Saponin extract from Panax notoginseng promotesangiogenesis through AMPK­ and eNOS­dependent pathways in HUVECs.

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are among the most important compounds extracted from Panax notoginseng root, and have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to control bleeding. PNS have recently garnered attention for the treatment of circulatory system diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of PNS on angiogenesis in vitro and to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying their actions. The present results demonstrated that the proliferative ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was augmented following treatment with PNS. In addition, wound healing and Boyden chamber assays indicated that PNS may enhance HUVEC motility and increase the number of capillary­like tube branches in HUVECs. These effects were suppressed by 5' adenosine monophosphate­activated protein kinase (AMPK) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitors. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that PNS stimulated the phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS at Thr­172 and Ser­1179, respectively. These results suggested that PNS may promote tube formation in endothelial cells through AMPK­ and eNOS­dependent signaling pathways.

Aligned Nanofibers from Polypyrrole/Graphene as Electrodes for Regeneration of Optic Nerve via Electrical Stimulation.

The damage of optic nerve will cause permanent visual field loss and irreversible ocular diseases, such as glaucoma. The damage of optic nerve is mainly derived from the atrophy, apoptosis or death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Though some progress has been achieved on electronic retinal implants that can electrically stimulate undamaged parts of RGCs or retina to transfer signals, stimulated self-repair/regeneration of RGCs has not been realized yet. The key challenge for development of electrically stimulated regeneration of RGCs is the selection of stimulation electrodes with a sufficient safe charge injection limit (Q(inj), i.e., electrochemical capacitance). Most traditional electrodes tend to have low Q(inj) values. Herein, we synthesized polypyrrole functionalized graphene (PPy-G) via a facile but efficient polymerization-enhanced ball milling method for the first time. This technique could not only efficiently introduce electron-acceptor nitrogen to enhance capacitance, but also remain a conductive platform-the π-π conjugated carbon plane for charge transportation. PPy-G based aligned nanofibers were subsequently fabricated for guided growth and electrical stimulation (ES) of RGCs. Significantly enhanced viability, neurite outgrowth and antiaging ability of RGCs were observed after ES, suggesting possibilities for regeneration of optic nerve via ES on the suitable nanoelectrodes.

Ecophysiological characteristics and biogas production of cadmium-contaminated crops.

The present study proposes a novel strategy to get a rational production of biogas of the biomass residues from phytoremediation. This study investigates physiological responses, cadmium (Cd) accumulation and biogas production from canola, oat and wheat in pot and batch experiments. The results indicate that (1) aerial biomasses for canola, oat and wheat were enhanced by 5 mg Cd/kg soil by 19.41%, 8.78% and 3.38%, and the upper limit of Cd concentration that canola, oat and wheat can tolerate for aerial biomass production were 50, 10 and 10 mg Cd/kg soil; (2) canola accumulates more Cd than oat and wheat in its aerial parts; (3) cumulative biogas yields were 159.37%, 179.23% and 111.34% of the control when Cd in the shoot were 2.00±0.44, 39.80±1.25 and 6.37±0.15 mg Cd/kg biomass for canola, oat and wheat. Phytoremediation in cooperation with bioenergy production provide new insights for both soil remediation and energy research.