Study on Fe-C-Al three-phase micro-electrolysis treatment of low concentration phosphorus wastewater.

In this study, the iron-carbon-aluminum (Fe-C-Al) composite filler was prepared by aluminum modification of conventional iron-carbon (Fe-C) micro-electrolysis with a no-burn method. The optimal process conditions for Fe-C-Al three-phase micro-electrolysis treatment of low concentration phosphorus wastewater were determined to be the aluminum metal ratio of 14 wt% and solids dosing of 30 g/L. Under the optimal process conditions, Fe-C-Al three-phase micro-electrolysis was performed for the treatment of low concentration phosphorus wastewater (LCPW) with continuous experiment, while iron-carbon fillers before and after treatment were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the amount of Fe2+ dissolved in the micro-electrolysis determined the micro-electrolysis phosphorus removal effect, Al promoted the dissolution of Fe2+, and the Fe-C-Al filler had a stable phosphorus removal effect, and the average removal efficiency of phosphorus was 67.40%, which is an average improvement of 29.25% compared with the conventional Fe-C filler. The treatment of LCPW by Fe-C-Al three-phase micro-electrolysis is consistent with a first-order kinetic reaction with apparent activation energy of 38.70 kJ·mol-1, which is controlled by the chemical reaction.

[Effect of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder on SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis].

This study aims to investigate the effect of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder on the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) signaling pathway in gastric tissue of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).Sixty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into the normal group, model group, Moluo Pills group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder.The rats in other groups except the normal group were treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG) to establish the CAG model.After 12 weeks of modeling, the rats in each group were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks.After the last administration, the histopathological changes of rat gastric mucosa were observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining.The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA levels of SOCS3 and TLR4 were determined by real-time PCR.The protein levels of SOCS3, TLR4, JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in rat gastric tissue were measured by Western blot.Immunohistochemical method was employed to determine the protein levels of NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, Bcl-2, Bax, and Bad in rat gastric tissue.The results showed that modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder alleviated gastric mucosal atrophy of rats, significantly lowered the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in rat serum, up-regulated the mRNA level of SOCS3, and down-regulated the mRNA level of TLR4 in rat gastric tissue.Furthermore, modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder up-regulated the protein level of SOCS3, down-regulated the protein levels of TLR4, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, Bax, and Bad, and promoted the expression of Bcl-2 protein.Therefore, modified Danggui Shaoyao Powder may mitigate the gastric mucosal atrophy of rats by regulating the SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Handelin extends lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans by reducing ROS generation and improving motor function.

Aging and aging-related disorders contribute to formidable socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. Several promising small molecules have been identified to target conserved genetic pathways delaying aging to extend lifespan and healthspan in many organisms. We previously found that extract from an edible and medicinal plant Chrysanthemum indicum L. (C. indicum L.) protect skin from UVB-induced photoaging, partially by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Thus, we hypothesized that C. indicum L. and its biological active compound may extend lifespan and health span in vivo. We find that both water and ethanol extracts from C. indicum L. extended lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, with better biological effect on life extending for ethanol extracts. As one of the major biological active compounds, handelin extended lifespan of C. elegans too. RNA-seq analysis revealed overall gene expression change of C. elegans post stimulation of handelin focus on several antioxidative proteins. Handelin significantly reduced ROS level and maintained the number and morphology of mitochondria. Moreover, handelin improveed many C. elegans behaviors related to healthspan, including increased pharyngeal pumping and body movement. Muscle fiber imaging analyses revealed that handelin maintains muscle architecture by stabilizing myofilaments. In conclusion, our present study finds a novel compound handelin, from C. indicum L., which bring about biologically beneficial effects by mild stress response, termed as hormetin, that can extend both lifespan and healthspan in vivo on C. elegans. Further study on mammal animal model of natural aging or sarcopenia will verify the potential clinical value of handelin.

[Analysis of Spatial Distribution and Influencing Factors of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application Intensity in Chengdu Plain].

The spatial distribution of fertilization intensity and its influencing factors are significant for the accurate management of fertilization and pollution prevention and control. Previous studies are mostly limited to the discussion of human factors that influences the spatial distribution of fertilization intensity while ignoring natural geographical factors. Based on the chemical fertilizer survey data collected from 23492 sites in Chengdu Plain and combined with Geostatistics analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of average nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application intensity from 2010 to 2015 in this region were explored. The results show that:① the average annual application intensity of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in the study area from 2010 to 2015 is generally in the low and medium risk intensity of 120-360 kg·hm-2 and 60-180 kg·hm-2. The high risk intensity is mainly distributed in the grain (fruit) and vegetable growing areas such as Pidu, Pengzhou, Shifang, Longquanyi and Jintang, while the relatively low value areas are mostly distributed in the south and northeast. ② the nugget coefficients of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application intensities are 66.17% and 41.60%. Their spatial distribution is determined by structural and random factors, showing a moderate spatial autocorrelation. ③ both human and natural factors have significant effects on the application intensity of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. The crop type (fine classification) can explain the spatial variation of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer respectively by 12.90% and 25.10%, which is the main controlling factor affecting the spatial distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus application intensity; the importance of soil parent material is second only to the planting crop type, and the independent explanation ability of phosphorus application intensity is about 3.6 times higher than that of nitrogen application intensity. When the type of planting crop plays a decisive role, the soil parent material still deeply restricts and affects the spatial distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application intensity in the study area. Therefore, the comprehensive effects of planting crop types and soil parent materials should be considered in fertilization management and environmental risk analysis, and the effects of soil parent material should also be taken into account in the application of phosphate fertilizer.

Nutrition and metabolism status alteration in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrition and metabolism status alteration during immunotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: Patients with advanced HCC who participated in the clinical trials of single-agent anti-PD-1 immunotherapy or sorafenib were retrospectively included. We analyzed self-comparison of the nutritional and metabolic indices of patients in the anti-PD-1 and sorafenib treatment group. We conducted mutual-comparison of the mentioned indices between the disease progression group and disease control group among anti-PD-1 treatment patients. We further analyzed those indices with statistical differences by partial correlation and survival analysis. RESULTS: Both self-comparison before and after treatment in the anti-PD-1 group and mutual-comparison of disease progression and the control group showed significant differences in multiple indices, but we did not observe significant differences in the sorafenib group. Strikingly, albumin (ALB)/prognostic nutritional index (PNI, calculated by serum albumin and lymphocyte count) decreased distinctly in the immunotherapy disease progression group patients. However, changes in ALB/PNI were not significant in disease progression patients from the sorafenib group or in the disease control patients with immunotherapy. Partial correlation analysis suggested that ALB and PNI were positively correlated with the efficacy of immunotherapy. Furthermore, survival analysis showed that the median progression-free survival and median overall survival of patients in the ALB/PNI decreased group were significantly shorter than those of patients from the ALB/PNI increased group. CONCLUSION: Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy might alter the nutritional and metabolic status in advanced HCC patients. We also should pay attention to the nutritional and metabolic status of patients when drug resistance is detected.

[Effects of different land use patterns on soil potassium distribution in Chengdu Plain, China]. / æˆéƒ½å¹³åŽŸä¸åŒåœŸåœ°åˆ©ç”¨æ–¹å¼å¯¹åœŸå£¤å‰–é¢é’¾ç´ åˆ†å¸ƒçš„å½±å“.

To explore the effects of land use change on the potassium in soil profile under the background of rapid urbanization, we collected data of 187 soil profiles from four typical land use patterns (rice-wheat, rice-vegetable, rice-oil and garden) in Chengdu Plain. The contents of available potassium (AP), slow-acting potassium (SP), mineral potassium (MP), and total potassium (TP) in soil profile under different land use patterns and their relationships were analyzed. Our results showed that compared with the traditional rotation (rice-wheat, rice-oil), soil AP and SP contents significantly varied among different land use patterns. Rice-vegetable rotation increased the contents of AP and SP in the surface soil, while garden land increased the consumption of AP and SP in the soil. For the more stable forms, soil MP and TP, there was no significant difference in their contents under different land use patterns. In the deep soil, the content of AP in the rice-vegetable rotation pattern was significantly decreased with deepening soil layer, and the AP in traditional rotation was significantly higher than that in garden land. The trend of SP was opposite to that of AP. The difference of MP and TP in different land use patterns was small. Among the four land use patterns, the ratio of AP to TP and SP to TP in the lower layer of rice-vegetable rotation was higher than that in other patterns, while the ratio of AP to TP decreased significantly under different land use patterns at 20-40 cm. The change of SP to TP with the downward ratio of soil layer was opposite to that of AP to TP. Additionally, the ratio of MP to TP was relatively stable under different land use patterns. Therefore, different land use patterns exerted significant effects on the distribution of AP and SP in the soil profile of Chengdu Plain.

Advances in studies on chemical constituents in plants of cimicifuga l. and their bioactivities and clinical application / 中草药

Medicinal plants in Cimicifuga L. contain triterpenoid glycosides, phenolic acids, chromones and other ingredients, showed biological activities of antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-nucleoside transport, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidant, antidepression, etc, and have been used in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. This paper reviews the advances in studies on chemical constituents cimicifuga, focuses on the research progress of biological activities and clinical applications to provide a reference for further development of medicinal plants in Cimicifuga L.

Deletion of calponin 2 in macrophages attenuates the severity of inflammatory arthritis in mice.

Calponin is an actin cytoskeleton-associated protein that regulates motility-based cellular functions. Three isoforms of calponin are present in vertebrates, among which calponin 2 encoded by the Cnn2 gene is expressed in multiple types of cells, including blood cells from the myeloid lineage. Our previous studies demonstrated that macrophages from Cnn2 knockout (KO) mice exhibit increased migration and phagocytosis. Intrigued by an observation that monocytes and macrophages from patients with rheumatoid arthritis had increased calponin 2, we investigated anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase serum-induced arthritis in Cnn2-KO mice for the effect of calponin 2 deletion on the pathogenesis and pathology of inflammatory arthritis. The results showed that the development of arthritis was attenuated in systemic Cnn2-KO mice with significantly reduced inflammation and bone erosion than that in age- and stain background-matched C57BL/6 wild-type mice. In vitro differentiation of calponin 2-null mouse bone marrow cells produced fewer osteoclasts with decreased bone resorption. The attenuation of inflammatory arthritis was confirmed in conditional myeloid cell-specific Cnn2-KO mice. The increased phagocytotic activity of calponin 2-null macrophages may facilitate the clearance of autoimmune complexes and the resolution of inflammation, whereas the decreased substrate adhesion may reduce osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The data suggest that calponin 2 regulation of cytoskeleton function plays a novel role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, implicating a potentially therapeutic target.

Identification of the anti-tumor activity and mechanisms of nuciferine through a network pharmacology approach.

AIM: Nuciferine is an aporphine alkaloid extracted from lotus leaves, which is a raw material in Chinese medicinal herb for weight loss. In this study we used a network pharmacology approach to identify the anti-tumor activity of nuciferine and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The pharmacological activities and mechanisms of nuciferine were identified through target profile prediction, clustering analysis and functional enrichment analysis using our traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) network pharmacology platform. The anti-tumor activity of nuciferine was validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The anti-tumor mechanisms of nuciferine were predicted through network target analysis and verified by in vitro experiments. RESULTS: The nuciferine target profile was enriched with signaling pathways and biological functions, including "regulation of lipase activity", "response to nicotine" and "regulation of cell proliferation". Target profile clustering results suggested that nuciferine to exert anti-tumor effect. In experimental validation, nuciferine (0.8 mg/mL) markedly inhibited the viability of human neuroblastoma SY5Y cells and mouse colorectal cancer CT26 cells in vitro, and nuciferine (0.05 mg/mL) significantly suppressed the invasion of 6 cancer cell lines in vitro. Intraperitoneal injection of nuciferine (9.5 mg/mL, ip, 3 times a week for 3 weeks) significantly decreased the weight of SY5Y and CT26 tumor xenografts in nude mice. Network target analysis and experimental validation in SY5Y and CT26 cells showed that the anti-tumor effect of nuciferine was mediated through inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and IL-1 levels in SY5Y and CT26 cells. CONCLUSION: By using a TCM network pharmacology method, nuciferine is identified as an anti-tumor agent against human neuroblastoma and mouse colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo, through inhibiting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathways and IL-1 levels.

Potential screening and early diagnosis method for cancer: Tongue diagnosis.

Tongue diagnosis, as a unique method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), was used to discriminate physiological functions and pathological conditions by observing the changes of the tongue and tongue coating. The aims of the present study were to explore a potential screening and early diagnosis method of cancer through evaluating the differences of the images of tongue and tongue coating and the microbiome on the tongue coating. The DS01-B tongue diagnostic information acquisition system was used to photograph and analyze the tongue and tongue coating. The next-generation sequencing technology was used to determine the V2-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rDNA to investigate the microbiome on the tongue coating. Bioinformatics and statistical methods were used to analyze the microbial community structure and diversity. Comparing with the healthy people, the number of mirror-like tongue, thick tongue coating and the moisture of tongue were increased in cancers. The dominant color of the tongue in the healthy people was reddish while it was purple in the cancers. The relative abundance of Neisseria, Haemophilus, Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas in the healthy people were higher than that in the cancers. We also found 6 kinds of special microorganisms at species level in cancers. The study suggested that tongue diagnosis may provide potential screening and early diagnosis method for cancer.

[The mechanism of tenuigenin for eliminating waste product accumulation in cerebral neurons of Alzheimer's disease rats via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the scavenging action of tenuigenin (TEN) on intracerebral amyloid ß protein (Aß) aggregation and the abnormal phosphorylated tau protein and its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats' brain. METHODS: Aß1-40 was injected into the right CA1 region hippocampus to establish the AD model. Successfully modeled rats were divided into the model group, the low, middle, high TEN group. Rats were administered with TEN (18.5, 37.0, 74.0 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Besides, a sham-operation group was set up. Expression levels of Aß1-40 and Tau p-Ser262 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-protein ligase E3 were measured by Western blotting.The content of 26S proteasome was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed that the number of Aß and Tau p-Ser262 positively reacted neurons significantly increased in model group, when compared with the sham-operation group (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed expression levels of ubiquitinated protein were up-regulated and those of Ub-protein ligase E3 were down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). ELISA results showed that the content of 26S proteasome significantly decreased in AD rats' brain (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, expression levels of Aß1-40, Tau p-Ser262, and Ub significantly decreased; expression levels of Ub-protein ligase E3 apparently increased; the content of 26S proteasome significantly increased in each TEN treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Best effect was shown in 37.0 mg/kg and 74.0 mg/kg TEN groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ub proteasome pathway (UPP) participated in the occurrence of AD. TEN could obviously reduce intracere- bral Aß1-40 accumulation and abnormal tau phosphorylation.

CD11c-mediated deletion of Flip promotes autoreactivity and inflammatory arthritis.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for immune homeostasis. To target DCs, we generated a mouse line with Flip deficiency in cells that express cre under the CD11c promoter (CD11c-Flip-KO). CD11c-Flip-KO mice spontaneously develop erosive, inflammatory arthritis, resembling rheumatoid arthritis, which is dramatically reduced when these mice are crossed with Rag(-/-) mice. The CD8α(+) DC subset is significantly reduced, along with alterations in NK cells and macrophages. Autoreactive CD4(+) T cells and autoantibodies specific for joint tissue are present, and arthritis severity correlates with the number of autoreactive CD4(+) T cells and plasmablasts in the joint-draining lymph nodes. Reduced T regulatory cells (Tregs) inversely correlate with arthritis severity, and the transfer of Tregs ameliorates arthritis. This KO line identifies a model that will permit in depth interrogation of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, including the role of CD8α(+) DCs and other cells of the immune system.

Transcriptome response of Lactobacillus sakei to meat protein environment.

Lactobacillus sakei is a heterofermentative species of lactic acid bacteria that is used in industrial meat fermentation. To investigate adaptation in a meat environment, whole-genome DNA microarrays were used to analyze the gene expression related to growth and survival of L. sakei strain La22 when grown in sarcoplasmic (S-) or myofibrillar (M-) protein-supplemented chemically defined medium (CDM). Differential expression was detected in 551 genes. Genes encoding enzymes involved in peptide hydrolysis were differentially upregulated in M-CDM or/and S-CDM, and only oppB and oppC, involved in the amino acid and peptide transport system, were upregulated. Most genes related to metabolism of peptides, amino acids and related molecules were over-expressed in M-CDM and S-CDM, except for glnA and metK. Expression of certain genes was according to the differential substrate environment. The expression of genes involved in the stress response was not induced by growth in M-CDM.

The mechanism of tenuigenin for eliminating waste product accumulation in cerebral neurons of Alzheimer's disease rats via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the scavenging action of tenuigenin (TEN) on intracerebral amyloid β protein (Aβ) aggregation and the abnormal phosphorylated tau protein and its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats' brain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Aβ1-40 was injected into the right CA1 region hippocampus to establish the AD model. Successfully modeled rats were divided into the model group, the low, middle, high TEN group. Rats were administered with TEN (18.5, 37.0, 74.0 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Besides, a sham-operation group was set up. Expression levels of Aβ1-40 and Tau p-Ser262 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-protein ligase E3 were measured by Western blotting.The content of 26S proteasome was detected by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemical results showed that the number of Aβ and Tau p-Ser262 positively reacted neurons significantly increased in model group, when compared with the sham-operation group (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed expression levels of ubiquitinated protein were up-regulated and those of Ub-protein ligase E3 were down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). ELISA results showed that the content of 26S proteasome significantly decreased in AD rats' brain (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, expression levels of Aβ1-40, Tau p-Ser262, and Ub significantly decreased; expression levels of Ub-protein ligase E3 apparently increased; the content of 26S proteasome significantly increased in each TEN treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Best effect was shown in 37.0 mg/kg and 74.0 mg/kg TEN groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ub proteasome pathway (UPP) participated in the occurrence of AD. TEN could obviously reduce intracere- bral Aβ1-40 accumulation and abnormal tau phosphorylation.</p>

[Clinical effect of modified Xuefuzhuyutang on senile chronic subdural hematoma after operation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of modified Xuefuzhuyutang on chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH)after burr holes irrigation and drainage. METHODS: From January 2010 to April 2013,137 CSDH patients were randomly divided into two groups: 65 cases of control group and 72 cases of medicine group (modified Xuefuzhuyutang). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the cases of total absorption of hematoma in medicine group increased significantly (P < 0.05). The cases of 50%-99%, 30%-49% and 0%-29% absorption in above two groups had no significant differences (P > 0.05). There were no significant side effects were observed in the two groups. Compared with the control group, the marked effective cases and total effective cases in medicine group were higher (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified Xuefuzhuyutang is effective in reducing the postoperative residual volume and recurrent CS-DH.

[Three preparations of compound Chinese herbal medicines for de-adaptation to high altitude: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial].

BACKGROUND: With the increase of troops entering the plateau for a variety of missions, the occurrence of de-adaptation increased significantly when the army returned to the plains, however, until now, there has been no effective treatment for de-adaptation to high altitude. OBJECTIVE: To observe the interventional effects of compound Chinese herbal preparations (Sankang Capsule, Rhodiola Rosea Capsule and Shenqi Pollen Capsule) on de-adaptation to high altitude, and provide scientific evidence for appropriate treatment methods in the army health care for future missions. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial design was used. Soldiers of a returning army unit who exhibited de-adaptation response symptoms were selected for observation after participating in earthquake relief at high altitude. A total of 543 soldiers were divided into a Sankang Capsule group, a Rhodiola Rosea Capsule group, a Shenqi Pollen Capsule group and a placebo group for drug intervention and administered with corresponding drugs. The course of treatment was 15 days. A self-evaluation scale for de-adaptation to high altitude was used to measure the signs and symptoms exhibited by the soldiers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effective rate of signs and symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude was analyzed after a 15-day treatment and the differences of improvement rate of symptoms between groups were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the drugs. RESULTS: All three drugs improved the symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude. Compared with the placebo group, symptoms of de-adaptation to high altitude in the drug-treated groups were remitted (P<0.05). Compared with placebo, Sankang Capsule mainly had well-marked effects on dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, cough, sputum and sore throat (P<0.05); Rhodiola Rosea Capsule significantly reduced the symptoms of fatigue, drowsiness, chest tightness, palpitations, vertigo, lack of attention and memory loss (P<0.05); Shenqi Pollen Capsule significantly reduced the symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, weakness, chest tightness, palpitations, cough, sputum, sore throat, memory loss, unresponsiveness and limb numbness (P<0.05). The symptom improvement rate of Shenqi Pollen Capsule was significantly higher than those of the other two drugs. CONCLUSION: All the three drugs played an evident role in ameliorating symptoms of de-adaptation, and the use of Shenqi Pollen Capsule was more effective than Rhodiola Rosea Capsule and Sankang Capsule.