Glyceroglycolipids in marine algae: A review of their pharmacological activity.

Glyceroglycolipids are major metabolites of marine algae and have a wide range of applications in medicine, cosmetics, and chemistry research fields. They are located on the cell surface membranes. Together with glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans, known as the glycocalyx, they play critical roles in multiple cellular functions and signal transduction and have several biological properties such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, anti-viral activity, and anti-tumor immunity. This article focused on the sources and pharmacological effects of glyceroglycolipids, which are naturally present in various marine algae, including planktonic algae and benthic algae, with the aim to highlight the promising potential of glyceroglycolipids in clinical treatment.

Salvianolic acid B from Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge: A potential antitumor agent.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb widely found in China since ancient times with a high economic and medicinal value. Salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) is an important natural product derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza and this review summarizes the anticancer activity of Sal-B. Sal-B inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by targeting multiple cell signaling pathways. This review aims to review experimental studies to describe the possible anticancer mechanisms of Sal-B and confirm its potential as a therapeutic drug.

Z-Shaped Transfer Functions for Binary Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm.

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is a swarm intelligent searching algorithm based on population that simulates the social behavior of birds, bees, or fish groups. The discrete binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) algorithm maps the continuous search space to a binary space through a new transfer function, and the update process is designed to switch the position of the particles between 0 and 1 in the binary search space. Aiming at the existed BPSO algorithms which are easy to fall into the local optimum, a new Z-shaped probability transfer function is proposed to map the continuous search space to a binary space. By adopting nine typical benchmark functions, the proposed Z-probability transfer function and the V-shaped and S-shaped transfer functions are used to carry out the performance simulation experiments. The results show that the proposed Z-shaped probability transfer function improves the convergence speed and optimization accuracy of the BPSO algorithm.

Improved Bat Algorithm Based on Multipopulation Strategy of Island Model for Solving Global Function Optimization Problem.

The bat algorithm (BA) is a heuristic algorithm that globally optimizes by simulating the bat echolocation behavior. In order to improve the search performance and further improve the convergence speed and optimization precision of the bat algorithm, an improved algorithm based on chaotic map is introduced, and the improved bat algorithm of Levy flight search strategy and contraction factor is proposed. The optimal chaotic map operator is selected based on the simulation experiments results. Then, a multipopulation parallel bat algorithm based on the island model is proposed. Finally, the typical test functions are used to carry out the simulation experiments. The simulation results show that the proposed improved algorithm can effectively improve the convergence speed and optimization accuracy.

Quantitative and fiber-selective evaluation of pain and sensory dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Pain and sensory disturbances affect many patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study aimed to evaluate the pain and sensory sensitivity of each class of afferent fibers in PD patients and determine the effects of dopaminergic therapy on pain and sensory sensitivity. METHODS: Current perception threshold (CPT) and pain tolerance thresholds (PTT) at three frequencies, 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz, to stimulate Aß fibers, Aδ fibers, and small C-polymodal fibers, respectively, were measured in 72 PD patients and 35 healthy controls. RESULTS: CPT was higher at all three frequencies and PTT was lower at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz in PD patients with pain versus healthy controls (P < 0.05). CPT was higher at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz and PTT was lower at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz in PD patients without pain versus healthy controls (P < 0.05). PD patients with pain exhibited higher CPT at 5 Hz and 250 Hz than PD patients without pain (P < 0.05). Dopaminergic therapy did not affect CPT or PPT in PD patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal Aδ fiber- and Aß fiber-dependent sensory inputs may exist in PD. Abnormal sensory inputs via C fibers and Aδ fibers might be associated with the presence of pain in PD. Because dopaminergic therapy failed to mitigate these sensory and pain dysfunctions, mechanisms not involving the dopaminergic pathway are likely to be implicated.

Three novel lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) constructed by unsymmetrical aromatic dicarboxylatic tectonics: synthesis, crystal structures and luminescent properties.

Three novel Ln(III)-based coordination polymers, {[Ln2 (2,4-bpda)3 (H2O)x]·yH2O}n (Ln = La (III) (1), x = 2, y = 0, Ce (III) (2), Pr (III) (3), x = 4, y = 1) (2,4-H2bpda = benzophenone-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) have been prepared via a solvothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D complicated framework with a new 2-nodal (3,7)-connected (42·5) (44·51·66·8) topology. Complexes 2 and 3 are isomorphous, and feature a 3D 4-connected (65·8)-CdSO4 network. Moreover, solid-state properties such as thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated. Complex 1 crystallized in a monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 14.800 (3), b = 14.500 (3), c = 18.800 (4) Å, ß = 91.00 (3), V = 4033.9 (14) Å3 and Z = 4. Complex 2 crystallized in a monoclinic space group Cc with a = 13.5432 (4), b = 12.9981 (4), c = 25.7567 (11) Å, ß = 104.028 (4), V = 1374.16 (7) Å3 and Z = 4.

Nd:Li6Y(BO3)3 crystal waveguide properties at wavelengths of 633 and 1539 nm produced by oxygen or silicon ion implantation.

We report on the waveguide formation in the Nd:Li6Y(BO3)3 laser crystal by oxygen or silicon ion implantation, respectively, and how the waveguide structure effectively supports the fundamental mode in the visible and near-infrared telecommunication band. Compared with Si-ion, the waveguide produced by O-ion has a larger effective refractive index of fundamental mode and lower propagation loss, which shows that peak position of implanted ion nuclear energy loss has a significant impact on waveguide features. The investigation of the photoluminescence and Raman spectra demonstrates that the Nd3+ luminescence feature and crystal structure of the waveguide active region do not change significantly and gain good preservation after ion implantation.

[Comparison of heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification system by strain qy37 and its accelerating removal characteristic of NH4+ -N].

The characterization in nitrogen removal of a heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria (qy37) was studied. A strain coded as qy37 which had simultaneous heterotrophic nitrifying and aerobic denitrifying ability was screened. In the light of its morphological and physiological characters as well as their sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA, strain qy37 was identified as Pseudomonas sp.. In heterotrophic nitrifying system utilized ammonium chloride as nitrogen source, the concentration of NH4+ -N reduced from 138.52 mg/L to 7.88 mg/L and COD reduced from 2408.39 to 1177.49 mg/L by strain qy37 in 32 hours, the maximum accumulation of NH2OH and NO2- -N were 9.42 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L respectively, it was speculated that NH2OH was transformed to N2O and N2 directly by strain qy37. In aerobic denitrifying system utilized sodium nitrite as nitrogen source, the concentration of NO2- -N reduced from 109.25 mg/L to 2.59 mg/L by strain qy37 in 24 hours, and the maximum accumulation of NH2OH was 3.28 mg/L. Compared with heterotrophic nitrifying system, aerobic denitrifying system had a higher bacterial growth whereas the lower removal rate of TN and COD, as well as the accumulation of NH2OH. NO3- -N was also detected in aerobic denitrifying system. It is considered that the upgrowth of bacterium and utilization of energy in aerobic denitrifying system were more efficient than that in heterotrophic nitrifying system. In heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification system, the removal rate of NH4+ -N improved 37.31% in 16 hours than that in heterotrophic nitrifying system, the accumulation of NH2OH was less but N2O was higher than that in both heterotrophic nitrifying system and aerobic denitrifying system.

Optical properties of planar waveguides on ZnWO4 formed by carbon and helium ion implantation and effects of annealing.

We report on the optical properties of ZnWO(4) planar waveguides created by ion implantation, and the effect annealing has on these structures. Planar optical waveguides in ZnWO(4) crystals are fabricated by 5.0 MeV carbon ion implantation with a fluence of 1 × 10(15) ions/cm(2) or 500 keV helium ion implantation with the a fluence of 1 × 10(16) ions/cm(2). The thermal stability was investigated by 60 minute annealing cycles at different temperatures ranging from 260°C to 550°C in air. The guided modes were measured by a model 2010 prism coupler at wavelengths of 633 nm and 1539 nm. The reflectivity calculation method (RCM) was applied to simulate the refractive index profile in these waveguides. The near-field light intensity profiles were measured using the end-face coupling method. The absorption spectra show that the implantation processes have almost no influence on the visible band absorption.

[Bioaugmentation for shortcut nitrification in SBR treating for sewage containing sea water by nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria].

The feasibility of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria applied in shortcut nitrification system was studied. Four heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification strains mixed with halotolerant activated sludge was added into SBR in order to test their bioaugmentation ability for shortcut nitrification system, which was treating for sewage containing sea water, and the difference between bioaugmentation system and original system was compared. The results showed that the maximum accumulation of NO2(-) -N in bioaugmentation system was 34.92% lower than that in original system, and the time of maximum accumulation of NO2(-) -N was 2 hours earlier than that in original system. The TN and COD was continuously decreasing in the later phase of nitrification in bioaugmentation system, and finally the removal rate of TN and COD were 15.24% and 5.39% higher than that in original system respectively, as well as the removal rate of NH4(+) -N and the nitrosation rate were 6.85% and 14.47% higher than that in original system. And the pH was 0.46 higher than that in original system, whereas the ORP was 25.84 mV lower. It was considered that the function of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria should strengthen the performance of bioaugmentation system. When the seawater content raised to 70%, the stability of bioaugmentation system was better than that in original system, and the current that transforming shortcut nitrification to complete nitrification was restrained by heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria effectively. The number of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria was changed when bioaugmentation system and original system ran in different phase and the bacteria had a great loss with the discharge of activated sludge. These results may provide a theoretical reference about the feasibility that the heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria applied in shortcut nitrification system.