Preparation of Self-microemulsion Solids of Kaempferia galanga (L.) Volatile Oil and Its Effect on Rats with Gastric Ulcer.

Kaempferia galanga volatile oil (KVO), the main effective component of the medicinal plant Kaempferia galanga L., possesses a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic activities and has therapeutic potential for gastric ulcer (GU). However, poor solubility as well as instability limits the clinical application of KVO. In this study, K. galanga volatile oil self-microemulsion solids (KVO-SSMEDDS) were prepared to improve its bioavailability and stability, and the therapeutic effects were evaluated in a rat model with GU. The ratio of oil phase, emulsifier, and co-emulsifier in the KVO-SMEDDS prescription were optimized by plotting the pseudo-ternary phase diagram with the star point design-response surface method. Based on the optimal prescription, self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was prepared as solid particles (S-SMEDDS). The prepared KVO-SSMEDDS had a rounded and non-adhesive appearance, formed an O/W emulsion after dissolution in water, and had a uniform particle size distribution with good stability and solubility. It was administered to GU model animals, and the results showed that a certain dose of KVO-SSMEDDS solution could increase the content of gastric mucosal protective factors PGE2, TGF-α, and EGF in gastric tissues and serum, and the expression of inflammatory factors IL-8 and TNF-α was downregulated. Meanwhile, the expression of the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway proteins was inhibited. In conclusion, the prepared KVO-SSMEDDS has good dispersion, solubility, and stability and has a therapeutic effect on rats with GU.

Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of the NAC Gene Family in Litchi chinensis.

NAC proteins play an essential role in the growth and development of litchi, especially during reproductive development. However, a comprehensive analysis of the litchi NAC gene family is currently absent. Based on information from the litchi genome, we found that the 112 NAC genes of litchi show an uneven distribution on the chromosomes. Phylogenetic and conserved structural domain analyses indicated that different types of variability were exhibited in the family of litchi NACs (LcNACs). Gene covariance analysis showed that the LcNACs showed better similarity in the same genus than with Arabidopsis. We further investigated the differential expression patterns of LcNACs in buds and rudimentary leaves of litchi. qRT-PCR results implied that they were involved in the process. Profiling of LcNAC promoter elements in litchi showed that they were extensively involved in light response, phytohormone regulation, abiotic stress response, and plant growth and development processes. This study provides new insights into the identification, structural characterization, tissue-specific expression analysis, and promoter response elements of LcNACs. It reveals the characteristics of the LcNACs and lays the foundation for the subsequent understanding of its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms.

Water optical properties over or around coral reefs in the coastal region: implications for coral reef remote sensing.

Coral reefs inhabit clear oceanic-type waters to turbid coastal regimes. For shallow coastal water environments, the coral reefs from remote sensing will be substantially influenced by the complexity and heterogeneity of the optical properties of water. Through a set of bio-optical and chemical measurements in July 2019 around Xidao Island, Sanya, China, we explored spatial variations of water components' concentrations (including suspended solids, phytoplankton, and dissolved organic carbon) and the optical absorptions (i.e., particulate pigments, detritus, and colored dissolved organic matter) in waters over or around coral reefs; further analysis of their influences upon the remote sensing reflectance (Rrs(λ)) of water was performed. It was observed that the bio-optical and chemical properties of the waters over or around coral reefs were spatially and vertically heterogeneous for different sampling sites. As expected, the suspended solids dominated the optical properties of coral reefs waters in areas of Xidao Island, which evidently influenced the Rrs(λ), especially for the surface waters (Pearson r > 0.60, p < 0.01). In addition, the dissolved organic carbon concentrations exhibited significant relations to the Rrs(λ) both in surface and bottom water layers, whereas the colored dissolved organic matter showed a weak negative correlation with the Rrs(λ). These findings will support the mapping and monitoring benthic habitats with remote sensing imagery in coastal regions, especially when a removal of the influence by particulate sediments was available.

Characteristics of sedimentary and dissolved heavy metals in the Chukchi plateau and adjacent waters.

Heavy metals in sediments and waters in the Chukchi Plateau and adjacent waters were investigated in this study. The results showed that most metals (especially Ni, As and Co) have accumulated in sediments, and their levels followed the order of Zn > Ni > Co > Cr > Cu > As > Pb > Cd. Spatial variations of environmental variables and metal characteristics were revealed based on the transect research. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations presented vertical variations in water column with the levels of Ni > As > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd > Co, and they were inhomogeneous in different water masses. This paper will be helpful to the study of the pollution and distribution of the heavy metals in Arctic Ocean and its surrounding environment.