[A case of decompression sickness complicated with multiple organ failure treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy sequential with continuous renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Objective: To discuss the new idea of on-the-spot recompression treatment and multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) for patients with unstable vital signs of type II decompression sickness. To provide reference for the nearby treatment of patients with critical decompression sickness. Methods: The clinical data of a case of a multi-disciplinary collaborative treatment of type II decompression sickness complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) admitted to a third-class A hospital in January 2020 were analyzed and summarized. Results: The patient suffered from consciousness disturbance and shock after 3 min of diver's blow-up out of the water. CT examination showed gas accumulation in the systemic multi-organ venous system, and laboratory examination suggested MODS. The oxygen inhalation regimen was given in the session of recompression treatmen by 0.12-0.18 MPa. Intravenous fluid was the total of 8900 ml in the session, and the total recompression treatment time was 9 h 45 min. The patient was still in unconscious when he finished the session. CT re-examination confirmed the elimination of venous bubbles, and laboratory examination indicated multiple organ failure (MOF) . The patient was given comprehensive supporting treatment by mechanical assisted breathing and following by continuons renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and extrocorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the intensive care unit, and was discharged after 32 d of hospitalization. Conclusion: Critical decompression sickness patients with unstable vital signs are taken to a local general hospital with hyperbaric oxygen chamber and intensive care unit. The successful treatment can be achieved by organizing diving medicine, hyperbaric oxygen medicine and critical medical personnel for MDT.

[Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment in 278 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Guangzhou].

Objective: To retrospective analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 278 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital from January 20 to February 10, 2020 were selected. The general demographic data, epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, lung CT imaging, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 130 male patients (46.8%) and 148 females (53.2%) with age (48.1±17.0) years and 88.8% patients between 20-69 years. Two hundred and thirty-six (84.9%) patients had comorbidities. Two hundred and eleven cases (75.9%) were common type. The in-hospital mortality was 0.4% (1/278). The majority (201, 72.3%) were imported cases mainly from Wuhan (89, 44.3%). The most common clinical manifestations were fever (70.9%) and dry cough (61.5%). In some patients, hemoglobin (10.4%), platelets (12.6%) and albumin (55.4%) were lower than the normal range. Other biochemical tests according to liver and function were normal, while lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated in 61 patients (21.9%), creatine kinase increased in 26 patients (9.4%). Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was seen in 52 patients (18.7%), D-dimer higher than normal in 140 patients (50.4%), while 117 patients (42.1%) had elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Typical CT manifestations included single or multiple ground glass shadows especially in lung periphery in early disease which infiltrated and enlarged during progressive stage. Diffuse consolidation with multiple patchy density in severe/critical cases and even "white lung" presented in a few patients. Two hundred and forty-two patients (87.1%) received one or more antiviral agents, 242 (87.1%) combined with antibacterials, 191 (68.7%) with oxygen therapy. There were 198 patients (71.2%) treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusions: COVID-19 could attack patients in all ages with majority of common type and low mortality rate. Clinical manifestations involve multiple organs or systems. Progression of the disease results in critical status which should be paid much attention.

Characterization and identification of ISSR markers associated with oil content in sea buckthorn berries.

Bioactive oils extracted from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries contain highly nutritional and medicinal compounds; however, the oil contents of sea buckthorn berries are very low. Thirteen inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to identify markers associated with oil content of dry pulp in 51 cultivars and lines, which clustered into three major groups based on 137 polymorphic markers. Dry pulp oil contents in 45 cultivars and lines in Group I ranged from 6.6 to 33.1%; these accessions belonged to H. rhamnoides ssp mongolica and its hybrids with H. rhamnoides ssp sinensis. Three lines (H. rhamnoides ssp mongolica) in Group II had high dry pulp oil contents (33.7 to 37.5%), whereas three lines of hybrids in Group III had low dry pulp oil contents (10.9 to 17.5%). The dry pulp oil content of H. rhamnoides ssp mongolica (27.2 ± 0.9%) was higher than that of hybrids (12.0 ± 1.2%) (P < 0.01). Four ISSR markers (881340, 8251000, 817380, and 8071100) had positive association with high dry pulp oil content (P < 0.01) using stepwise multiple regression analysis. The use of these ISSR markers is a potential strategy to select genotypes with high dry pulp oil content and suitable parental combinations for improvement of sea buckthorn berries.

High-Dose Linoleic Acid Activated JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Pathway Involved in Cytokine Production and Lipogenesis in Pancreatic Exocrine Cells.

BACKGROUND: Linoleic acid has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. However, molecular mechanisms underlying adverse effects of large-dose linoleic acid remain unclear. Current study aimed to explore the impact of high-dose linoleic acid on the activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, cytokine production, and lipogenesis in pancreatic exocrine cells. METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect the viability of AR42J rat pancreatic exocrine cells, and lactate dehydrogenase assay was utilized to detect cytotoxicity. Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by ELISA, and protein expression of JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p- STAT3, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was examined by Western Blot. The impact of highdose linoleic acid on JAK2-STAT3 pathway was also examined when JAK2 was inhibited by AG490, and STAT3 expression was interrupted by siRNA. RESULTS: The cell viability of AR42J rat pancreatic exocrine cells was inhibited, and cytotoxicity was increased by high-dose linoleic acid. JAK2 and STAT3 proteins in pancreatic exocrine cells were activated by high-dose linoleic acid via phosphorylation and nuclear localization of phosphorylated STAT3. Moreover, the expression of downstream proteins in JAK2-STAT3 pathway (IL-6, TNF-α and FAS) was up-regulated by high-dose linoleic acid. The increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α caused by high-dose linoleic acid were attenuated by JAK2 inhibitor AG490. p-JAK2 protein was up-regulated, whereas p-STAT3, STAT3 and FAS proteins were down-regulated by high-dose linoleic acid in the presence of STAT3-siRNA. CONCLUSION: The cytotoxicity was increased and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway was activated by high-dose linoleic acid through cytokine production and lipogenesis in rat pancreatic exocrine cells.

The effect of motor imagery with specific implement in expert badminton player.

Motor skill can be improved with mental simulation. Implements are widely used in daily life and in various sports. However, it is unclear whether the utilization of implements enhances the effect of mental simulation. The present study was designed to investigate the different effects of motor imagery in athletes and novices when they handled a specific implement. We hypothesize that athletes have better motor imagery ability than novices when they hold a specific implement for the sport. This is manifested as higher motor cortical excitability in athletes than novices during motor imagery with the specific implement. Sixteen expert badminton players and 16 novices were compared when they held a specific implement such as a badminton racket and a non-specific implement such as a a plastic bar. Motor imagery ability was measured with a self-evaluation questionnaire. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to test the motor cortical excitability during motor imagery. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and extensor carpi radialis muscles were recorded. Athletes reported better motor imagery than novices when they held a specific implement. Athletes exhibited more MEP facilitation than novices in the FDI muscle with the specific implement applied during motor imagery. The MEP facilitation is correlated with motor imagery ability in athletes. We conclude that the effects of motor imagery with a specific implement are enhanced in athletes compared to novices and the difference between two groups is caused by long-term physical training of athletes with the specific implement.

Diallyl disulfide inhibits proliferation and transdifferentiation of lung fibroblasts through induction of cyclooxygenase and synthesis of prostaglandin E2.

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) are critically involved in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inducing the proliferation and transdifferentiation of lung fibroblasts. In the present study, we examined the impact of diallyl disulfide (DADS), a garlic-derived compound, on such pathological conditions. DADS showed profound inhibitory effects on the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of human and mouse lung fibroblasts. DADS also abrogated the TGF-ß1-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin, type I collagen and fibronectin. Following treatment with DADS, the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were found to be markedly enhanced, which in turn led to elevated cAMP levels in lung fibroblasts. Notably, the effect of DADS was largely abolished in the presence of either COX inhibitor indomethacin or siRNA-targeting COX-2, or in the absence of the PGE2 receptor EP2, supporting an essential role for the COX-2-PGE2-cAMP autocrine loop. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the upregulated expression of COX-2 was a result of increased level of histone 3 acetylation at COX-2 locus in DADS-treated cells. Together, these results suggest that DADS, by inducing COX-2 expression, may have therapeutic potential in treating lung fibrosis.

Comparison of intensity-dependent inhibition of spinal wide-dynamic range neurons by dorsal column and peripheral nerve stimulation in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) are thought to reduce pain by activating a sufficient number of large myelinated (Aß) fibres, which in turn initiate spinal segmental mechanisms of analgesia. However, the volume of neuronal activity and how this activity is associated with different treatment targets is unclear under neuropathic pain conditions. METHODS: We sought to delineate the intensity-dependent mechanisms of SCS and PNS analgesia by in vivo extracellular recordings from spinal wide-dynamic range neurons in nerve-injured rats. To mimic therapeutic SCS and PNS, we used bipolar needle electrodes and platinum hook electrodes to stimulate the dorsal column and the tibial nerve, respectively. Compound action potentials were recorded to calibrate the amplitude of conditioning stimulation required to activate A-fibres and thus titrate the volume of activation. RESULTS: Dorsal column stimulation (50 Hz, five intensities) inhibited the windup (a short form of neuronal sensitization) and the C-component response of wide-dynamic range neurons to graded intracutaneous electrical stimuli in an intensity-dependent manner. Tibial nerve stimulation (50 Hz, three intensities) also suppressed the windup in an intensity-dependent fashion but did not affect the acute C-component response. CONCLUSIONS: SCS and PNS may offer similar inhibition of short-term neuronal sensitization. However, only SCS attenuates spinal transmission of acute noxious inputs under neuropathic pain conditions. Our findings begin to differentiate peripheral from spinal-targeted neuromodulation therapies and may help to select the best stimulation target and optimum therapeutic intensity for pain treatment.

Fusarium cerealis, A New Pathogen Causing Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Root Rot in China.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae, and it is a precious traditional Chinese medicine with immunity-enhancing, anti-tumor, anti-atherosclerosis, and other functions. Jilin Province, China, is the world's largest ginseng cultivation area, accounting for about 70% of global production. The root rots of ginseng caused by Fusarium spp. are one of the most serious threats to ginseng production. Seriously infected ginseng roots are not marketable, leading to enormous losses. The canopy of infected ginseng plants exhibit symptoms of red or yellow leaves from lower to upper during early plant development and growth, wither and wilt in the later stages, and lastly die. All parts of the root can be infected; brown or black lesions were mainly formed on surface and expanded gradually, and mature lesions are gray-brown. Samples of 208 Fusarium rotted roots (cv. landrace damaya) from Ji'an city (126°18' E, 41°12' N) and Dunhua city (128°23' E, 43°36' N) of Jilin Province were collected from April to September, 2012. Small tissue pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and all isolates were purified from single spore cultured at the condition of 25°C, 12-h/12-h light-dark cycle. Among the obtained purified 518 isolates, 10 isolates were different from the others. Colonies of the 10 isolates grew rapidly and produced profuse aerial mycelium with carmine red undersurface. When cultured on carnation leaf-piece agar (CLA), macroconidia were stout, thick-walled, apical and basal cells curved, usually 4 to 5 septa, 23.9 to 41.2 × 5.2 to 7.3 µm, but did not produce microconidia. Abundant chlamydospores were produced from mycelium or spores, singly or in chains. According to the morphological characteristics, all 10 isolates were consistent with the descriptions of F. cerealis (1). Further, identity of all isolates was confirmed by sequencing the partial rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor (TEF-1α) gene (3) and putative reductase (RED) gene (2). The sequences of all 10 isolates were homologous and BLAST analysis of the submitted sequences (KF530831, KF530830, and KF530829) showed 100% identity to the sequences (DQ459869, AF212464, and EF428900) of F. cerealis in the NCBI and the FUSARIUM-ID databases. As a result, 10 isolates of Fusarium spp. were identified as F. cerealis. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating ginseng root in vitro and healthy plants in a greenhouse. The surface of healthy ginseng roots were washed with water and disinfested in 70% alcohol for 3 min and planted in flowerpots with sterilized soil and sorghum grain infested with each isolate and incubated in greenhouse (20 to 25°C). Five ginseng roots and five healthy plants were inoculated with agar cake and sterilized sorghum seed as controls. Root rots similar to the naturally symptoms were observed on inoculated ginseng roots in vitro and healthy plants after 3 days and 21 days, respectively, but no root rots developed on the controls. The pathogens were successfully re-isolated and were are identical to those of the originals. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. cerealis causing root rot on ginseng in China. References: (1) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (2) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 97:7905, 2000. (3) K. O'Donnell et al. Mycologia 92:919, 2000.

First Report of Root Rot Caused by Fusarium redolens on Ginseng (Panax ginseng) in Jilin Province of China.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is a treasure of traditional Chinese medicine resources and has been used in food, health care products, and medicines in China for over 4,000 years. Jilin Province is the largest producing region in the world. Ginseng root rot disease caused by Fusarium spp. is the chief disease of ginseng with more than 25% incidence. Infected ginseng roots could not be used, which brought economic losses, and the species of the pathogens were not clear. The above-ground leaves of infected ginseng plants became red in the early stages and later wilted or died. All parts of root including rhizome, taproot, and fibrous root can be infected. Brown lesions were mainly formed on the surface and expanded gradually. Finally, multiple lesions converged and caused root rot. Diseased roots collected in June 2012 from 4-year-old ginseng (cv. Damaya) from Jingyu County and Jiaohe City, Jilin Province. Six isolates were obtained by cutting the roots into 5 mm3 pieces, disinfecting in 3% NaOCl for 3 min, and isolating on half-strength acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA). All isolates were purified from single spore. They produced white and cottony aerial mycelium cultured on PDA, microconidia were in the majority, oval or reniform, and length ranged from 5.97 to 12.01 µm. Macroconidia were in the minority, fusiform to conical, usually 3 to 5 septa, length ranged from 13.99 to 26.50 µm, thin-walled, with a hooked apical cell and a foot-shaped basal cell. A variety of structures of chlamydospores were produced, in chains or in pairs, basidixed or in the middle of the hyphae. Preliminary conclusions were made according to the morphological characteristics, which were consistent with the descriptions of Fusarium redolens (2). All the isolates of Fusarium spp. were accurately identified based on molecular biological methods of rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the elongation factor (EF1-α) gene sequences analysis. ITS sequences analysis (GenBank Accession No. KF499035) resulted in a 100% match for one accession of F. redolens (X94169) by BLAST in the NCBI nucleotide database, and EF1-α gene (KF499036) had 100% similarity with 12 accessions of F. redolens (e.g., AF324319) by BLAST in the FUSARIUM-ID database (1). All isolates of F. redolens were tested for pathogenicity on ginseng root in vitro and healthy plants in a greenhouse, respectively. The surface of healthy ginseng roots were washed and disinfested in 70% alcohol for 3 min and plant in flower pots with sterile sand and sorghum grain infested with 14-day-old isolates and no inoculation as the control. Each experiment was repeated three times. Root rots were assessed 21 days after planting and all the isolates consistently caused root rot on inoculated plants, taproot and fibrous root exhibited brown to black root rot and plant wilting, whereas no root rot was observed in the controls and the pathogen was successfully re-isolated. The results were confirmed by the in vitro and healthy plant inoculation of ginseng root. F. redolens was identified previously as F. oxysporum, but recent molecular studies have shown that they are distant species in phylogenetic analysis (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. redolens causing root rot of ginseng in China. References: (1) M. D. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) K. O'Donnell et al. Mycologia 90:465,1998.

Bipolar spinal cord stimulation attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity at an intensity that activates a small portion of A-fiber afferents in spinal nerve-injured rats.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used clinically to treat neuropathic pain states, but the precise mechanism by which it attenuates neuropathic pain remains to be established. The profile of afferent fiber activation during SCS and how it may correlate with the efficacy of SCS-induced analgesia are unclear. After subjecting rats to an L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), we implanted a miniature quadripolar electrode similar to that used clinically. Our goal was to determine the population and number of afferent fibers retrogradely activated by SCS in SNL rats by recording the antidromic compound action potential (AP) at the sciatic nerve after examining the ability of bipolar epidural SCS to alleviate mechanical hypersensitivity in this model. Notably, we compared the profiles of afferent fiber activation to SCS between SNL rats that exhibited good SCS-induced analgesia (responders) and those that did not (nonresponders). Additionally, we examined how different contact configurations affect the motor threshold (MoT) and compound AP threshold. Results showed that three consecutive days of SCS treatment (50 Hz, 0.2 ms, 30 min, 80-90% of MoT), but not sham stimulation, gradually alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity in SNL rats. The MoT obtained in the animal behavioral study was significantly less than the Aα/ß-threshold of the compound AP determined during electrophysiological recording, suggesting that SCS could attenuate mechanical hypersensitivity with a stimulus intensity that recruits only a small fraction of the A-fiber population in SNL rats. Although both the MoT and compound AP threshold were similar between responders and nonresponders, the size of the compound AP waveform at higher stimulation intensities was larger in the responders, indicating a more efficient activation of the dorsal column structure in responders.

Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibition of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in rat brain.

This study examined the hypothesis that apoptotic inhibition via mitochondrial pathway was involved in hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC)-induced neuroprotection on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat brain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 approximately 280 g, n=144) were divided into control, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min, and HBO-PC plus MCAO groups. HBO-PC was conducted four times by giving 100% oxygen at 2.5 atm absolute (ATA), for 1 h at 12 h intervals for 2 days. At 24 h after the last HBO-PC, MCAO was performed and at 24 h after MCAO, neurological function, brain water content, infarct volume, and cell death were evaluated. Enzymatic activity of capase-3 and -9, and expression of cytochrome c, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were performed in the samples from hippocampus, ischemic penumbra and core of the brain cortex, respectively. HBO-PC reduced brain edema, decreased infarction volume, and improved neurological recovery. HBO-PC reduced cytoplasm cytochrome c levels, decreased caspase enzyme activity, upregulated the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and abated the apoptosis of ischemic tissue. HBO-PC protects brain tissues from ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.

Measurement of stain on extracted teeth using spectrophotometry and digital image analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validate a customized image analysis system, designed for use within clinical trials of general dental hygiene and whitening products, for the measurement of stain levels on extracted teeth and to compare it with reflectance spectrophotometry. METHOD: Twenty non-carious extracted teeth were soaked in an artificial saliva, brushed for 1 min using an electric toothbrush and a standard toothpaste, bleached using a 5.3% hydrogen peroxide solution and cycled for 6 h daily through a tea solution. CIE L* values were obtained after each treatment step using the customized image analysis system and a reflectance spectrophotometer. A statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS. RESULTS: Fleiss' coefficient of reliability for intra-operator repeatability of the image analysis system and spectrophotometry was 0.996 and 0.946 respectively. CIE L* values were consistently higher using the image analysis compared with spectrophotometry, and t-tests for each treatment step showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for the two methods. Limits of agreement between the methods were -27.95 to +2.07, with a 95% confidence of the difference calculated as -14.26 to -11.84. The combined results for all treatment steps showed a significant difference between the methods for the CIE L* values (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The image analysis system has proven to be a reliable method for assessment of changes in stain level on extracted teeth. The method has been validated against reflectance spectrophotometry. This method may be used for pilot in vitro studies/trials of oral hygiene and whitening products, before expensive in vivo tests are carried out.

Immunostimulatory principles from Chlorella pyrenoidosa--part 1: isolation and biological assessment in vitro.

Our proprietary preparation obtained by extraction of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells, ONC-107 (Respondin), was recently found to selectively boost antibody response to the influenza vaccine in a human clinical trial. Respondin is a potent stimulator of mouse B cell proliferation and an activator of macrophages. Bioactivity-guided resolution concluded that Respondin is composed of a mixture of immunostimulatory principles of different chemical nature. A combination of size exclusion, anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography revealed that the bulk of the immunostimulatory activity resides in polysaccharide/protein complexes with molecular masses larger than 100 kDa that are composed primarily of galactose, rhamnose and arabinose.

In vitro susceptibility of 10 clinical isolates of SARS coronavirus to selected antiviral compounds.

Effective antiviral agents are urgently needed to combat the possible return of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Commercial antiviral agents and pure chemical compounds extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs were screened against 10 clinical isolates of SARS coronavirus by neutralisation tests with confirmation by plaque reduction assays. Interferon-beta-1a, leukocytic interferon-alpha, ribavirin, lopinavir, rimantadine, baicalin and glycyrrhizin showed antiviral activity. The two interferons were only active if the cell lines were pre-incubated with the drugs 16 h before viral inoculation. Results were confirmed by plaque reduction assays. Antiviral activity varied with the use of different cell lines. Checkerboard assays for synergy were performed showing combinations of interferon beta-1a or leukocytic interferon-alpha with ribavirin are synergistic. Since the clinical and toxicity profiles of these agents are well known, they should be considered either singly or in combination for prophylaxis or treatment of SARS in randomised placebo controlled trials in future epidemics.

Immunomodulating principles from shark cartilage. Part 1. Isolation and biological assessment in vitro.

Extracts from shark cartilage exhibiting powerful immunostimulating activity in vitro are described. The study shows that a simple extraction with water is very effective in producing the immunostimulating principles and implies that it is ideal for scale-up and manufacturing on a large scale. The extracts are potent stimulators of B cells and macrophages isolated from BALB/c mice spleen while stimulation of T cells was insignificant in our in vitro models. The study demonstrates that the active principles are thermally stable proteoglycans with molecular masses exceeding 100 kDa. This in vitro study represents an important step needed for further assessment of the products in vivo and their value for nutraceutical use.

Phosphorus removal and greenhouse gas N2O emission in a lime-induced aerobic sludge granule process.

Aerobic sludge granulation was achieved in an activated sludge process continuously fed with lime (Ca2+ 100 mg l(-1) influent) every other day. Eighteen days after lime addition, activated sludge granules with the size of 0.5-2.2 mm were formed, which occupied 10-25% of total sludge volume. Sludge volume index (SVI) was reduced to an average of 50 ml g(-1), which increased average sludge concentration to 3.6-5.0 g VSS l(-1), 1.6-2.1 times of that of control. Greenhouse gas N2O emission was also significantly reduced: N2O concentration from the lime-addition reactor was 5-15 ppmv, 47-61% of that of control, Effluent PO4-P concentration was generally lower than 1 mg l(-1) when average influent PO4-P concentration was 6.07-6.37 mg l(-1). Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies were around 89.6% and 14.5-16.1%, over 3.5 and 1 times higher than those of control, respectively. COD removal rate in the lime-addition reactor was 2.05-2.48 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), higher than 1.34-1.61 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) in the control.

Effects of six antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure and hypothalamic GABA content in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In order to investigate the effects of antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) content in the hypothalamus and the possible relationship between blood pressure decrease and GABA content changes, blood pressure and GABA contents after chronic (20 weeks) treatments of nitrendipine, atenolol, captopril, hydrochlorothiazide, dihydralazine and prazosin were studied in spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHR). The acute and subacute (1 week) effects of nitrendipine on GABA contents was also observed in SHR. It was found that 20 week treatments with six different antihypertensive agents produced a decrease in systolic blood pressure and an increase in GABA content. The blood pressure level was significantly correlated with GABA content in the hypothalamus, but not with that in the cortex. Acute treatment with a single dose of nitrendipine, did not alter GABA content. Bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonist, did not attenuate the hypotensive effect of nitrendipine. In conclusion, chronic treatments by different antihypertensive agents produced an increase of hypothalamic GABA content and a decrease of blood pressure. The increase of GABA content induced by nitrendipine seems likely to be secondary to blood pressure decrease.

Effects of Scutellarein on diabetic rat aorta.

AIM: To study the effect of Scutellarein (Scu) on the diabetic rat aorta. METHODS: Contractile responses to phenylepherine and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh) in rat aorta were investigated after streptozocin-induced 6-wk diabetes, Scu-treated streptozocin-induced diabetes, and in age-matched control in vitro. RESULTS: 1) Endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh in diabetic rats was decreased (P < 0.01) compared with age-matched control. 2) Contractile responses to phenylepherine were increased (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats. 3) The dietary supplement of 0.5% Scu starting from 1-wk diabetes induction prevented endothelial dysfunction (P < 0.01), but the contractile responses to phenylepherine were further increased. CONCLUSION: Scu prevented vascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetic rats, and also potentiated the contraction induced by phenylepherine.

Erigeron breviscapus prevents defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic rat aorta.

We examined the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (Ach) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat aorta at the stages of 2- and 6-wks' duration in vitro, and compared with another two groups which were treated with dietary supplement of 0.1% Aminoquanidine (AG) and 0.5% Erigeron breviscapus (EB) from 1-week of diabetes induction. At the stage of 2-wks' duration of diabetes, relaxation responses to lower concentrations of Ach in 0.3 uM phenylepherine-precontracted aortas were diminished significantly (P<0.05) compared with age-matched control, but the maximal relaxation of Ach remained unchanged. At the stage of 6-wks' duration, diabetes caused an approximately 60% (P<0.001) deficit in maximum relaxation, and this was significantly (P<0.001) prevented in AG and EB treated groups. There was an approximately 40% enhancement in the maximum contractile response to phenylepherine with diabetes (P<0.05), which was unaffected significantly by AG and EB treatments. The data suggest that the defective endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic rat aorta occurred as early as 2-wks' duration of diabetes, and the treatments of AG and EB could protect vascular endothelium although the deficits in vascular smooth muscle contractile responses were not protected.

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) in human transitional bladder cancer and its role in inducing cell death.

The present study examined the expression and role of the thiazolidinedione (TZD)-activated transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), in human bladder cancers. In situ hybridization shows that PPARgamma mRNA is highly expressed in all human transitional epithelial cell cancers (TCCa's) studied (n=11). PPARgamma was also expressed in five TCCa cell lines as determined by RNase protection assays and immunoblot. Retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), a 9-cis-retinoic acid stimulated (9-cis-RA) heterodimeric partner of PPARgamma, was also co-expressed in all TCCa tissues and cell lines. Treatment of the T24 bladder cancer cells with the TZD PPARgamma agonist troglitazone, dramatically inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation and induced cell death. Addition of the RXRalpha ligands, 9-cis-RA or LG100268, sensitized T24 bladder cancer cells to the lethal effect of troglitazone and two other PPAR- activators, ciglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-PGJ2 (15dPGJ(2)). Troglitazone treatment increased expression of two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p16(INK4), and reduced cyclin D1 expression, consistent with G1 arrest. Troglitazone also induced an endogenous PPARgamma target gene in T24 cells, adipocyte-type fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP), the expression of which correlates with bladder cancer differentiation. In situ hybridization shows that A-FABP expression is localized to normal uroepithelial cells as well as some TCCa's. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PPARgamma is expressed in human TCCa where it may play a role in regulating TCCa differentiation and survival, thereby providing a potential target for therapy of uroepithelial cancers.