Construction of an effective method combining in situ capping with electric field-enhanced biodegradation for treating PAH-contaminated soil at abandoned coking sites.

The simultaneous application of in situ capping and electro-enhanced biodegradation may be a suitable method for ensuring the feasibility and safety of reusing abandoned coking sites. However, the capping layer type and applied electric field pattern may affect the efficiency of sequestering and removing pollutants. This study investigated changes in electric current, soil moisture content and pH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration, bacterial number, and microbial community structure and metabolic function during soil remediation at abandoned coking plant sites under different applied electric field patterns and barrier types. The results indicated that polarity-reversal electric field was more conducive to maintaining electric current, soil properties, resulting in higher microbial number, community diversity, and functional gene abundance. At 21d, the mean PAH concentrations in contaminated soil, the capping layer's clean soil and barrier were 78.79, 7.56, and 1.57 mg kg-1 lower than those with a unidirectional electric field, respectively. The mean degradation rate of PAHs in the bio-barrier was 10.12 % higher than that in the C-Fe barrier. In the experiment combining a polarity-reversal electric field and a bio-barrier, the mean PAH concentrations in contaminated soil and the capping layer were 706.68 and 27.15 mg kg-1 lower than those in other experiments, respectively, and no PAHs were detected in the clean soil, demonstrating that the combination of the polarity-reversal electric field and the bio-barrier was effective in treating soil at abandoned coking plant sites. The established method of combining in situ capping with electro-enhanced biodegradation will provide technical support for the treatment and reuse of heavily PAH-contaminated soil at abandoned coking plant sites.

Silage Fermentation: A Potential Biological Approach for the Long-Term Preservation and Recycling of Polyphenols and Terpenes in Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) By-Products.

An economic and effective method for storage is necessary to make full use of the nature of active components in artichoke by-products and ease environmental pressure. In this paper, the potential of silage fermentation for the preservation and recycling of polyphenols and terpenes in artichoke by-products is evaluated. The silage of artichoke by-products is characterized by lactic acid bacteria fermentation. Silage distinctly increases the abundance of lactic acid bacteria in artichoke by-products, such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Serratia, and Weissella, and greatly increases the abundance of Firmicutes. The improvement of the microorgan structure and composition is of great significance for the quality of artichoke by-products. Polyphenols in the stems and leaves of artichokes are preserved well in silage. Among the 18 polyphenol compounds detected by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), the contents of 11 phenolic acids and four flavonoids increased significantly. For terpenes detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the contents of four pentacyclic triterpenoids increased significantly, while two sterols were kept stable in the silage process. Silage is a potential biotechnology for the long-term preservation of bioactive components, such as polyphenols and terpenes in artichoke by-products, and the results provide a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of by-products.

The formation process of green substances in Chrysanthemum morifolium tea.

One interesting phenomenon of Chrysanthemum morifolium tea is its formation of a green or dark green color after hours of brewing, and it is important to study the compounds that form this color and whether they might be involved in health benefits. Non-targeted metabolomics could clearly distinguish between green and non-green species by sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA) and heat-mapping. We found that the pH was the primary factor in the formation of the green color. Two green precursors (GP1 and GP2) were separated and purified with preparative HPLC. FT-IR analysis and the saccharide content analysis showed that GP1 had the typical characteristics of saccharides. GP2 was identified as chlorogenic acid by ESI-Q-TOF/MS and NMR. We raised the formation process of green substances was caused by the hydrolysates of chlorogenic acid reacting with glycosides or groups attached to the saccharides, which suggests a new mechanism for color-forming reactions.

Phenolic Profiles, Antioxidant Activities, and Neuroprotective Properties of Mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) Fruit Extracts from Different Ripening Stages.

The present work investigated the phenolic profiles (including nonanthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolics), antioxidant activities, and neuroprotective potential of mulberry fruit (MF) (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) grown in China at different ripening stages. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total monomeric anthocyanin content (TAC) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The neuroprotective effects of MFs at different ripening stages were investigated using Aß25-35 -treated PC12 cells as the cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. Of the 19 phenolic compounds characterized from the MF extracts, the contents of rutin and anthocyanins increased and that of chlorogenic acid decreased significantly with maturity. At the fully ripened stage, MF extracts showed the highest amounts of TPC (11.23 mg gallic acid equivalents/g fresh weight), TFC (15.1 mg rutin equivalents/g fresh weight), and TAC (1177 mg cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents/100 g fresh weight). Meanwhile, antioxidant activity of MF extracts at this stage was highest according to ABTS (an IC50 value of 4.11 µg/mL) and DPPH (an IC50 value of 10.08 µg/mL) assays. Cellular assays revealed increased cell viability in cells treated with the ripe MF extracts; compared with the control groups, the ripening fruits also increased the antioxidant enzyme levels in PC12 cells. Together, these results suggest that the antioxidant activities and neuroprotective properties of ripening MFs are related to the contents and types of phenolic compounds that are present in the fruits.

Comparison of Polyphenol Profile and Inhibitory Activities Against Oxidation and α-Glucosidase in Mulberry (Genus Morus) Cultivars from China.

UNLABELLED: Mulberry (genus Morus) is a significant source of polyphenols, which can promote positive effects on human health. China has various mulberry cultivars, however, many Chinese mulberry cultivars have been only minimally studied. To solve this lack of research, 8 mulberry cultivars (Da10, Tang10, Yueshen74, Yuefenshen, Longsang, Ningxia1hao, Taiwanguosang, and Baiyuwang) from 4 regions of China were assessed to determine their polyphenol profiles using HPLC-MS/MS and then tested for their antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase activities in vitro. A total of 18 nonanthocyanins and 4 anthocyanins were quantified in mulberry cultivars; among these polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside were confirmed as the major phenolic acid, flavonol derivative, and anthocyanin, respectively. Two types of stilbene compounds, piceid, and piceatannol, were detected for the 1st time in all mulberry cultivars. Moreover, the methanolic extracts of different mulberry cultivars showed disparate antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and this discrepancy was mainly attributed to varying the anthocyanin content. Based on our results, Taiwanguosang is proposed to be a good candidate suitable for further process due to its high level of anthocyanins. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The polyphenols of mulberry cultivars are vital for human health and are relevant to the further development of mulberry-based products. China has a wide range of mulberry cultivar resources, and many of these cultivars have not yet been studied. Our research concentrated on the polyphenol profiles, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of various mulberry cultivars from different regions of China to provide basic information for mulberry cultivar selection and mulberry-based food production.

Preparative isolation and purification of cuminaldehyde and p-menta-1,4-dien-7-al from the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) technique in semi-preparative scale was successfully used in isolation and purification of cuminaldehyde and p-menta-1,4-dien-7-al from the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. by using a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-methanol-water (5:4:1, v/v/v). The targeted compounds were isolated, collected, purified by HSCCC in the head-tail mode, and then analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). A total of 12.72 ± 0.22 mg of cuminaldehyde and 10.61 ± 0.27 mg of p-menta-1,4-dien-7-al were obtained from 50 mg of the essential oil of C. cyminum L. in less than 6 h, with purities of 95.42% and 97.21%, respectively. In addition to GC-EI/MS, the identity of the cuminaldehyde was further confirmed with the retention time using the method of standard addition, while, the structural identification of p-menta-1,4-dien-7-al was performed with GC-EI/MS, (1)H NMR and (1)H-(1)H COSY.

Systemic administration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor protects the blood-retinal barrier and ameliorates retinal inflammation in type 2 diabetes.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are frequently used lipid-lowering drugs in type 2 diabetes. Recent emerging evidence suggests that statins protect cardiovascular function via lipid-independent mechanisms. However, the potential role of statins in diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes is largely unclear. In the present study we have investigated the effect of lovastatin on blood-retinal barrier and inflammatory status in the retina of db/db mice and in cultured retinal cells. Male C57BL/KsJ db/db mice were randomly chosen to receive gastric gavage of lovastatin (10mg/kg/day) or vehicle control for 6 weeks. Retinal vascular permeability, the tight junction and inflammation were determined. The results showed that db/db mice at the age of 19 weeks exhibited significantly increased retinal vascular leakage and decreased tight junction protein level in the retina. Moreover, the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, e.g. ICAM-1 and TNF-alpha, was drastically up-regulated in diabetic retina. Lovastatin treatment normalized all of these changes. In cultured bovine retinal capillary endothelial cells (RCECs) and human ARPE-19 cells, lovastatin attenuated the decrease of tight junction protein (occludin) and adherens junction protein (VE-cadherin) expression-induced by TNF-alpha, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine in diabetic retinopathy. Lovastatin also attenuated TNF-alpha expression in RCEC. Towards the mechanism, we showed that lovastatin ameliorated ICAM-1 expression-induced by hypoxia and TNF-alpha in both RCECs and ARPE-19 cells, in part through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, these findings indicate that lovastatin protects blood-retinal barrier in diabetic retinopathy, which is likely via its anti-inflammatory effects.

[Effect of different acupuncture needle-retaining time on hemorheology in ischemic stroke patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different needle-retaining duration on hemorheology in ischemic stroke patients in order to explore its underlying mechanism in the treatment of ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 251 ischemic apoplexy patients were, according to their state (mild, moderate and severe) of disease, randomly divided into 20 min, 40 min and 60 min groups respectively. Acupoints Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Waiguan (TE5), Hegu (LI4), Futu (ST32), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. were punctured and stimulated electrically with parameters of 2 Hz, 2-6 mA for 20 min, 40 min and 60 min separately, once daily for 10 times. In addition, the patients were also treated with medicines for lowering intracranial pressure as manicol, etc. Higher shearing rate (HSR) and lower shearing rate (LSR) of whole blood viscosity (etab), plasma viscosity (etap), hematocrit (HCT) and profibrin were detected separately before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After acupuncture treatment, of the 83, 80 and 82 cases in 20 min, 40 min and 60 min groups, 3 (3.61%), 4 (5.00%) and 9 (10.98%) were cured basically, 15 (18.07%), 17 (21.25%) and 21 (25.61%) experienced remarkable improvement in their symptoms and signs, 24 (28.92%), 33 (41.25%) and 40 (48.78%) had an improvement, 41 (49.40%), 26 (32.50%) and 12 (14.63%) failed in the treatment, with the markedly effective rates being 21.68% , 26.25% and 36.59% and the effective rates being 50.60%, 67.50% and 85.37% separately. The effective rate of 60 min group was significantly higher than those of 20 min and 40 min groups (P<0.01, 0.05). Self-comparison showed that HSR, LSR of etab, etap, HCT and profibrin levels decreased considerably in comparison with pre-treatment in each group (P<0.01). Difference values of HSR, LSR, etap, HCT and profibrin (pre-treatment--those of post-treatment) in 60 min group were significantly higher than those of 20 min and 40 min groups (P<0.05, 0.01), and those of HSR, HCT and profibrin of 40 min group were markedly higher than those of 20 min group (P<0.01, 0.05). The therapeutic effect of 60 min group was the best. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can effectively improve stroke patients' symptoms and signs, and lower various parameters of hemorheology.

Modified method for rapid quantitation of S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxide in yellow onions (Allium cepa L.).

In this study, a rapid and sensitive method to determine the flavor precursors was established on the basis of modified Kubec's gas chromatography (GC) method. For the new method, the interference of halogen was removed by adding borohydride that replaced halide as a reducing reagent, and the analysis was completed within 25 min for the determination of S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (ACSOs). In comparison with the results of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the modified GC method is much better in the separation and detection of ACSOs in yellow onion bulbs than the original method. A small amount of 2-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (2-PeCSO) was detected with the modified GC method, and propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (PrCSO) were not detected. The results of GC determination indicated that 2-PeCSO probably was the hydrolysate of a byproduct or an isomer of gamma-glumtyl-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxides in biosynthesis process.

An observation on the acupuncture treatment of ischemic wind-stroke with different lengths of needle-retaining time.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different lengths of needle-retaining time on the therapeutic results of acupuncture treatment for ischemic wind-stroke. METHODS: According to the severity of disease, 251 cases of ischemic wind-stroke were randomly divided into 3 groups and treated by acupuncture, with the needle-retaining time lasting 20, 40, and 60 minutes respectively. Observation was mainly focused on the scores of nervous dysfunction and the clinical therapeutic results. RESULTS: The comparison of the scores of nervous dysfunction in the 3 groups before and after the treatment showed that under Wilcoxon's pair-match symbol rank test, except for horizontal gaze, other indexes all showed significant differences (P < 0.01). In the between-group comparison before and after the treatment, there showed significant or very significant differences in the indexes of myodynamia of the upper limb, myodynamia of hand and the total scores (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the between-group comparison by Mann-Whitney rank test of the indexes of myodynamia of upper limb, myodynamia of hand and the total scores, the 20-min. group and the 60-min. group showed significant differences (P < 0.05); and 40-min. group and 60-min. group showed significant differences in myodynamia of upper limb (P < 0.05). In comparison of the therapeutic effects of the 3 groups by Kruskal-wallis rank test, there showed very significant differences (P < 0.01). In the between-group comparison by Mann-Whitney rank test, the 40-min.group and 60-min. group showed significant differences (P = 0.013); while the 20-min. group and 60-min. group showed very significant differences (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: There is a time-effect relationship between the length of needle-retaining time and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for ischemic wind-stroke.

[Effects of acupuncture on the cortical functional areas activated by index finger motion in the patient with ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on cortical functional areas of the patient with ischemic stroke activated by the index finger motion. METHODS: The cortical magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were carried out in 15 cases of ischemic stroke during the index finger motion at acupuncture or non-acupuncture. The distribution of the cortical functional areas activated and the size of the activated region and the intension of signals were measured. RESULTS: The finger motion with no acupuncture could activate the contralateral primary somatomotor area (M1), contralateral premotor area (PMA) and contralateral first somatosensory area (S1). The finger motion with acupuncture could activate the same areas and also activate ipsilateral M1, focus area contralateral superior parietal lobule, contralateral superior temporal gyrus, and contralateral insular lobe, etc.. Both the area of the activated region and the minimum signal in the finger motion with acupuncture were statistically significantly larger than those in finger motion with no acupuncture. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation of motor functions of the patient with ischemic stroke by acupuncture is related with improvement of blood circulation functional area in the cortex.