Huaier Inhibits Gastric Cancer Growth and Hepatic Metastasis by Reducing Syntenin Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide and poses a serious threat to human health. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Huaier (Trametes robiniophila Murr.) has been used in the clinical treatment of GC. However, the mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of Huaier remains poorly understood. In this study, we used in vivo imaging technology to determine the anticancer effect of the Huaier n-butanol extract (HBE) on orthotopic and hepatic metastasis of GC mouse models. We found that HBE suppressed tumor growth and metastasis without causing apparent host toxicity. Proteomic analysis of GC cells before and after HBE intervention revealed syntenin to be one of the most significantly downregulated proteins after HBE intervention. We further demonstrated that HBE suppressed the growth and metastasis of GC by reducing the expression of syntenin and the phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, we confirmed that syntenin was highly expressed in GC tissue and correlated with metastasis and poor prognosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that Huaier, a clinically used anticancer drug, may inhibit the growth and liver metastasis of GC by inhibiting the syntenin/STAT3 signaling pathway and reversing EMT.

Utilization of coal fly ash waste for effective recapture of phosphorus from waters.

Reutilization of the waste by-products from industrial and agricultural activities is crucially important towards attainment of environmental sustainability and the 'circular economy'. In this study, we have developed and evaluated a sustainably-sourced adsorbent from coal fly ash, which was modified by a small amount of lanthanum (La-FA), for the recapture of phosphorous (P) from both synthetic and real natural waters. The prepared La-FA adsorbent possessed typical characteristic diffraction peaks similar to zeolite type Na-P1, and the BET surface area of La-FA was measured to be 10.9 times higher than that of the original FA. Investigation of P adsorption capability indicated that the maximum adsorption (10.8 mg P g-1) was 6.14 times higher than that (1.8 mg P g-1) of the original fly ash material. The ζ potentials measurement and P K-edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectra demonstrated that P was bonded on La-FA surfaces via an adsorption mechanism. After applying the proposed adsorbent to real lake water with La/P molar ratios in the range from 0.5:1 to 3:1, the La-FA adsorbent showed the highest phosphate removal ability with a La/P molar ratio 1:1, and the P adsorption was similar to that performance with the synthetic solution. Moreover, the La-FA absorbent produced a negligible effect on the concentrations of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), NH4+-N and NO3--N in water. This study thus provides a potential material for effective P recapture and details of its operation.

Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Can Reverse Vitamin D Deficiency-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment by Altering 27-Hydroxycholesterol and S-Adenosylmethionine.

The cholesterol-oxidized metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is synthesized by CYP27A1, which is a key factor in vitamin D and oxysterol metabolism. Both vitamin D and 27-OHC are considered to play important roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study aims to research the effects of co-supplementation of vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12 on learning and memory ability in vitamin D-deficient mice, and to explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, C57BL/6J mice were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet for 13 weeks to establish a vitamin D-deficient mice model. The vitamin D-deficient mice were then orally gavaged with vitamin D (VD), folic acid (FA), and vitamin B12 (VB12) alone or together for eight weeks. Following the gavage, the learning and memory ability of the mice were evaluated by Morris Water Maze and Novel object recognition test. The CYP27A1-related gene and protein expressions in the liver and brain were determined by qRT-PCR. The serum level of 27-OHC was detected by HPLC-MS. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, homocysteine (Hcy), and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) were measured by ELISA. After feeding with the vitamin D-deficient diet, the mice performed longer latency to a platform (p < 0.001), lower average speed (p = 0.026) in the Morris Water Maze, a lower time discrimination index (p = 0.009) in Novel object recognition, and performances were reversed after vitamin D, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation alone or together (p < 0.05). The gene expressions of CYP27A1 in the liver and brain were upregulated in the vitamin D-deficiency (VDD) group compared with the control (CON) group (p = 0.015), while it was downregulated in VDD + VD and VDD + VD-FA/VB12 groups compared with the VDD group (p < 0.05), with a similar trend in the protein expression of CYP27A1. The serum levels of 27-OHC were higher in the VDD group, compared with CON, VDD + VD, and VDD + VD-FA/VB12 group (p < 0.05), and a similar trend was found in the brain. The serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly decreased in the vitamin D-deficiency group (p = 0.008), and increased in the vitamin D-supplemented group (p < 0.001). The serum levels of SAM were higher in the B vitamins-supplemented group, compared with CON and VDD groups (p < 0.05). This study suggests that CYP27A1 expression may be involved in the mechanism of learning and memory impairment induced by vitamin D deficiency. Co-supplementation with vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12 significantly reverses this effect by affecting the expression of CYP27A1, which in turn regulates the metabolism of 27-OHC, 25(OH)D, and SAM.

[Effects of crude oil pollution on soil moisture infiltration with loessial soil and aeolian sandy soil]. / åŽŸæ²¹æ±¡æŸ“å¯¹é»„ç»µåœŸå’Œé£Žæ²™åœŸæ°´åˆ†å ¥æ¸—çš„å½±å“.

Crude oil may block soil pores, affect soil water repellency, and change soil water movement. In this study, soil column simulation was used to study the effects of different crude oil pollution levels (0, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%) on the water infiltration processes in loessial soil and aeolian sandy soil. The results showed that soil wetting front speed and infiltration rate of those two soils decreased with increasing crude oil content. The time needed for wetting front reaching the bottom of the soil column was the longest under 4% crude oil polluted soil, which was 4 times and 48 times longer than that of no crude oil polluted soil for loessial soil and aeolian sandy soil, respectively. The cumulative infiltration of loessial soil decreased with increasing crude oil content, while it increased to the max and then decreased as the crude oil content increased in aeolian sandy soil. The cumulative infiltration curves of aeolian sandy soil with high crude oil contents (2% and 4%) presented "up-tail" phenomenon. Kostiakov infiltration model and Philip infiltration model could better fit the infiltration process than Green-Ampt model for loessial soil with different crude oil content. However, the two models could only well fit the infiltration process for aeolian sandy soil with low crude oil content (0, 0.5%, 1%). Crude oil pollution could significantly affect soil water infiltration process, especiall in aeolian sandy soil.

The lignan-rich fraction from Sambucus Williamsii Hance ameliorates dyslipidemia and insulin resistance and modulates gut microbiota composition in ovariectomized rats.

Menopausal women are susceptible to have high risk of cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and osteoporosis due to the metabolic disorder caused by estrogen deficiency. Accumulating evidence supports that gut microbiota is a key regulator of metabolic diseases. Our previous metabolomics study interestingly demonstrated that the anti-osteoporotic effects of lignan-rich fraction (SWCA) from Sambucus wialliamsii Hance were related to the restoration of a series of lipid and glucose metabolites. This study aims to investigate how SWCA modulates lipid and glucose metabolism and the underlying mechanism. Our results show that oral administration of SWCA (140 mg/kg and 280 mg/kg) for 10 weeks alleviated dyslipidemia, improved liver functions, prevented glucose tolerance and insulin actions, attenuated system inflammation and improved intestinal barrier in OVX rats. It also induced a high abundance of Actinobacteria, and restored microbial composition. We are the first to report the protective effects of the lignan-rich fraction from S. williamsii on dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Our findings provide strong evidence for the application of this lignan-rich fraction to treat menopausal lipid disorder and insulin resistance-related diseases.

Water quality variation in tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir from 2000 to 2015.

The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) underwent staged impoundment during 2003-2010. Periodic water impoundment included drainage (March to early June), low water level (June to August), impoundment (September to October), and high water level (November to February) periods. However, the impacts of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) and impoundment on water quality of TGR tributaries remain poorly understood, especially in the long term and across the entire TGR drainage basin. Herein, water quality and hydrological indices of 27 tributaries, eutrophication of 38 tributaries, and pollution load of the TGR were determined during 2000-2015 to explore spatiotemporal variations in water quality. The results revealed slower flow velocity in tributaries and an extended residence time with the water level rising, and the water quality of tributaries was mainly affected by the mainstream backwater movement. Water quality was good in more than 60% of tested sites, had the best condition in the impoundment period, and it increased over time. Spatially, water quality in tributary upstream was better than in the backwater area, and worst in the tributary estuary. Among water quality indices, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were the key pollution indices, with median range of 1.619-2.739 and 0.088-0.277 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, water quality indices of TGR tributaries displayed temporal and spatial heterogeneity due to different hydrodynamic and pollution load conditions. A total of 38 tributaries displayed eutrophication, the frequency of blooms concentrated in spring and increased from the upper tributaries to the downstream area. These results expanded the theory of hydrodynamic variation and the associated evolution of the water environment after impoundment, could provide theoretical references for water quality management in river-type reservoir.

Temporal and spatial variation in water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir from 1998 to 2018.

The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) underwent staged impoundment of water from 135 m to 175 m between 2003 and 2010. Periodic water impoundment was divided into drainage (March to early June), low water level (June to August), impoundment (September to October), and high water level (November to February) period. However, the impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) and staged impoundment on water quality, especially in the long term, remains unclear. Herein, hydrological, pollution load, nutrient, and biochemical indices were determined for the TGR during 1998-2018. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index, a K-means clustering algorithm, and the Mann-Kendall (MK) test were applied to this data to explore the spatial and temporal distribution of water quality. The results show that water quality was good overall, but it before the full impoundment stage (2010) was worse than after that. The low water level period had the worst water quality among the four periods, and spatially, midstream was worst. Among water quality indices, the median total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were in the range of 1.505-2.303 and 0.071-0.176 mg/L, respectively, and these were the key pollution indices. In addition, due to differences in hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions, and the regional distribution of pollution sources, water quality in the TGR displayed temporal and spatial heterogeneity. TN, TP, potassium permanganate index (CODMn), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were maximal during the low water level period, and TN, TP and E. coli were highest in midstream. MK test results revealed that nutrients pollution became worse midstream, and a gradual increase in TP caused severe algal blooms downstream. Therefore, nutritional water treatment and non-point source pollution control should be the focus of future work.

Effects of river-lake interactions in water and sediment on phosphorus in Dongting Lake, China.

As a large river connected lake, Dongting Lake is influenced by anthropogenic activities and the discharge from its upstream tributaries in the lake basin and by the water recharge via a connection to the Yangtze River (YR) outside the basin. This makes the lake phosphorous cycle more complex than that in other disconnected lakes. Here, we calculated section fluxes and ran a hydrodynamic model to investigate the phosphorus (P) variations in response to the changing interactions in the water and sediment between the YR, four tributaries, and the lake. Results show that particulate P was the dominant form with a significant linear relationship with suspended sediment (r 2 = 0.906). The sediment input reduction from the YR through three water inlets, which is closely related to the Three Gorges Reservoir operation since 2003, led to a decrease in the total P (TP) concentration in the western Dongting Lake. However, the impact and range of this decrease were fairly limited. Compared with the limited effect of the YR, the raised TP flux from the Yuanjiang tributary controlled the TP concentration at the outlet of the western Dongting Lake. Apart from the influence of the YR and the tributaries, anthropogenic activities (sand dredging) in the eastern Dongting Lake also contributed to a high TP concentration around the S10 area through sediment resuspension. We suggest that, compared with the reduction in TP flux and sediment load from the connected Yangtze River outside the basin, the elements within the basin (increased TP input from tributaries and sand dredging) have a greater effect on the variations of TP in Dongting Lake.

[Correlation of MRI apparent diffusion coeffcient with molecular marker Ki-67 in gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVES: To study the correlation between MRI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and expression of Ki-67 in gastric cancers, and to investigate the application of ADC value in diagnosing the malignance of gastric cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 87 gastric cancer patients who received MRI examination and radical resection at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2014 to August 2015. All the postoperative resected samples were confirmed as gastric cancer. Preoperative MRI examination was performed by using Siemens 3.0-T Verio MRI with following parameters: section thickness 3 mm, gap 1 mm, matrix 182×320, field of view 40 cm. Plain scan was followed by T1-weighted fat suppression technique VIBE 3D(TR3.92/TE1.39,90degree) scans at arterial phase (the 30th second), portal venous phase (the 60th second), lag period (the 90th second), axial planes and coronal planes (the 180th second), and sagittal planes (the 210th second), respectively. ADC value of tumor was measured at b-factor of 800 s/mm2 and ADC map was generated from DWI data on the work station. The expression of Ki-67 in cancer tissue was detected by routine immunohistochemical (SP) staining after surgery. Correlation between ADC value and the expression of Ki-67 in gastric cancer was analyzed. RESULTS: Irregular thickening of the gastric wall and inhomogeneous enhancement of the tumor after injection of the contrast material appeared in gastric cancer. Gastric cancer tissue presented hyperintensity and normal gastric wall presented isointensity in DWI image (b=800 s/mm2). Compared with normal gastric tissue, mean ADC value of gastric cancer tissue was significant lower [(1.114±0.265)×10-3 mm2/s vs. (2.032±0.202)×10-3 mm2/s, t=26.209, P=0.000]. The ADC values of high-middle differentiation group, middle-low differentiation group, low differentiation group and signet ring cell carcinoma/mucinous adenocarcinoma group were (1.347±0.234)×10-3 mm2/s, (1.179±0.257)×10-3 mm2/s, (0.996±0.185)×10-3 mm2/s and (1.082±0.230)×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. The difference of mean ADC value among different tumor stages was significant(F=8.498, P=0.000). Along with the Ki-67 expression up-regulated, the ADC value decreased in cancer tissue. The Ki-67 expressions in cancer tissue was negatively correlated with cancer ADC values (r=-0.570, P=0.000). Furthermore, negative correlations of Ki-67 expressions with ADC values of high-middle differentiation group (r=-0.627, P=0.016), low differentiation group (r=-0.787, P=0.000) and signet ring cell carcinoma/mucinous adenocarcinoma group (r=-0.792, P=0.000) were observed respectively, while Ki-67 expression was not correlated with ADC value of middle-low differentiation group. CONCLUSION: The ADC value of gastric cancer can reflect the level of tumor differentiation, and is negatively correlated with Ki-67 expression in cancer tissues.

TNFAIP3 downregulation mediated by histone modification contributes to T-cell dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: TNF-α-induced protein 3 ( TNFAIP3 ) is one of the major SLE susceptibility genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses through modulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. We aim to assess TNFAIP3 expression in CD4 + T cells and the molecular mechanism underlying TNFAIP3 regulation in the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods: The expression and epigenetic regulation of TNFAIP3 in CD4 + T cells from SLE patients and normal controls (NCs) were investigated by RT-quantitative PCR, western blot and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The functional effect of TNFAIP3 was further evaluated by knockdown or overproduction of TNFAIP3 in CD4 + T cells from SLE patients and NCs. Results: TNFAIP3 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the CD4 + T cells of SLE patients compared with NCs. The reduced expression of TNFAIP3 was associated with the reduction of H3K4me3 in the gene promoter region. Functional blockage of TNFAIP3 in normal CD4 + T cells using small interfering RNA increased the expression of IFN-γ and IL-17, but not IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5. Nevertheless, overexpression of TNFAIP3 in CD4 + T cells from SLE patients resulted in the suppression of IFN-γ and IL-17 production. Conclusion: The downregulation of TNFAIP3 in CD4 + T cells of SLE was potentially regulated by demethylation of histone H3K4, which led to a decreased amount of H3K4me3 in the promoter of the TNFAIP3 gene. The dysregulation of TNFAIP3 in CD4 + T cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE by overproduction of inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and IL-17. TNFAIP3 may serve as a promising target for the treatment of SLE in clinical practice.

[Succession Pattern of Phytoplankton of Daning River in the Three Gorges Reservoir and Its Driving Factors].

To elucidate succession pattern of phytoplankton in the Daning River and its driving factors, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted. By using the monitoring data in different seasons of Daning river during April 2012 to January 2013, this paper analyzed the succession pattern of phytoplankton in the Daning River and its driving factors in typical tributaries of river-style reservoirs. According to the characteristics of water level, the operational period of the TGR was classified into following four stages:stage Ⅰ (pre-November-April), stage Ⅱ (May-July), stage Ⅲ (July-September) and stage Ⅳ (September-November). ① The results indicated that the values of Chlorophyll-a concentrations and algal density showed similar seasonal variations, with the highest values occurring in stage Ⅲ, followed by stages Ⅳ, Ⅱ and Ⅰ. Succession of C-R-S growth strategies was the same generally:CR-R type dominated in stage Ⅰ, CS, CR/CS and R-CR dominated in stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, respectively. ② The mean values of Margalef index and Pielou index in stage Ⅳ and Ⅲ were significantly greater than those in stage Ⅱ and Ⅰ; the value of Shannon-waver index showed that the highest value in stage Ⅲ, followed in a descending order by stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ; the successional rate had the highest value in stage Ⅳ, followed in descending order by stage Ⅲ, Ⅰ and Ⅱ. ③ The results of Correlation analysis suggested that no significant relationships were observed between the environmental parameters and phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅰ. The results indicated that relative water column stability(RWCS), index of feasible energy for phytoplankton (Et) and index of feasible energy (Ef*) were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community in stage Ⅰ. The results indicated that Et, Ef* and total phosphorus (TP) were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅱ. The results of the redundancy analysis (RDA) suggested that RWCS, TP and the ratio of euphotic depth[Deu(λPAR)] to mixing depth (Dmix)[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix] were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅱ. The results indicated that Ef* and TP were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅲ. The results of the RDA suggested that[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix],Et, Ef* and TP were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅲ. The results indicated that TP was key regulatory factor for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅳ. The results of the RDA suggested that[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix] was key regulatory factor for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅳ.

Manipulating nutrient limitation using modified local soils: A case study at Lake Taihu (China).

The effect of geo-engineering materials of chitosan modified local soil (MLS) on nutrient limitation was studied in comparable whole ponds in Lake Taihu in October 2013. After 20 kg MLS were sprayed in the whole water pond (400 m(2)), the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration was decreased from 42 to 18 µg L(-1) within 2 h and remained below 20 µg L(-1) in the following 15 months, while the average Chl-a was 36 µg L(-1) in the control pond throughout the experiment. In situ nutrient addition bioassay experiments indicated that the nutrient limitation was shifted from nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) co-limitation to P limitation after MLS treatment from October 2013 to March 2014 compared to the control pond. In the cyanobacterial bloom season of June 2014, N and P co-limitation remained and N was the primary limiting nutrient and P was a secondary one in the control pond where phytoplankton biomass showed significant increase by N addition and further increase by N + P additions, while both N and P became the limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth where only combined N and P additions showed significant Chl-a stimulation in the treatment pond. In the next summer (June 2014), a cyanobacteria-dominated state still remained in the control pond but chlorophytes, bacillariophytes and cyanophytes distributed equally and submerged vegetation was largely restored in the treatment pond. Meanwhile, the upper limiting concentration of DIN was enhanced from 0.8 to 1.5 mg L(-1) and SRP from 0.1 to 0.3 mg L(-1) compared to the control pond. This study indicates that nutrient limitation can be manipulated by using MLS technology.

Tumor necrosis factor antagonists in the treatment of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: Current clinical evidence.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare and debilitating systemic disorder characterized by cutaneous nodules and destructive polyarthritis. Due to its unknown etiology, the treatment of MRH varies with different rates of success, which causes treatment options to be rather independent and empirical. In the present study, a case of a 48­year­old woman with a 12­month history of polyarthralgia and skin nodules was reported. Biopsy samples, which were obtained from her skin eruption exhibited dermal infiltration with histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemical staining indicated positivity for CD68. The patient was diagnosed with MRH and treated with a combination therapy of infliximab, prednisolone and methotrexate. Her symptoms improved markedly within 2 weeks. Following the results of this case study, a systematic review of 17 cases of MRH treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists was performed, and the efficacy of anti­TNF treatment in MRH was analyzed.

In vitro digestibility and changes in physicochemical and structural properties of common buckwheat starch affected by high hydrostatic pressure.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), a non-thermal processing technology, was applied at 120, 240, 360, 480, and 600MPa to assess its effect on the in vitro digestibility, physicochemical, and structural properties of common buckwheat starch (CBS). HHP treatment resulted in CBS granules with more rough surfaces. With the increasing pressure level, amylose content, pasting temperature, and thermal stability substantially increased and relative crystallinity, hardness, swelling power, and viscosity decreased. At 120-480MPa, HHP did not affect the 'A'-type crystalline pattern of CBS. However, at 600MPa, HHP contributed to a similar 'B'-type pattern. Compared with native starch, HHP-modified CBS samples had lower in vitro hydrolysis, reduced content of rapidly digestible starch, and increased levels of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. These results revealed that the in vitro digestibility, physicochemical, and structural properties of CBS are effectively modified by HHP.

Involvement of Nuclear Related Factor 2 Signaling Pathway in the Brain of Obese Rats and Obesity-Resistant Rats Induced by High-Fat Diet.

We aimed to investigate the mechanism of brain damage in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats and diet-resistant (DR) rats from the viewpoint of redox state and nuclear related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to obtain the DIO and DR rats. d-Galactose was injected subcutaneously through the back of the neck for 10 weeks to establish oxidative stress model rats. Then, the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and brain tissue were measured by using enzymatic assay kits. The levels of cholecystokinin and peptide YY in the brain tissue were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. In addition, the protein expression of Nrf2 and its downstream factors such as heme oxygenase 1, manganese superoxide dismutase, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the brain tissue were measured by Western blotting. In the brain of DIO rats, the level of GSH and ratio of GSH/GSSG were lower, whereas the GSH-Px concentration was higher compared with DR rats significantly. On the other hand, the GSSG level was higher in the serum of DIO rats compared with the DR rats. The oxidative stress state in the brain of DIO rats, but not in DR rats, were observed. In addition, the protein expressions of Nrf2 and NQO1 were downregulated in the brain of DR rats compared with that in DIO rats. Our data suggest that the Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway and redox state were involved in the pathogenesis of the rats prone to obesity, but not the DR rats resistant to obesity.

Optimization of processing technology of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum and its anti-tumor effect.

BACKGROUND: Rhizoma Pinelliae is the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Rhizoma Pinelliae has antitussive, antiemetic, glandular secretion inhibiting and antitumor effects. OBJECTIVES: To optimize the processing technology of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum, and to study its anti-tumor effect. METHODS: Orthogonal design method was applied to analyze the effects of factors such as licorice concentration volume, soaking time and processing temperature on processing technology of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum; MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to determine the inhibitory effect of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum on Bel-7402 cells. RESULTS: During the processing of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum, the size of influence of licorice concentration volume, soaking time and processing temperature on processing results of Rhizoma Pinelliae was: B>C>A in descending order, i.e. soaking time>processing temperature>licorice concentration volume, different concentrations of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum ethanol extracts could all exert inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of Bel-7402 cells, and with the increase of drug concentration and the extension of culture time, the cell proliferation inhibitory effect of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum ethanol extract became more and more evident. Apoptotic rate of 1.5 mg/ml Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum ethanol extract group reached 13.53%, the difference was extremely significant compared with the control group. In conclusion the factor most influential to the processing technology of Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum was soaking time, followed by processing temperature, the factor least influential was licorice concentration volume. CONCLUSION: Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum has inhibitory effect on growth and proliferation of Bel-7402 cells.

Silver-catalyzed carbon-phosphorus functionalization of N-(p-methoxyaryl)propiolamides coupled with dearomatization: access to phosphorylated aza-decenones.

Silver-catalyzed cascade difunctionalization of N-(p-methoxyaryl)propiolamides coupled with dearomatization was achieved and used to regiospecifically construct a variety of phosphorylated aza-decenones bearing adjacent quaternary stereocenters under mild conditions in moderate to excellent yields.

A novel four-step system for screening angiogenesis inhibitors.

Angiogenesis exhibits a significant effect on tumor progression. Inhibiting angiogenesis may provide significant advantages over currently available therapeutics for cancer therapies thus, the development of a system of screening angiogenesis is essential. In the present study, a novel available system of screening angiogenesis inhibitors by four steps was developed. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), yolk sac membrane and early chick embryo blood island assay were initially performed to obtain possible antitumor compounds. The MMTV­PyMT transgenic breast cancer mouse model was used for final screening and to confirm potential antitumor effects. Four angiogenesis inhibitors were isolated from 480 compounds, which were obtained from ICCB known bioactives library, by a combination of the CAM, yolk sac membrane and early chick embryo blood island assay. The MMTV­PyMT mouse was treated with one of four agents and it was demonstrated that the tumor volume was significantly inhibited. These results demonstrate that the four­step screening system is feasible.

Impact of suspended inorganic particles on phosphorus cycling in the Yellow River (China).

Phosphorus (P) in water and sediment in the Yellow River was measured for 21 stations from the source to the Bohai Sea in 2006-2007. The average total particulate matter (TPM) increased from 40 mg/L (upper reaches) to 520 mg/L (middle reaches) and 950 mg/L in the lower reaches of the river. The average dissolved PO4 concentration (0.43 µmol/L) was significantly higher than that in 1980's but lower than the world average level despite high nutrient input to the system. Much of the P input was removed by adsorption, which was due to the high TPM rather than the surface activity of the particles since they had low labile Fe and low affinity for P. The sediment was a sink for P in the middle to lower reaches but not in the upper to middle reaches. TPM has been reduced by more than an order of magnitude due to artificial dams operating over recent decades. Modeling revealed that TPM of 0.2-1 g/L was a critical threshold for the Yellow River, below which most of the phosphate input cannot be removed by the particles and may cause eutrophication. These findings are important for river management and land-ocean modeling of global biogeochemical P cycling.

Water mass interaction in the confluence zone of the Daning River and the Yangtze River--a driving force for algal growth in the Three Gorges Reservoir.

Increasing eutrophication and algal bloom events in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir, China, are widely discussed with regard to changed hydrodynamics and nutrient transport and distribution processes. Insights into water exchange and interaction processes between water masses related to large-scale water level fluctuations in the reservoir are crucial to understand water quality and eutrophication dynamics. Therefore, confluence zones of tributaries with the Yangtze River main stream are dedicated key interfaces. In this study, water quality data were recorded in situ and on-line in varying depths with the MINIBAT towed underwater multi-sensor system in the confluence zone of the Daning River and the Yangtze River close to Wushan City during 1 week in August 2011. Geostatistical evaluation of the water quality data was performed, and results were compared to phosphorus contents of selective water samples. The strongly rising water level throughout the measurement period caused Yangtze River water masses to flow upstream into the tributary and supply their higher nutrient and particulate loads into the tributary water body. Rapid algal growth and sedimentation occurred immediately when hydrodynamic conditions in the confluence zone became more serene again. Consequently, water from the Yangtze River main stream can play a key role in providing nutrients to the algal bloom stricken water bodies of its tributaries.