Aluminum-based ozone catalysts prepared by mixing method: Characteristics, performance and carbon emissions.

Green and low carbon is an essential direction for the development of water treatment technology. Ozone catalysts prepared by the mixing method have advantages in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions, but are considered to be insufficient in catalytic efficiency and stability. In this paper, an Mn-Cu-Ce/Al2O3 (MCCA) catalyst was prepared by optimizing the preparation conditions of the mixing method and the types and ratios of active components. Taking petrochemical secondary effluent (PCSE) as the treatment object, the performance of the catalyst and the carbon emission in the preparation process were studied; and compared with the impregnation method. Results showed that compared with catalysts loaded with other components, the MCCA had a higher removal efficiency for TOC (43.04%) and COD (53.18%), which was basically equivalent to the impregnation method, and the treated effluent reached the expected concentration. MCCA promoted the decomposition rate of O3 by ten times, and the main active species generated were found to be •OH and 1O. Similar to the catalytic ozonation by the catalyst prepared by the impregnation method, the adsorption sites and surface hydroxyl groups on the MCCA surface play a significant role in the degradation of pollutants. However, the carbon emission in the catalyst preparation process of the mixing method was 418.68 kg/ton, which was only 44% of the impregnation method (949.67 kg/ton). Under the global low-carbon transition, this study shows that the mixing method aligns more with the concept of green, clean, and efficient ozone catalyst preparation.

Clinical effects of a traditional Chinese medicine nursing programme to intervene in gastric pain of the spleen and stomach with Qi deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is a common digestive disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and poor appetite. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis. TCM theory suggests that spleen and stomach qi deficiency syndrome is one of the main pathogenic factors in gastroparesis. Nursing care plays an important role in the treatment of gastroparesis, and TCM nursing interventions have shown promising results in improving patient outcomes. However, there is limited research on the clinical effectiveness of TCM nursing interventions for gastroparesis with spleen stomach deficiency syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of TCM nursing intervention in the treatment of gastroparesis with spleen stomach deficiency syndrome and to compare it with routine nursing interventions. AIM: To analyze the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine nursing intervention in the treatment of gastric paraplegia with spleen stomach deficiency syndrome. METHODS: From January 2020 to July 2021, 80 patients with gastroparesis of spleen stomach qi deficiency type diagnosed in our hospital were selected for the study. The 80 patients were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 40 cases in each group. During the treatment period, the control group received routine nursing interventions, while the experimental group received traditional Chinese medicine nursing procedures. Compare the nursing effects of the two groups and observe the changes in traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, pain levels, and sleep quality before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, comparing the treatment effects of the two groups, the total effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the TCM symptom score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). However, after treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, VAS scores, and PSQI scores of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the clinical nursing intervention of patients with mild gastroparesis due to spleen and stomach qi deficiency, the traditional Chinese medicine nursing plan has good clinical application value and nursing effect, and has a good effect on improving patients' pain and sleep quality.

Selenium Yeast and Fish Oil Combination Diminishes Cancer Stem Cell Traits and Reverses Cisplatin Resistance in A549 Sphere Cells.

Cisplatin is a prevalent chemotherapeutic agent used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is difficult to treat by targeted therapy, but the emergence of resistance severely limits its efficacy. Thus, an effective strategy to combat cisplatin resistance is required. This study demonstrated that, at clinically achievable concentrations, the combination of selenium yeast (Se-Y) and fish oil (FO) could synergistically induce the apoptosis of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like A549 NSCLC sphere cells, accompanied by a reversal of their resistance to cisplatin. Compared to parental A549 cells, sphere cells have higher cisplatin resistance and possess elevated CSC markers (CD133 and ABCG2), epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers (anexelekto (AXL), vimentin, and N-cadherin), and cytoprotective endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker (glucose-regulated protein 78) and increased oncogenic drivers, such as yes-associated protein, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif, ß-catenin, and cyclooxygenase-2. In contrast, the proapoptotic ER stress marker CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity were reduced in sphere cells. The Se-Y and FO combination synergistically counteracted the above molecular features of A549 sphere cells and diminished their elevated CSC-like side population. AMPK inhibition by compound C restored the side population proportion diminished by this nutrient combination. The results suggest that the Se-Y and FO combination can potentially improve the outcome of cisplatin-treated NSCLC with phenotypes such as A549 cells.

[Mechanism and material basis of Sparganii Rhizoma and vinegar-processed Sparganii Rhizoma in treatment of hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology].

The present study explored the effective components, functional targets, and mechanism of Sparganii Rhizoma(vinegar-processed Sparganii Rhizoma) in the treatment of hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. In the network pharmacology, the screening of active components, target prediction, and pathway enrichment analysis of Sparganii Rhizoma were carried out, followed by the comparison with targets and pathways related to hyperlipidemia. In the experimental verification, the hyperlipidemia model in rats was induced to detect hemorheological parameters and coagulation function. The liver index was observed by HE staining, and PCR technology was used to verify the results of the network pharmacological analysis. Compared with the model group, the Sparganii Rhizoma and vinegar-processed Sparganii Rhizoma groups showed decreased liver index(P<0.05), reduced liver lipid deposition, dwindled serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c) level(P<0.05), diminished blood viscosity, and increased prothrombin time(PT), thrombin time(TT), and activated partial thrombin time(APTT)(P<0.05). As revealed by the PCR assay, Sparganii Rhizoma could affect LDL-c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c) levels and reduce the inhibitory effect of cholesterol ester transporter by regulating the expression of Apol2, Apof, and Stab2, thereby treating hyperlipidemia. Vinegar-processed Sparganii Rhizoma could enhance triglyceride metabolism and cholesterol reversal by regulating the expression of Hmgcr, Hmgcs2, Abca1, Abcg1, Cyp7 b1, and Stab2. Compared with the Sparganii Rhizoma, the vinegar-processed one was potent in treating hyperlipidemia. The active components of Sparganii Rhizoma in the treatment of hyperlipidemia may be L-alpha-palmitin,(1S,2S)-1,2-bis(2-furyl)ethane-1,2-diol, cis-zimtsaeure, o-acetyl-p-cresol, sanleng, and 9-hexadecenoic acid. Based on the network pharmacology and experimental verification, this study preliminarily explored the potential active components and possible mechanism of Sparganii Rhizoma in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, which is expected to provide a certain basis for in-depth research on active components, mechanism, and clinical application.

Polycystic kidney disease increases the stoke incidence in Taiwan: A retrospective population-based cohort study using National Health Insurance Database.

BACKGROUND: Few studies documented incidence rates of different types of stroke among patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Database of Taiwan. The PKD cohort comprised patients aged≥20 years diagnosed with PKD using inpatient claims from 1998 to 2011, excluding prior stroke. The reference cohort was established by inpatients without PKD using 1:4 frequency-matched with age, gender, and baseline comorbidities. The two cohorts were followed-up until stroke hospitalization, death, withdrawal from the NHI program, or the end of 2012. To account for competing risks of death, we used multivariable competing risks regression models to estimate sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR) adjusted for age, gender, baseline comorbidities and end stage renal disease. RESULTS: 7837 PKD patients and 31,211 reference subjects were followed up through 2012. A total of 955 cases of stroke were identified in the PKD cohort, including 441 ischemic stroke (IS), 289 intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 73 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and 232 other stroke. The incidence rates of overall stroke, IS, ICH, and SAH were 21.3, 10.2, 6.8, and 1.7 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The SHR for overall stroke was 1.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.50]. SAH had the highest SHR, 4.55 [95% CI 3.26-6.37], followed by ICH (1.84), other stroke (1.24), and IS (1.22). CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the incidence rates of stroke among inpatient of PKD. The PKD patients had a significantly increased risk of all kinds of stroke after adjusting baseline comorbidities.

Efficiency of chitosan application against Phytophthora infestans and the activation of defence mechanisms in potato.

Late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases that results in huge losses of potato crops worldwide. Chitosan as a defence elicitor can induce plant innate immunity against pathogen infection, but the efficiency and specific defence mechanism of chitosan against late blight in potato have not been elaborated. In this study, we demonstrated that the application of chitosan significantly enhanced potato resistance and reduced P. infestans infection in potted potato and in the field. Large-scale transcriptomic analysis suggested that chitosan preferentially activated several important pathways related to the plant defence response. Notably, we revealed that chitosan triggered pattern-triggered immunity responses in potato. Chitosan could trigger pattern recognition receptors to initiate intracellular signalling, and gradually amplify the immune signal. qRT-PCR verification showed that chitosan induced the expression of defence-related genes in potato. Moreover, treatment with chitosan result in Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) in potato, including an accumulation of plant hormone salicylic acid, increase in the level of phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity and a content decrease of malondialdehyde. These findings help elucidate chitosan-mediated activation of the immune system in potato and provide a potential ecofriendly strategy to control potato late blight in the field.

l-Arginine Alleviates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in Ovine Intestinal Epithelial Cells by Regulating Apoptosis, Mitochondrial Function, and Autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that dietary l-arginine (Arg) alters the equilibrium between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and biological defenses to resist oxidant-induced toxicity. Whether supplying Arg can protect ovine intestinal epithelial cells (OIECs) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to examine the effect of Arg on mitophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis induced by H2O2 in OIECs. METHODS: The OIECs were incubated in Arg-free DMEM supplemented with 100 µM Arg (CON) or 350 µM Arg (ARG) alone or with 150 µM H2O2 (CON + H2O2, ARG + H2O2) for 24 h. Cellular apoptosis, mitochondrial function, autophagy, and the related categories of genes and proteins were determined. All data were analyzed by ANOVA using the general linear model procedures of SAS (SAS Institute) for a 2 × 2 factorial design. RESULTS: Relative to the CON and ARG groups, H2O2 administration resulted in 44.9% and 26.5% lower (P < 0.05) cell viability but 34.7% and 61.8% greater (P < 0.05) ROS concentration in OIECs, respectively. Compared with the CON and CON + H2O2 groups, Arg supplementation led to 40.7% and 28.8% lower (P < 0.05) ROS concentration but 14.9%-49.0% and 29.3%-64.1% greater (P < 0.05) mitochondrial membrane potential, relative mitochondrial DNA content, and complex (I-IV) activity in OIECs, respectively. Compared with the CON and CON + H2O2 groups, Arg supplementation led to 33.9%-53.1% and 22.4%-49.1% lower (P < 0.05) mRNA abundance of proapoptotic genes, respectively. Relative to the CON and CON + H2O2 groups, Arg supplementation resulted in 33.0%-59.2% and 14.6%-37.7% lower (P < 0.05) abundance of proapoptotic, mitophagy, and cytoplasmic cytochrome c protein, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Supply of Arg protects OIECs against H2O2-induced damage partly by improving mitochondrial function and alleviating cellular apoptosis and autophagy.

[Analysis on relationship between syndrome differentiation of migraine and acupuncture effect].

The problems of the syndrome differentiation of migraine in acupuncture treatment were collected, e.g. inconsistency of syndrome differentiation, unclear staging of syndrome differentiation, lack of standardization in comparison between syndrome differentiation and non-differentiation, insufficient research on the factors of syndrome differentiation. In view of the exiting problems, focusing on two aspects of migraine, namely syndrome differentiation and acupuncture effect, the clinical treatment and research are conducted in migraine treated with acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation. It is believed that the comprehensive observation of the relationship between syndrome differentiation and acupuncture effect, as well as the analysis of the relevant factors of syndrome differentiation of migraine should be the focus in future research.

Analysis on relationship between syndrome differentiation of migraine and acupuncture effect / 中国针灸

The problems of the syndrome differentiation of migraine in acupuncture treatment were collected, e.g. inconsistency of syndrome differentiation, unclear staging of syndrome differentiation, lack of standardization in comparison between syndrome differentiation and non-differentiation, insufficient research on the factors of syndrome differentiation. In view of the exiting problems, focusing on two aspects of migraine, namely syndrome differentiation and acupuncture effect, the clinical treatment and research are conducted in migraine treated with acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation. It is believed that the comprehensive observation of the relationship between syndrome differentiation and acupuncture effect, as well as the analysis of the relevant factors of syndrome differentiation of migraine should be the focus in future research.

[Status quo and thinking of acupoint optimization for preventive treatment of migraine].

To summarize the status quo of acupoint optimization for prophylactic treatment of migraine from acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, acupoints selection based on modern medical theory, and the relative specificity of acupoints. It is found that at present, there are many gaps in the research of preventive treatment of migraine, while the initial optimization scheme of acupoints is formed, and there is controversy in the relative specificity of acupoints. It is believed that through the systematic analysis of the disease characteristics of acupuncture, manipulation, acupuncture tools and other factors that affect the selection of acupoints, the relative specificity of acupoints can be further clarified, and the advantages of acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern medical theory can be further optimized for the preventive treatment of migraine and improve the curative effect.

l-Arginine Protects Ovine Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Apoptosis through Alleviating Oxidative Stress.

This research aims to explore the effect of l-arginine (Arg) upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced induction of the oxidative stress as well as subsequent apoptosis within ovine intestinal epithelial cells (IOECs). Through a 16 h incubation, cells were divided into four groups and the medium was replaced with different medium as follows: (1) control (Con), Arg-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's F12 Ham medium (DMEM); (2) Arg treatment, Arg-free DMEM supplemented with 100 µM Arg; (3) LPS treatment, Arg-free DMEM supplemented with 10 µg/mL LPS; (4) LPS with Arg treatment, Arg-free DMEM supplemented with both 10 µg/mL LPS and 100 µM Arg. After culturing for 24 h in different mediums, some characteristics of cells in the four groups were measured. Addition of Arg increased cell viability induced with LPS compared with the LPS group ( p < 0.05). Arg significantly decreased the release of dehydrogenase (LDH) and the production of malonaldehyde (MDA) ( p < 0.05) within IOECs challenged by the LPS. Compared with the LPS group, cells treated with Arg and Arg + LPS increased ( p < 0.05) mRNA as well as protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase (HO-1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). IOEC treatment with Arg reduced significantly ( p < 0.05) apoptosis induced by the LPS (12.58 ± 0.79%). The results showed that Arg promoted the protein expression of Nrf2, up-regulated expression of the phase II metabolizing enzymes (NQO1 and HO-1), as well as antioxidative enzymes (GPx1, CAT, and SOD2) for alleviating oxidative injury and protected IOECs from LPS-induced apoptosis.

Status quo and thinking of acupoint optimization for preventive treatment of migraine / 中国针灸

To summarize the status quo of acupoint optimization for prophylactic treatment of migraine from acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, acupoints selection based on modern medical theory, and the relative specificity of acupoints. It is found that at present, there are many gaps in the research of preventive treatment of migraine, while the initial optimization scheme of acupoints is formed, and there is controversy in the relative specificity of acupoints. It is believed that through the systematic analysis of the disease characteristics of acupuncture, manipulation, acupuncture tools and other factors that affect the selection of acupoints, the relative specificity of acupoints can be further clarified, and the advantages of acupoint selection based on traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern medical theory can be further optimized for the preventive treatment of migraine and improve the curative effect.

Lizhong Fuyuan Decoction combined with acupuncture treats chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis / 中成药

AIM To observe the therapeutic effects of Lizhong Fuyuan Decoction (LFD) (Astragali Radix,Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,etc.) combined with acupuncture (Weishu,Zhongwan,Neiguan and Zusanli) on chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis by randomized,parallel controlled trial.METHODS One hundred and eight patients were randomly and equally divided into LFD + acupuncture group,LFD group and control group (folic acid),four months as a course of the treatment.The main clinical symptoms and signs in the three groups before and after the treatment were observed,and the gastroscopic analysis and physico-chemical examination were compared.RESULTS There were significant differences in color and activity of gastric mucosa in each group,and there was also significant difference in TCM symptom score before and after the treatment.In terms of symptom curative effect,there was significant difference among various groups.No significant differences among various groups were observed in pathological efficacy,immunohistochemistry and comprehensive curative effect.The total effective rate of the LFD + acupuncture group reached 42％,that of the LFD group was 36.5％,and that of the control group obtained 24.1％.Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and rank sum test indicated that the differences between the two groups were statistically significant.CONCLUSION LFD combined with acupuncture can optimize the curative effects on chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis.

Lizhong Fuyuan Decoction combined with acupuncture treats chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis / 中成药

AIM To observe the therapeutic effects of Lizhong Fuyuan Decoction (LFD) (Astragali Radix,Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,etc.) combined with acupuncture (Weishu,Zhongwan,Neiguan and Zusanli) on chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis by randomized,parallel controlled trial.METHODS One hundred and eight patients were randomly and equally divided into LFD + acupuncture group,LFD group and control group (folic acid),four months as a course of the treatment.The main clinical symptoms and signs in the three groups before and after the treatment were observed,and the gastroscopic analysis and physico-chemical examination were compared.RESULTS There were significant differences in color and activity of gastric mucosa in each group,and there was also significant difference in TCM symptom score before and after the treatment.In terms of symptom curative effect,there was significant difference among various groups.No significant differences among various groups were observed in pathological efficacy,immunohistochemistry and comprehensive curative effect.The total effective rate of the LFD + acupuncture group reached 42％,that of the LFD group was 36.5％,and that of the control group obtained 24.1％.Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and rank sum test indicated that the differences between the two groups were statistically significant.CONCLUSION LFD combined with acupuncture can optimize the curative effects on chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen deficiency and phlegm stasis.

Appling hydrolysis acidification-anoxic-oxic process in the treatment of petrochemical wastewater: From bench scale reactor to full scale wastewater treatment plant.

A hydrolysis acidification (HA)-anoxic-oxic (A/O) process was adopted to treat a petrochemical wastewater. The operation optimization was carried out firstly by a bench scale experimental reactor. Then a full scale petrochemical wastewater treatment plant (PCWWTP, 6500 m(3) h(-1)) was operated with the same parameters. The results showed that the BOD5/COD of the wastewater increased from 0.30 to 0.43 by HA. The effluent COD was 54.4 mg L(-1) for bench scale reactor and 60.9 mg L(-1) for PCWWTP when the influent COD was about 480 mg L(-1) on optimized conditions. The organics measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) reduced obviously and the total concentration of the 5 organics (1,3-dioxolane, 2-pentanone, ethylbenzene, 2-chloromethyl-1,3-dioxolane and indene) detected in the effluent was only 0.24 mg L(-1). There was no obvious toxicity of the effluent. However, low acute toxicity of the effluent could be detected by the luminescent bacteria assay, indicating the advanced treatment is needed. The clone library profiling analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in the system were Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteriodetes. HA-A/O process is suitable for the petrochemical wastewater treatment.

Microalgal growth with intracellular phosphorus for achieving high biomass growth rate and high lipid/triacylglycerol content simultaneously.

Nutrient deprivation is a commonly-used trigger for microalgal lipid accumulation, but its adverse impact on microalgal growth seems to be inevitable. In this study, Scenedesmus sp. LX1 was found to show similar physiological and biochemical variation under oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions during growth with intracellular phosphorus. Under both conditions microalgal chlorophyll content and photosynthesis activity was stable during this growth process, leading to significant increase of single cell weight and size. Therefore, while algal density growth rate dropped significantly to below 1.0 × 10(5)cells mL(-1) d(-1) under oligotrophic condition, the biomass dry weight growth rate still maintained about 40 mg L(-1) d(-1). Meanwhile, the lipid content in biomass and triacylglycerols (TAGs) content in lipids increased significantly to about 35% and 65%, respectively. Thus, high biomass growth rate and high lipid/TAG content were achieved simultaneously at the late growth phase with intracellular phosphorus. Besides, microalgal biomass produced was rich in carbohydrate with low protein content.

Pain relief from combined wound and intraperitoneal local anesthesia for patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the treatment of choice for gallbladder lesions, but it is not a pain-free procedure. This study explored the pain relief provided by combined wound and intraperitoneal local anesthetic use for patients who are undergoing LC. METHODS: Two-hundred and twenty consecutive patients undergoing LC were categorized into 1 of the following 4 groups: local wound anesthetic after LC either with an intraperitoneal local anesthetic (W + P) (group 1) or without an intraperitoneal local anesthetic (W + NP) (group 2), or no local wound anesthetic after LC either with intraperitoneal local anesthetic (NW + P) (group 3) or without an intraperitoneal local anesthetic (NW + NP) (group 4). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess postoperative pain. The amount of analgesic used and the duration of hospital stay were also recorded. RESULTS: The VAS was significantly lower immediately after LC for the W + P group than for the NW + NP group (5 vs. 6; p = 0.012). Patients in the W + P group received a lower total amount of meperidine during their hospital stay. They also had the shortest hospital stay after LC, compared to the patients in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Combined wound and intraperitoneal local anesthetic use after LC significantly decreased the immediate postoperative pain and may explain the reduced use of meperidine and earlier discharge of patients so treated.

An integrated microalgal growth model and its application to optimize the biomass production of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 in open pond under the nutrient level of domestic secondary effluent.

Microalgal growth is the key to the coupled system of wastewater treatment and microalgal biomass production. In this study, Monod model, Droop model and Steele model were incorporated to obtain an integrated growth model describing the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and light intensity on the growth rate of Scenedesmus sp. LX1. The model parameters were obtained via fitting experimental data to these classical models. Furthermore, the biomass production of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 in open pond under nutrient level of secondary effluent was analyzed based on the integrated model, predicting a maximal microalgal biomass production rate about 20 g m(-2) d(-1). In order to optimize the biomass production of open pond the microalgal biomass concentration, light intensity on the surface of open pond, total depth of culture medium and hydraulic retention time should be 500 g m(-3), 16,000 lx, 0.2 m and 5.2 d in the conditions of this study, respectively.

Monascin improves diabetes and dyslipidemia by regulating PPARγ and inhibiting lipogenesis in fructose-rich diet-induced C57BL/6 mice.

Monascin (MS) is a yellow compound isolated from Monascus-fermented products that has pancreatic protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and hypolipidemic activity. We recently found that MS also acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) agonist, thereby promoting insulin sensitivity in C2C12 cells. However, the attenuation of hyperglycemia by MS treatment in vivo remains uncertain. In the present study, both MS and pioglitazone significantly down-regulated blood glucose and hyperinsulinemia in fructose-rich diet (FRD)-induced C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks). In addition, inhibitions of inflammatory factor production, serum dyslipidemia, and hepatic fatty acid accumulation by MS and pioglitazone were attenuated by GW9662 (PPARγ antagonist). These results were mediated by MS-suppressing FRD-elevated lipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and PPARγ coactivator-1ß (PGC-1ß). Taken together, de novo lipogenesis results in hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia by fructose induction thereby leading to diabetes development; we found that MS may inhibit lipogenesis in FRD-induced mice. These findings suggest that MS acts as an antidiabetic agent and thus may have therapeutic potential for prevention of diabetes.

Potential biomass yield per phosphorus and lipid accumulation property of seven microalgal species.

The potential biomass yield per phosphorus and lipid/triglyceride (TAG) accumulation properties of seven microalgal species: Scenedesmus sp. LX1, Chlorella ellipsoidea YJ1, Chlorella vuglaris, Chlorella sorokiniana, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Dunaliella primolecta and Haematococcus pluvialis were investigated. Among the tested species, Scenedesmus sp. LX1 obtained the smallest minimal phosphorus content in cell (Q(0)) and the highest potential biomass yield of 6100kg-biomass/kg-P. After 12-day growth with intracellular phosphorus, Scenedesmus sp. LX1 accumulated about 30% lipid in biomass. Furthermore, the TAGs content per lipid of this strain (58.5%) as well as the lipid and TAGs yield per phosphorus (1800kg-lipid/kg-P and 680kg-TAGs/kg-P, respectively) were all significantly higher than that of any other species investigated in this study. Therefore, the phosphorus consumption to produce 1kg biodiesel using Scenedesmus sp. LX1 as feedstock was lowest among the tested species.