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Background Antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is associated with HLA-DRB1*1501 (the major predisposing genetic factor in the disease), with α3127-148 as a nephritogenic T and B cell epitope. Although the cause of disease remains unclear, the association of infections with anti-GBM disease has been long suspected. Methods To investigate whether microbes might activate autoreactive T and B lymphocytes via molecular mimicry in anti-GBM disease, we used bioinformatic tools, including BLAST, SYFPEITHI, and ABCpred, for peptide searching and epitope prediction. We used sera from patients with anti-GBM disease to assess peptides recognized by antibodies, and immunized WKY rats and a humanized mouse model (HLA-DR15 transgenic mice) with each of the peptide candidates to assess pathogenicity. Results On the basis of the critical motif, the bioinformatic approach identified 36 microbial peptides that mimic human α3127-148. Circulating antibodies in sera from patients with anti-GBM recognized nine of them. One peptide, B7, derived from Actinomyces species, induced proteinuria, linear IgG deposition on the GBM, and crescent formation when injected into WKY rats. The antibodies to B7 also targeted human and rat α3127-148. B7 induced T cell activation from human α3127-148-immunized rats. T cell responses to B7 were detected in rats immunized by Actinomyces lysate proteins or recombinant proteins. We confirmed B7's pathogenicity in HLA-DR15 transgenic mice that developed kidney injury similar to that observed in α3135-145-immunized mice. Conclusions Sera from patients with anti-GBM disease recognized microbial peptides identified through a bioinformatic approach, and a peptide from Actinomyces induced experimental anti-GBM GN by T and B cell crossreactivity. These studies demonstrate that anti-GBM disease may be initiated by immunization with a microbial peptide.

The high cost of oleaginous microalgae harvesting is a major factor limiting the industrialization of microalgae biodiesel. In order to obtain an efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for harvesting microalgae, this study used Citrobacter freundii (No. W4) and Mucor circinelloides for the harvest of oil-bearing microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The effects of flocculation conditions, including the initial pH, bacterial dosage, fungal dosage and glucose dosage were investigated, respectively. According to the results of response surface optimization, when the initial pH was 7.0, bacteria: microalgae ratio was 1.6:1, microalgae: fungi ratio was 333:1, the glucose concentration was 1.47 g/L, the flocculation efficiency of the actual sewage cultured C. pyrenoidosa attained 97.45%. The results showed that bacteria and fungi had a good potential for the harvest of microalgae.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising photocatalyst for environmental protection but its development is greatly limited for its application in dark Fenton-like reactions due to its extremely low specific surface area and lack of suitable active sites. Herein, for the first time, graphitic carbon nitride with large surface area and abundant defect sites was developed by tailoring oxygen via a simple and green method without any templates, namely, the calcination–hydrothermal–calcination successive treatment of melamine. The structure of the catalyst was characterized using several technologies, including XRD, SEM, TEM, N2-physisorption, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and XPS. The results revealed that it possessed a large specific surface area (ca. 236 m2 g−1), while changes in its structural properties such as the formation of new defect sites and change in the content of nitrogen atoms were observed. These properties were beneficial for the in situ activation of H2O2 toward reactive oxygen species, as confirmed by the reactive oxygen species capturing experiments. Furthermore, various influencing factors were systemically investigated. The results clearly showed that the oxygen-doped g-C3N4 was light-independent and metal-free Fenton-like catalyst for the enhanced degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. Compared to the pristine g-C3N4, the oxygen-doped g-C3N4 showed superior performance under various conditions such as broad pH range and excellent stability. Thus, this study provides a novel pathway for the treatment of organic pollutants in water.

TRPM7 contributes to a variety of physiological and pathological processes in many tissues and cells. With a widespread distribution in the nervous system, TRPM7 is involved in animal behaviors and neuronal death induced by ischemia. However, the physiological role of TRPM7 in CNS neuron remains unclear. Here, we identify endocytic defects in neuroendocrine cells and neurons from TRPM7 knockout (KO) mice, indicating a role of TRPM7 in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Our experiments further pinpoint the importance of TRPM7 as an ion channel in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Ca2+imaging detects a defect in presynaptic Ca2+dynamics in TRPM7 KO neuron, suggesting an importance of Ca2+influx via TRPM7 in synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Moreover, the short-term depression is enhanced in both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission from TRPM7 KO mice. Taking together, our data suggests that Ca2+influx via TRPM7 may be critical for short-term plasticity of synaptic strength by regulating synaptic vesicle endocytosis in neurons.

A series of derivatives of nitroso-substituted cubane were designed through the substitution of hydrogen atoms by nitroso groups one by one. The heats of formation (HOFs) were calculated to explore the thermal stability. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and the bond orders of the trigger bonds were also investigated to explore the molecular stability kinetically. Furthermore, the steric effect was confirmed as the determinant of molecular stability for title molecules. To explore the detonation properties, the detonation pressure (P), the detonation velocity (D), the heat of detonation (Q), and the specific density (ρ) were calculated by using the empirical Kamlet-Jacobs (K-J) equations. To predict the sensitivity, the characteristic drop height (H50) is calculated. Based on our calculations, the octanitrosocubane is found with detonation parameters (D = 9.03 km/s, P = 36.96 GPa) better than that of RDX with enough stability.

This paper discusses the effects of phosphorus stress on the photosynthetic and physiological characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris . The results indicate that the growth and photosynthesis of C. vulgaris were affected under non-phosphorus control and non-orthophosphate treatments (pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate and glycerophosphate). Orthophosphate promoted the growth of C. vulgaris most significantly, while the growth of C. vulgaris under non-phosphorus control was slow and soon entered a stable period. The growth of C. vulgaris was also promoted under non-orthophosphate treatments, but slower than orthophosphate treatment, with no significant differences among the three. A reversible inactivation occurred in the PSII system of C. vulgaris under non-phosphorus control after 24 h, while the same phenomenon occurred after exposure for 7 days under non-orthophosphate treatments. The decrease in actual photochemical efficiency was related to the fall in the ratios of the opening reaction centers in the PSII system. For non-orthophosphate treatments, it was also related to other factors, as not all opening reaction centers transferred electrons. Phosphorus stress did not affect the integrity of the cell membranes, demonstrating that phosphorus stress could result in the inhibition of cell yield, rather than cell death. Phosphorus stress could also decrease the esterase activities and increase the mean size of algal cells.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was a well-known environmental pollutant, numerous studies had implicated BaP as a causative agent in human cancer, particularly lung cancer. The lemongrass essential oil (LEO) possessed various pharmacological activities, especially the anti-oxidative stress and cancer prevention. In the current study, human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF) cells were treated with 25 mM BaP in the absence or presence of 0.5%, 1% or 2.5% LEO and the cell viability and levels of oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage in the cells were then measured. Nineteen chemical constituents were identified in LEO, with citral being the main component, representing about 68.78%. LEO was able to protect the HELF cells against BaP-induced loss in cell viability, achieving a maximum of 95.58% cell viability at the 0.5% concentration. Treatment of HELF cells with BaP alone significantly increased the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, these effects were suppressed when the cells were also treated with LEO, leading to enhanced levels of SOD and CAT activities (2.9- and 2-fold, respectively, compared with BaP treatment only) and reduced the level of MDA in the cells (43% reduction in malondialdehyde level). At the same time, LEO also reduced the level of DNA damage, as shown by a reduced level of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Taken together, the results showed that LEO offered protection against BaP-induced OS and DNA damage, suggesting that LEO could be a promising agent for lung cancer chemoprevention.

A Ni-based catalyst (Ni-PVP/PFC3R) with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant supported in a pretreated fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (PFC3R) was synthesized and applied to C9 petroleum resin (C9 PR) hydrogenation. For comparison, a Ni catalyst without PVP (Ni/PFC3R) was prepared in the same way. Ni-PVP/PFC3R exhibited higher activity and better stability. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, H 2 -temperature programmed reduction/temperature programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method. The catalysts had a smaller crystallite size and stronger interactions between the Ni species and the PFC3R support in the presence of PVP. The effects of nickel loading, H 2 pressure, temperature and reaction time for C9 PR hydrogenation over Ni-PVP/PFC3R were investigated. The bromine number was reduced to 1.25 under the following conditions: nickel content of 12 wt%, PVP amount of 1.5 wt%, temperature of 270°C, H 2 pressure of 8 MPa and reaction time of 240 min.

The residual levels of phthalate esters (PAEs) in the surface and two core sediments from Lake Chaohu were measured with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The temporal-spatial distributions, compositions of PAEs, and their effecting factors were investigated. The results indicated that di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were three dominant PAE components in both the surface and core sediments. The residual level of total detected PAEs (∑PAEs) in the surface sediments (2.146 ± 2.255 μg/g dw) was lower than that in the western core sediments (10.615 ± 9.733 μg/g) and in the eastern core sediments (5.109 ± 4.741 μg/g). The average content of ∑PAEs in the surface sediments from the inflow rivers (4.128 ± 1.738 μg/g dw) was an order of magnitude higher than those from the lake (0.323 ± 0.093 μg/g dw), and there were similar PAE compositions between the lake and inflow rivers. This finding means that there were important effects of PAE input from the inflow rivers on the compositions and distributions of PAEs in the surface sediments. An increasing trend was found for the residual levels of ΣPAEs, DnBP, and DIBP from the bottom to the surface in both the western and eastern core sediments. Increasing PAE usage with the population growth, urbanization, and industrial and agricultural development in Lake Chaohu watershed would result in the increasing production of PAEs and their resulting presence in the sediments. The significant positive relationships were also found between the PAE contents and the percentage of sand particles, as well as TOC contents in the sediment cores.

A novel platform, named the Bayesian matbugs calculator (BMC), was developed to select the best SSD model, assess ecological risk at high-, mid- and low-levels of the 95% credible interval (CI), and to set the priority of toxic substances. The BMC platform was applied to the ecological risk assessment and priority setting of 32 toxic substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), in the water from the Beijing-Tianjin-Bohai (BTB) area of northern China. The results showed that most of the studied PAH and OCP compounds have a high-level ecological risk with potential affected fraction (PAF) > 10 −3 except for benzo(a)anthracene, pyrene, chrysene and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH). The Yongdinghe River, Yongdingxinhe River, and Guanting Reservoir had the highest multiple substance combined PAF (msPAF) at mid-level, whereas the Qingshuihe River had the lowest msPAF, ranging from 2.91 × 10 −7 to 1.15 × 10 −1 at various levels. On the basis of ecological risk at the high level of 95% CI, the priorities for PAHs and OCPs were anthracene, chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, δ-HCH, p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′-DDD), heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor, and endosulfan II. The BMC platform can be concluded to be a friendly, accessible, efficient tool to select the best SSD model, calculate relevant indicators, assess ecological risks with uncertainty, and to set the priority of toxic substances.

Status epilepticus (SE) is defined as continuous seizure activity lasting more than 5 minutes. It results in neuronal cell death, mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Previously, metformin demonstrated neuroprotective effects in primary cortical neurons. In this study, we analyzed the effect of metformin on ER stress via the pro-apoptotic protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway. SE was induced in rats by pentylenetetrazole. Following SE, the rats were treated with salubrinal, GSK2656157, or metformin. In a control group (normal saline) SE was not induced. CHOP, eIF2α, and PERK expression was determined by Western blot; apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL assay. CHOP expression was significantly increased at 6 and 24 hours following SE. At both time points, eIF2α and PERK levels were also increased. At 6 hours, CHOP expression was significantly reduced in salubrinal, GSK2656157 and metformin groups versus SE group. eIF2α and PERK levels were decreased in metformin compared to SE group. eIF2α expression was markedly decreased in salubrinal versus SE group, while PERK expression was markedly reduced in GSK2656157 versus SE group. At 6 and 24 hours, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased in SE versus control group, while it was significantly reduced in salubrinal, GSK2656157, and metformin groups compared to SE group. The apoptosis rate also decreased in salubrinal group at 24 hours, although not to the extent observed in metformin group. Overall, CHOP expression and apoptosis induced by SE in rats were reduced with metformin. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical relevance of metformin for patients with SE.

High concentrations of ethanol, low pH, the presence of sulfur dioxide and some polyphenols have been reported to inhibit Oenococcus oeni growth, thereby negatively affecting malolactic fermentation (MLF) of wine. In order to generate superior O. oeni strains that can conduct more efficient MLF, despite these multiple stressors, a continuous culture approach was designed to directly evolve an existing ethanol tolerant O. oeni strain, A90. The strain was grown for ∼350 generations in a red wine-like environment with increasing levels of stressors. Three strains were selected from screening experiments based on their completion of fermentation in a synthetic wine/wine blend with 15.1% (v/v) ethanol, 26 mg/L SO2 at pH 3.35 within 160 h, while the parent strain fermented no more than two thirds of l -malic acid in this medium. These superior strains also fermented faster and/or had a larger population in four different wines. A reduced or equivalent amount of the undesirable volatile, acetic acid, was produced by the optimised strains compared to a commercial strain in Mouvedre and Merlot wines. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using directed evolution as a tool to generate more efficient MLF starters tailored for wines with multiple stressors.

This paper presents a continuous atmospheric heavy metals monitoring system (AMMS-100) for heavy metals analysis based on X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. The AMMS-100 is used to collect the sample automatically with filters and then measure the concentrations of heavy metals by XRF. The accuracy of AMMS-100 for heavy metals analysis has been verified by the standard method. The relative errors, such as Pb and Fe, are lower than 10%. Moreover, the AMMS-100 can be used for long-term continuous monitoring the atmospheric heavy metals under different weather condition. The AMMS-100 described herein presents a continuous system for accurate analysis of atmospheric heavy metals with long-term stability.

The levels of 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the water from Lake Chaohu were measured by a solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometer detector. The spatial and temporal distribution, possible sources, and potential ecological risks of the OCPs were analyzed. The annual mean concentration for the OCPs in Lake Chaohu was 6.99 ng/L. Aldrin, HCHs, and DDTs accounted for large proportions of the OCPs. The spatial pollution followed the order of Central Lakes > Western Lakes > Eastern Lakes and water area. The sources of the HCHs were mainly from the historical usage of lindane. DDTs were degraded under aerobic conditions, and the main sources were from the use of technical DDTs. The ecological risks of 5 OCPs were assessed by the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method in the order of heptachlor > γ-HCH > p,p′-DDT > aldrin > endrin. The combining risks of all sampling sites were MS > JC > ZM > TX, and those of different species were crustaceans > fish > insects and spiders. Overall, the ecological risks of OCP contaminants on aquatic animals were very low.

A new polythiophene derivative, poly[3,4-bis-(1,3-dioxane-2-ylethyl) thiophene] (PBDT) with two 1,3-dioxane groups was synthesized via two-step strategy. Firstly, a precursor polymer poly(3,4-dibromothiophene) (PDBrT) was prepared, and secondly the bromo-atoms were substituted by 1,3-dioxan-2-ylethyl groups to get the target polymer. The later reaction was monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. Molecular weights of PBDT were measured by GPC. In addition, the optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) of PBDT and PDBrT were investigated and demonstrated that the maximum emission wavelength of PBDT was red-shifted about 80 nm in comparison with that of PDBrT, which was due to the effects of electron withdrawing and steric repulsion between two 1,3-dioxane-2-ylethyl groups.

Well-defined CdS nanorod arrays were pepared via a facile one-step hydrothermal approach and Poly (N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK)/CdS nanocomposites were fabricated by spin-coating chloroform solution of PVK on the surface of CdS film. A variety of techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) were employed to investigate the surface morphology and optical properties of PVK/CdS nanocomposites. Photoluminescence efficiency of nanocomposites decreases compared to pure PVK and CdS nanorod arrays due to quenching through high photocharge generation quantum efficiency and high charge transport between inorganic semiconductor and conducting polymer.

Two novel polythiophenes with 1,3-dioxane group in the side chain named poly[3-(1,3-dioxane-2-ylethyl)thiophene] (PDT) and poly[3-(1,3-dioxane-2-ylethyl)-4-methyl- thiophene] (PDMT) were synthesized via oxidative polymerization firstly to form their precursor polymers and substitution secondly to obtain the target polymers in this paper. The chemical structures, molecular weights, thermal properties of the polymers were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, GPC, and TGA respectively, indicating that both polymers had high molecular weight and good thermal stability. Meanwhile, the optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) of both polymers were investigated and the results showed that the maximum absorption and emission wavelengths of PDMT were blue-shifted than that of PDT due to its methyl-substitution at 4-position in thiophene.

NSFC [20832005, 20602028]; Innovative Research Team in Science & Technology (University) in Fujian Province

Regioselective Grignard reagent additions to 3-methoxymaleimidesand subsequent diastereoselective reductive dehydroxylation of theresulting N, O-acetalswere studied. On the basis of these studies, a flexible and highlyregio- and diastereoselective approach to methyl 5-alkyltetramatederivatives was disclosed. The method is the first direct and flexibleasymmetric cationic synthon-based approach, and allows for the synthesisof various methyl (5 S)-5-alkyltetramatederivatives that are otherwise inaccessible by the commonly usedmethods based on α-amino acids.

Background Sodium 4-phenylbutanoate (NaPB) can induce cellular differentiation and cell cycle arrest. However, its potential anticancer properties in hepatocellular carcinoma and influence on normal liver cell are still unclear. We observed the effects of NaPB on growth inhibition, including differentiation and phase growth arrest in normal liver cell line L-02 and hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402. Furthermore, we investigated its mechanism in Bel-7402. Methods Hepatocellular carcinoma cells Bel-7402 and normal liver cell line L-02 were treated with NaPB at different concentrations. Light microscopy was used to find morphological change in cells. Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Expression of acetylating histone H4 and of histones deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) were determined by Western blot. The expression of P21 WAF1/CIP1 and E-cadherin were observed through immunocytochemistry. Results NaPB treatment led to time dependent growth inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Bel-7402. NaPB treatment caused a significant decline in the fraction of S phase cells and a significant increase in G 0 /G 1 cells. NaPB increased the expression of P21 WAF1/CIP1 and E-cadherin in Bel-7402 and significantly decreased the level of HDAC4 in Bel-7402. NaPB significantly improved the level of acetylating histone H4. The normal liver cell line L-02 showed no distinct changes under treatment with NaPB. Conclusions NaPB inhibited the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells Bel-7402 and induced partial differentiation through enhancing the acetylating histones. In Bel-7402, the expressions of P21 WAF1/CIP1 and E-cadherin may be related to level of acetylating histones and inhibition of cellular growth. NaPB showed no significant effect on normal liver cells.

The toxic effects of ethyl cinnamate on the photosynthetic and physiological characteristics ofChlorella vulgariswere studied based on chlorophyll fluorescence and flow cytometry analysis. Parameters, including biomass,Fv/Fm(maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII), ФPSII(actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in the light), FDA, and PI staining fluorescence, were measured. The results showed the following: (1) The inhibition on biomass increased as the exposure concentration increased. 1 mg/L ethyl cinnamate was sufficient to reduce the total biomass ofC. vulgaris. The 48-h and 72-h EC50 values were 2.07 mg/L (1.94–2.20) and 1.89 mg/L (1.82–1.97). (2) After 24 h of exposure to 2–4 mg/L ethyl cinnamate, the photosynthesis ofC. vulgarisalmost ceased, manifesting in ФPSIIbeing close to zero. After 72 h of exposure to 4 mg/L ethyl cinnamate, theFv/FmofC. vulgarisdropped to zero. (3) Ethyl cinnamate also affected the cellular physiology ofC. vulgaris, but these effects resulted in the inhibition of cell yield rather than cell death. Exposure to ethyl cinnamate resulted in decreased esterase activities inC. vulgaris, increased average cell size, and altered intensities of chlorophyll a fluorescence. Overall, esterase activity was the most sensitive variable.

Two novel complexes [Cu(L)2(Ac)2]·3H2O (1) (L = N-2-methyl benzimidazole demethylcantharate imide, C16H15N3O3, Ac = acetate, C2H3O2) and [Cu(bimz)2(DCA)] (2) (bimz = benzimidazole, C7H6N2; DCA = demethylcantharate, C8H8O5) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction techniques. Cu(II) ion was four-coordinated in complex 1, Cu(II) ion was five-coordinated in complex 2. A large amount of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding and π–π stacking interactions were observed in these complex structures. The DNA-binding properties of these complexes were investigated using electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, viscosity measurements and agarose gel electrophoresis. The interactions between the complexes and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated by fluorescence spectra. The antiproliferative activities of the complexes against human hepatoma cells (SMMC7721) were tested in vitro. And the results showed that these complexes could bind to DNA in moderate intensity via partial intercalation, and complexes 1 and 2 could cleave plasmid DNA through hydroxyl radical mechanism. Title complexes could effectively quench the fluorescence of BSA through static quenching. Meanwhile, title complexes had stronger antiproliferative effect compared to L and Na2(DCA) within the tested concentration range. And complex 1 possessed more antiproliferative active than complex 2.

The residual levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water, suspended particular matter (SPM) and sediment from Lake Chaohu were measured with a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The spatial–temporal distributions and the SPM–water partition of PAHs and their influencing factors were investigated. The potential sources and contributions of PAHs in the sediment were estimated by positive matrix factorization (PMF) and probabilistic stable isotopic analysis (PSIA). The results showed that the average residual levels of total PAHs (PAH16) in the water, SPM and sediment were 170.7 ± 70.8 ng/L, 210.7 ± 160.7 ng/L and 908.5 ± 1878.1 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The same spatial distribution trend of PAH16 in the water, SPM and sediment was found from high to low: river inflows > western lake > eastern lake > water source area. There was an obvious seasonal trend of PAH16 in the water, while no obvious seasonal trend was found in the SPM. The residues and distributions of PAHs in the water, SPM and sediment relied heavily on carbon content. Significant Pearson correlations were found between LogKoc and LogKow as well as some hydro-meteorological factors. Three major sources of PAHs including coal and biomass combustions, and vehicle emissions were identified.

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is the major bioactive component of Cordyceps militaris that has been widely used in oriental countries as a Traditional Chinese Medicine and healthy food for preventing early aging, improving physical performance and increasing lifespan. Cordyceps militaris extracts other than cordycepin have been reported to improve cognitive function. Although cordycepin is one of the most utilized Cordyceps militaris components, it remains unknown whether cordycepin could improve learning and memory. Here we investigated effects of cordycepin on learning and memory in healthy and ischemic mice using Y-maze test. We found that oral cordycepin administration at dose of 10 mg/kg significantly improved Y-maze learning performance both in healthy and ischemic mice. However, cordycepin at dose of 5 mg/kg enhanced Y-maze learning only in ischemic mice but not healthy mice. In this study, simultaneously, we found that orally administrated cordycepin significantly decreased the neuronal loss induced by ischemia in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. Collectively, our results can provide valuable evidence that cordycepin may act as a nootropic product or potential clinical application in improving cognitive function of patients with ischemic stroke in the future.

The residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the dust fall around Lake Chaohu were measured using gas chromatography mass spectrometry from April 2010 to March 2011. The fluxes, components, temporal-spatial variations, and sources of OCPs were also analyzed. Twenty-one types of OCPs were detected in the dust fall samples around Lake Chaohu, with a total concentration of 51.54 ± 36.31 ng/g and a total flux of 10.01 ± 13.69 ng/(m(2) day). Aldrin (35.3 %), endosulfan (39.1 %), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (49.8 %), and isodrin (37.1 %) were the major OCPs in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. Both the residual level and the flux were higher in the spring than in other seasons and higher at the outer lake sampling sites than inner lake sampling site. The potential source of the hexachlorcyclohexanes in the dust fall may be recent lindane usage. The DDTs mainly came from historical dicofol usage, and a significant input of DDT was found during April and June. The presence of endosulfan may be due to the present use of technical endosulfan. The aldrin in the dust might be due to its occasional usage, and isodrin may be a result of long-distance transport from other countries.

The residual levels of OCPs in the gas phase and particle phase in Lake Chaohu, China, were measured using GC-MS from March 2010 to February 2011. The temporal-spatial variations and sources of OCPs were also analyzed. Twenty types of OCPs were detected in the gas phase with a total concentration of484.8±550.4 pg/m3. Endosulfan, DDTs and chlordane were the primary OCPs in the gas phase. The mean concentration of OCPs in the gas phase was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter. Seventeen types of OCPs were detected in the particle phase with a total concentration of 18.3 ± 26.1 pg/m3. DDTs were major OCPs in the particle phase. The mean concentration of OCPs in the particle phase decreased at first and then increased during the period. The potential source of the HCHs in ambient air of Lake Chaohu might come from recent lindane usage. DDTs mainly came from historical dicofol usage, and an input of DDT was observed in the spring, which may result from the present use of marine paint that contains technical DDT. Endosulfan and chlordane in the air may be due to the present use of technical endosulfan and chlordane.

Determination of Staphylococcus aureus was performed by using a piezoelectric crystal immunosensor system. The system consists of an oscillator, a frequency counter, a special cell and a modified piezoelectric crystal. Goat-anti-human IgG is immobilized on the surface of the crystal, which is used as a S. aureus detector by measuring its resonant frequency shift due to a mass change caused by specific binding of the microbe to the crystal surface. The frequency shift was correlated with a S. aureus concentration in the range of 5 × 10 5 −1 × 10 8 cells. The coated crystal was stable for fifteen assays without detectable loss of sensitivity and stable for a month when it was stored at +4°C.

The spatio-temporal distributions and the ecological and health risks of PAEs in surface water of Lake Chaohu, the fifth largest lake in China, were studied based on the monthly monitoring of six PAE congeners from May 2010 to April 2011. The annual total concentration of the six PAE congeners (Σ6PAE) in the surface water ranged from 0.467 to 17.953 μg L(-1), with the average value of 4.042±3.929 μg L(-1). The di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) that dominated the Σ6PAE at 65.8% was found at its highest and lowest levels in the western lake (TX) and eastern drinking water source area (JC), respectively. The temporal distributions of Σ6PAE showed that the highest and lowest levels were observed in September 2010 and June 2010, respectively. The different relationships between the runoff and the PAEs with low and high levels of carbon might suggest their different sources. The DnBP had much greater ecological risks than the other studied PAE congeners as indicated by its potential affected fractions (PAFs) and the margin of safety (MOS10). The PAE congeners studied posed little health risk to the nearby male and female citizens.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), a potential threat to ecosystems and human health, are still widely residual in the environment. The residual levels of OCPs in the water and gas phase were monitored in Lake Chaohu, a large Chinese lake, from March 2010 to February 2011. Nineteen types of OCPs were detected in the water with a total concentration of 7.27 ± 3.32 ng/l. Aldrin, DDTs and HCHs were the major OCPs in the water, accounting for 38.3 %, 28.9 % and 23.6 % of the total, respectively. The highest mean concentration (12.32 ng/l) in the water was found in September, while the lowest (1.74 ng/l) was found in November. Twenty types of gaseous OCPs were detected in the atmosphere with a total concentration of 542.0 ± 636.5 pg/m3. Endosulfan, DDTs and chlordane were the major gaseous OCPs in the atmosphere, accounting for 48.9 %, 22.5 % and 14.4 % of the total, respectively. The mean concentration of gaseous OCPs was significantly higher in summer than in winter. o,p′-DDE was the main metabolite of DDT in both the water and gas phase. Of the HCHs, 52.3 % existed as β-HCH in the water, while α-HCH (37.9 %) and γ-HCH (30.9 %) were dominant isomers in the gas phase. The average fluxes were −21.11, −3.30, −152.41, −35.50 and −1314.15 ng/(m2 day) for α-HCH, γ-HCH, HCB, DDT and DDE, respectively. The water–gas exchanges of the five types of OCPs indicate that water was the main potential source of gaseous OCPs in the atmosphere. A sensitivity analysis indicated that the water-gas flux of α-HCH, γ-HCH and DDT is more vulnerable than that of HCB and DDE to the variation of the parameters. The possible source of the HCHs in the water was from the historical usage of lindane; however, that in the air was mainly from the recent usage of lindane. The technical DDT and dicofol might be the source of DDTs in the water and air.

Salvianolic acid B (SalB), a bioactive compound isolated from the plant-derived medicinal herb Danshen, has been shown to exert various anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in several neurological disorders. In this study, we sought to investigate the potential protective effects and associated molecular mechanisms of SalB in Parkinson's disease (PD) models. To determine the neuroprotective effects of SalB in vitro, MPP+- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuronal injury was achieved using primary cultures with different compositions of neurons, microglia and astrocytes. Our results showed that SalB reduced both LPS- and MPP+-induced toxicity of dopamine neurons in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, SalB treatment inhibited the release of microglial pro-inflammatory cytokines and resulted in an increase in the expression and release of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) from astrocytes. Western blot analysis illustrated that SalB increased the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). The knockdown of Nrf2 using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) partially reversed the SalB-induced GDNF expression and anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, SalB treatment significantly attenuated dopaminergic (DA) neuronal loss, inhibited neuroinflammation, increased GDNF expression and improved the neurological function in MPTP-treated mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that SalB protects DA neurons by an Nrf-2 -mediated dual action: reducing microglia activation-mediated neuroinflammation and inducing astrocyte activation-dependent GDNF expression. Importantly the present study also highlights critical roles of glial cells as targets for developing new strategies to alter the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.

The title compound, C19H27NO3, was obtained by the reaction of (3S,7aR)-7a-hexyl-7-methoxy-3-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazol-5(7aH)-one and triethylsilane using titanium(IV) chloride as catalyst. In the molecule, the phenyl and dihydropyrrolone rings form a dihedral angle of 83.8 (1)°. O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions lead to the formation of a chain parallel to the a axis.

In the title chiral butterfly-like bicyclic lactam, C(14)H(15)NO(3), the phenyl and methyl groups are syn with respect to each other. The dihydro-pyrrrole ring adopts a boat conformation, whereas the oxazole ring has a slightly distorted boat conformation. The packing of mol-ecules in the crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.