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Although the niche differentiation of anammox bacteria has been extensively observed in a lab-scale reactor, the inherent mechanism for this ecological phenomenon is still elusive. Here, we combined the long-term reactor operation, genome-centered metagenome, and metatranscriptome analyses to gain insight into the substrate competition and niche differentiation of Candidatus Jettenia and Candidatus Brocadia. After 146 days of operation, we found the anammox bacterial population shifted from Ca. Jettenia to Ca. Brocadia in the immobilization-anaerobic baffled reactor (I-ABR) with the ammonium and nitrite concentrations of 30 mg/L. Importantly, the genome and transcript comparisons of Ca. Jettenia and Ca. Brocadia showed that Ca. Brocadia harbored more complete function in cell chemotaxis, flagellar assembly, and two-component system and more redundant function in nitrite reduction, in which the genes were also highly expressed. Ca. Brocadia out-competed Ca. Jettenia at the mainstream condition. Meanwhile, though the highest biomass concentration led to the highest nitrogen removal rate (NRR) in the first compartment (C1), the competition of Ca. Jettenia and Ca. Brocadia could also affect the NRR of different compartments through affecting the bacterial activity. Substrate competition of anammox bacteria led to higher transcript activity of Ca. Jettenia and Ca. Brocadia in the second (C2) and fourth (C4) compartments, respectively. Further, high transcript activity of Ca. Brocadia led to the higher NRR in C4. A comparison of metabolic potential based on the metagenome-assembled genome adds a different dimension for understanding the discrepantly physiological characteristics and competition of anammox bacteria for wastewater treatment.

The sea-crossing bridge construction takes orders the design idea of maximization, the factorization, the standardization and the assembly, which pile caps and pier shafts of the non-navigable span are prefabricated at the focus of prefabricated. In the paper, the precast solutions are put forward to pile caps and pier shafts of the non-navigable span, and the key technical problems of all kinds of precast solutions are analyzed. On this basis, the optimal pier factory prefabrication is proposed by the comparison of various schemes, which is carried out about advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated matching accuracy control, factory prefabrication, concrete placing, transport in the precast yard, transport style and the impact on follow-up construction.

The cracking and deformation analysis of concrete tunnel segment in the jacking process is made by ANSYS. First, we analyzed the effect of such measures as placing a hydraulic jack between the section and rail beam sliding plane described in the four sliding rails scheme upon the cracking and deformation of segment concrete, then the influence of change in spacing of two sliding rails at the same side on the cracking and deformation of segment concrete stated in the six sliding rails scheme. Meanwhile, we made a comparison between the two layout schemes, thereby providing a basis and reference for the layout scheme of sliding rails in the practice.

In the paper, relying on the full-scale model test of embedded pile cap of the HZM Bridge, the method of combining the theoretical calculation analysis and in-situ monitoring test are used to study the slope stability and over-break depth of foundation excavation. In the theoretical calculation analysis, an empirical formula of the Hydtology of Sea-port is adopted for the over-break depth while the G-slope software is for the safety factor of slope stability; in the in-situ monitoring test, the single-beam is used for the topographic survey underwater at random after the foundation excavation. Analysising on the theoretical calculation analysis and the result of in-situ monitoring test, proper slope ratio and over-break depth of pile cap foundation excavation is put forward to provide key construction parameters for the main project of the HZM Bridge.

Antioxidant action is critical for maintaining the normal cardiovascular function and vascular endothelial cell is an important target of estrogen action through estrogen receptor (ER) pathway. This study is carried out to explore the antioxidant effect of carnosol in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) via ER pathway. The ER subtype specific estrogenic effect of carnosol was further demonstrated by luciferase reporter gene assay in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Carnosol was extracted from Chinese medicine Rosmarinus officinalis. ER positive BAECs were employed in cell proliferation assay and cell apoptosis tests. Oxidative stress by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured via 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) production. ERα and ERβ specific antagonists 1,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinylethoxy)phenol]-1H-pyrazole (MPP) and 4-[2-phenyl-5,7-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-yl]phenol (PHTPP) were employed as tools in the experiment. ER negative HEK 293 cells were employed in luciferase reporter gene assay. The results indicate that carnosol can effectively attenuate H(2)O(2) induced slowing down of cell growth and increasing of cell apoptosis. At the meantime, carnosol pretreating can also effectively reduce the H(2)O(2) induced intracellular ROS elevation in BAECs. ERα and ERβ antagonist, especially ERα antagonist, can effectively decrease the above antioxidant effects of carnosol. The reporter gene analysis further demonstrates that the action of carnosol on inducing ERE dependent luciferase expression is realized via ER pathway. The conclusion is that carnosol can exert antioxidant effects towards oxidative stress induced by H(2)O(2) in BAECs. And such effects are realized via ER, especially ERα pathway. The results contribute to explain the mechanism of cardiovascular protective function of carnosol in postmenopausal women.

A new triterpenoid saponin, tenuifoside A, was isolated together with three known triterpenoid saponins 2, 3, and 4 from the roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. With the help of chemical and spectral analyses (IR, MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR), the structure of the new saponin was elucidated as 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --3)-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --4)-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --2)-[4-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl]-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --3)]-beta-d-fucopyranosyl ester (1). Three known triterpenoid saponins (2-4) were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, named cernuaside C and D, have been isolated from Pulsatilla cernua (Thunb.) Bercht. et Opiz. The structures of the two new triterpenoid saponins were elucidated as 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1 --2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 --3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 --4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 --6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1 --3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 --2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) by 1D, 2D-NMR techniques, ESI-MS analysis as well as chemical methods.

A new triterpenoid, saponin hehuanoside A, was isolated together with the known triterpenoid saponins 2, 3, and 4 from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin. With the help of chemical and spectral analyzes (IR, MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR), the structure of the new triterpenoid saponin was elucidated as 21-O-[(6S)-2-trans-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-beta-d-quinovopyranosyl-2,7-octadienoyl]-3-O-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --2)-beta-d-fucopyranosyl-(1 --6)-beta-d-2-deoxy-2-acetamidoglucopyrasyl acacic acid 28-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1 --4)-[-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 --3)]-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --2)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1). Three known triterpenoid saponins 2-4 were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data.

A new furospirostanol saponin, ophiofurospiside A (1), was isolated together with the known steroidal glycosides 2, 3, and 4 from the tubers of Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl. Using chemical and spectral analyses (IR, MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR), the structure of 1 was established as 26-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(22S, 25R)-furospirost-5-ene-3beta, 17alpha, 26-triol-3-O-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)]-glucopyranoside (1). Three known steroidal saponins 2-4 were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Two new furostanol saponins, tribufurosides B (1) and C (2), were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. With the help of chemical and spectral analyses (IR, MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR), the structures of two new furostanol saponins were established as 26-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-furost-20(22)-en-2alpha,3beta,26-triol-3-O-beta-d-galactopyranosyl(1 --2)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1 --2)-beta-d-galactopyranoside (1) and (25S)-5alpha-furost-20(22)-en-12-one-3beta, 26-diol-26-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (2).

AIM: To study the role of hepatic sinusoidal capillarization and perisinusoidal fibrosis in rats with alcohol-induced portal hypertension and to discuss the pathological mechanisms of alcohol-induced hepatic portal hypertension. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were divided into control group (n=20) and model group (n=30). Alcoholic liver fibrosis rat model was induced by intragastric infusion of a mixture containing alcohol, corn oil and pyrazole (1 000:250:3). Fifteen rats in each group were killed at wk 16. The diameter and pressure of portal vein were measured. Plasma hyaluronic acid (HA), type IV collagen (CoIV) and laminin (LN) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Liver tissue was fixed in formalin (10%) and 6-μm thick sections were routinely stained with Mallory and Sirius Red. Liver tissue was treated with rabbit polyclonal antibody against LN and ColIV. Hepatic non-parenchymal cells were isolated, total protein was extracted and separated by SDS-PAGE. MMP-2 and TIMP-1 protein expression was estimated by Western blotting. RESULTS: The diameter (2.207 ± 0.096 vs 1.528 ± 0.054 mm, P

AIM: To study the effects of Radix Puerariae flavones (RPF) on liver lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: Forty adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: OVX group; sham-OVX group; OVX + estrogen group and OVX + RPF group. One week after operation rats of the first two groups were treated with physiological saline, rats of OVX + estrogen group with estrogen (1 mg/kg·b.w.) and rats of OVX + RPF group with RPF (100 mg/kg·b.w.), respectively for 5 weeks. After the rats were killed, their body weight, the weight of the abdominal fat and uterus were measured, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in liver homogenate were determined. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-OVX group, the body mass of the rats in OVX group was found increased significantly; more abdominal fat in store; TC and TG in liver increased and uterine became further atrophy. As a result, the RPF was found to have an inhibitive action on those changes of various degrees. CONCLUSION: RPF has estrogen-like effect on lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue.

AIM: To observe the effect of compound Biejiaruangan decoction (CBJRGC) (composite prescription of Carapax trionycis for softening the liver) on proliferation, activation, excretion of collagen and cytokine of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to find the mechanism of prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis by CBJRGC. METHODS: Using MTT, immunohistochemistry and image analysis technology, the related indexes for proliferation, activation, excretion of collagen and cytokine of hepatic stellate cells were detected in 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after adminstration of different dosages of CBJRGC. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that serum collected from rat perfused with CBJRGC could restrain the proliferation of HSC in 48 h and 72 h especially in high and medium dosage groups, markedly decrease the expression of desmin, synapsin and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in HSC in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, as well as the expression of α-SMA, collagen III, TIMP and TGFβ1 in 48 h and 72 h, decrease the excretion of collagen I in 72 h. CBJRGC serum had no significant effect on collagens I, III and TIMP in 24 h. CONCLUSION: CBJRGC serum has a good curative effect on hepatic fibrosis. Its main mechanism may be related to the following factors. The drug serum can restrain the proliferation and activation of HSC, decrease the number of activated HSC and the total number of HSC, the excretion of collagens I, III, enhance the degradation of collagen and restore the balance of synthesis and degradation of collagen, inhibit the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in HSC, block and delay the process of hepatic fibrosis. Synapsin is a new marker of activation of HSC, which provides a theoretical and testing basis for neural regulation in the developing process of hepatic fibrosis.