Analysis of pollutant dispersion patterns in rivers under different rainfall based on an integrated water-land model.

In the context of rapid urban expansion, the interaction between humanity and nature has become more prominent. Urban land and rivers often exist as distinct entities with limited material exchange. However, during rainfall, these two systems interconnect, resulting in the transfer of land-derived pollutants into rivers. Such transfer significantly increases river pollutant levels, adversely affecting water quality. Therefore, developing a water quality simulation and prediction model is crucial. This model should effectively illustrate pollutant movement and dispersion during rain events. This study proposes a comprehensive model that merges the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) with the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). This integrated model assesses the spread and dispersion of pollutants, including Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N), Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), within urban water cycles for various rainfall conditions, thus offering critical theoretical support for managing the water environment. The application of this model under different rainfall intensities (light, moderate and heavy) provides vital insights. During light rainfall, the river's natural purification process can sustain surface water quality at Class IV. Moderate rainfall causes accumulation of pollutants, reducing water quality to Class V. Conversely, heavy rainfall rapidly increases pollutant concentrations due to higher inflow, pushing the river to a degraded Class V status, which is beyond its natural purification capacity, necessitating engineering solutions to reattain Class IV quality. Furthermore, pollutant accumulation in downstream river sections is more influenced by flow rate than by rainfall intensity. In summary, the SWMM-EFDC integrated model proves highly effective in predicting river water quality, thereby significantly aiding urban water pollution control.

Modified Xiaoyao San reverses lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior through suppressing microglia M1 polarization via enhancing autophagy involved in PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Modified Xiaoyao San (MXYS), a clinical empirical modified formula based on famous traditional Chinese herbal prescription Xiaoyao San, according to the "yu syndrome" theory of traditional Chinese medicine. MXYS has been shown to be an excellent effective therapy for depression patients in clinic, but the antidepressant mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: A growing body of evidence indicates the microglia autophagy and M1 polarized microglia (proinflammatory phenotype)-mediated neuroinflammation act critical roles in the pathogenesis of depression. This study aimed to investigate whether MXYS exerts antidepressant efficacy through inhibition of M1 polarized microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and modulation of autophagy involved in PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In present research, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive mice and LPS-stimulated N9 microglia cell line were utilized. Behavioral tests (sucrose preference, tail suspension and open field tests) were carried out to evaluate the antidepressant effect of MXYS. The neuronal damage was measured by Nissl's staining in LPS-treated mice. The proinflammatory cytokine levels, the autophagic markers, microglia M1 polarization as well as the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway related proteins of MXYS treatment were analyzed by ELISA kits, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining in vivo and vitro. Finally, the influence of autophagy antagonist (3-MA) on the protective effect of MXYS-containing serum in the LPS-stimulated N9 microglia was investigated. RESULTS: Treatment of LPS-induced depressive mice with MXYS significantly reversed depression-like behaviors, accompanied by reduction of proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1ß) and amelioration of neuronal damage in prefrontal cortex. MXYS suppressed microglia M1 polarization and promoted autophagy in prefrontal cortex and LPS-stimulated N9 cells. Importantly, the remarkable inhibitory effect of the MXYS-medicated serum on microglia M1 polarization was blocked by autophagy antagonist 3-MA in LPS-stimulated N9 cells. Meanwhile, the MXYS treatment exhibited an excellent inhibition effect of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in vivo and vitro. CONCLUSION: Our research suggests that the antidepressant effect of MXYS in LPS-induced depressive mice may be related to alleviate neuroinflammation through suppression of microglia M1 polarization via enhancing autophagy involved in inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Initial Studies on the Effect of the Rice-Duck-Crayfish Ecological Co-Culture System on Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of Soils: A Field Case Study in Chaohu Lake Basin, Southeast China.

Rice-duck and rice-crayfish co-culture patterns can increase soil productivity and sustainability and reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thereby reducing the resulting negative environmental impacts. However, most studies have focused on the rice-duck and rice-crayfish binary patterns and have ignored integrated systems (three or more), which may have unexpected synergistic effects. To test these effects, a paddy field experiment was carried out in the Chaohu Lake Basin, Hefei city, Southeast China. Four groups, including a rice-duck-crayfish ecological co-culture system (RDC), idle field (CK), single-season rice planting system (SSR), and double-season rice planting system (DSR), were established in this study. The results showed that the RDC improved the soil physical properties, fertility, humus content, and enzyme activity. In the RDC system, the soil total nitrogen content ranged from 8.54% to 28.37% higher than other systems in the 0-10 cm soil layer. Similar increases were found for soil total phosphorus (8.22-30.53%), available nitrogen (6.93-22.72%), organic matter (18.24-41.54%), urease activity (16.67-71.51%), and acid phosphatase activity (23.41-66.20%). Relative to the SSR treatment, the RDC treatment reduced the total losses of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff by 24.30% and 10.29%, respectively. The RDC also did not cause any harm to the soil in terms of heavy metal pollution. Furthermore, the RDC improved the yield and quality of rice, farmer incomes, and eco-environmental profits. In general, the RDC can serve as a valuable method for the management of agricultural nonpoint-source pollution in the Chaohu Lake area and the revitalization of the countryside.

[Plasma components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula and its mechanism of action in treating perimenopausal depression based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E integrated with network pharmacology].

In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E) was used to analyze the plasma components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula after oral administration. Forty-nine plasma components were found in the serum of rats by comparing the compound extract, drug-containing serum, and blank serum. Components, such as 6-hydroxycoumarin, poricoic acid F, deoxoglabrolide, 30-norhederagenin, kanzonol R, 3',6'-di-O-galloylpaeoniflorin, 16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid, 16-deoxyporicoic acid B, 3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid, and 16α,25-dihydroxydehydroeburiconic acid, were first found in rat serum. Behavioral tests, including the tail suspension test, novel object recognition test, and novelty-suppressed feeding test, were conducted for behavioral analysis. It was confirmed that this formula had therapeutic effects on perimenopausal depression. Furthermore, in combination with the network pharmacology method, 53 core targets including MAPK1, HRAS, AKT1, EGFR, and ESR1 were screened, and these targets participated in 165 signaling pathways, including PI3K-AKT, AMPK, VEGFA, MAPK, and HIF-1. In summary, the potential effects of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in treating perimenopausal depression are associated with mechanisms in accelerating inflammation repair, improving neuroplasticity, affecting neurotransmitters, regulating estrogen levels, and promoting new blood vessel formation.

Application Value of Nutrition Support Team in Chemotherapy Period of Colon Cancer Based on Internet Multidisciplinary Treatment Mode.

Objective: To explore the application value of the nutrition support team in chemotherapy period of colon cancer based on the internet multidisciplinary treatment mode. Methods: For the method of retrospective study, 90 patients with colon cancer admitted to our hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were selected as the study subjects. They were equally divided into the experimental group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45) according to the order of initials and the method of parity group. The control group was given conventional nutrition support, and the experimental group was given the nutrition support under the internet multidisciplinary treatment mode. The serum tumor marker levels (CEA and CA19-9), immune function indexes, nutrition indicators, and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results: The serum tumor marker levels in the experimental group after intervention were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The immune function indexes in the experimental group after intervention were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The nutrition indicators in the experimental group after intervention were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions above grade 2 in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were 20 patients with myelosuppression, 2 patients with neurotoxicity, and 1 patient with hand and foot syndrome in the experimental group, while 22 patients with myelosuppression, 4 patients with neurotoxicity, and 2 patients with hand and foot syndrome in the control group, with no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The nutrition support team under the internet multidisciplinary treatment mode can improve the immune function of chemotherapy patients with colon cancer and enhance their nutritional level, thereby reducing the incidence of adverse reactions and improving the chemotherapy effects.

A Cotton Lignin Biosynthesis Gene, GhLAC4, Fine-Tuned by ghr-miR397 Modulates Plant Resistance Against Verticillium dahliae.

Plant lignin is a component of the cell wall, and plays important roles in the transport potential of water and mineral nutrition and plant defence against biotic stresses. Therefore, it is necessary to identify lignin biosynthesis-related genes and dissect their functions and underlying mechanisms. Here, we characterised a cotton LAC, GhLAC4, which participates in lignin biosynthesis and plant resistance against Verticillium dahliae. According to degradome sequencing and GUS reporter analysis, ghr-miR397 was identified to directedly cleave the GhLAC4 transcript through base complementary. GhLAC4 knockdown and ghr-miR397 overexpression significantly reduced basal lignin content compared to the control, whereas ghr-miR397 silencing significantly increased basal lignin levels. Based on staining patterns and GC/MS analysis, GhLAC4 acted in G-lignin biosynthesis. Under V. dahliae infection, we found that G-lignin content in ghr-miR397-knockdowned plants significantly increased, compared to these plants under the mock treatment, while G-lignin contents in GhLAC4-silenced plants and ghr-miR397-overexpressed plants treated with pathogen were comparable with these plants treated with mock, indicating that GhLAC4 participates in defence-induced G-lignin biosynthesis in the cell wall. Knockdown of ghr-miR397 in plants inoculated with V. dahliae promoted lignin accumulation and increased plant resistance. The overexpression of ghr-miR397 and knockdown of GhLAC4 reduced lignin content and showed higher susceptibility of plants to the fungal infection compared to the control. The extract-free stems of ghr-miR397-knockdowned plants lost significantly less weight when treated with commercial cellulase and V. dahliae secretion compared to the control, while the stems of ghr-miR397-overexpressed and GhLAC4-silenced plants showed significantly higher loss of weight. These results suggest that lignin protects plant cell walls from degradation mediated by cellulase or fungal secretions. In summary, the ghr-miR397-GhLAC4 module regulates both basal lignin and defence-induced lignin biosynthesis and increases plant resistance against infection by V. dahliae.

Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analysis of the liver reveals potential protein targets of Xiaochaihutang in CUMS model of depression.

Depression is a global mental disorder disease and greatly threatened human health. Xiaochaihutang (XCHT) has been used successfully in treatment of depression for many years in China, but the mechanism is unclear. Using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice model of depression, the present study aimed to reveal possible antidepressant mechanisms of XCHT from the perspective of liver by analyzing hepatic proteomics in mice. Bioinformatics analysis identified 31 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 5 upregulated and 26 downregulated proteins, between the CUMS model and XCHT groups. The bile secretion pathway was found by KEGG pathway analysis of these DEPs. Four of the 31 differentially expressed proteins, including 2 active proteins involved in bile secretion, carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), were selected to verify their genes. Four genes (Cyp7a1, Fxr, Shp and Ntcp) related to bile acid synthesis and transport were further investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Both biochemical tests and gene studies demonstrated that CUMS affected bile acid synthesis and transport, while XCHT regulated this pathway. The results indicated that there may be a potential relationship between CUMS induced depression and hepatic injury caused by increased bile acid, and also provide a novel insight to understand the underlying anti-depression mechanisms of XCHT.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of the liver reveals antidepressant potential protein targets of Sinisan in a mouse CUMS model of depression.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the role of the liver in depression is highly valued, and liver-relieving drugs, such as Sinisan, are often used to treat depression; however, the mechanism whereby these drugs work remains unclear. The present study aimed to reveal possible antidepressant mechanisms of Sinisan (SNS) by analyzing hepatic proteomics in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. Using the CUMS mouse model of depression, the antidepressant effects of SNS were assessed by the sucrose preference test (SPT) and forced swimming test (FST). Hepatic differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) after SNS treatment were investigated by tandem mass tag (TMT) based quantitative proteomics analysis. Then, a bioinformatics analysis of DEPs was conducted through hierarchical clustering, Venn analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. DEP genes were further validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting. Behavioral results demonstrated that SNS significantly increased sucrose intake in SPT and shortened the immobility time in FST in model mice. Eighty-two DEPs were identified, including 37 upregulated and 45 downregulated proteins, between model and SNS groups. Enrichment analysis of GO annotations indicated that SNS primarily maintained cellular iron ion homeostasis by iron ion transportation and regulated expression of some extracellular structural proteins for oxidation-reduction processes. KEGG and Venn analysis showed that mineral absorption, steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism might be the principal pathways through which SNS acts on depression. Furthermore, several proteins involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormone pathways were significantly up/downregulated by SNS, including CYP2B19, CYP7B1 (validated by qRT-PCR) and HSD3b5 (validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting). Our results indicate that SNS plays important roles in antidepressant actions by restoring DEPs, resulting in the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones. The current results provide novel perspectives for revealing potential protein targets of SNS in depression.

Protective effects of curcumin against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice through modulating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a major active ingredient extracted from powdered dry rhizome of Curcuma longa. In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used as a hepatoprotective agent for centuries. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. OBJECTIVE: The present study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of curcumin in chronic alcohol-induced liver injury and explore its mechanism. DESIGN: Alcohol-exposed Balb/c mice were treated with curcumin (75 and 150 mg/kg) once per day for 8 weeks. Tissue from individual was fixed with formaldehyde for pathological examination. The activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, Na+/k+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase, were determined. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening was also determined. The expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, Mn-SOD, GRP78, PERK, IRE1α, nuclear NF-κB, and phosphorylated IκBα was quantified by western blot. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the liver were measured using the ELISA method. RESULTS: Curcumin significantly promoted hepatic mitochondrial function by reducing the opening of MPTP, thus increasing the MMP, promoting the activity of Na+/k+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and attenuating oxidative stress. Curcumin upregulated the expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, and Mn-SOD, and downregulated the expression of GRP78, PERK, and IRE1α in hepatic tissue. Curcumin also attenuated inflammation by inhibiting the IκBα-NF-κB pathway, which reduced the production of TNF, IL-1ß, and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Curcumin attenuates alcohol-induced liver injury via improving mitochondrial function and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation. This study provides strong evidence for the beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of chronic alcohol-induced liver injury.

Source apportionment of heavy metal and their health risks in soil-dustfall-plant system nearby a typical non-ferrous metal mining area of Tongling, Eastern China.

The agricultural land-atmospheric dustfall-plant system around the mining area is at high risks of heavy metal pollution caused by mining-smelting activities. In this study, 118 samples (including rhizospheric soils, background soils, soil-forming parent rocks, crops, vegetables, medicinal plants and atmospheric dustfall) were collected nearby Tongling Cu-Fe-Au mining area, Eastern China. We studied the concentrations, migration, sources, and health risks through consumption of two main crops (corn and rice), six kinds of vegetables, and medicinal plants (Fengdan, Paeonia ostii) for six metal elements (Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg). Results revealed Cr and Cd in soils, and Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn in dustfall showed a relatively high contamination degree. The mean contents of Cr and Pb in corn kernels, as well as Cd, Cr and Pb in rice grains and all vegetables, and Cr in Fengdan cortex moutan exceeded the corresponding food safety limits in China. The transfer capability of Cr in corn kernels and rice grains, Pb in edible vegetables, and Cd in cortex moutan were the strongest, respectively. Health risk assessment results showed Cr had the greatest non-carcinogenic risk, followed by Pb and Cd. The results of pearson's correlation analysis (CA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated Zn-Cr, Pb and Cd-Cu-Hg in the plants might derive from different geochemical end-members. Source apportionment based on lead isotope showed that mining-smelting activities were the major source of Pb in atmospheric dustfall and agricultural soils, with the average contribution rates of 66% and 50%, respectively. Vehicle emissions from diesel fuels (50%-68%) and mining-smelting activities (16%-25%) contributed mainly to Pb accumulation in plants. Hence, our study suggested the accumulations of Pb in plants might be mainly from the direct foliar uptake of atmospheric Pb related to vehicle emissions and mining-smelting activities.

Effects of Portulaca Oleracea Extract on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury of Rats.

The present study was envisaged to investigate the chemical constituents and the intervention effects of Portulaca oleracea extract (POE) on acute alcoholic liver injury of rats. The chemical composition of POE was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Normal control (NC) group, acute alcoholic liver injury model group (ALI), low, medium and high dose of POE (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) groups and bifendate (BF, 3.75 mg/kg) group. Each group was given by intragastrical administration for 7 days. Alcoholic liver injury was induced in the experimental model by administering 50% ethanol at 8 mL/kg and repeated administration after 6 h, for a period of 7 days. The results showed that pretreatment with POE significantly reduced the ethanol-elevated serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglyceride (TG). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in liver were enhanced followed by administration of POE, while the content of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was found to decrease. Hepatic content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also reduced by POE treatment. These results indicated that POE could increase the antioxidant capacity and relieve the inflammatory injury of the liver cells induced by ethanol. Meanwhile, in our study, POE reduced the expression of miR-122, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) 1 mRNA and protein and increased the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA and protein in liver, which indicated that POE could improve the lipid metabolism disorder induced by ethanol. Our findings suggested that POE had protective effects on acute alcoholic liver injury of rats.

Biogas production and metal passivation analysis during anaerobic digestion of pig manure: effects of a magnetic Fe3O4/FA composite supplement.

Anaerobic digestion has been widely used to produce biogas renewable energy and stabilize fecal manure. In this work, magnetic fly ash composites (Fe3O4/FA) were synthesized and mixed with pig manure in different ratios to study their effects on biogas production and metal passivation during anaerobic digestion. The results showed that the use of 0.5% Fe3O4/FA presented the most positive impact on biogas production compared to anaerobic digestion without Fe3O4/FA, i.e., the total biogas and methane content increased by 13.81% and 35.13%, respectively. Variations in the concentration and speciation of heavy metals (i.e., Cu and Zn) with and without Fe3O4/FA during anaerobic digestion were also analyzed. The concentrations of Cu and Zn increased after anaerobic digestion, showing a significant "relative concentration effect". Additionally, sequential fractionation suggested that Cu was mainly present in organic matter, whereas Zn was mainly distributed in the oxidation states of iron and manganese. The addition of Fe3O4/FA enhanced the passivation of Cu and Zn in the solid digested residues, i.e., the residual states of Cu and Zn increased by 10.73% to 45.78% and 33.49% to 42.14% compared to the control, respectively. Moreover, better performance was found for the treatment with 2.5% Fe3O4/FA. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis demonstrated that Fe3O4/FA deactivated heavy metals mainly via physical adsorption during anaerobic digestion, which can convert them into stable mineral precipitates and thus decrease the solubility and mobility of these metals.

Curcumin reverses the depressive-like behavior and insulin resistance induced by chronic mild stress.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that patients with depression have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance has been identified as the key mechanism linking depression and diabetes. The present study established a rat model of depression complicated by insulin resistance using a 12-week exposure to chronic mild stress (CMS) and investigated the therapeutic effects of curcumin. Sucrose intake tests were used to evaluate depressive-like behaviors, and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (IPITT) were performed to evaluate insulin sensitivity. Serum parameters were detected using commercial kits. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to examine mRNA expression. CMS rats exhibited reduced sucrose consumption, increased serum glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucagon, leptin, and corticosterone levels, as well as impaired insulin sensitivity. Curcumin upregulated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and protein kinase B (Akt) in the liver, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and reversed the metabolic abnormalities and depressive-like behaviors mentioned above. Moreover, curcumin increased the hepatic glycogen content by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß and prevented gluconeogenesis by inhibiting phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase). These results suggest that curcumin not only exerted antidepressant-like effects, but also reversed the insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities induced by CMS. These data may provide evidence to support the potential use of curcumin against depression and/or metabolic disorders.

Antidepressant-like effects of standardized gypenosides: involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in hippocampus.

RATIONALE: Gypenosides have been reported to produce neuroprotective effects and increase monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain. OBJECTIVE: Considering that depression is involved in monoamine reduction, this study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of gypenosides in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS: The sucrose preference test and forced swimming test were performed after administration of gypenosides (at 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream targets were analyzed by western blot. Additionally, hippocampal neuronal proliferation was measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Four-week treatment with fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and gypenosides (at either 50 or 100 mg/kg) increased sucrose preference and decreased the immobility time in mice exposed to CUMS. In addition, gypenosides (at either 50 or 100 mg/kg) also increased BDNF expression and neuronal proliferation in the hippocampus of CUMS animals. Further, we showed that treating CUMS mice with K252a, which is an inhibitor of the BDNF receptor TrkB, blocked the effects of gypenosides (100 mg/kg), including behavioral improvements, neuronal proliferation, and up-regulation of p-TrkB, p-ERK, and p-Akt proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that gypenosides exhibit antidepressant-like effects in mice, which may be mediated by activation of the BDNF-ERK/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus.

Effects of Proanthocyanidins on Intestinal Motility Disturbance Following Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential protective effects of Proanthocyanidins(PAs) on intestinal motility disturbance following intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were divided into four groups: Sham, I/R, I/R+PA100 and I/R+PA200. Sham group underwent laparotomy without ligation, the others were subjected to intestinal ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion 4 h. Rats in the I/R+PA100 group received PAs (100 mg/kg/d) for 5 days prior to I/R, while rats in the I/R+PA200 group received PAs (200 mg/kg/d). After reperfusion, using an electrophysiology instrument measured ileal slow wave. Ileal specimens were obtained to determine contractility, tissue levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 and evaluate histopathological changes. In addition, blood sample was obtained to determine serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. RESULTS: Intestinal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including mucosal erosions, inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Both PAs treatment decreased mucosal pathological impairment in comparison with the I/R group (p < .05) in light microscopic evaluations. In both PAs-treated groups, Bax and Caspase-3 expression were decreased compared to I/R group, while the Bcl-2 expression increased (p < .05), which was similarly the case for serum SOD activity demonstrated significant enhance (p < .05) and decline in MDA levels in comparison with I/R group (both p < .05). Moreover, PAs treatment was more efficient in attenuating serum MDA levels of intestinal I/R (both p < .05). And the contractile amplitude and frequency of slow wave in I/R+PA100 and I/R+PA200 groups were higher than I/R group (both p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: PAs improve intestinal motility disturbance following intestinal I/R by alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Antidepressant effects of the water extract from Taraxacum officinale leaves and roots in mice.

CONTEXT: The leaves and roots of the Taraxacum officinale F. (Asteraceae) is widely used as traditional medicinal herb in Eastern Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the antidepressant-like effects of the water extract of T. officinale (WETO) leaves and roots were investigated in mice using forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open field test (OFT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of acute (1-day) and chronic treatments (14-days) with WETO (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) on the behavioral changes in FST, TST and OFT, and the serum corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone concentration were assessed in mice. RESULTS: Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly decreased the immobility time in both FST (92.6, 85.1 and 77.4 s) and TST (84.8, 72.1 and 56.9 s). Acute treatment (1-day) with WETO at a dose of 200 mg/kg also markedly decreased the immobility time in both FST (81.7 s) and TST (73.2 s). However, all treatments did not affect the locomotor activity in the OFT. Moreover, FST induced a significant increase in serum CRF (5.8 ng/ml), ACTH (104.7 pg/ml) and corticosterone levels (37.3 ng/ml). Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO decreased the serum CRF (200 mg/kg: 3.9 ng/ml) and corticosterone (50 mg/kg: 29.9 ng/ml; 100 mg/kg: 22.5 ng/ml; 200 mg/kg: 19.8 ng/ml) levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results clearly demonstrated the antidepressant effects of WETO in animal models of behavioral despair and suggested the mechanism involved in the neuroendocrine system.

Bodyweight loss in predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia 72 hours after birth in term newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Severe dehydration is generally believed to be a cause of significant hyperbilirubinemia in newborn babies. This study aimed to analyze the weight loss of healthy term newborn infants at 24, 48 and 72 hours after birth to predict significant hyperbilirubinemia at 72 hours. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2008, we conducted this retrospective chart review by measuring total bilirubin (transcutaneous and serum) in 343 healthy, term newborns with a birth body weight of more than 2500 g. We then analyzed the association between body weight loss (BWL) and significant hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin more than 15 mg/dL) 72 hours after birth. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the appropriate cutoff BWL percentages on the first three days after birth for the prediction of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia 72 hours after birth. RESULTS: A total of 115 (33.5%) neonates presented with significant hyperbilirubinemia 72 hours after birth, and the percentages of BWL on the first three days were all higher than those in the non-significant hyperbilirubinemia group (all p < 0.05). Breastfeeding was not statistically correlated with significant hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.86). To predict significant hyperbilirubinemia 72 hours after birth, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimum cutoff BWL percentages were 4.48% on the first day of life (sensitivity: 43%, specificity: 70%, positive likelihood ratio [LR+]: 1.43, and negative likelihood ratio [LR-]: 0.82), 7.60% on day 2 (sensitivity: 47%, specificity: 74%, LR+: 1.81, LR-: 0.72), and 8.15% on day 3 (sensitivity: 57%, specificity: 70%, LR+: 1.92, LR-: 0.61) (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BWL on the first three days after birth may be a predisposing factor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and may also serve as a helpful clinical factor to prevent significant hyperbilirubinemia 72 hours after birth. The optimal BWL cutoff percentages on the first three days after birth presented in this study may predict hyperbilirubinemia and indicate the need for supplementary feeding.

Protection of curcumin against fructose-induced hyperuricaemia and renal endothelial dysfunction involves NO-mediated JAK-STAT signalling in rats.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that excess fructose consumption as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome causes hyperuricaemia and renal injury. Curcumin, a natural plant phenolic food additive, lowered serum urate, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, and increased urinary urate and nitrate/nitrites levels, as well as renal nitric oxide (NO) production in fructose-fed rats. Moreover, curcumin regulated urate transport-related proteins and inhibited activation of the JAK2-STAT3 cascade and overexpression of SOCS3 and TGF-ß1 in the kidneys of fructose-fed rats. These results suggested that the anti-hyperuricaemic and renal protective actions of curcumin might be the result of renal NO-mediated JAK2-STAT3 signalling and TGF-ß1 normality, which ameliorated renal endothelial dysfunction to improve renal urate transporter system in this model. The present study may provide the evidence for the potential use of a functional food ingredient curcumin because of its action against hyperuricaemia and renal injury induced by high fructose intake.

Antidepressant-like synergism of extracts from magnolia bark and ginger rhizome alone and in combination in mice.

Magnolia bark and ginger rhizome is a drug pair in many prescriptions for treatment of mental disorders in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, compatibility and synergism mechanism of two herbs on antidepressant actions have not been reported. The aim of this study was to approach the rationale of the drug pair in TCM. We evaluated antidepressant-like effects of mixture of honokiol and magnolol (HMM), polysaccharides (PMB) from magnolia bark, essential oil (OGR) and polysaccharides (PGR) from ginger rhizome alone, and the possibility of synergistic interactions in their combinations in the mouse forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) levels in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum were also examined. 30 mg/kg HMM decreased immobility in the FST and TST in mice after one- and two-week treatment. OGR (19.5 or 39 mg/kg) alone was ineffective. The combination of an ineffective dose of 39 mg/kg OGR with 15 mg/kg HMM was the most effective and produced a synergistic action on behaviors after two-week treatment. Significant increase in 5-HT and synergistic increase in NE in prefrontal cortex were observed after co-administration of HMM with OGR. These results demonstrated that HMM was the principal component of this drug pair, whereas OGR served as adjuvant fraction. Compatibility of HMM with OGR was suggested to exert synergistic antidepressant actions by attenuating abnormalities in serotonergic and noradrenergic system functions. Therefore, we confirmed the rationality of drug pair in clinical application and provided a novel perspective in drug pair of TCM researches.

Antidepressant-like effects of curcumin on serotonergic receptor-coupled AC-cAMP pathway in chronic unpredictable mild stress of rats.

Serotonergic receptors take their physiologic effects by affecting adenylyl cyclase (AC) catalytic activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration. AC-cAMP second messenger pathway has been recently suggested to play an important role in depression. Therefore, the compound that regulates the signal pathway may have potential as antidepressant. Curcumin is the main component of Curcuma longa L, a well-known indigenous herb with comprehensive bioactivities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and curcumin on behaviours and serotonergic receptor-coupled AC-cAMP signal pathway in rats. Curcumin produced beneficial effects on the stressed rats by effectively improving CUMS-induced low sucrose consumption and reducing serum corticosterone levels in rats. Moreover, curcumin enhanced AC activity and cAMP levels in platelet and various brain regions, and up-regulated mRNA expressions of AC subtypes AC 2, AC 8 and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus, cortex and hypothalamus of the CUMS rats. Curcumin also attenuated CUMS-induced reductions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and high expressions of central 5-HT(1A/1B/7) receptors in rats. These results suggested that the potent antidepressant property of curcumin might be attributed to its improvement of AC-cAMP pathway as well as CREB via suppressing central 5-HT(1A/1B/7) receptors in the CUMS rats. Our findings provided a basis for examining the interaction of serotonergic receptors and AC-cAMP pathway in depression and curcumin treatment.