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Abstract: The work presents an electrochemical study on preparation of Al–Li–Eu alloys on a tungsten electrode in molten LiCl–KCl–AlCl3–Eu2O3 system at 753K and 953K. Gibbs energy shows that AlCl3 can chloridize Eu2O3, with a discharge in the form of Eu(III) ions on the cathode. The electrochemical behavior of Al(III), Li(I) and Eu(III) and alloy formation processes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the underpotential deposition of europium on pre-deposited Al forms two Al–Eu intermetallic compounds at electrode potentials around −2.00V and −2.34V, respectively. And the underpotential deposition of lithium on Al surface at about −2.24V leads to a formation of Al–Li alloy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that Al–Li–Eu alloys with different phases were obtained via galvanostatic electrolysis. The microstructure and micro-zone chemical analysis of Al–Li–Eu alloy were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), respectively. The analysis of EDS showed that element Eu mainly distributes on needle-like precipitate, and not homogeneously in the Al–Li–Eu alloy. Composition of the alloys was analyzed by inductive coupled plasma analysis, and current efficiency was also determined with respect to the alloy composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new species of the genus Camellia (Theaceae), Camelliazijinica , discovered in the Danxia landscape from Guangdong Province, China, is characterized and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast genomes suggested its affinity with C.drupifera , C.oleifera and C.fluviatilis , however, it morphologically differs from all of the latter by leaf shape and size. Phonologically, it most closely resembles C.microphylla , but can be distinguished from the latter by its young branchlets glabrous (vs. densely pubescent), fewer bracteoles and sepals, diverse leaf shape, midvein raised slightly with sparsely pubescent or glabrous (vs. prominently with densely pubescent) and leaf adaxially matt (vs. vernicose) when dried. By morphological and molecular analyses, Camelliazijinica represented a distinct new species of C.sect.Paracamellia., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Min Lin, Qin-Liang Ye, Zhi-Jian Zhang, Wen-Bo Liao, Qiang Fan.)

This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Pyrola incarnata against β-amyloid-induced memory impairment in mice. Ethanol extract of Pyrola incarnata (EPI) was obtained and led to eleven phytochemicals successfully by isolation and purification, which were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and HR-ESI-MS). Thereinto, ursolic acid was gained as most abundant monomer. C57BL/6 mice were intracerebroventricular injected with aggregated Aβ 25-35 . Open-field test, Barnes maze test and Morris water maze were conducted for evaluating cognition processes of EPI and ursolic acid. EPI significantly improved learning and memory deficits, attenuated the Aβ 25-35 level of deposition immunohistochemically. Further studies revealed that ursolic acid as bioactive phytochemical of P. incarnata improved spatial memory performance and ameliorated Aβ 25-35 accumulation by activating microglia cells and up-regulating Iba1 level in the hippocampus. These findings suggest P. incarnata could improve the cognition of mice and be a promising natural source for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in microbes can be largely attributed to the abuse and misuse of antibiotics and biocides. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have been used worldwide as common disinfectants and detergents; however, their potential impact on the spread and diffusion of ARGs is still unknown. In this study, we detected the QAC resistance gene (qacEΔ1), the 1 integron gene (intI1), and 12 ARGs (sul1, sul2, cfr, cml, fexA, tetA, tetG, tetQ, tetX, ermB, bla TEM, and dfrA1) in 48 water samples from three watersheds by quantitative PCR (qPCR). We investigated the evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance under QAC and antibiotic environmental pressures by long-term continuous culture. In addition, five QACs were selected to investigate the effect of QAC on the efficiency of conjugation transfer. The changes in bacterial cell membrane and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry, revealing the mechanism by which QAC affects the spread of antibiotic resistance. Our results showed that the QAC resistance gene was ubiquitous in watersheds and it had significant correlation with intI1 and seven ARGs (r = 0.999, p < 0.01). QACs could increase the resistance of bacteria to multiple antibiotics. Furthermore, all five QACs promoted the conjugation transfer of the RP4 plasmid; the optimal concentration of QACs was about 10 -1 -10 -2  mg/L and their transfer efficiencies were between 1.33 × 10 -6 and 8.87 × 10 -5 . QACs enhanced membrane permeability of bacterial cells and stimulated bacteria to produce ROS, which potentially promoted the transfer of plasmids between bacteria. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that QACs may facilitate the evolution and gene transfer of antibiotic resistance gene among microbiome.

Background: Paddy soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) represents a major hotspot for soil biogeochemistry, yet we know little about its chemodiversity let alone the microbial community that shapes it. Here, we leveraged ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, amplicon, and metagenomic sequencing to characterize the molecular distribution of DOM and the taxonomic and functional microbial diversity in paddy soils across China. We hypothesized that variances in microbial community significantly associate with changes in soil DOM molecular composition., Results: We report that both microbial and DOM profiles revealed geographic patterns that were associated with variation in mean monthly precipitation, mean annual temperature, and pH. DOM molecular diversity was significantly correlated with microbial taxonomic diversity. An increase in DOM molecules categorized as peptides, carbohydrates, and unsaturated aliphatics, and a decrease in those belonging to polyphenolics and polycyclic aromatics, significantly correlated with proportional changes in some of the microbial taxa, such as Syntrophobacterales, Thermoleophilia, Geobacter, Spirochaeta, Gaiella, and Defluviicoccus. DOM composition was also associated with the relative abundances of the microbial metabolic pathways, such as anaerobic carbon fixation, glycolysis, lignolysis, fermentation, and methanogenesis., Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the continental-scale distribution of DOM is significantly correlated with the taxonomic profile and metabolic potential of the rice paddy microbiome. Abiotic factors that have a distinct effect on community structure can also influence the chemodiversity of DOM and vice versa. Deciphering these associations and the underlying mechanisms can precipitate understanding of the complex ecology of paddy soils, as well as help assess the effects of human activities on biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas emissions in paddy soils.

Objective To investigate the effect and significance of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) on the apoptosis of rat spinal cord neurons in anoxia/reoxygenation(A/R) injury. Methods The spinal cells were in ischemia and hypoxia environment for 1 h and in normal environment for 24 h to establish a model of A/R. After spinal A/R model was established,the spinal cells were divided into four groups randomly:the control group,A/R group,A/R+GdCl3 group,and A/R+NPS-2390 group. The expression of CaSR in each group was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The concentration of intracellular calcium was measured by laser confocal scanning microscopy. The expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2 were detected by using Western blotting. The apoptotic rate of spinal cells was detected by Tunel assay. Results Compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in the level of CaSR (t=5.462, P=0.006), the concentration of intracellular calcium (t=8.573, P=0.001), the apoptotic rate (t=4.899, P=0.008), Caspase-3 (t=5.118, P=0.007), and Bax (t=10.930,P=0.001) in A/R group. Compared to the A/R group, there was a significant increase in the level of CaSR (t=4.975, P=0.008),the concentration of intracellular calcium (t=4.899, P=0.008), the apoptotic rate (t=7.746, P=0.002), Caspase-3 (t=4.776, P=0.009), and Bax (t=5.281, P=0.006) in A/R+GdCl3 group. Compared to the A/R group, there was a significant decrease in the level of CaSR (t=3.674,P=0.021), the concentration of intracellular calcium (t=3.846, P=0.018), the apoptotic rate (t=4.281,P=0.013), Caspase-3 (t=3.521, P=0.024), and Bax(t=3.473, P=0.026) in A/R+NPS-2390 group. However, compared to the control group, there was a significant decrease in the level of Bcl-2 (t=6.242,P=0.003) in A/R group. Compared to the A/R group, there was a significant decrease in the level of Bcl-2(t=3.028, P=0.004) in A/R+GdCl3 group. Compared to the A/R group, there was a significant increase in the level of Bcl-2 (t=2.840, P=0.047) in A/R+NPS-2390 group.Conclusion During the process of A/R injury in rat spinal cord neurons,the expression of calcium sensing receptor increases,along with increase in intracellular calcium and spinal neuron apoptosis.

Objective: To screen out the suitable erythrocytes compatible to the results from the routine blood matching for the patients suffered from the relapse of acute hemolytic transfusion reaction., Methods: The in vitro hemolysis test was used to screen out the erythrocytes from the non-hemolytic donors for the transfusion of erythrocytes into the patients., Results: Three U of the non-hemolytic erythrocytes were obtained by using hemolytic test in vitro, the post-transfusion effects were good, and the hemolytic reaction will not occure once more., Conclusion: When it is compatible to the results obtained from the routine blood matching and the post-transfusion hemolytic reaction appeared. The blood matching by using in vitro hemolytic test can be used to screen out the non-hemolytic erythrocytes for transfusion of the patients.

The stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes are environmental isotopes, which widely exist in various kinds of water. Their relative abundance variation in water can indicate the water circulation and mechanism of water use in plant. This research selected two major kinds of greening tree species, evergreen coniferous Platycladus orientalis and deciduous broad-leaved Quercus variabilis, in Beijing mountainous area, and the water movement process in soil-plant-atmosphere continuum was investigated by the variation characteristics analysis of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions in precipitation, soil water, groundwater, plant stem water and leaf water. The results showed that the meteoric water line equation of the study area was δD=7.17δ 18 O+1.45 (R 2 =0.93), and the soil evaporation line equation was δD=3.85δ 18 O+1.45 (R 2 =0.76). A certain degree of evaporation fractionation existed in the processes of rainfall infiltration into soil water. In different seasons, the δD and δ 18 O values of precipitation, soil water and spring water had different variation regularity. In rainy season, the mean δD and δ 18 O values were in order of precipitation> spring water>soil water, with the precipitation and soil water supplied spring water together; in dry season, the order was precipitation > soil water > spring water, and the precipitation and spring water both contributed to soil water. The δD and δ 18 O fitting line equations of stem water of P. orienta-lis and Q. variabilis were respectively δD=5.03δ 18 O-30.78 and δD=3.0δ 18 O-48.92. The uptake water of Q. variabilis was more enriched than that of P. orientalis, and the depth of Q. variabilis water uptake in soil profile was shallower than P. orientalis. The leaf water isotopic variation of Q. varia-bilis was more sensitive to atmospheric environment, with the kinetic isotopic fractionation of Q. variabilis being more enriched than that of P. orientalis, but they had the same response to variation of environmental condition.

Microbial community and phosphorus forms in response to simulated climate warming were studied by high-throughput sequencing and 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance( 31 P-NMR) respectively, which were from wetland soils in constructed microcosm columns. The results revealed that relative abundances of Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Clostridiaceae and Clostridium were significantly decreased by 65%-98%, 69%-87%, 67%-87%, 73%-97% and 74%-93% under warming condition respectively, suggesting warming had a significant inhibitory effect on the bacterial lineage from Firmicutes to Clostridium at different taxonomic level. Particularly, principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis also demonstrated warming had a significant effect on microbial community structure with obvious separation of samples between control and warmed groups from each wetland column site. Phosphorus forms were dominated by phosphomonoester and orthophosphate in each wetland column soil, which were significantly increased and decreased by 275% and 20% in XX wetland column soil respectively. Similarly, phosphomonoester and polyphosphate were also found to be increased and decreased by 85% and 49% in JH wetland column soil respectively, indicating that phosphorus forms in response to warming had soil heterogeneity. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that obvious changes in microbial community composition had significant effects on phosphorus forms under warming condition.

PM 2.5 and PM 10 have become the primary pollutants of most cities in China. Atmospheric PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass concentrations, meteorological factors, traffic flow from 2013 to 2015 in Nanchang were analyzed. Spatiotemporal dynamic pattern of atmospheric particulate matter pollution and the effect of weather and traffic on particle concentration change were discussed in this paper. The results showed that PM 2.5 (70.92 μg·m -3 in 2013 > 53.70 μg·m -3 in 2014 ＞ 43.65 μg·m -3 in 2015) and PM 10 (119.72 μg·m -3 in 2013 ＞ 86.11 μg·m -3 in 2014 ＞ 73.32 μg·m -3 in 2015) concentrations decreased gradually from 2013 to 2015. In addition, low concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in summer (average PM 2.5 concentration 36.74 μg·m -3 , average PM 10 concentration 69.20 μg·m -3 ) but high concentrations in winter (average PM 2.5 concentration 74.29 μg·m -3 , average PM 10 concentration 111.64 μg·m -3 ) were observed. Moreover, PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations changed with the urban-rural gradient, decreasing from the city center to suburb. The ratio of PM 2.5 /PM 10 (0.595 ＞ 0.584 ＞ 0.557) decreased year by year from 2013 to 2015 and was higher in the city center area than in the edge of city. PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations were affected by various meteorological factors and significantly related to air pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation and sunshine time. The influence of meteorological factors differed on PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations. Traffic flow significantly increased the surrounding PM 2.5 concentration, but not PM 10 concentration.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the combination of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-Β1 (TGF-Β1), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and temperature-responsive chitosan hydrogel (TCH) gel on the repair of degenerative intervertebral disc in rat models., Methods: Rat models of intervertebral disc degeneration were established by acupuncture. The degenerative effects were observed under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The BMSCs was cultured in vitro and then transfected by adenovirus with enhanced green fluorescent protein to make it carry the gene of enhanced green fluorescent protein,which functioned as fluorescence labeling. The SD rat models of intervertebral disc degeneration were divided into four groups: group A, treated with the combination of bFGF, TGF-Β1,BMSCs,and TCH gel; group B, treated with the combination of BMSCs and TCH gel;group C, treated with the combination of bFGF,TGF-Β1, and TCH gel;and group D, treated with PBS buffer solution. After the corresponding reagents were injected into the degenerative intervertebral discs of each group, the rats were cultivated for another four weeks and then the repair effects of the intervertebral discs were observed under MRI. Furthermore,the intervertebral discs of each group were taken out and observed by HE and Masson staining. The nucleus pulposus was aspirated and the expressions of aggrecan,collagen 2,Sox-9,and collagen I of nucleus pulposus of each group were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot., Results: The transplanted BMSCs survived in the intervertebral disc and differentiated into nucleus pulposus-like cells. MRI showed that:the signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus of group A was much higher than that of the rest groups, the signal intensity of group B was higher than that of group C, and the signal intensity of group D was the lowest,in which the dura mater spinalis was in compression and the spinal cord changed in beaded shape. The differences of the Pfirrmann grading among the four groups had statistical significance (P<0.05). The results of the HE and Masson stains showed:the intervertebral disc of group A was well-structured,the quantity of nucleus pulposus cells was larger than that of the other three groups,and the boundary between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus was clearly defined;the quantity of the nucleus pulposus cells of group B was larger than that of group C, and the broken annulus fibrosus was not observed in group B, while the broken annulus fibrosus could be observed in group C; and, the nucleus pulposus cells of group D were replaced by fibrous tissue. The results of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot tests showed that,in terms of the expressions of aggrecan,collagen 2 and Sox-9,group A was the highest, followed by group B,group C,and group D (P<0.05); in terms of the expression of collagen 1,there was no obvious difference among these four groups (P>0.05)., Conclusions: The transplanted BMSCs can survive in the degenerative intervertebral disc and differentiate into nucleus pulposus-like cells. The combination of bFGF, TGF-Β1, BMSCs,and TCH gel has obvious repair effect on the degenerative intervertebral discs. The effect of the combination of BMSCs and TCH gel on transplantation therapy of the degenerative intervertebral discs is better than that of the combination of bFGF, TGF-Β1 and TCH gel but worse than that of the combination of bFGF, TGF-Β1, BMSCs, and TCH gel.

Oncolytic viruses can kill malignant cells while sparing normal cells. Multiple pathways are involved in this action. The antitumor effects of viral infection on SGC-7901 and AGS cells were investigated. We measured endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy caused by the recombinant avirulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) LaSota strain expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein (rL-RVG) and the NDV wild-type strain. The dose-response curves were analyzed using the MTT assay. The expression of RVG was detected by western blotting, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analyses. Cell death and autophagy were observed using transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL and western blotting. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Immunofluorescence, western blot and RT-PCR analyses indicated that RVG gene and protein were expressed in SGC-7901 and AGS cells infected by rL-RVG. MTT and TUNEL analyses showed that the growth of SGC-7901 and AGS cells in the rL-RVG-infected group was significantly inhibited compared with the wild-type NDV-infected group (p<0.05). Western blot analysis indicated that rL-RVG and NDV induced increases in apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy in the SGC-7901 and AGS cells. However, apoptosis and autophagy decreased in these cells after the application of the autophagy pathway inhibitor 3-MA or ATG-5-specific siRNA. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed. Taken together, these results indicate that the rL-RVG virus group is much more powerful compared with the NDV-infected group (p<0.05). rL-RVG and NDV are potent antitumor agents that induce autophagy.

Objective: To observe the toxity of niclosamide on the growth of silkworms., Methods: Mulberry leaves were soaked in the different concentrations of solution of 50% ethanol salt powder of niclosamide for 10 s or 3 min, and then the leaves were fed to silkworms. The death rates of silkworms and the weight of cocoons were observed. Normal feeding control groups were established., Results: The death rates were 22.5%-85.0% and 56.0%-100% in the 10-s-soaked groups and 3-min groups, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control groups., Conclusion: The 50% ethanol salt powder of niclosamide has a toxity for silkworm. Therefore, we should properly handle the relationship between the Oncomelania snail control and silkworm breeding.

There is a growing attention on the environmental pollution and loss of potential regeneration of resources due to the poor handling of organic wastes, while earthworm vermicomposting and larvae bioconversion are well-known as two promising biotechnologies for sustainable wastes treatments, where earthworms or housefly larvae are employed to convert the organic wastes into humus like material, together with value-added worm product. Taken earthworm ( Eisenia foetida) and housefly larvae ( Musca domestica) as model species, this work illustrates fundamental definition and principle, operational process, technical mechanism, main factors, and bio-chemical features of organisms of these two technologies. Integrated with the physical and biochemical mechanisms, processes of biomass conversion, intestinal digestion, enzyme degradation and microflora decomposition are comprehensively reviewed on waste treatments with purposes of waste reduction, value-addition, and stabilization.

Oxytocin (OXT), a nonapeptide hormone of posterior pituitary, reaches the central nervous system from systemic blood circulation with a difficulty because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The interest has been expressed in the use of the nasal route for delivery of OXT to the brain directly, exploiting the olfactory pathway. Our previous study has demonstrated that OXT in the central nervous system rather than the blood circulation plays an important role in rat pain modulation. The communication tried to investigate the interaction between the OXT and pain modulation in Chinese patients with headache to understand the OXT effect on human pain modulation. The results showed that (1) intranasal OXT could relieve the human headache in a dose-dependent manner; (2) OXT concentration in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increased significantly in headache patients in relation with the pain level; and (3) there was a positive relationship between plasma and CSF OXT concentration in headache patients. The data suggested that intranasal OXT, which was delivered to the central nervous system through olfactory region, could treat human headache and OXT might be a potential drug of headache relief by intranasal administration., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Genipin, a compound derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruits, has been used over the years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular basis for its antidiabetic effect has not been fully revealed. In this study, we investigated the effects of genipin on glucose uptake and signaling pathways in C(2)C(12) myotubes. Our study demonstrates that genipin stimulated glucose uptake in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect was achieved at 2 h with a concentration of 10 μM. In myotubes, genipin promoted glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the cell surface, which was observed by analyzing their distribution in subcellular membrane fraction, and increased the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), AKT, and GSK3β. Meanwhile, genipin increased ATP levels, closed K(ATP) channels, and then increased the concentration of calcium in the cytoplasm in C(2)C(12) myotubes. Genipin-stimulated glucose uptake could be blocked by both the PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin and calcium chelator EGTA. Moreover, genipin increases the level of reactive oxygen species and ATP in C(2)C(12) myotubes. These results suggest that genipin activates IRS-1, PI3-K, and downstream signaling pathway and increases concentrations of calcium, resulting in GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake increase in C(2)C(12) myotubes.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), a nonapeptide hormone of posterior pituitary, reaches the central nervous system from systemic blood circulation with a difficulty because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The interest has been expressed in the use of the nasal route for delivery of AVP to the brain directly, exploiting the olfactory pathway. Our previous study has demonstrated that AVP in the brain rather than the spinal cord and blood circulation plays an important role in rat pain modulation. For understanding the role of AVP on pain modulation in human, the communication tried to investigate the effect of intranasal AVP on human headache. The results showed that (1) AVP concentration in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increased significantly in headache patients, who related with the headache level; (2) there was a positive relationship between plasma and CSF AVP concentration in headache patients; and (3) intranasal AVP could relieve the human headache in a dose-dependent manner. The data suggested that intranasal AVP, which was delivered to the brain through olfactory region, could treat human headache and AVP might be a potential drug of pain relief by intranasal administration., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To observe the expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) and NF-kappaB p65 mRNA in lung tissue of acute paraquat (PQ) poisoning rats, and intervention effects of ulinastatin (UTI)., Methods: Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: PQ poisoning group, UTI group and control group. The rats were exposed intragastrically to PQ at the dose of 80 mg/kg to establish a model of the rat acute lung injury. The UTI group was intervened by peritoneal injection with 10000 U/kg UTI in 30 minutes. On the 12, 24, 48, 72 h after exposure, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissue were detected. The expression of the NF-kappaB p65 mRNA and hsp70 mRNA in lung tissue was detected by the reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The lung pathological changes of rats were observed., Results: The degree of lung injury in PQ group and UTI group was higher than that in control group. But in UTI group the degree of lung injury was lower than PQ group. MPO activity in the lung tissues in PQ group was (31.72 +/- 6.42), (56.23 +/- 8.63), (87.21 +/- 10.02) and (107.21 +/- 13.52) micro/g in 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively which was significantly higher than that [(11.38 +/- 1.25) micro/g] in control group (P < 0.01). MPO activity in the lung tissues in UTI group was (15.65 +/- 3.21), (35.98 +/- 5.74), (59.33 +/- 9.65) and (71.25 +/- 10.58) micro/g in 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively which was significantly lower than those in PQ group (P < 0.01). The expression levels of NF-kappaB p65 mRNA of lung tissues in UTI group in 12, 24, 48 and 72 h were 0.3288 +/- 0.0147, 0.5337 +/- 0.0328, 0.7357 +/- 0.0424 and 0.7547 +/- 0.0905, respectively, which were significantly lower that those (0.4185 +/- 0.0294, 0.8532 +/- 0.0841, 0.9554 +/- 0.0975 and 1.0094 +/- 0.0703) in PQ group (P < 0.01). hsp70 mRNA expression levels in 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of the UTI group were 0.5193 +/- 0.0254, 0.8289 +/- 0.0606, 0.7566 +/- 0.0277 and 0.4873 +/- 0.0105, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (0.3897 +/- 0.0125, 0.5904 +/- 0.0186, 0.4007 +/- 0.0237 and 0.2293 +/- 0.0137) in PQ group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The expression levels of hsp70 mRNA and NF-kappaB p65 mRNA of rats after intoxication increased significantly. UTI can protect the lung tissues by elevating the expression of hsp70 and reducing the expression of NF-kappaB in the lung tissues of rats with acute paraquat poisoning.

Background: Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide and is widely used in agricultural production, but PQ poisoning is frequently seen in humans with the lung as the target organ. Clinically pulmonary pathological changes are often used to predict the severity and prognosis of the patients. In this study, we observed the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in rat lung after PQ poisoning and to investigate the therapeutic effects of ulinastatin., Methods: Seventy-two adult healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (group A, n=24), a poisoning group (group B, n=24), and an ulinastatin group (group C, n=24). The rat models of acute PQ poisoning were established by intra-gastric administration of 80 mg/kg PQ to rats of groups B and C, and the rats of group C were intra-peritoneally injected with 100 000 IU/kg ulinastatin 30 minutes after poisoning. The expression of HSP70 in lung tissue was observed, and W/D and histopathological changes in the lung tissue were compared 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after poisoning. The expression of HSP70 in the lung tissue was assayed by using RT-PCR. All quantitative data were processed with one-way analysis of variance to compare multiple sample means., Results: Compared to group A, the expression of HSP70 in the lung of rats in groups B and C increased significantly at all intervals (P<0.05). The pathological changes in lung tissue of rats with PQ poisoning included congestion, leukocytes infiltration and local hemorrhage, whereas those of group C were significantly lessened., Conclusion: Ulinastatin may ameliorate acute lung injury to some extent after PQ poisoning in rats by enhancing the expression of HSP70.

Healthy wetland system is regarded as an effective way for biological remediation of non-point source pollutants. A case field investigation on phosphorus (P) status of overlying water and sediment was carried out for Xiazhuhu wetland located in Northern Zhejiang Province, China. A static wetland microcosm experiment was conducted to understand the characteristics and mechanisms related to P exchanging, P forms changing, and water quality impact across the interface of water and sediment. Field investigation showed that total P (TP) concentrations of sediments were found from 0.187 mg x g(-1) to 0.591 mg x g(-1), and TP in overlying water reached from 0.022 mg x L(-1) to 0.718 mg x L(-1) where the seasonal concentration variations of TP, dissolved P (DP), and particulate P (PP) were commonly found in order as winter > summer > spring > fall. Fed by synthetic solution containing P levels of 0.0 - 10.5 mg x L(-1), a 35-day-lasting microcosm study showed that P retention by sediments could be divided into three basic phases in order, i.e., buffer reaction, rapid adsorption, and slow adsorption. Under a typical stress concentration of 1.0 mg x L(-1) in overlying water, the increment of P tanks in different forms was found as NH4 Cl-P (0.0%), Fe-P/Mn-P (around 20%), NaOH-TP (around 66%, mainly as the form of Al-P), Ca-P (1.9%), and Res-P (11.3%), on the condition of Xiazhuhu wetland under low water season. Application of Al to wetland would increase the capacity of sediment P retention in Xiazhuhu wetland.

The wastewater from animal farms in China is threatening the quality and security of local water environment. In the laboratory scale, a traditional SBR (A/O) and a denitrifying phosphorus-accumulating organisms (DNPAO) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) in biologically removing nutrients and organic matters from swine manure were investigated in this study. When piggery wastewater was directly treated with a traditional SBR, the efficiency was low with unstable working state, the reduction of TN, TP and BOD5 reached 89.08%, 86.04% and 93.88%, respectively. While it performs a good effect in treating high density of piggery wastewater using DNPAO SBR technology, with the help of low-density aeration, two-step of influent feeding and two circulations of anaerobic-anoxic-anaerobic-anoxic (An/Ax2), the reduction of TN, TP and BOD5 reached the maximums of 93.95%, 99.26% and 99.93%, respectively. The specific operation of (An/Ax2) SBR contributed both low concentrations and limited export loads of NO3-. The temporal curves of ORP, pH and DO over time could be indicators for simultaneous removals of nitrogen and phosphorus along with biodegradation of organic matter during this specific SBR running. A pilot-scale investigation was recommended to further testify the feasibility and efficiency of this kind of SBR under the real-world condition.

We show that human embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons survived transplantation to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat striatum and, in combination with the cells newly differentiated from their progenitors, contributed to locomotive function recovery at 5 months. The animal behavioral improvement was correlated with the dopamine neurons present in the graft. Although the donor cells contained forebrain and midbrain dopamine neurons, the dopamine neurons present in the graft mainly exhibited a midbrain, or nigra, phenotype, suggesting the importance of midbrain dopamine neurons in functional repair. Furthermore, progenies of grafted cells were neurons and glia with greatly diminished mitotic activity by 5 months. Thus, the in vitro-produced human dopamine neurons can functionally engraft in the brain.

Loss of life expectancy (LLE) was used to evaluate and quantitate the health risk caused by carcinogen and non-carcinogen pollutants, and was proposed as a new method to compare the environmental health risk of different pollutants. The environmental health risks exposed by 6 major environmental pollutants in China, i.e., arsenic, DDTs, BaP, lead, cadmium and mercury, were evaluated and compared by using LLE. The LLE caused by carcinogen pollutants such as arsenic, DDTs and BaP are 3.6 d, 2.2 d and 12.1 d respectively, while the corresponding values caused by non-carcinogen pollutants such as lead,mercury and cadmium are 1.1 d, 1.7 d and 5.8 d respectively. Based on the studies published before, the rank of the health risk of the selected six environmental pollutants is BaP > cadmium > arsenic > DDTs > mercury > lead. The results reveal that the LLE can be utilized as a new index to evaluate and quantitate the health risk, and the environmental health risk caused by carcinogen and non-carcinogen pollutants can be compared within an unitive criterion by LLE.

Using a multi-layer soil column device, the effect of new nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate) on nitrogen leaching was studied for understanding the nitrogen vertical transformation and lowering the nitrogen leaching losses. The results indicate that, within 60 days of experiment, the regular urea added with 1% of DMPP can effectively inhibit the ammonium oxidation in the soil, and improve the concentration of NH4(+) -N in soil solution over the 20 cm tilth profile, while decline the concentrations of NO3(-) -N and N2(-) -N. No obvious difference is found on NH4(+) -N concentrations collected from deep layer soil solution under 20 cm between regular urea and the urea added with 1% of DMPP. There is also no significant difference for the NH4(+) -N and NO3(-) -N in the soil solution of deep layer under 40 cm among the treatments of urea by adding with 1% of DMPP within 60 days. So DMPP could be used as an effective nitrification inhibitor to control ammonium oxidation, decline the nitrate leaching losses, minimize the underground water pollution risk and be beneficial for the ecological environment.

Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been one of the target cells of gene engineering. To construct the lentiviral (LV) vectors carrying the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene, the rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were infected and finally the Bdnf gene-modified rMSCs was obtained. The CDS region of the rat Bdnf gene was obtained with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the transfer plasmid (PNL-BDNF-IRES2-EGFP) of the LV vector was constructed. The three plasmids of LV vector: PNL-BDNF-IRES2-EGFP, HELPER, and VSVG were cotransfected to 293T cells to produce the LV vectors, which enabled the coexpression of the Bdnf gene and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (Egfp) gene. rMSCs were separated from the bone marrow of 2-month-old F344 rats, cultured in vitro, and identified. rMSCs were infected by the LV vectors that were produced already and were identified with fluorescent microscope, RT-PCR, immunocytochemical staining, and western blot. The result of sequencing showed that the sequence of the cloned Bdnf gene was consistent with that reported in the GenBank. The PNL-BDNF-IRES2-EGFP plasmid that was identified showed the correct sequence. After the 3 plasmids of LV vectors were cotransfected to the 293T cells, considerable green fluorescence in 293T cells was observed under the fluorescent microscope; the supernatant was collected and concentrated using ultracentrifugation, and the titer of the replication-defective LV vector particles measured was found to be 6.7 x 10(7) TU/mL. After the constructed LV vectors infected the rMSCs, the results obtained using RT-PCR, immunocytochemical staining, and western blot showed that the expression of BDNF in the Bdnf-rMSCs group (experimental group, EG) was significantly higher than that in the PNL-IRES2-EGFP-rMSCs group (mock group, MG) and the rMSCs group (control group, CG) at both mRNA and protein levels. LV vectors carrying the Bdnf gene were constructed successfully. The Bdnf gene-modified rMSCs could express BDNF to a higher degree. This greatly facilitates the next step in the study, such as the long period of therapeutic observation of cerebral ischemia with Bdnf gene-modified rMSCs.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of biological dressing containing calcium and magnesia (sheep dermis absorbing calcium and magnesia and cross-link with glutaraldehyde) on the management of hydrofluoric acid burns in rats and patients., Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into A ( n = 24, normal control, with isotonic saline dressing after burns), B ( n = 32, with isotonic saline dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), C ( n = 32, with wet-dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns), and D ( n = 32, with biological dressing treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns) groups. The rats in the latter 3 groups were inflicted with 3 cm x 3 cm TBSA full-thickness burns, and mortality, concentration of blood calcium , histopathological observation were carried out at 4,8,24 and 72 postburn hours (PBH), with 8 rats at each time-points. In addition, 46 patients with hydrofluoric acid burns were divided into E (with wet-dressing treatment) and F (with biological dressing treatment) groups to compare the curative effect., Results: The mortality in A,B,C,D groups were 0,31.2% ,15. 6% ,6. 2% , respectively. The wound in B group was deepened gradually after burns, but that in D group was slighter when compared with that in C group. The concentration of blood calcium in A group was higher than that in B, C and D groups at each time-points, and that in D groups was higher than that in B and C groups. The concentration of blood calcium in D group at 8 and 24 PBH were [(2.215 +/-0.008) ,(2.216 +/-0.008) mmol/L], which were obviously higher than those in B [(1.813 +/-0.017),(1.912 +/-0.013)mmol/L l] and C [(2.015 +/-0.006), (2.018 +/-0. 010)mmol/L] groups, (P <0. 01). The clinical outcome in E group was much better than that in F group., Conclusion: Biological dressing containing calcium and magnesium can be applied in the emergency management and following treatment after hydrofluoric acid burns.

Aim: To elucidate the localization of vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a cytoskeletal organizing protein and a substrate of protein kinases A and G in mitotic gastric cancer cells., Methods: Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to observe the localization of alpha-tubulin, VASP and Ser157 phosphorylated VASP (p-VASP) in interphase of mitotic gastric cancer of the cell line SGC-7901., Results: Immunofluorescence staining showed that p-VASP but not VASP was co-localized with alpha-tubulin on spindle poles and fibers in prophase, metaphase and anaphase of the mitotic process of the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. H89, an inhibitor of protein kinases A and G, had no effect on the localization of p-VASP on the spindles., Conclusion: VASP may play a role in assembling and stabilizing the mitotic spindle of cells, and phosphorylation of the protein is the precondition for it to exert this function.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and clinical and endoscopic characteristics of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and the relationship between BE and reflux esophagitis (RE)., Methods: Patients with BE were diagnosed according to new standard by endoscopy and histology. The prevalence, form in endoscopy, histology of biopsy, age, sex, symptom, Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and relationship between BE and RE were analyzed., Results: BE was 7.90% of the total endoscopy number, and male vs female was 1.98, mean age (45.1 +/- 14.8) years old. Only 19.15% of BE patients had typical reflux symptoms. 81.20% of BE patients were with short segment BE. Intestinal metaplasia was detected in 34.83% of BE and dysplasia 9.88%. 39.94% of BE patients were infected with Hp. Patients with RE (2.07%) were significantly less than those of BE (P < 0.01). 8.42% of BE patients were also with RE and 32.11% of RE patients were also with BE., Conclusions: The incidence of BE in Fujian of China is high. Most of BE are short segment BE and male and have no typical reflux symptoms. Intestinal metaplasia is found in 1/3 of BE patients. There isn't a close association between BE and RE.

Objective: To study the effect of Dachuanxiongwan on the expression of vascular epithelial growth factor in the rats after focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion., Methods: The ischemia and reperfusion model was established by blocking the middle cerebral artery of the rats with a nylon thread for two hours. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were randomly divided into two groups. One of the group of rats were administered with DCXW, 4.13 g/kg x d, twice a day for 3 days by gavaging, while other group were given the same volume of saline as a control. Seventy-two hours after reperfusion, the neuropathological function of the rats were evaluated according to Longa. The rats were then sacrificed and the samples of cerebrum were processed and embedded in paraffin and cut into sections. The expression of VEGF was determined by immunocytochemistry., Results: The score of the neuropathological function of the DCXW treated group (1.5 +/- 0.71) was lower than that of the control group (2.3 +/- 0.82, P = 0.032). More VEGF-positive cells were found in the rats treated with DCXW than those in the control group (P = 0.000)., Conclusion: DCXW upgrades the expression of VEGF and may have a positive effect on the cerebrum following ischemia and reperfusion.

Objective: To investigate the value of B-ultrasonography, CT and MRI in the evaluation of efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatic cancer., Methods: One hundred patients with hepatic cancer were treated by ultrasound-guided RFA between October 1999 and September 2000. All patients had been examined by serum AFP, B-ultrasound, CT or MRI before and within one month after RFA., Results: Before RFA, 34 patients who had had CT, the tumor showed hypo- or iso-density un-enhancement and enhancement on dynamic scanning. After RFA, 14 patients were examined by CT scan. Compared with the density on CT scan before RFA, 5 patients showed lower density lesion without any enhancement on dynamic scanning, but the other 9 patients showed similar images to the previous CT scan before RFA in some parts of their tumor. Before RFA, 66 patients examined by MRI showed hypo-intensity on T(1)-weighted image, hyper-intensity on T(2)-weighted image and enhancement on dynamic scanning. After RFA, among 86 patients examined by MRI, 44 showed iso- or hyper-intensity on T(1)-weighted image, iso- or hypo-intensity on T(2)-weighted image and no enhancement on dynamic scanning. But 42 patients showed similar images to the previous MRI imaging performed before RFA in some parts of their tumor., Conclusion: Both CT and MRI can be used as imaging evaluation tool on the effect of radiofrequency ablation for hepatic cancer. However, MRI is better than CT to detect whether the tumor is necrotic or still partly viable after radiofrequency ablation. Patients can be regarded as clinically cured provided that the serum AFP declines to the normal level from abnormally high level and/or MRI or CT scans show a complete necrotic lesion after RFA.

Objective: Studying the protective effect of dachuanxiongwan (DCXW) on the rats with focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion., Methods: The ischemia and reperfusion model was established by blocking the rat's middle cerebral artery with a pre-set nylon thread and removing it from the internal carotid artery 2 hours after occlusion. 20 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were randomly divided into two groups: Group A, transient ischemia, for control; Group B, transient ischemia treated with DCXW via gavage, 4.13 g/kg x d, twice a day for 3 days, while group A being given the same volume of saline. Seventy-two hours after reperfusion, the neurological function of all rats was evaluated according to Longa, and the rats were sacrificed. All the samples of cerebrum were processed and embedded in paraffin and cut into sections. The sections were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin to measure the infarction volume and evaluate the effects of DCXW., Results: The grade of neurological function of the treatment group (1.5+/-0.71) was lower than that of the control group (2.3+/-0.82), there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.032); the infarction volume of the treatment group was smaller than that of the control group, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.000)., Conclusion: The findings suggest that DCXW has a protective effect on the cerebrum undergoing ischemia and reperfusion.

Objective: To explore the feasibility, effect and problems of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) performed for small liver cancer located in hepatis., Methods: Twenty-one patients, who had small primary or metastatic liver cancer confirmed clinically or pathologically that were located in hepatis and less than 5 cm, were performed PRFA between April 2000 and October 2002. All patients were followed up to examine the value of AFP, MRI or CT. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used for the disease-free survival rate and the long-term survival rate., Results: The rate of AFP positive down to negative was 77.8% (7/9). The complete necrosis rate was 90.5% (19/21). The peri-tumor recurrence-free survival rates of 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-year were all 94.7%. The distant recurrence-free survival rates of 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-year were 90.0%, 77.1%, 77.1% and 77.1% respectively. The whole survival rates of 0.5-, 1-, 1.5- and 2-year were 89.2%, 82.8%, 82.8% and 55.2% respectively., Conclusions: Small liver cancer located in hepatis was not the contra-indication of PRFA. If the puncture point and route is selected properly, electrodes outspreaded exactly and the range of heating controlled appropriately, PRFA is an effective method and of less complication rate for small liver cancer located in hepatis. Sometimes, PRFA can be combined with TACE for those tumors of the diameter larger than 3 cm.

Objective: To observe the curative effect of percutaneous radio frequency ablation (PRFA) on hepatocellular carcinoma., Methods: Under local or epidural anaesthesia, radio frequency electrodes were percutaneously introduced with ultrasound guide into the tumor in the liver for ablation., Results: Among the 96 hepatic cancer lesions in 60 patients, 41 (42.7%) with diameter < 3.5 cm were ablated by one session. The effective rate (CR + PR) was 100% (41/41) with CR 92.6% (38/41) and PR 7.3% (3/41). During the 6 - 24 month follow up of these lesions, 36 (87.8%) of these 41 patients showed no recurrence by CT or MRI. Fifty-five (57.3%) lesions with diameter 3.5 cm < or = Phi < 12 cm were ablated by two or three sessions, with CR 3.6% (2/55), PR 67.3% (37/55) and CR + PR 70.9% (39/55) by CT or MRI in 1 to 3 months after the treatment., Conclusion: Percutaneous radio frequency ablation is effective on liver tumor with Phi < 3.5 cm. It is partly effective on lesions with 3.5 cm < or = Phi < 12 cm.