricular nucleus in rats.

The aim of the present study was to determine the role of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in regulating cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR). Under urethane (800 mg/kg) and alpha-chloralose (40 mg/kg) anesthesia, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in sinoaortic-denervated and cervical-vagotomized rats. CSAR was evaluated based in the response of RSNA to epicardial application of capsaicin (0.3 nmol) or bradykinin (1 nmol). Bilateral PVN microinjection of the GABA(A) receptor agonist isoguvacine (10 nmol) attenuated CSAR, while the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (1 nmol) abolished CSAR. Both isoguvacine and baclofen greatly decreased baseline RSNA and MAP. The GABA(A) receptor antagonist gabazine (0.1 nmol) had no significant effect on CSAR, but the GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP-35348 (10 nmol) enhanced CSAR. Gabazine caused greater increases in baseline RSNA and MAP than CGP-35348. Vigabatrin (10 nmol), a selective GABA-transaminase inhibitor which increases endogenous GABA level, abolished CSAR, and decreased baseline RSNA, MAP and HR. The effects of vigabatrin were antagonized by combined gabazine (0.1 nmol) and CGP-35348 (10 nmol). The results indicate that activation of either GABA(A) or GABA(B) receptors in the PVN inhibits CSAR, while blockage of GABA(B) receptors in the PVN enhances CSAR. Endogenous GABA in the PVN could have an important role in regulating CSAR.