Organic Passivation-Enhanced Ferroelectricity in Perovskite Oxide Films.

Perovskite oxides and organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials, with numerous fascinating features, have been subjected to extensive studies. Most of the properties of perovskite materials are dependence on their ferroelectricity that denoted by remanent polarization (Pr). Thus, the increase of Pr in perovskite films is mainly an effort in material physics. At present, commonplace improvement schemes, i.e., controlling material crystallinity, and post-annealing by using a high-temperature process, are normally used. However, a simpler and temporal strategy for Pr improvement is always unavailable to perovskite material researchers. In this study, an organic coating layer, low-temperature, and vacuum-free strategy is proposed to improve the Pr, directly increasing the Pr from 36 to 56 µC cm-2. Further study finds that the increased Pr originates from the suppression of the oxygen defects and Ti defects. This organic coating layer strategy for passivating the defects may open a new way for the preparation of higher-performance and cost-effective perovskite products, further improving its prospective for application in the electron devices field.

The Development of Carbon/Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells through Interface Passivation.

Passivating contactsin heterojunction (HJ) solar cells have shown great potential in reducing recombination losses, and thereby achieving high power conversion efficiencies in photovoltaic devices. In this direction, carbon nanomaterials have emerged as a promising option for carbon/silicon (C/Si) HJsolar cells due to their tunable band structure, wide spectral absorption, high carrier mobility, and properties such as multiple exciton generation. However, the current limitations in efficiency and active area have hindered the industrialization of these devices. In this review, they examine the progress made in overcoming these constraints and discuss the prospect of achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) C/Si HJ devices. A C/Si HJ solar cell is also designed by introducing an innovative interface passivation strategy to further boost the PCE and accelerate the large area preparationof C/Si devices. The physical principle, device design scheme, and performanceoptimization approaches of this passivated C/Si HJ cells are discussed. Additionally, they outline potential future pathways and directions for C/Si HJ devices, including a reduction in their cost to manufacture and their incorporation intotandem solar cells. As such, this review aims to facilitate a deeperunderstanding of C/Si HJ solar cells and provide guidance for their further development.

Exquisitely Constructing a Robust MOF with Dual Pore Sizes for Efficient CO2 Capture.

Developing metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbents with excellent performance and robust stability is of critical importance to reduce CO2 emissions yet challenging. Herein, a robust ultra-microporous MOF, Cu(bpfb)(bdc), with mixed ligands of N, N'-(1,4-phenylene)diisonicotinamide (bpfb), and 1,4-dicarboxybenzene (bdc) was delicately constructed. Structurally, this material possesses double-interpenetrated frameworks formed by two staggered, independent frameworks, resulting in two types of narrow ultra-micropores of 3.4 × 5.0 and 4.2 × 12.8 Å2, respectively. The above structural properties make its highly selective separation at 273~298 K with a CO2 capacity of 71.0~86.2 mg/g. Its adsorption heat over CO2 and IAST selectivity were calculated to be 27 kJ/mol and 52.2, respectively. Remarkably, cyclic breakthrough experiments corroborate its impressive performance in CO2/N2 separation in not only dry but also 75% RH humid conditions. Molecular simulation reveals that C-H···OCO2 in the pores plays a pivotal role in the high selectivity of CO2 adsorption. These results point out the huge potential application of this material for CO2/N2 separation.

Shale gas wastewater characterization: Comprehensive detection, evaluation of valuable metals, and environmental risks of heavy metals and radionuclides.

Shale gas wastewater (SGW) has great potential for the recovery of valuable elements, but it also poses risks in terms of environmental pollution, with heavy metals and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) being of major concerns. However, many of these species have not been fully determined. For the first time, we identify the elements present in SGW from the Sichuan Basin and consequently draw a comprehensive periodic table, including 71 elements in 15 IUPAC groups. Based on it, we analyze the elements possessing recycling opportunities or with risk potentials. Most of the metal elements in SGW exist at very low concentrations (< 0.2 mg/L), including rare earth elements, revealing poor economic feasibility for recovery. However, salts, strontium (Sr), lithium (Li), and gallium (Ga) are in higher concentrations and have impressive market demands, hence great potential to be recovered. As for environmental burdens related to raw SGW management, salinity, F, Cl, Br, NO3-, Ba, B, and Fe, Cu, As, Mn, V, and Mo pose relatively higher threats in view of the concentrations and toxicity. The radioactivity is also much higher than the safety range, with the gross α activity and gross ß activity in SGW ranging from 3.71-83.4 Bq/L, and 1.62-18.7 Bq/L, respectively and radium-226 as the main component. The advanced combined process "pretreatment-disk tube reverse osmosis (DTRO)" with pilot-scale is evaluated for the safe reuse of SGW. This process has high efficiency in the removal of metals and total radioactivity. However, the gross α activity of the effluent (1.3 Bq/L) is slightly higher than the standard for discharge (1 Bq/L), which is thus associated with potential long-term environmental hazards.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) fixed bed adsorption combined with ultrafiltration for shale gas wastewater internal reuse.

Membrane processes are widely applied in shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW) reuse. However, particulate matters and organic matters aggravate membrane fouling, which is one of the major restrictions on SGFPW reuse. The present study proposed fixed bed adsorption using granular activated carbon (GAC) combined with ultrafiltration (UF) for the first time to investigate the treatment performance and membrane fouling mechanism. The adsorption of GAC for SGFPW was best described by the Temkin isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. GAC fixed bed pretreatment with different empty bed contact times (EBCT) (30, 60 and 90 min) showed the significant removal rate for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and turbidity, which was 34.7%-42.4% and 98.1%-98.9%, respectively. According to characterization of UF membrane fouling layer, particulate matters and organic matters caused major part of membrane fouling. After being treated by GAC fixed bed, total fouling index (TFI) and hydraulic irreversible fouling index (HIFI) respectively decreased by more than 32.5% and 18.3% respectively, showing the mitigation effect of GAC fixed bed on membrane fouling. According to the XDLVO theory, GAC fixed bed also mitigated membrane fouling by reducing the hydrophobic interactions between the foulants and the UF membrane. The integrated GAC fixed bed-UF process produced high-quality effluents that met the water quality standards of SGFPW internal reuse, which was an effective technology of the SGFPW reuse.

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Piper longum L. and their vascular relaxation effect on rat mesenteric arteries.

Eight compounds were obtained from the dry fruits of Piper longum L., and their potential vascular relaxant activities were explored. The present study first revealed the access of Rosin (7) and Piperchabaoside (8) in the medicinal plant Piper longum L. The vessel tension studies showed that Piperine (2), (2E,4E,14Z)-N-isobutyleicosa-2,4,14-trienamide (3), and Piperlonguminine (6) exerted significant inhibitory effects on PE-induced mesenteric artery vasoconstriction. Furthermore, Calcium Imaging studies were applied to observe the effect of Piperine on the intracellular calcium in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (MASMCs). Piperine (2) was observed to promote the influx of extracellular calcium in MASMCs, and via an endothelium-independent mechanism involving Ca2+ entry. Piper longum L. might have a great potential to be further studied as a vascular relaxant, even to be a drug candidate of anti-hypertension.

Preparation of novel anthraquinone-based aspirin derivatives with anti-cancer activity.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers among men and women and is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Thus, discovering and developing novel therapeutics for gastric cancer has become a global priority. In this study, we synthesized two novel anthraquinone-based aspirin derivatives, Asp-X3 and Asp-X3-CH3, with therapeutic potential for gastric cancer. The structures of the two compounds were determined by 1D, 2D-NMR, and High-Resolution Mass (HRSM). Asp-X3 and Asp-X3-CH3 could inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells (SGC7901), yielding IC50 values 10-fold lower than that of Aspirin. Asp-X3 and Asp-X3-CH3 were less toxic to gastric mucosal cells, yielding IC50 values that were about 2-fold higher than the corresponding IC50 values determined with SGC7901 cells. Asp-X3-CH3 and Asp-X3 also induced SGC7901 cells to undergo apoptosis, yielding apoptotic rates that were about twice the rate induced by Aspirin. Asp-X3-CH3 did not cause significant loss of COX-1 expression in gastric mucosal cells, whereas Asp-X3 and Aspirin both caused significant loss of COX-1 expression as demonstrated by Western blot, consistent with their effects on the content of PGE2 in these cells as determined by ELISA assay. However, both Asp-X3-CH3 and Asp-X3 exerted a similar effect on the level of COX-2 in gastric cancer cells, causing as much as 90% and 95% reduction in COX-2 expression, respectively. Taken together, the results suggested that Asp-X3-CH3 and Asp-X3 were potentially better agents than Aspirin for the inhibition of gastric cancer cell growth, but Asp-X3-CH3 was more effective.

Green and sustainable method of manufacturing anti-fouling zwitterionic polymers-modified poly(vinyl chloride) ultrafiltration membranes.

The nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fabrication relies on the extensive use of traditional solvents, thus ranking first in terms of ecological impacts among all the membrane fabrication steps. Methyl-5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoate (PolarClean), as a green solvent, was utilized in this study to fabricate poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) UF membranes. Subsequently, in post-treatment process, zwitterionic polymer, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (DMAPS), was grafted onto the membrane surface to enhance its anti-fouling properties using a greener surface-initiated activator regenerated by electron transfer-atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET-ATRP) reaction. This novel method used low toxicity chemicals, avoiding the environmental hazards of traditional ATRP, and greatly improving the reaction efficiency. We systematically studied the grafting time effect on the resulted membranes using sodium alginate as the foulant, and found that short grafting time (30 min) achieved excellent membrane performance: pure water permeability of 2872 L m-2 h-1 bar-1, flux recovery ratio of 86.4% after 7-hour fouling test, and foulant rejection of 96.0%. This work discusses for the first time the greener procedures with lower environmental impacts in both fabrication and modification processes of PVC UF membranes.

Synthesis of 6-epi-tuberiferin and the biological activities of tuberiferin, dehydrobrabrachylaenolide, 6-epi-tuberiferin, and their synthetic intermediates.

Tuberiferin, 6-epi-tuberifelin, dehydrobrachylaenolide and two series of eudesmanolides, eudesmane-12,6 α-lactones and eudesmane-12,6ß-lactones, were synthesized for the studies of the structure-activity relationships to explore novel anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and crop disease prevention agents. The anti-inflammatory activities were tested by the inhibitory on the induction of inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), the permeation of leucocyte into inflammatory air pouch of murine, the killing function of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL), production of IL-1; The anti-cancer activities were established on the cytotoxic activities to six kinds of cell lines (P388, CCRF-CEM, VA-13, HepG2, QG-56, and WI-38). Results showed that Dehydrobrachylaenolide (an exo-endo cross conjugated dienone and α-methylene γ-lactone) was the most effective compound inhibiting ICAM-1 (IC50 3.0 µM) and the cell line VA-13 (IC50 0.45 µM); Compound 20 with an α-bromo-ketone moiety embraced the most potent inhibitory activity towards the permeation of leucocyte into inflammatory air pouches of murine in vivo (inhibitory ratio 54% at 10 mg); Compound 25 with an α-bromo-ketone and α-methylene trans-γ-lactone) showed the most significant inhibitory activity on the killing function of CTL (IC50 18 µM), as well as the cell lines of CCRF-CEM (IC50 1.1 µM) and P388 (IC50 1.21 µM) ; Tuberiferin (an α,ß-unsaturated ketone and α- methylene γ-lactone) was on the top effective inhibitory on the production of IL-1; Compounds 19 with an α-bromo-ketone and α-methylene cis-γ-lactone exhibited the most potent inhibitory of QG-56 (IC50 12.5 µM); Compound 29 with an α-bromo-α,ß-unsaturated ketone and α-methylene γ-lactone) showed significant inhibitory for HepG2 (IC50 1.23 µM) , though potently inhibited WI 38 (IC50 0.31 µM) as well. A conclusion may be reached that the α-Methylene γ-lactone moiety, exo-endo cross conjugated dienone moiety, and α-bromo-ketone withα-methylene moiety might be essential for eudesmanolides in the expression of their anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour biological activities. Similarly, the above mentioned key moieties are also responsible for the preventive activity of crop disease controlling.

Superwettable PVDF/PVDF-g-PEGMA Ultrafiltration Membranes.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is a common and inexpensive polymeric material used for membrane fabrication, but the inherent hydrophobicity of this polymer induces severe membranes fouling, which limits its applications and further developments. Herein, we prepared superwettable PVDF membranes by selecting suitable polymer concentration and blending with PVDF-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PVDF-g-PEGMA). This fascinating interfacial phenomenon causes the contact angle of water droplets to drop from the initial value of over 70° to virtually 0° in 0.5 s for the best fabricated membrane. The wetting properties of the membranes were studied by calculating the surface free energy by surface thermodynamic analysis, by evaluating the peak height ratio from Raman spectra, and other surface characterization methods. The superwettability phenomenon is the result of the synergetic effects of high surface free energy, the Wenzel model of wetting, and the crystalline phase of PVDF. Besides superwettability, the PVDF/PVDF-g-PEGMA membranes show great improvements in flux performance, sodium alginate (SA) rejection, and flux recovery upon fouling.

The vascular dilatation induced by Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on rat mesenteric artery through TRPV4-dependent calcium influx in endothelial cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the principal constituent of the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which has been used for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases due to its property of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. It is dominated in the water extract of Carthamus tinctorius L., which has been used in the clinical treatment for cardiovascular diseases. HSYA exerts a variety of pharmacological efficacy upon the vascular system. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the vascular dilatation effect of HSYA on rat mesenteric artery (MA) and its potential mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were applied to the study. Tension studies were conducted to determine the dilatation activity of HSYA against pre-contracted mesenteric arterial (MA) rings by U 46619 and Phenylephrine (PE). The vascular activities were measured with or without incubation with some selective inhibitors, including L-N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a nitro oxide synthase inhibitor), HC-067047 (a selective TRPV4 antagonist), BaCl2 (a Kir channel blocker), and Indomethacin (Indo, a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor), respectively. Immunocytochemistry, Calcium Imaging, NO Production detection, and Western Blot were also employed to further study the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: HSYA reversed the constriction of MAs induced by U 46619 in a manner of concentration dependency, and the dilatation capability was reversed by L-NAME. This effect was significantly dependent on the intactness of MA endothelium, accompanying an increment of NO production in mesenteric arterial endothelium cells. The increment of NO production was reversed by inhibiting the PKA. Also, the expression of p-eNOS was activated by HSYA shown in Western Blot assays. The cells imaging revealed a significant increase and drop of the influx of Ca2+ before and after treatment with HC-067047. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that HSYA exerts vessel dilation effect on MAs via a TRPV4-dependent influx of Ca2+ in endothelium cells, PKA-dependent eNOS phosphorylation and NO production mechanism. The present study indicates that HSYA has the potential to be a future candidate for the treatment of hypertension.

Novel lncRNA PSMG3­AS1 functions as a miR­143­3p sponge to increase the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.

Long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered to be important regulators in breast cancer. In the present study, the potential mechanisms and functional roles of lncRNA PSMG3­antisense (AS)1 were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The relative expression levels of lncRNA PSMG3­AS1 and microRNA (miR)­143­3p were determined using reverse­transcription quantitative PCR. The protein expression levels of collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1A1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were obtained using western blot analysis. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the relationship between PSMG3­AS1, miR­143­3p and COL1A1. Colony forming and Cell Counting Kit­8 assays were used to detect cell proliferation. Transwell and wound­healing assays were used to determine cell migration. The results of the present study demonstrated that PSMG3­AS1 expression was increased in breast cancer tumor tissues and cell lines, and that of miR­143­3p was decreased. Knockdown of PSMG3­AS1 increased the level of miR­143­3p expression, which led to the mitigation of proliferation and migration capacity in breast carcinoma cells. Additionally, PSMG3­AS1 knockdown was demonstrated to reduce the mRNA and protein expression levels of COL1A1. miR­143­3p mimic transfection reduced proliferation and migration in MDA­MB­231 and MCF­7 cell lines. Furthermore, miR­143­3p inhibition significantly increased the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells compared with the negative control group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PCNA were reduced in the MCF­7 cell line when transfected with miR­143­3p mimics and si­PSMG3­AS1. However, PCNA expression was increased in cells transfected with a miR­143­3p inhibitor. In conclusion, the results of the present study identified a novel lncRNA PSMG3­AS1, which serves as a sponge for miR­143­3p in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. PSMG3­AS1 may be used as a potential therapeutic target gene in breast cancer treatment.

8-methoxysmyrindiol from Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass. and its vasodilation effects on isolated rat mesenteric arteries.

Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass. (Compositae) possesses various biological effects. It is used as an oriental remedy for relieving cough and resolving phlegm. The present study is to investigate the vasodilation effects of Gerbera piloselloides on isolated rat mesenteric arteries (MAs) and the potential mechanism. Different organic extracts of Gerbera piloselloides were tested, and an HPLC-UV-FD-based analytical method was established to identify the active constituents. The principal components, namely, 8-MOP (8-methoxypsoralan) and 8-MSD (8-methoxysmyrindiol), were found to be predominant in the extracts of petroleum ether and dichloroform, which showed stronger vasodilation activities. 8-MSD was isolated from Gerbera piloselloides by silica gel column chromatography coupled with a Waters 2545 high throughput autopurification system, and its vasodilation effects were explored by an assay of tension on rat MA rings. The results suggest that 8-MSD induces vascular relaxation in rat MAs via an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving the Kir channel, which enables Ca2+ entry in the cell and activates production of NO. The present research indicates that 8-MSD may be therapeutically useful as an anti-hypertension agent and to potentially treat cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

Studies on the Photochemical Rearrangements of Enantiomerically Pure, Polysubstituted, and Variously Annulated Bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones.

A series of enantiomerically pure bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones, including the lactone-annulated system 26, has been prepared by engaging derivatives of an enzymatically derived and homochiral cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol in inter- or intra-molecular Diels-Alder reactions. Systems such as 26 readily participate in photochemically promoted oxa-di-π-methane rearrangement or 1,3-acyl migration processes to give products such as diquinane 34 or mixtures of cyclobutanone 36 and cyclopropane 38, respectively.

Vasodilation effect of volatile oil from Allium macrostemon Bunge are mediated by PKA/NO pathway and its constituent dimethyl disulfide in isolated rat pulmonary arterials.

The present study aimed to investigate the vasodilation effects of Allium macrostemon Bunge (AMB) on isolated rat pulmonary arterials (PAs) and to assess the underling mechanisms. The volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation from the bulbs of AMB. Then the volatile oil from AMB was studied on isolated rat PA, removal of endothelium, or pretreatment with nitro oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or with protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor PKI but not cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin significantly blocked the AMB induced relaxation on PE-contracted PA rings. AMB increased the phosphorylation level of NOS in a dose and time-dependent manner, which was through PKA activation. AMB dose-dependently increased the [Ca2+]i through Ca2+ influx in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells. A total of 18 components from the volatile oil of AMB were identified. The principle constituents of AMB, Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS) but not Dimethyltrisulfide displayed dilation effects in PAs. Our results suggest that AMB induces relaxation in rat PAs via an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving Ca2+ entry, PKA dependent NOS phosphorylation and NO signaling. The vasodilator activities of AMB may through its constituent DMDS. The present study indicates therapeutic potentials of AMB on pulmonary hypertension.

Anti-cancer activity and potential mechanism of a novel aspirin derivative.

Aspirin has been used in the treatment and chemoprevention of many malignant cancers. The mechanism of its anti-cancer activity mainly involves the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, the application of aspirin is limited by the serious gastric mucosal damage that accompanies its usage. We have previously reported the preparation of a novel aspirin derivative that we named Ca-Asp, and showed that it causes less damage to gastric mucosa of rat and inhibits the expression of COX-2 to higher degree than Asp. However, the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of Ca-Asp was not demonstrated. In this study, the anti-cancer effect of Ca-Asp was investigated and compared with those of Asp and Hydroxyapatite (Hap) at the cell level. The results showed that treatment of SGC-7901 cells (human gastric cancer cell line) with 200-400µg/ml Ca-Asp resulted in significant reduction in cell viability, compared to treatment with either Asp or Hap, and at a higher concentration (500µg/ml). Subsequent investigation into the possible underlying mechanism showed that Ca-Asp induced apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Ca-Asp also up-regulated the levels of caspase-3 and p53, but down regulated the level of cyclin D1, NF-κB, COX-2 and PGE2. Furthermore, simultaneous treatment of SGC-7901 cells with Ca-Asp and exogenous PGE2 reduced the anti-proliferative effect of Ca-Asp on the cells. Taken together, the results suggested that Ca-Asp might act as a potential anti-cancer drug, and that its suppression of PGE2 production might constitute an important part of its anti-cancer activity.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) attenuates hypoxic pulmonary arterial remodelling and reverses right ventricular hypertrophy in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Carthamus tinctorius L. is a traditional herbal medicine native to China with properties of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which is used for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the main constituent isolated from the flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. which is used as a marker substance in the quality control of Carthamus tinctorius L. in Chinese Pharmacopeia. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study is to investigate the hypertension attenuating effect of HSYA on hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension model rats, and the possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animal models were made by treating adult male Wistar rats (of the same age with the same weight of 200±25g) under hypoxia 24h per day for 9 days with or without administration of HSYA. The pulmonary arterial pressure of rats was measured after anesthetization; The right ventricular hypotrophy was evaluated by the right ventricular hypotrophy index (RVHI=[RV/(LV+S)]) as well as histomorphology assay with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining; The reducing of pulmonary artery remodelling was evaluated by histomorphology assay with HE staining; The proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry assays (PCNA and Ki67) and MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis and Weston-blot analysis were also performed in the study. RESULTS: HSYA reduced the mean right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of rats with hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPH) in a manner of concentration dependency. It significantly inhibited the PASMCs proliferation and attenuated the remodelling of the pulmonary artery and right ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that HSYA protected against hypoxic induced pulmonary hypertension by reversing the remodelling of the pulmonary artery through inhibiting the proliferation and hypertrophy of PASMCs. This is in accordance with our previous finding that HSYA protects against the pulmonary artery vascular constriction. All these results suggest that HSYA may be a promising candidate for HPH treatment.

The Influence of "wuqinxi" exercises on the Lumbosacral Multifidus.

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of the five animals (wuqinxi) exercises on the lumbosacral multifidus. [Subjects and Methods] This study enrolled two groups of volunteers, 15 volunteers who did the five animals exercises, the experimental group, and 15 volunteers who did aerobic exercise (walking), the control group. Both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention, the average surface electromyography (ASEMG) of the two groups in the process of flexion and extension was recorded and analyzed using DASYLab10.0 software, and the flexion extension ratio (FER) was calculated. [Results] The ASEMG in the process of flexion was lower than the ASEMG in the process of extension both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention on both sides of all volunteers. There was no significant difference in FER between the experimental group and control group before the 1 year exercise intervention; however, the FER of experimental group was lower than that of the control group after the 1 year exercise intervention. There was no significant difference between the two sides in any individual both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention in both groups. [Conclusion] The "wuqinxi" exercises improved the function of the lumbosacral multifidus, and might be an alternative method of reducing low back pain.

Preparation and characterization of a novel aspirin derivative with anti-thrombotic and gastric mucosal protection properties.

The use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASP) is limited by its adverse effects, especially the effect on the gastric mucosa. To address this problem, we synthesized a derivative form of ASP, prepared by modification of ASP with nano-hydroxyapatite (a kind of inorganic particle containing Ca(2+)). The derivative was named Ca-ASP. Structural study showed that Ca-ASP was a kind of carboxylate containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Rats given a high dose of Ca-ASP (5 mmol per kg body weight) showed similar anti-thrombotic activity as those given the same dose of ASP, but had much lower gastric mucosal damage than ASP (UI: 2 versus UI: 12.5). These rats also showed reduced expression of COX-2, but their COX-1 expression was similar to that of control rats, but significantly higher than that of ASP-administered rats. Furthermore, the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was up-regulated in Ca-ASP-administered rats compared to ASP-administered rats. Taken together, the results showed that Ca-ASP possessed similar antithrombotic activity as ASP but without the side effect associated with ASP, and the underlying mechanism may center on inhibiting COX-2 without inhibiting COX-1, and thus favouring the production of PGE2, the prostaglandin that plays a vital role in the suppression of platelet aggregation and thrombosis, as well as in the repair of gastric damage.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Gerbera anandria.

Gerbera anandria (Compositae) was extracted with 75% ethanol and the residue was fractionated using light petroleum, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The constituents of the extracts were separated by column chromatography employing solvents of different polarity. Column chromatography of the light petroleum fraction resulted in the isolation of methyl hexadecanoate, while the chloroform fraction afforded xanthotoxin, 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid, 7-hydroxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone, a mixture of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol, and 8-methoxysmyrindiol and the ethyl acetate fraction gave gerberinside, apigenin-7-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside and quercetin. A new coumarin, 8-methoxysmyrindiol, was found. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by MS and NMR (HSQC, HMBC). Free radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts and 8-methoxysmyrindiol were further investigated. The ethyl acetate phase exerted the strongest DPPH free radical scavenging activity in comparison to the other fractions. The coumarin 8-methoxysmyrindiol demonstrated cytotoxicity against multiple human cancer cell lines, with the highest potency in HepG2 cells.