Protocol for growing silica nanowires on various substrates to enhance superwetting and self-jumping properties.

The protocol outlines the steps for growing silica nanowires on various substrates such as glass and stainless-steel foil. Silica nanowires are grown by thermal chemical vapor deposition via a vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, in which silicon wafers are used as silicon sources and platinum films as catalysts. This protocol can be used to grow silica nanowires on other substrates such as quartz filter, quartz sphere, alumina plate, and silicon wafer, provided the substrate materials can tolerate the temperature during process heating. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Lee et al. (2019), Tsai and Shieh (2019), and Tsai et al. (2021).

Herbal complex 'Buyang Huanwu Tang' improves motor endplate function of denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy in rat.

Denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy is a disease induced by skeletal muscle associated peripheral neuro-disconnection. Its specific molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The treating for denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy is applied with an herbal complex Buyang Huanwu Tang used in traditional Chinese medicine and subjected to the established denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy in rat models, and the therapeutic effects and associated mechanisms were evaluated in the pathogenesis of denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy. Denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy in rats was established and randomly divided into eight groups, including Normal control, Model, Positive control, Model + Buyang Huanwu Tang, Model + astragalus extracts, Model + Buyang Huanwu Tang-astragalus, Buyang Huanwu Tang + LY294002, and astragalus extract + LY294002 group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay were used to examine the inflammatory response of muscle tissues. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting assay were utilized to analyze mRNA and protein expression. Immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect molecule expression in anterior cervical muscle tissues. Motor endplate activity was examined using the wholemount acetylcholinesterase staining method. The wet mass ratio of anterior cervical muscle was measured. The results indicated that Buyang Huanwu Tang treatment significantly alleviated inflammatory response, enhanced acetylcholinesterase activity, and motor endplate functions, and promoted wet mass of anterior cervical muscle compared to denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy rat models (P < 0.05). Buyang Huanwu Tang regulated molecules of PI3K/PKB/GSK3ß/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Buyang Huanwu Tang significantly reduced muscle atrophy F-box protein, MuFR-1, Bax and caspase 9 expression, significantly enhanced Bcl-2 expression, and remarkably increased element-binding protein and vascular endothelial growth factor levels, compared to Model group (P < 0.05). Buyang Huanwu Tang suppressed caspase 9 and caspase 3 activity and associated apoptosis. Moreover, PI3K specific blocker, LY294002, significantly inhibited the effects of Buyang Huanwu Tang on the above molecule expression (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Buyang Huanwu Tang improved motor endplate functions of denervated-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy rat model through suppressing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and activating PI3K/PKB/FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Repeated intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration may increase the risk of ischemic optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Previous case reports have demonstrated the occurrence of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) following intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). However, no previous studies have investigated the impact of injection numbers on the risk of ION. The aim of our study was to investigate whether repeated intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF would increase the risk of subsequent ION in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A population-based, retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted from 2007 to 2013. Neovascular AMD patients receiving intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF during the study period were enrolled in the study cohort. Enrollees were divided into three groups according to the categorized levels of injection number (first level: < 10 times, second level: 10-15 times, and third level: > 15 times). Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to compare the cumulative hazard of subsequent ION among the three groups. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for ION development with respect to the different levels of injection numbers. The confounders included for adjustment were age, sex, and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, and glaucoma). RESULTS: In total, the study cohort included 77,210 patients. Of these, 26,520, 38,010, and 12,680 were in the first-, second-, and third-level groups, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method revealed that the cumulative hazards of ION were significantly higher in those who had a higher injection number. After adjusting for confounders, the adjusted HRs for ION in the second- and third-level groups were 1.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-2.76) and 2.20 (95% CI, 1.42-3.43), respectively, compared with those in the first-level group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with neovascular AMD, those who receive a higher number of anti-VEGF injections have a significantly higher risk of developing ION compared with individuals who receive a lower number of injections.

Preventive Effects of Ginseng Total Saponins on Chronic Corticosterone-Induced Impairment in Astrocyte Structural Plasticity and Hippocampal Atrophy.

To further explore the underlying antidepressant mechanism of ginseng total saponins (GTS), this study observed the effects on hippocampal astrocyte structural plasticity and hippocampal volume in the corticosterone-induced mouse depression model. Corticosterone (20 mg/kg/day) was administered subcutaneously for 5 weeks, and GTS (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day; namely GTSL, GTSM, and GTSH) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day) were given intragastrically during the last 3 weeks. On day 33 and day 34, depression-like behavior was observed via a forced swimming test and a tail suspension test, respectively. At 6 h after the last dose of corticosterone (day 35), all mice were sacrificed followed by serum corticosterone assays, stereological analysis of hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP+ ) astroctyes and hippocampal volume, and hippocampal glycogen tests. Results showed that all doses of GTS ameliorated depression-like behavior and the decrease in hippocampal glycogen without normalizing hypercortisolism. Moreover, GTSH and GTSM reversed the corticosterone-induced reduction in the total number of hippocampal GFAP+ astrocytes and hippocampal volume. Additionally, GTSH alleviated the diminished protrusion length and somal volume of GFAP+ astrocytes induced by corticosterone. These findings imply that the effects of GTS on corticosterone-induced depression-like behavior may be mediated partly through the protection to hippocampal astrocyte structural plasticity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Relationship between seedling grade of Codonopsis pilosula and yield and quality of medicinal materials].

The study is aimed to research the relationship between the seedling grade of Codonopsis pilosula and yield and quality of medicinal materials, so as to provide basis for establishing seedling standard. Thirty seedlings of C. pilosula were collected from the main production areas in Gansu province, such as Weiyuan, Minxian, Zhangxian, Dangchang and Longxi, root length and diameter and weight of all the samples were measured. According to the clustering results, seedlings were divided into 3 levels, and field experiments were conducted with three levels seedling, yield and quality were tested in laboratory. Results have showed that emergence of grades 1 was faster than that of grades 2 and 3. Yield of grades 1 was significantly higher than that of grades 2 and 3 (P<0.05). Propargyl glycoside content of grades 1 was the highest, and significantly higher than that of grades 3. Polysaccharide content of grades 3 was the highest and significantly higher than that of grades 1 and 2 (P<0.05). So considering yield, quality and investment cost of C. pilosula, planting seedlings of C. pilosula should select that root length>15.6 cm, root diameter>2.7 mm, root weight>0.56 g.

Preparation and quality assessment of high-purity ginseng total saponins by ion exchange resin combined with macroporous adsorption resin separation.

AIM: To prepare high-purity ginseng total saponins from a water decoction of Chinese ginseng root. METHOD: Total saponins were efficiently purified by dynamic anion-cation exchange following the removal of hydrophilic impurities by macroporous resin D101. For quality control, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with a charged aerosol detector (CAD) was applied to quantify marker components. The total saponin content was estimated by a colorimetric method using a vanillin-vitriol system and CAD response. RESULTS: D201, which consisted of a cross-linked polystyrene matrix and -N(+)(CH3)3 functional groups, was the best of the four anion exchange resins tested. However, no significant difference in cation exchange ability was observed between D001 (strong acid) and D113 (weak acid), although they have different functional groups and matrices. After purification in combination with D101, D201, and D113, the estimated contents of total saponins were 107% and 90% according to the colorimetric method and CAD response, respectively. The total amount of representative ginsenosides Re, Rd, Rg1, and compound K was approximately 22% based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-CAD quantitative analysis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an ion exchange resin, combined with macroporous adsorption resin separation, is a promising and feasible purification procedure for neutral natural polar components.

Effects of sodium tanshinone II A sulphonate on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats in vivo and on Kv2.1 expression in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in vitro.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate (STS), a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone II A, on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were exposed to hypoxia for two or three weeks, pretreated with or without STS. We detected mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), the ratio of right ventricle weight to left ventricle with septum weight [RV/(LV+S)], wall thickness and voltage-activated potassium channel (Kv) 2.1 mRNA level of pulmonary arteries (PAs), respectively, and the in vitro effects of STS on proliferation and Kv2.1 expression of cultured pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from normal rats. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazal-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromiede (MTT) assay and direct cell counting. Kv2.1 mRNA and protein level were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Chronic hypoxia increased values of mPAP and RV/(LV+S) and inhibited Kv2.1 mRNA level in PAs. Three weeks' daily STS pretreatment inhibited the hypoxia-induced increased mPAP and RV/(LV+S), pulmonary arterial thickening and up-regulated Kv2.1 mRNA level in PAs. Further study in vitro showed that STS suppressed significantly hypoxia-induced PASMCs proliferation and inhibition of Kv2.1 expression in PASMCs. CONCLUSIONS: STS might play protective effects on HPH through decreasing mPAP, V/(LV+S) and inhibiting structural remodeling in distal PAs. The mechanism of these effects may be attributed to inhibiting PASMCs proliferation and stimulating Kv2.1 expression.

Tanshinone IIA reduces lethality and acute lung injury in LPS-treated mice by inhibition of PLA2 activity.

Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is one of the main active components from Chinese herb danshen. Previous reports showed that TIIA reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the effects of TIIA on LPS-induced acute lung injury are not fully understood. Here, we observed the effects of TIIA on mortality and lung injury in LPS-treated mice and on LPS-induced pulmonary epithelial cell injury, and further studied the underlying mechanism. As revealed by survival study, pretreatment with TIIA reduced mortality of mice and prolonged their survival time. Meanwhile, TIIA pretreatment significantly improved LPS-induced lung histopathologic changes, decreased lung wet-to-dry and lung-to-body weight ratios, inhibited lung myeloperoxidase activity and reduced protein leakage. TIIA also alleviated LPS-induced pulmonary epithelial cell injury, as proved by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and lactic dehydrogenase assay. Furthermore, TIIA suppressed LPS-induced phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in both lung homogenate and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. TIIA also inhibited the metabolites of PLA2, which was confirmed by results of thromboxane B2, prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 detection. Besides, TIIA in vitro inhibited LPS-induced PLA2 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that TIIA markedly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in LPS-treated mice. Taken together, these data firstly provided the novel information that the protective role of TIIA against LPS-induced lung injury may attribute partly to the inhibition of PLA2 activity and NF-kappaB activation.

[An experimental study on distribution of musk into the brain through blood brain barrier].

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible pathway of the effect of musk on brain disorder, distributing into the brain through blood brain barrier. METHODS: We used the musk ketone (muscone), a main composition of musk, to inject through the tail vein of the rats into the blood and took the brain and other organs at different times to make samples. Then gas chromatography was used to measure the distribution of muscone in the brain and other organs. RESULTS: Muscone could pass through the normal rat's blood brain barrier into the brain and soon reached the highest peak and remained in higher concentration, and more slowly metabolized as compared with other organs. CONCLUSION: Musk distributing into the brain through blood brain barrier provides the basis for its effect in treating brain disorders. Chromatography is an effective method to study the active composition of Chinese herbal medicine distributing through the blood brain barrier into the brain.