Berberine Metabolites Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Berberine (BBR) is a principal component of Rhizoma coptidis known for its therapeutic potential in treating diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Despite the trace levels of BBR in plasma, it's believed that its metabolites play a pivotal role in its biological activities. While BBR is recognized to promote GLP-1 production in intestinal L cells, the cytoprotective effects of its metabolites on these cells are yet to be explored. The present study investigates the effects of BBR metabolites on GLP-1 secretion and the underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that, out of six BBR metabolites, berberrubine (BBB) and palmatine (PMT) significantly increased the production and glucose-stimulated secretion of GLP-1 in GLUTag cells. Notably, both BBB and PMT could facilitate GLP-1 and insulin secretion and enhance glucose tolerance in standard mice. Moreover, a single dose of PMT could markedly increase plasma GLP-1 and improve glucose tolerance in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. In palmitic acid or TNF[Formula: see text]-treated GLUTag cells, BBB and PMT alleviated cell death, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, they could effectively reverse inflammation-induced inhibition of the Akt signaling pathway. In general, these insights suggest that the beneficial effects of orally administered BBR on GLP-1 secretion are largely attributed to the pharmacological activity of BBB and PMT by their above cytoprotective effects on L cells, which provide important ideas for stimulating GLP-1 secretion and the treatment of T2DM.

Dietary Components and Nutritional Strategies for Dementia Prevention in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: For decades, evidence from observational studies and randomized controlled trials has converged to suggest associations of dietary components, foods, and dietary patterns with dementia. With population aging and a projected exponential expansion of people living with dementia, formulating nutritional strategies for dementia prevention has become a research hotspot. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to summarize available data on the roles of specific dietary components, food groups, and dietary patterns in dementia prevention among the elderly. METHODS: Database search was carried out using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Medline. RESULTS: Polyphenols, folate, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and ß-carotene might decrease the risk of dementia. Consumption of green leafy vegetables, green tea, fish, and fruits is recommended. However, saturated fat, a diet rich in both dietary copper and saturated fat, aluminum from drinking water, and heavy drinking might increase dementia risk. Healthy dietary patterns, especially the Mediterranean diet, were proven to bring more cognitive benefits than single dietary components. CONCLUSION: We discussed and summarized the evidence on the roles of dietary components and patterns in dementia prevention among the elderly and found that some factors were closely associated with dementia risk in elderly. This may pave the way for the identification of dietary components and patterns as new therapeutic targets for dementia prevention in the elderly population.

Promotion of Egg Production Rate and Quality Using Limosilactobacillus oris BSLO 1801, a Potential Probiotic Screened from Feces of Laying Hens with Higher Egg Productive Performance.

In this experiment, laying hens were divided into a high productive group (group H) and a low productive group (group L). The purpose of this experiment was to screen and isolate a potential probiotic associated with the laying rate from group H by comparing the results via 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The high-throughput sequencing analysis results showed that there were some differences in the composition of the gut microbiome between groups H and L on the Phylum and Genus levels. Through isolation and identification, we screened 16 lactobacilli strains. Among the 16 strains, S5 showed good acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, and cholesterol degradation. Therefore, we chose strain S5 (identified as Limosilactobacillus oris, named Limosilactobacillus oris BSLO 1801) as a potential probiotic to promote the productivity of ordinary laying hens. During the animal experiment, 288 Hy-line white hens (30 weeks old) were divided into four groups, with six replications (n = 12) per group. The control group received the basic diet, and the treatment groups received the same basic diet supplemented with 107 CFU/kg, 108 CFU/kg, and 109 CFU/kg of BSLO 1801. The laying hens were acclimated to the environment for 1 week before the initiation of the experiment. Dietary supplementation with 107 CFU/kg and 109 CFU/kg of BSLO 1801 increased the laying rate significantly, and the potential probiotic improved the egg weight in all treatment groups. Additionally, the cholesterol content of the yolk dropped significantly in the 109 CFU/kg group, and the weight of egg yolk was significantly increased in all treatment groups. However, no significant differences in eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, protein height, and Haugh unit were observed among the four groups. These results revealed that lactobacilli spp. are important bacteria of the intestinal microbiome in highly productive laying hens, and BSLO 1801 was isolated as a potential probiotic. Through these animal experiments, we also found that adding BSLO 1801 to the basic diet of laying hens could effectively improve the laying rate, average egg weight, and yolk weight and reduce the cholesterol content in egg yolk.

A novel FGF23 mutation in hyperphosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis and its deleterious effect on protein O-glycosylation.

Background: Hyperphosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis (HFTC) is a rare disease characterized by hyperphosphatemia and ectopic calcification, predominantly at periarticular locations. This study was performed to characterize the clinical profile of tumoral calcinosis and to identify gene mutations associated with HFTC and elucidated its pathogenic role. Methods: The three subjects (two male and one female) were aged 30, 25 and 15 years, respectively. The clinical features, histopathological findings, and outcomes of three subjects with HFTC were retrospectively reviewed. The three subjects were analyzed for FGF23, GALNT3 and KL mutations. Function of mutant gene was analyzed by western blotting and wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography. Results: All subjects had hyperphosphatemia and elevated calcium-phosphorus product. Calcinosis positions included the left shoulder, left index finger, and right hip. Bone and joint damage were present in two cases and multiple foci influenced body growth in one case. The histopathological features were firm, rubbery masses comprising multiple nodules of calcified material bordered by the proliferation of mononuclear or multinuclear macrophages, osteoclastic-like giant cells, fibroblasts, and chronic inflammatory cells. The novel mutation c.484A>G (p.N162D) in exon 3 of FGF23 was identified in one subject and his family members. Measurement of circulating FGF23 in the subject confirmed low intact FGF23 and increased C-terminal fragment. In vitro experiments showed that the mutant FGF23 proteins had defective O-glycosylation and impaired protein proteolysis protection. Conclusion: We identified a novel FGF23 missense mutation, and confirmed its damaging role in FGF23 protein O-glycosylation. Our findings expand the current spectrum of FGF23 variations that influence phosphorus metabolism.

Synthesis of human milk fat substitutes based on enzymatic preparation of low erucic acid acyl-donors from rapeseed oil.

Rapeseed oil has a similar oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio to human milk fat (HMF). However, it can hardly be used for human milk fat substitute (HMFS) synthesis due to high erucic acid content. In this study, Candida cylindracea lipase (CCL) was found to strongly discriminate against erucic acid. Free fatty acids containing low erucic acid and high oleic acid and linoleic acid were prepared from rapeseed oil hydrolysis catalyzed by CCL. The erucic acid content was only 1.58% (initial 8.70%), when the degree of hydrolysis reached 79.58%. The free fatty acids were used as acyl-donors in the acidolysis catalyzed by Novozym 40086. Considering acyl incorporation and migration, the optimum conditions were 1:8 (tripalmitin to acyl-donors), 40 °C and 2 h. The erucic acid content dropped to 0.97% in the HMFS. According to the Q-TOF-MS analysis, the HMFS was rich in 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (18.20%) and 1-oleoyl-2-palmitoyl-3-linoleoyl-glycerol (17.96%), which was similar to HMF.

A gene-environment interplay between omega-3 supplementation and APOE ε4 provides insights for Alzheimer's disease precise prevention amongst high-genetic-risk population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study aimed to explore whether and how omega-3 (ω-3) supplementation could interact with genetic factors to modulate cognitive functions, amyloid pathologies, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. METHODS: A total of 1,670 non-demented participants (mean age 73 years, 47% females, 41% APOE ε4 carriers) were followed up for 10 years. Hierarchical regressions, linear mixed-effects models, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the interaction effects of ω-3 supplementation with APOE ε4 and polygenic hazard scores, after adjusting for age, gender, education, cognitive diagnosis, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular risk score. RESULTS: Individuals who progress to AD during the follow-up tend to take a shorter duration of ω-3 at baseline than those stable, for whom the difference remained significant only amongst APOE ε4 carriers (p < 0.01). The interaction term (APOE ε4 × ω-3) accounted for a significant amount of variance in cognition and cerebral amyloid burden. Long-term ω-3 use protected cognition (especially memory function) and lowered amyloid burden and AD risk only amongst APOE ε4 carriers. Mediation analysis suggested that amyloid pathologies, brain reserve capacities, and brain metabolism mediated the relationships of ω-3 use with memory and global cognition for APOE ε4 (+) carriers. Similar interaction and mediation effects were also indicated amongst high-risk subjects defined by polygenic hazard scores. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term ω-3 intake may have a role in AD prevention in genetically at-risk populations.

Impact of river dams on phosphorus migration: a case of the Pubugou Reservoir on the Dadu River in China.

Reservoirs in agricultural catchments retain large proportions of inflowing phosphorus (P). However, the effects of reservoirs on the P cycle and related biogeochemical processes remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the degree to which a typical river-transition-reservoir in Southwest China retains both inflowing particulate phosphorus (PP) and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) and various forms of P in sediments over different water seasons [normal-water season (NWS), low-water season (LWS), and high-water season (HWS)]. The proportions of inflowing PP and DTP retained were 37% and 27%, respectively. This result could be attributed to the absorption of DTP by the large load of intercepted sediment in the dam and the interception of PP itself. The rank of water seasons in terms of the proportion and load of inflowing TP retained was LWS (79%, 336 t P yr-1) > NWS (21%, 43 t P yr-1) > HWS (4%, 27 t P yr-1), which might be due to the high P concentration 0.78 mg L-1 and long hydraulic retention time (HRT) 780 d during the LWS. In the long-term, there was a high rate of retention of bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) in sediments (63%). This result could be attributed to the combined effect of fine sediment particles and organic matter (OM). In addition, HRT (R2 = 0.89, p < 0.05) affected the retention of P more significantly than P concentration (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.05). Dam interception during the LWS resulted in high BAP contents (280 mg kg-1) in sediments, high P concentrations (0.78 mg L-1), and weak hydrodynamics (HRT: 780 d) in overlying water. Therefore, further regulatory measures are urgently demanded during the LWS to prevent reservoir algal blooms.

Targeted therapy of rheumatoid arthritis via macrophage repolarization.

The polarization of macrophages plays a critical role in the physiological and pathological progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Activated M1 macrophages overexpress folate receptors in arthritic joints. Hence, we developed folic acid (FA)-modified liposomes (FA-Lips) to encapsulate triptolide (TP) (FA-Lips/TP) for the targeted therapy of RA. FA-Lips exhibited significantly higher internalization efficiency in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells than liposomes (Lips) in the absence of folate. Next, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model was established to explore the biodistribution profiles of FA-Lips which showed markedly selective accumulation in inflammatory paws. Moreover, FA-Lips/TP exhibited greatly improved therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity in AIA rats by targeting M1 macrophages and repolarizing macrophages from M1 to M2 subtypes. Overall, a safe FA-modified liposomal delivery system encapsulating TP was shown to achieve inflammation-targeted therapy against RA via macrophage repolarization.

T1a triple negative breast cancer has the worst prognosis among all the small tumor (<1 cm) of TNBC and HER2-rich subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for 15% of all breast cancer cases, was usually considered as the most aggressive subtype. The present study evaluated the prognosis of T1a TNBC and the impact of tumor size on T1 TNBC survival in large-scale population. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled T1a/T1b/T1c TNBC and HER2+/hormone receptor (HoR)- patients diagnosed between 2010 to 2012 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The following information was extracted for further analyses: demographic variables including age at diagnosis, race, marital status, laterality, histological grade, T/N stage, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, radiation therapy, survival and cause of death. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were engaged for breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) analyses. RESULTS: In all, the present study enrolled 6,953 TNBC and 2,648 HER2+/HoR- patients. T1a TNBC which generally omitted adjuvant chemotherapy had worse prognosis than T1a HER2+/HoR- [BCSS: hazard ratio (HR) 3.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-9.09, P=0.03; OS: HR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.25-5.56, P=0.01] and T1b HER2+/HoR- (BCSS: HR 5.26, 95% CI: 1.61-16.7, P=0.006; OS: HR 3.03, 95% CI: 1.27-7.14, P=0.013) tumors which both were recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline to have chemotherapy. T1a TNBC also showed a trend with poorer prognosis than T1b TNBC, but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: T1a TNBC had the worst prognosis among all small tumors (<1 cm) of TNBC and HER2+/HoR- subtypes, indicating the necessity of more intensive adjuvant treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness-based interventions for patients with coronary heart disease.

AIMS: To assess the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A systematic review with meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Eight mainstream databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid Emcare, PsycInfo, CINAHL complete, Web of Science, CENTRAL and PubMed, were searched from January 1979-March 2020. REVIEW METHODS: Randomized controlled trials that evaluated mindfulness-based interventions on psychological outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life in adults with coronary heart disease were considered. We conducted meta-analyses using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Nine studies involving 644 participants were included. Compared with inactive controls (e.g. usual care), mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduced depression (SMD -0.72, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.21, p < .01) and stress (SMD -0.67, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.34, p < .01), but not anxiety and blood pressure. There were no significant psychological effects compared with active controls (e.g. other psychological interventions). In one of three studies that assessed generic quality of life, mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved psychological and social domains compared with active control. The intervention effects on other cardiovascular risk factors were inconclusive given that only one study assessed each outcome with non-significant findings. Subgroup analyses suggest that intervention type and participants' depression and anxiety status may influence intervention effects. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions may benefit patients with coronary heart disease in reducing depression and stress, but the effects on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life are inconclusive. IMPACT: This review offers preliminary evidence for the potential of mindfulness-based interventions as an effective complementary approach to addressing psychological distress among people with coronary heart disease. Given the limitations in current studies, further rigorously designed and well-reported research is necessary to give robust evidence. Studies exploring the intervention effects on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life are warranted to remedy the research and knowledge gap.

A systematic review of effects of recorded music listening during exercise on physical activity adherence and health outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Exercise training is a key facet of cardiac rehabilitation and is associated with irrefutable benefits for individuals with coronary heart disease. However, compliance with and adherence to such interventions are challenging among this population. The incorporation of music into exercise training may be a potential approach to address this issue. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of recorded music listening during exercise on adherence to physical activity and health outcomes in individuals with coronary heart disease. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching 7 English databases for reports of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating the effects of recorded music listening during exercise on adherence to physical activity and physical, psychological, and cognitive outcomes in adults with coronary heart disease. Two reviewers independently screened records for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the quality of reports by using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool tool. RESULTS: We identified 7 studies involving 293 participants (mean age 62.6 to 72 years, men: 57% to 80%). All but one study included relatively small samples (17 to 56). The overall quality was weak for 3 studies, moderate for 2, and strong for 2. Several reviewed studies showed significant effects of music on attendance at exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (1 of 2 studies), maintenance of physical activity after intervention (1 study), perceived exertion (2 of 3 studies), exercise capacity (1 of 3 studies), heart rate during exercise (1 of 2 studies), male waist circumference (1 of 2 studies), mood (2 of 3 studies), and cognitive function (1 study) as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides relatively limited evidence for the potential benefits of recorded music listening during exercise in individuals with coronary heart disease. The findings should be carefully interpreted and generalised. Further rigorous-designed research addressing the limitations of current literature is needed.

Associations of Green Tea Consumption and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology in Cognitively Intact Older Adults: The CABLE Study.

BACKGROUND: Green tea has been widely recognized in ameliorating cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially the progression of cognitive dysfunction. But the underlying mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the role of green tea consumption in the association with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD pathology and to ascertain whether specific population backgrounds showed the differences toward these relationships. METHODS: Multivariate linear models analyzed the available data on CSF biomarkers and frequency of green tea consumption of 722 cognitively intact participants from the Chinese Alzheimer's Biomarker and LifestylE (CABLE) database, and we additionally detected the interaction effects of tea consumption with APOEɛ4 status and gender using a two-way analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Frequent green tea consumption was associated with a decreased level of CSF total-tau protein (t-tau) (p = 0.041) but not with the levels of CSF amyloid-ß 42 (Aß42) and CSF phosphorylated tau. The more pronounced associations of green tea consumption with CSF t-tau (p = 0.007) and CSF t-tau/Aß42 (p = 0.039) were observed in individuals aged 65 years or younger. Additionally, males with frequent green tea consumption had a significantly low level of CSF t-tau/Aß42 and a modest trend toward decreased CSF t-tau. There were no interaction effects of green tea consumption with APOEɛ4 and gender. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings consolidated the favorable effects of green tea on the mitigation of AD risk. The constituents of green tea may improve abnormal tau metabolism and are promising targets in interventions and drug therapies.

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on health-related outcomes for patients with heart failure: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions may offer a promising approach for promoting psychological and physical health and wellbeing for patients with heart failure. However, the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for this population have not been systematically reviewed. AIMS: This review aimed to synthesise available evidence to assess the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological and physical outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Seven English and two Chinese electronic databases were searched with keywords from inception to May 2019. Experimental studies that examined mindfulness-based interventions in adults with heart failure were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. The results were then narratively synthesised. RESULTS: This review identified five studies involving 467 patients with heart failure. The reviewed studies had weak to moderate quality. There were consistent findings that mindfulness-based interventions could significantly reduce depression (three studies) and anxiety (two studies) and improve health-related quality of life (two studies) after intervention. However, the effects on physical symptoms were inconsistent in three studies. The effects on physical function were only measured in one study, with non-significant changes being reported. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides preliminary evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are beneficial for patients with heart failure in reducing depression and anxiety and enhancing health-related quality of life in the short term. These findings should be carefully generalised considering the methodological limitations across studies. More rigorous studies are required to examine further the effects of mindfulness-based interventions in patients with heart failure.

Emulating Bilingual Synaptic Response Using a Junction-Based Artificial Synaptic Device.

Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials are the two fundamental categories of synaptic responses underlying the diverse functionalities of the mammalian nervous system. Recent advances in neuroscience have revealed the co-release of both glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters from a single axon terminal in neurons at the ventral tegmental area that can result in the reconfiguration of the postsynaptic potentials between excitatory and inhibitory effects. The ability to mimic such features of the biological synapses in semiconductor devices, which is lacking in the conventional field effect transistor-type and memristor-type artificial synaptic devices, can enhance the functionalities and versatility of neuromorphic electronic systems in performing tasks such as image recognition, learning, and cognition. Here, we demonstrate an artificial synaptic device concept, an ambipolar junction synaptic devices, which utilizes the tunable electronic properties of the heterojunction between two layered semiconductor materials black phosphorus and tin selenide to mimic the different states of the synaptic connection and, hence, realize the dynamic reconfigurability between excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic effects. The resulting device relies only on the electrical biases at either the presynaptic or the postsynaptic terminal to facilitate such dynamic reconfigurability. It is distinctively different from the conventional heterosynaptic device in terms of both its operational characteristics and biological equivalence. Key properties of the synapses such as potentiation and depression and spike-timing-dependent plasticity are mimicked in the device for both the excitatory and inhibitory response modes. The device offers reconfiguration properties with the potential to enable useful functionalities in hardware-based artificial neural network.

GNOM-LIKE 2, encoding an adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor-guanine nucleotide exchange factor protein homologous to GNOM and GNL1, is essential for pollen germination in Arabidopsis.

In flowering plants, male gametes are delivered to female gametophytes by pollen tubes. Although it is important for sexual plant reproduction, little is known about the genetic mechanism that controls pollen germination and pollen tube growth. Here we report the identification and characterization of two novel mutants, gnom-like 2-1 (gnl2-1) and gnl2-2 in Arabidopsis thaliana, in which the pollen grains failed to germinate in vitro and in vivo. GNL2 encodes a protein homologous to the adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor-guanine nucleotide exchange factors, GNOM and GNL1 that are involved in endosomal recycling and endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi vesicular trafficking. It was prolifically expressed in pollen grains and pollen tubes. The results of the present study suggest that GNL2 plays an important role in pollen germination.

[Effects of different phosphorus substrates on the growth and phosphatase activity of Skeletonema costatum and Prorocentrum donghaiense].

The effects NaH2PO4, adenosine disodium triphosphate (ATP), glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) and sodium beta-glycerophosphate (G-P) on the growth and phosphatase activity of Skeletonema costatum and Prorocentrum donghaiense were studied. The results showed that both species could utilize both dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), and DOP had more effects on the growth of two species than DIP. For S. costatum, after 8 days, the cell abundances of the four treatments (NaH2PO4, ATP, G-6-P and G-P) were 48 x 10(4), 73 x 10(4), 63 x 10(4) and 54 x 10(4) cells/mL, respectively; For P. donghaiense, after 10 days, the cell abundances of the four treatments were 8.7 x 10(4), 15.5 x 10(4), 12.4 x 10(4) and 9.5 x 10(4) cells/mL, respectively. On the first 3-4 days, the phosphatase activity of all treatments of the two species showed a decreasing trend, but different changes were observed for the different phosphorus substrate treatments in latter days. For the NaH2PO4 treatment, both the AP and AcP activity of two species increased from the fifth day onwards. For S. costatum, the AP activity of the ATP and G-6-P treatment groups showed no obvious changes and AcP activity had a slight increase from the fifth day to the eighth day, while the activity of G-P treatment had highest phosphatase activity which increased from the fifth day on. At the end of the experiment, the AP activity of the three DOP treatment groups (ATP, G-6-P and G-P) was 0.004 x 10(-5), 0.014 x 10(-5) and 0.029 x 10(-5) U/cell, respectively, and the AcP activity was 0.006 x 10(-5), 0.011 x 10(-5) and 0.018 x 10(-5) U/cell, respectively. For P. donghaiense, both the AP and AcP activity of the three DOP treatments had similar trends, i.e., ATP < G-6-P < G-P. Under the same nutrient conditions, S. costatum had a much higher phosphatase activity and could absorb P from the environment much faster than P. donghaiense.

[Comparative research on the effects of different nutrient concentrations on the photopigment content and photosynthesis of two bloom-forming species isolated from the Changjiang River estuary].

The contents of cellular chlorophyll a (Chl-a), chlorophyll c (Chl-c), total coloured carotenoids (TCC) and the photosynthesis of Skeletonema costatum and Prorocentrum donghaiense under different nutrient conditions were studied. The results showed that both species in the low nutrient concentration conditions had lower cellular Chl-a, Chl-c and TCC content than those in the high nutrient concentration conditions. When the initial N/P ratio was 16/1 while the concentrations were different, the two species had different photosynthetic rate responses. For S. costatum, the photosynthetic rate normalized by cell in the low nutrient concentration group (64 micromol/L N and 4 micromol/L P) was significantly lower than that in the high concentration group (256 micromol/L N and 16 micromol/L P) from the fifth day, and at the end of the experiment (on the seventh day), the photosynthetic rate was 0.031 x 10(-4) micromol x (cell x h)(-1) and 0.13 x 10(-4) micromol x (cell x h)(-1) respectively, while the photosynthetic rate normalized by Chl-a was 12.92 micromol x (microg x h)(-1) and 13.03 micromol x (microg x h)(-1) for the two groups respectively, and there was no significant difference between them; however, for P. donghaiense, the photosynthetic rates normalized by both cell and Chl-a in the low concentration conditions (64 micromol/L N and 4 micromol/L P) were significantly higher than those in the high concentration conditions (256 micromol/L N and 16 micromol/L P). For the two species, when P was sufficient, the low N concentration group (64 micromol/L N and 36 micromol/L P) and when N was sufficient, the low P concentration group (883 micromol/L N and 4 micromol/L P) had higher photosynthetic rates normalized by both cell and Chl-a than the high N concentration group (256 micromol/L N and 36 micromol/L P) and the high P concentration group (883 micromol/L N and 16 micromol/L P) respectively. There was a significant positive relationship between the photosynthetic rate and the intracellular P for both species, and P. donghaiense had higher cellular photopigment contents and photosynthetic rates than S. costatum under the same nutrient conditions. It could be inferred from their photosynthetic characteristics that P. donghaiense would survive better in low nutrient conditions compared with S. costatum.

[Protective effect of Xinaoning freezedrying power (XNN) against global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of Xinaoning freezedrying power (XNN) against global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHOD: Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion method was used to make global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model of rats. The EEG and the reappearing time of righting reflex were recorded, and the activity of SOD, LDH, NOS and the content of MDA and LD in the brain were tested. The ET content in hippocampi was researched by radioimmunoassay method. Aggregation of platelets induced by ADP was examined. The resting and free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in platelets induced by CaCl2 was measured by double wavelength fluorescence sepectrophotometer with a Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent indicator (Furo-2). RESULT: XNN could promote the recovery of EEG and righting reflex, reduce the brain edema and brain index, increase SOD and LDH activities, inhibit NOS activity, decrease MDA, LD and ET contents, inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce the resting [Ca2+]i and inhibit the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by CaCl2 in rats. CONCLUSION: XNN has protective effect against golobal cerebral ischemai-reperfusion injury.

[Protective effects of Shexiang Xingnaonin on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of Shexiang Xingnaonin (SXN) on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and its mechanism. METHOD: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to make focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model by in travascular nylon filament occlusion. The protective effects of SXN at different doses were evaluated by investigating neurological function score, pathomorphology of brain, the ultrastructure of neuron, expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thrombogenesis in vitro, platelet aggregation and lysing effect of blood clot in vitro. RESULT: Compared with model group, SXN (0.08, 0.16 g x kg(-1)) could decrease the neurological score, improve pathomorphology and neuron ultrastructure of brain, inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha, decrease the length, wet weight and dry weight of thromb and inhibit platelet aggregation. And SXN (0.16, 0.32 g x L(-1)) could dissolve blood clot in vitro. CONCLUSION: SXN has protective effects on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The role of inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha, inhibit thrombogenesis and platelet aggregation might contribute to its neuroprotective effects.

[Effect of shikonin, a phytocompound from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on rat vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and apoptosis in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-proliferation, pro-apoptosis and cell cycle blocking effects of shikonin on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in vitro. METHODS: VSMCs were primarily cultured by explant method from the thoracic aorta of male SD rats. Shikonin of different concentration, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, and 0 micromol/L was added. The cell viability was detected by MTT method. Cell growth curve was drawn by trypan blue exclusion method. (3)H-thymidine incorporation was used to calculate the inhibition rate of DNA synthesis. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle. Cell apoptosis was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of different cell apoptosis and cell cycle regulatory proteins, such as cyclin D(1) and E, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p21(waf1/cip1), p27(kip1), and p53. RESULTS: Compared with control group, shikonin had no obvious cytotoxic effect on cell viability at the concentration of 0.25-1 micromol/L (P > 0.05). While it could inhibit, both time- and dose-dependently, the growth of VSMC, which was predominant of 1 micromol/L at 72 h (1.9 x 10(5)/well vs 5.8 x 10(5)/well, P < 0.05), and DNA synthesis was also significantly inhibited in a time- and dose-dependent manner with inhibition rate varied from 33 to 98% (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). 1 micromol/L shikonin significantly blocked the cell cycle progression in proliferative VSMC, decreased S, G(2)/M phase (P < 0.05) and increased G(0)/G(1) phase (P < 0.05) to quiescent level with sub-G(1) apoptotic distribution at 48 h (10.9% +/- 0.3%). Shikohin at the concentration of 1-2 micromol/L significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner compared with control group (2.8%-23.7% vs 0.2%-0.4%, P < 0.05), and typical apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. 1 micromol/L shikonin significantly down-regulated cyclin D(1), E and PCNA expression, up-regulated p21(wif1/cip1) expression, and did not obviously influence the p27(kip1) and p53 expression. CONCLUSION: Shikonin inhibits the proliferation, promotes the apoptosis and blocks cell cycle progression of VSMC. These effects are associated with the expression changes of cell cycle regulatory proteins.