Biogeochemical controls on climatically active gases and atmospheric sulfate aerosols in the western Pacific.

The Pacific Ocean plays an important role in regulating the budget of climatically active gases and the burden of sulfate aerosols. Here, a field investigation was conducted to clarify the key processes and factors controlling climatically active gases, including dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbonyl sulfide (OCS), carbon disulfide (CS2), and carbon dioxide (CO2), in both surface seawater and the lower atmosphere of the western Pacific. In addition, the relative contributions of different sources to atmospheric sulfate aerosols were quantitatively estimated, and their causes were explored. The maximum concentrations of DMS, OCS and CS2 and the minimum partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) were observed in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension. Kuroshio-induced mesoscale eddies brought abundant nutrients and organic matter from the subsurface layer of Oyashio into the euphotic layer, thus enhancing primary productivity and accelerating the photoreaction of organic matter. These processes led to higher concentrations of DMS, OCS and CS2 and lower pCO2. However, the oligotrophic subsurface layer in the subtropical gyre and the strong barrier layer in the equatorial waters suppressed the upward fluxes of nutrients and organic matter, resulting in lower surface concentrations of DMS, OCS, and CS2 in these areas. Being far from the continents, atmospheric concentrations of DMS, OCS and CS2 and pCO2 in the western Pacific generally were observed to depend on the local sea-to-air exchange and may be regulated by atmospheric oxidation and mixing of air masses. In general, oceanic DMS emissions played an important role in the formation of sulfate aerosols in the western Pacific (accounting for ∼19.5% of total sulfate aerosols), especially in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension (∼32.3%). These processes in seawater may also determine the variations and emissions of other climatically active gases from biogenic and photochemical sources.

Comparative phylogeography of the wild-rice genus Zizania (Poaceae) in eastern Asia and North America.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Comparative phylogeography of intercontinental disjunct taxa allowed us not only to elucidate their diversification and evolution following geographic isolation, but also to understand the effect of climatic and geological histories on the evolutionary processes of closely related species. A phylogeographic analysis was conducted on the eastern Asian-North American disjunct genus Zizania to compare intracontinental phylogeographic patterns between different continents. METHODS: Surveys were conducted of 514 individuals using three chloroplast DNA fragments and three nuclear microsatellite loci. These individuals included 246 from 45 populations of Zizania latifolia in eastern Asia, and the following from North America: 154 individuals from 26 populations of Z. aquatica, 84 individuals from 14 populations of Z. palustris, and 30 individuals from one population of Z. texana. KEY RESULTS: The genetic diversity of North American Zizania was significantly higher than that of eastern Asian Zizania. High levels of genetic differentiation among populations and no signal of population expansion were detected in three widespread species. No phylogeographic structure was observed in Z. latifolia, and discordant patterns of cpDNA and microsatellite markers were observed in North American Zizania. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced variation in Zizania latifolia likely reflects its perennial life history, the North American origin of Zizania, and the relative homogeneity of aquatic environments. High levels of genetic differentiation suggest limited dispersal among populations in all Zizania species. The more complex patterns of diversification and evolution in North American Zizania may be driven by the greater impact of glaciation in North America relative to eastern Asia.

2-Arylbenzofuran, flavonoid, and tyrosinase inhibitory constituents of Morus yunnanensis.

Two novel 2-arylbenzofuran dimers, morusyunnansins A and B (1 and 2), two new biflavonoids, morusyunnansins C and D (3 and 4), two new flavans, morusyunnansins E and F (5 and 6), and four known flavans (7-10) were isolated from the leaves of Morus yunnanensis. Compounds 5-8 showed potent inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase with IC(50) values ranging from 0.12 ± 0.02 to 1.43 ± 0.43 µM.

New isoprenylated flavonoids and adipogenesis-promoting constituents from Morus notabilis.

Five new isoprenylated flavonoids, notabilisins A-E (1-5), and two known Diels-Alder adducts (6 and 7), were isolated from the twigs of Morus notabilis. Compounds 4 and 5 possess two novel pyran rings, which may be biogenetically derived from 3. Compounds 1 and 3 significantly promoted adipogenesis, characterized by increased lipid droplet and triglyceride content in 3T3L1 cells, and induced up-regulation of the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, aP2 and GLUT4.

Isoprenylated flavonoids and adipogenesis-promoting constituents from Morus nigra.

Ten new isoprenylated flavonoids, nigrasins A-J (1-10), and three known compounds were isolated from the twigs of Morus nigra. Compounds 8 and 9 promoted adipogenesis, characterized by increased lipid droplet and triglyceride content in 3T3L1 cells, and induced up-regulation of the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, aP2 and GLUT4.

5-(1H-Indol-3-yl-methyl-idene)-2,2-di-methyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione.

In the title compound, C(15)H(13)NO(4), the conjugated double-bond system between the two rings adopts a cis configuration and there is an intra-molecular indole-ketone C-H⋯O inter-action. The indole N-H group forms an inter-molecular hydrogen bond with a ketone O-atom acceptor, giving a chain structure along the ab direction. The O-heterocyclic ring adopts a boat conformation and makes a dihedral angle of 16.72 (6)° with the indole ring system.

2,2-Dimethyl-5-[(2-nitro-anilino)methyl-idene]-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione.

The crystal of the title compound, C(13)H(12)N(2)O(6), contains a bifurcated intra-molecular hydrogen bond between the N-H group and one of the O atoms from both the nitro group and the dioxane-4,6-dione moiety. In addition, mol-ecules are linked by a series of inter-molecular C-H⋯O secondary inter-actions. The dihedral angles between the benzene ring and the nitro group and the conjugated part of the dioxane-4,6-dione moiety are 19.1 (2) and 17.89 (7)°, respectively.

N-Cyclo-hexyl-4-[(2-nitro-anilino)-meth-yl]thio-phene-2-sulfonamide.

In the title compound, C(17)H(21)N(3)O(4)S(2), an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the proximate amine and nitro groups is observed. In the crystal, inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the amine and SO(2) groups occur. One of the notro O atoms is disordered over two conformations with occupancies of 0.578 (12) and 0.422 (12).

Bachelor groups in primate multilevel society facilitate gene flow across fragmented habitats.

In the face of ongoing habitat fragmentation, many primate species have experienced reduced gene flow resulting in a reduction of genetic diversity, population bottlenecks, and inbreeding depression, including golden snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana. Golden snub-nosed monkeys live in a multilevel society composed of several 1 male harem units that aggregate to form a cohesive breeding band, which is followed by one or more bachelor groups composed of juvenile, subadult, and adult male members. In this research, we examine the continuous landscape resistance surface, the genetic diversity and patterns of gene flow among 4 isolated breeding bands and 1 all-male band in the Qinling Mountains, China. Landscape surface modeling suggested that human activities and ecological factors severely limit the movement of individuals among breeding bands. Although these conditions are expected to result in reduced gene flow, reduced genetic diversity, and an increased opportunity for a genetic bottleneck, based on population genetic analyses of 13 microsatellite loci from 188 individuals inhabiting 4 isolated breeding bands and 1 all-male band, we found high levels of genetic diversity but low levels of genetic divergence, as well as high rates of gene flow between males residing in the all-male band and each of the 4 breeding bands. Our results indicate that the movement of bachelor males across the landscape, along with their association with several different breeding bands, appears to provide a mechanism for promoting gene flows and maintaining genetic diversity that may counteract the otherwise isolating effects of habitat fragmentation.

[Preparation and evaluation of radiopaque microspheres].

OBJECTIVE: To develop lipiodol-containing calcium alginate microspheres (LAMs) for embolization, and study the characterization for emoblization and the radiopacity. METHODS: LAMs were prepared by dripping method. The preparation of LAMs was optimized by orthogonal experiment which involved effects of three factors (the volume ratio of lipiodol to the external aqueous solution, airflow rate, and the weight pushing the injector) at three levels on the responses to the size, polydisperse index and entrapment efficiency of LAMs. The morphology of LAMs was observed under microscope. The elasticity of LAMs was investigated by texture analyzer. The capability injected through catheter of LAMs was monitored by video spinning-drop tensionmeter. The radiopacity of LAMs was measured by X-ray imaging system after LAMs were injected into vas of a rat. RESULTS: The optimal condition for preparation of LAMs was: the volume ratio of lipiodol to the external aqueous solution was 3:10, airflow rate was 40 g/mL and the weight pushing the injector was 100 g. According to the optimized condition, LAMs were prepared and characterized. The mean diameter of LAMs was (493.9 +/- 42.6) microm, the polydisperse index was 1.02 and the entrapment efficiency was (88.97 +/- 1.09) %. The LAMs were with round shape and smooth surface in view of photograph of microscope. The maximum average load was (1.09 +/- 0.18) N when LAMs were compressed to 60%. The LAMs were injected through catheter without much difficulty. The radiopacity of LAMs in rats was demonstrated to be visible under X-ray photography system. CONCLUSION: The radiopaque LAMs developed are suitable for the arterial embolization, with round shape, proper size, good elasticity, easy handling character and visible property under X-ray imaging. The radiopaque embolic agent is supposed to be useful for emoblization therapy.

Enhanced therapeutic effects on the multi-drug resistant human leukemia cells in vitro and xenograft in mice using the stealthy liposomal vincristine plus quinacrine.

The multi-drug resistance (MDR) could be caused by the over-expression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporters such as p-glycoprotein, thereby resulting in the efflux of anti-cancer drugs from the cells. An anti-resistant stealthy liposomal vincristine plus quinacrine was defined in this study. Human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 and MDR K562 cells were included for comparisons. Anti-tumor activity studies were performed on female BALB/c nude mice with MDR K562 cell xenografts. Results showed that quinacrine was effective in reversing the resistance in the MDR K562 cells, and enhanced the anti-tumor effect of vincristine in K562 cells. The caspase-9 and -3 activities in the MDR K562 and K562 cells were increased with the dose rise of quinacrine. In the MDR K562 cell xenografts in mice, the anti-resistant tumor effect of the stealthy liposomal vincristine plus quinacrine was evidently observed. The enhanced anti-tumor effects of vincristine by quinacrine in the resistant/non-resistant K562 cells could be because of the direct injury and the potentiating apoptotic effect of vincristine via activating the initiator caspase-9 and subsequently the effector caspase-3, and the long circulatory effect of stealthy liposomes. The stealthy liposomal encapsulation of vincristine plus quinacrine could be a potential therapeutic approach for resistant human leukemia.

A potential target associated with both cancer and cancer stem cells: a combination therapy for eradication of breast cancer using vinorelbine stealthy liposomes plus parthenolide stealthy liposomes.

The cancer stem cells play a critical role in both initiation and relapse of the cancers as they are resistant to the most of cytotoxic agents and able to proliferate indefinitely. Vinorelbine stealthy liposomes and parthenolide stealthy liposomes were developed for providing beneficial pharmacological properties and to eradicate cancer stem cells and non-stem cancer cells together by a combination therapy. Cytotoxicity and cancer stem-like cells (side population, SP) identification were performed on human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. SP cells were further sorted from MCF-7 cells and characterized. Inhibitory effect was evaluated on the sorted SP and non-SP cells. Antitumor activity was evaluated on MCF-7 xenografts in nude mice. SP cells were identified with a higher percentage in MCF-7 cells (3.8%) and lower in MDA-MB-231 cells (0.6%). Both vinorelbine and parthenolide inhibited the proliferation in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. As compared to non-SP cells, inhibitory effect of vinorelbine in the SP cells was lower while a robust inhibitory effect was observed when applying vinorelbine in combination with parthenolide. In the MCF-7 xenografts, stealthy liposomal vinorelbine plus stealthy liposomal parthenolide produced a full inhibitory effect. This combination therapy may provide a potential strategy for eradication of breast cancer by targeting cancer together with cancer stem cells.