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The sorption of microcystins (MCs) to fifteen lake sediments and four clay minerals was studied as a function of sediment/clay properties, temperature, and pH through well-controlled batch sorption experiments. All sorption data for both sediments and clays are well described by a nonlinear Freundlich model (n(f) varies between 0.49 and 1.03). The sorption process for MCs exhibited different adsorptive mechanisms in different lake sediments mainly dependent on the sediment organic matter (OM). For sediments with lower OM (i.e., less than 8%), the sorption of MCs decreases with increasing OM and is dominated by the competition for adsorption sites between MCs and OM. In contrast, MC sorption to organic-rich (i.e., more than 8%) sediments increases with increasing OM and is dominated by the interaction between MCs and adsorbed OM. The sorption thermodynamics of MCs onto sediments showed that MC sorption is a spontaneous physisorption process with two different mechanisms. One mechanism is an exothermic process for sediment with lower OM, and the other is an endothermic process for sediment with higher OM. Furthermore, the sorption of MCs onto sediments is pH dependent (sorption decreased with increasing pH). These results provide valuable informations for a better understanding of the natural abiotic attenuation mechanisms for MCs in aquatic ecosystems.

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) are present widely in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but their combined ecotoxicological risk is unknown. This study investigated the toxic effects of MCLR, LAS and their mixture on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and evaluated MCLR accumulation level in lettuce with or without LAS. The changes in seed germination and shoot/root growth, responses of the antioxidative defense system, and the accumulation of MCLR in lettuce were tested to evaluate the single and combined toxic effect of MCLR and LAS in well-controlled conditions. The results showed that seedling growth (except for root elongation and leaf weight) was more sensitive to toxicant exposure than seed germination. For seedling leaves, lipid peroxidation was not observed when the antioxidative defense system (including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione) was activated to relieve the adverse effects of oxidative stress via different pathways. Our results also confirmed that the interaction between MCLR and LAS was synergistic. Both toxicants in combination not only significantly inhibited seedling growth, but also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as the contents of glutathione. Furthermore, LAS dramatically enhanced the accumulation of MCLR in the plant, thus leading to a reduction in quality and yield and posing greater potential risk to humans via consumption of these edible plants.

Objective—To assess IgE response and cytokine gene expressions in pulmonary lymph collected from bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)-infected calves after ovalbumin inhalation. Animals—Thirteen 7- to 8-week-old calves. Procedures—The efferent lymphatic duct of the caudal mediastinal lymph node of each calf was cannulated 3 or 4 days before experiment commencement. Calves were inoculated (day 0) with BRSV (n = 7) or BRSV-free tissue culture medium (mock exposure; 6) via aerosolization and exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin on days 1 through 6 and day 15. An efferent lymph sample was collected daily from each calf on days −1 through 16; CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets in lymph samples were enumerated with a fluorescence-activated cell scanner. Expressions of several cytokines by efferent lymphocytes and lymph ovalbumin-specific IgE concentration were measured. Each calf was euthanized on day 16 and then necropsied for evaluation of lungs. Results—Mean fold increase in ovalbumin-specific IgE concentration was greater in BRSV-infected calves than in mock-infected calves. At various time points from days 4 through 10, percentages of T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+:CD8+ T lymphocyte ratios differed between BRSV-infected calves and day −1 values or from values in mock-infected calves. On days 3 through 5, IL-4 and IL-13 gene expressions in BRSV-infected calves were increased, compared with expressions in mock-infected calves. Lung lesions were consistent with antigen exposure. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In response to the inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin, BRSV infection in calves appeared to facilitate induction of a T helper 2 cell response and ovalbumin-specific IgE production.

Myocardial differentiation is associated with the activation and expression of an array of cardiac specific genes. However, the transcriptional networks that control cardiac gene expression are not completely understood. Myocardin is a cardiac and smooth muscle-specific expressed transcriptional coactivator of Serum Response Factor (SRF) and is able to potently activate cardiac and smooth muscle gene expression during development. We hypothesize that myocardin discriminates between cardiac and smooth muscle specific genes by associating with distinct co-factors. Here, we show that myocardin directly interacts with Tbx5, a member of the T-box family of transcription factors involved in the Holt-Oram syndrome. Tbx5 synergizes with myocardin to activate expression of the cardiac specific genes atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and alpha myosin heavy chain (α-MHC), but not that of smooth muscle specific genes SM22 or smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC). We found that this synergistic activation of shared target genes is dependent on the binding sites for Tbx5, T-box factor-Binding Elements (TBEs). Myocardin and Tbx5 physically interact and their interaction domains were mapped to the basic domain and the coil domain of myocardin and Tbx5, respectively. Our analysis demonstrates that the Tbx5G80R mutation, which leads to the Holt-Oram syndrome in humans, failed to synergize with myocardin to activate cardiac gene expression. These data uncover a key role for Tbx5 and myocardin in establishing the transcriptional foundation for cardiac gene activation and suggest that the interaction of myocardin and Tbx5 maybe involved in cardiac development and diseases.

For the rich indium material ternary alloys, the manufacturing technology has become mature, but there is still larger space for the research on the modeling of their physical characteristic. Among the material band gap that emitting wavelength directly related to and their corresponding bending coefficient (bowing parameter), the lattice constant, bond lengths, and components, there are small theoretical study at home and abroad at present, but since the fact that these physical properties have a certain impact on the craft itself, so this paper uses the Materials Studio Software based on first principles to analyze the relationships among the band gaps and their corresponding lattice constant, the bond length, the bowing parameter and the components on the basis of the previous method. Comparing the simulated with the experimental data, the results showed that all the simulated band gaps value are in good agreement with the previous researches.

The intelligent building system integration is a hot topic in the construction sector currently. The processing decision required to give in emergency, is to achieve the controlling, linkage, coordination and optimization goals, providing the time of escaping and passages for supervisors. In this paper, the mutual controlled monitoring and communication technology which is based on dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) is utilized to achieve intelligent building safety. This method has many advantages such as the long information collection distance, wide range, large density, reliable, low cost, do not occupancy additional radio frequency resources and so on.

To observe the effect of Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) on expression levels of Fas and c-fos in HaCaT cells after ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, and investigate the molecular mechanism of PCF protecting against UVA-induced damage in HaCaT cells.HaCaT cells were divided into five groups: control group, UVA model group, 5.69 mmol/L PCF group, 2.84 mmol/L PCF group, and 1.42 mmol/L PCF group. Expression levels of Fas and c-fos mRNA was assayed by PCR. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein levels of Fas and c-fos.After UVA exposure, Fas and c-fos expression increased significantly (P0.01). 1.42 - 5.69 mmol/L PCF inhibited UVA-induced mRNA and protein expressions of Fas and c-fos in HaCaT cells in dose-dependent manner (P0.05).PCF could attenuate UVA-induced Fas and c-fos expression, which may attribute to its protective effect against UVA-induced damage in HaCaT cells.

Drugs which block tumor angiogenesis will be likely effective towards inhibiting tumor growth for angiogenesis being a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, antiangiogenesis has become a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer. Investigation on both antiangiogenic effect and mechanism(s) of oyster polypeptide (OPP) were performed via experiments of chicken embryos model in vivo and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.The methods employed in experiment were chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis in chicken embryos in vivo, MTT cell survival assay, flat plate scarification, transwell plates assay, matrigel-induced tube formation assay and transmission electron microscope et al. and the OPP's effects on angiogenesis was observed.Study showed that treatment with OPP resulted in significant inhibition of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis in chicken embryos. MTT cell survival assay showed that treatment with OPP resulted in strong inhibition of HUVECs growth, with an IC50 of 400 mug/mL. Flat plate scarification suggested that OPP (200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL) distinctly inhibited HUVECs' migration (18.75%, 37.93%, 74.07% respectively, treatment for 12 h). Treatment with OPP of different concentrations (200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL) significantly reduced the density of the migration cells by 15.5%, 37.2% and 67.24% (P0.05) respectively. Matrigel-induced tube formation assay showed that OPP resulted in striking inhibition of tube formation of 52.43%, 84.47% and 96.12% (P0.01) at 200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL (treatment for 10 h) respectively. In addition, the apoptotic analysis by transmission electron microscope showed that OPP (400 mug/mL, treatment for 48 h) distinctly induced HUVECs' apoptosis.This study strikingly showed that OPP could inhibit angiogenesis through its effects on vascular endothelial cells directly and the inhibition of their proliferation, migration, angiogenic ability, and induction of their apoptosis might be the antiangiogenic mechanism of OPP.

To provide a tool for performance evaluation of aggregating occurrences afterwards-pertaining to the desulferized limestone's calcination, we propose a threedimensional particle adhesive model repose on dynamic optimization of Monte Carlo. Based there on, we firstly develop a computer simulation on the formation mechanism of the microstructure of calcinated limestone. Then, sensitive observations and detailed analysis has been initiated by the dynamic changing laws on the process of the above-mentioned phenomenon. The results suggest that successive variation from the external dimensions and internal microstructure has been taken place in parallel with augmentation of the fractal dimensions range from 2.45 to 2.70 and a reverse trend towards the porosity range from 0.53 to 0.65. Moreover, this finding also makes evidence that the proposed model is well capitalized on revealing the discipline on the formation mechanism of the microstructure of calcinated limestone.

Limestone is usually be used as a sorbent for capture of sulphur dioxide, but, almost half of CaO will not reacted with SO 2 in FBC. So, when the fly ash that contains CaO cools to bellow the calcination temperature, carbonation of CaO in fly ash that deposited on cool surfaces may occur. In this study, CaO was carbonated in a TGA under conditions expected in FBC. The temperature range investigated was 300, 350, 500 and 700°C with CO 2 concentration set at 16%. The influence of H 2 O on the carbonation of CaO also be considered for the first time. And, the rate and the extent of the carbonation reaction were determined. H 2 O concentrations played important role in determining the reaction rate and extent of carbonation. The presence of H 2 O in the gas phase always resulted in higher CaO conversion ratio than that obtainable without H 2 O. Especially when T 2 O.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of a seashell protein Haishengsu (HSS) on the immuno logical function in mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor. Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice were divided into three HSS groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.v., respectively), cyclophosphamide (10 mg i.p.) and control group. The immunological function was assessed by measuring the phagocytizing capacity of the peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils, as well as the number of spleen hemolytic plaque-forming cells. The percentage of blood T-lymphocytes was also evaluated. The number and the percentage of phagocytizing macrophages and neutrophils in the 50 and 100 mg/kg HSS groups were higher than in the control and the cyclophosphamide groups (P0.01). The hemolytic plaque-forming cells in the three HSS groups (10.8 +/- 1.2, 16.9 +/- 3.9 and 25.3 +/- 2.9, respectively), was greater than in the control (7.3 +/- 1.4), or the cyclophosphamide group (0.33 +/- 0.4) (all P0.01). In all HSS groups, the percentage of blood T3, T4 and T8 was higher than in the cyclophosphamide and the control group (all P0.01). We conclude that HSS has significant immune-modulating effect in mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor.

Oxidative stress has long been linked to cell death in many neurodegenerative conditions. Treatment with antioxidants is a promising approach for slowing disease progression. In this study, we used the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as an in vitro model to first assess the effect of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF), a natural marine antioxidant, on H(2)O(2)-induced neuronal cell death. Pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with PCF inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. In parallel, intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation were inhibited by PCF. Under severe H(2)O(2) insult, PCF promoted endogenous antioxidant defense components including glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione. PCF also protected DNA from oxidative damage and enhanced the removal of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine from DNA. Further, we found that PCF potentially prevented H(2)O(2)-induced cell apoptosis. When investigated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, we found that pre-treatment of cells with PCF significantly blocked H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family. However, PCF had little inhibitory effect on the H(2)O(2)-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PCF prevents oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species production and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation and may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Based on the fractal theory, two different experimental methods were employed to determine and analyze the fractal dimension of the Ca-based sorbents. Fractal dimension of the pore boundary of the ca-based sorbents calcinated at various temperatures were measured firstly by using the scan electron microscope (SEM) and the improved box-counting program, the relationship between the pore boundary fractal dimension and temperatures was derived. Moreover, the factors that affect the fractal dimension, such as additive amount and temperature, were studied by using the mercury porosimetric method. It showed that more additives or higher temperature all decreased fractal dimension of the sorbents and both the two methods presented in this paper could effectively determine and analyze the dimension of the sorbents.

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine (LC) and its analogues, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) in healthy volunteers after single L-carnitine administration.Liquid L-carnitine (2.0 g) was administered orally as a single dose in 12 healthy subjects. Plasma and urine concentrations of L-carnitine, ALC and PLC were detected by HPLC.The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC 0-infinity) of L-carnitine was 84.7+/-25.2 micromol x L(-1) x h and 2676.4+/-708.3 micromol x L(-1) x h, respectively. The elimination half-life of L-carnitine and the time required to reach the Cmax (Tmax) was 60.3+/-15.0 and 3.4+/-0.46 h, respectively. The Cmax of ALC (12.9+/-5.5 micromol x L(-1)) and PLC (5.08+/-3.08 micromol x L(-1)) was lower than L-carnitine (P0.01), so as the AUC 0-infinity (166.2+/-77.4 and 155.6+/-264.2 micromol x L(-1) x h, respectively, P0.01). The half-life of ALC (35.9+/-28.9h) and PLC (25.7+/-30.3 h) was also shorter than L-carnitine (P0.01). The 24h accumulated urinary excretion of L-carnitine, ALC and PLC were 613.5+/-161.7, 368.3+/-134.8 and 61.3+/-37.8 micromol, respectively.L-carnitine has a greater maximum plasma concentration than ALC and PLC. L-carnitine also has a longer half-life than ALC and PLC. These data may have important implications in the designing of dosing regimens for L-carnitine or its analogues, such as ALC or PLC.

Reports describing severe allergic shock and fatality following treatment of a common cold or upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) with a Chinese herbal injection were collected. Our analysis of the risks associated with this treatment suggested that the potential risk of serious, or even lethal, anaphylaxis should preclude its use in treating common colds and URTIs. In light of our findings herein, we propose the following five suggestions for improving the clinical safety of delivering Chinese herbal injections as medical treatments. First, Chinese herbal injections should not be delivered in the clinic to treat patients in accordance with Bian zheng lun zhi (broad-spectrum application based on holistic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and methodology), but rather they should be administered to target specific indicated disease processes. Second, Chinese herbal injection indications should be based on the results of double-blind randomized controlled clinical trials. Third, Chinese herbal injections should be used only in cases involving severe disease or to rescue patients in critical condition; they should not be used to treat mild, relatively innocuous diseases, such as common colds and upper respiratory tract infections, given the risk of doing harm. Fourth, Chinese herbal injection formulas should include materials from only a single or a small number of plant sources in known quantities. Fifth, more studies examining the toxicology and allergenic potential of Chinese herbal injections are needed.

The carbonation of CaO calcined from a chemical pure CaCO3 in oxy-fuel combustion condition was investigated in a thermo gravimetric analyzer. The influence of temperature and CO2 concentrations on the carbonation of CaO were investigated. It was found that temperature is very important for CaO carbonation reaction. At the range of tested temperatures, higher temperature can accelerate the carbonation of CaO and increase the conversion ratio. It could be concluded that ash will easier to deposit on the high temperature heater zone. It is also found that, CO2 concentration can accelerate the chemical reaction, but the influence is not obvious like temperature. Also, a CaO calcined from a industry limestone was selected for testing further and the similar carbonation tendency happened. The activation energy of carbonation of calcined product of chemical pure CaCO3 was calculated.

the desulphurization reaction of porous CaO is a complex multi-model control process. It can be seen through SEM that, the calcination limestone is consisted of many CaO aggregation particles, the particle is consisted of a large mount of grains, and there are a lot of pores within those individual particles. Therefore, the product layer diffusion process is made up of two processes, one is gas diffusion in the particle product layer, the other is solid state ions diffusion in the grain product layer. Basing on the idealized model of a pellet with many grains, the diffusion equation was calculated out. It is shown that this dynamics equation may achieve a team of logical conversion curves through coupling the two diffusions, and the influence from non-linearity structure of CaO grain is evident.

A model has been developed to calculate the coefficient heat transfer in sparse zone of oxy-fuel fired circulating fluidized bed boiler (CFBB). The model shows that the convective heat transfer coefficient is enhanced with increase in CO2 density, bed temperature, and decrease in particle diameter; and, the radiative heat transfer coefficient is enhanced with increase in bed temperature and CO2 density. It was be found that temperature has important influence on both radiative and convective heat transfer. The CO2 density is very important in enhancing the radiative heat transfer. For example, the total heat transfer could be 264.0 w/(m²•k) when the CO2 density is 80% when flue gas at 1273K.

Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF) is a novel marine polypeptide compound isolated from gonochoric Chinese scallop Chlamys farreri, this study we further investigate the mechanisms of PCF exerting its anti-apoptotic effect. The results indicated that PCF, ROS scavenger NAC and NF-kappaB inhibitor MG132 effectively inhibited UVB-induced HaCaT cells apoptosis. PCF (2.84mM) showed potential ROS scavenging activities in a kinetic process. PCF (1.42-5.69mM) dose-dependently increased the expressions of Cu, Zn-SOD, CAT and GPx meanwhile decreased the expressions of p-NF-kappaB/p65 and COX-2 in UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Additionally, pretreatment with NAC significantly declined the generation of ROS and the expression of p-NF-kappaB/p65. We concluded that ROS, NF-kappaB and COX-2 are involved in UVB-induced HaCaT cells apoptosis, PCF exerts its protective effects via scavenging ROS, increasing the expression of antioxidative enzymes and inhibition the activation of NF-kappaB and COX-2.

To investigate the antitumor effect and estimate the toxicity of Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins.Mice sarcinoma S180 and mice liver cancer H22 were administered with positive Ftorafur and different dose of Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins by pouring into the stomach. The antitumor effects of Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins were observed by calculating the inhibition rate. Subchronic toxicity tests and micronucleus test of bone marrow cell in mice and Ames test were carried out to evaluate the toxicity.At the doses of 150 mg and 75 mg Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins, the rates of sarcinoma 180 inhibition were 45.04% and 36.64% respectively. The rate of liver cancer H22 inhibition at the dose of 150mg Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins was 33.33% . The result of subchronic toxicity tests showed that Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins had no obvious toxicity to rats. The results of the Ames test and micronucleus test were negative.Ipomoea Batatas Poir Cv anthocyanins could have inhibitory effect on transplantation tumor of mice, and have no toxicity and no mutation.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on a multidrug resistance cultured cell line, and its effect on complete remission in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A multidrug resistant K562/ADM cell line and drug-sensitive K562 cell line was used. The intracellular concentration of daunorubicin and the accumulation of Rhodamine 123 (Rh123) in the K562/ADM and K562 cells were evaluated. Clinical effects of CsA were also studied in 65 patients with AML. In the K562/ADM cells, the 50% of inhibition concentration (IC50) of daunorubicin only group was 23.0+/-5.2 micromol/L, which was greater than in other groups co-administered with CsA (1.2+/-4.8 micromol/L), verapamil (1.5+/-5.4 micromol/L) or CsA+verapamil (1.4+/-4.3 micromol/L) (all P0.01). The relative fluorescence intensity of Rh123 in the K562/ADM cells treated with CsA and daunorubicin was increased from 48.9% to 69.8% (P0.05). CsA also improved the complete remission rate in the AML patients (72.7% vs 21.9%, P0.01). We conclude that CsA can significantly diminish the multidrug resistance in K562/ADM cells. It also enhances the complete remission rates in patients with AML. CsA may be used as an integral part of the chemotherapy for AML.

To investigate the effect of Haishengsu, an extract from Tegillarca granosa, on non-small cell lung cancer as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy. DESIGNS/SETTINGS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 83 patients. The Haishengsu (n=42, 2.4mg Haishengsu in 250ml normal saline, iv, for 15 days) and the placebo group (n=41, 250ml normal saline, iv) were also treated with two cycles (28 days for each cycle) of conventional chemotherapy consisting mitomycin, vindesine and cisplatin.The curative effect of conventional chemotherapy was observed in 62% of Haishengsu group patients and in 39% in of the placebo group patients (P=0.04, RR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.01-2.49). Improvement in Karnofsky performance status scores was seen in 66.7% of Haishengsu group patients and in 17.1% of the placebo group patients (P0.01, RR 3.63, 95%CI: 1.77-7.41). The ratio of patients with no or only mild gastrointestinal reaction in the Haishengsu and the placebo group was 83.3% and 39.0%, respectively (P0.01, RR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.42-3.20).This study suggests that Haishengsu may be an effective adjunct therapy to the conventional chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The short-term therapeutic effect of chemotherapy may be improved and the chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting may be reduced by concurrent Haishengsu administration.

Transient receptor potential channels are involved in sensing chemical and physical changes inside and outside of cells. TRPV3 is highly expressed in skin keratinocytes, where it forms a nonselective cation channel activated by hot temperatures in the innocuous and noxious range. The channel has also been implicated in flavor sensation in oral and nasal cavities as well as being a molecular target of some allergens and skin sensitizers. TRPV3 is unique in that its activity is sensitized upon repetitive stimulations. Here we investigated the role of calcium ions in the sensitization of TRPV3 to repetitive stimulations. We show that the sensitization is accompanied by a decrease of Ca(2+)-dependent channel inhibition mediated by calmodulin acting at an N-terminal site (amino acids 108-130) and by an acidic residue (Asp(641)) at the pore loop of TRPV3. These sites also contribute to the voltage dependence of TRPV3. During sensitization, the channel displayed a gradual shift of the voltage dependence to more negative potentials as well as uncoupling from voltage sensing. The initial response to ligand stimulation was increased and sensitization to repetitive stimulations was decreased by increasing the intracellular Ca(2+)-buffering strength, inhibiting calmodulin, or disrupting the calmodulin-binding site. Mutation of Asp(641) to Asn abolished the high affinity extracellular Ca(2+)-mediated inhibition and greatly facilitated the activation of TRPV3. We conclude that Ca(2+) inhibits TRPV3 from both the extracellular and intracellular sides. The inhibition is sequentially reduced, appearing as sensitization to repetitive stimulations.

Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri (PCF, molecular mass is 879) is a new marine polypeptide compound isolated from Chlamys farreri. This study investigates the possible protective roles and the mechanism of PCF against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced apoptosis in murine thymocytes.The rate of apoptosis and caspase-3 activation was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of stress-response genes c-fos and c-jun was observed by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the release of cytochrome c.It was found that UVB induced murine thymocyte death. The cells treated with UVB showed an increase in cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activity, as well as in the expression of c-fos and c-jun. In addition, all were involved in UVB-induced cell apoptosis.Our present observations pointed to the ability of PCF to avert UVB-induced apoptosis in thymocytes by modulating c-fos and c-jun expression, cytochrome c release, and the consequent activation of caspase-3, which were essential components of the UV-induced cell apoptotic pathway. The results suggested that PCF is a promising protective substance against UV radiation.

Recent studies suggest that lysozyme, rich in hen egg, has an antitumor function. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor and antiangiogenesis effects of a newly isolated marine lysozyme both in vitro and in vivo. First, we showed that this marine-derived lysozyme specifically inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECV304) in a dose-dependent manner with no cytotoxicity (IC(50) = 3.64 microM). Second, we showed that this marine lysozyme directly suppresses neovascularization in chicken embryos using chorioallantoic membrane assay. Third, we demonstrated that this marine lysozyme markedly inhibits tumor growth in mice bearing either sarcoma 180 or hepatoma 22. Unexpectedly, hen egg lysozyme has no effects on the proliferation of endothelial cells in vitro or neovascularization in chicken embryos or tumor growth in nude mice at the same dosage range. Taken together, our studies clearly show that the newly identified marine lysozyme is a potent antitumor molecule, which may inhibit tumor growth and inhibit angiogenesis. We believe that this marine lysozyme may have a therapeutic value in antitumor drug development.

Oxy-fuel combustion of fossil fuel is one of the most promising methods to produce a stream of concentrated CO2 ready for sequestration. Oxy-fuel FBC (fluidized bed combustion) can use limestone as a sorbent for in situ capture of sulphur dioxide. Limestone will not calcine to CaO under typical oxy-fuel circulating FBC (CFBC) operating temperatures because of the high CO2 partial pressures. However, for some fuels, such as anthracites and petroleum cokes, the typical combustion temperature is above 900°C. At CO2 concentrations of 80%–85% (typical of oxy-fuel CFBC conditions with flue gas recycle) limestone still calcines, but when the ash cools to the calcination temperature, carbonation of fly ash deposited on cool surfaces may occur. This phenomenon has the potential to cause fouling of the heat transfer surfaces in the back end of the boiler, and to create serious operational difficulties. In this study, fly ash generated in a utility CFBC boiler was carbonated in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) under conditions expected in an oxy-fuel CFBC. The temperature range investigated was from 250–800°C with CO2 concentration set at 80% and H2O concentrations at 0%, 8% and 15%, and the rate and the extent of the carbonation reaction were determined. Both temperature and H2O concentrations play important roles in determining the reaction rate and extent of carbonation. The results also showed that, in different temperature ranges, the carbonation of fly ash displayed different characteristics: when T>400°C, the higher the temperatures the higher the CaO-to-carbonate conversion ratio. The presence of H2O in the gas phase always resulted in higher CaO conversion ratio than that obtainable without H2O. For T≤400°C, no fly ash carbonation occurred without the presence of H2O in the gas phase. However, on water vapour addition, carbonation was observed, even at 250°C. For T≤300°C, small amounts of Ca(OH)2 were found in the final product alongside CaCO3. Here, the carbonation mechanism is discussed and the apparent activation energy for the overall reaction determined.

The stability of three batches of purified Vero cell-derived, inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccines was evaluated under various conditions. Vaccine products were stored separately at 2 to 8 ℃ and 37 ℃. At various times, vaccines samples were taken and evaluated for appearance, pH, residual aluminum, titer, and the results were compared with corresponding data of release tests. All three batches of vaccine products were conforming to release test standards, with residual host DNA being less than 100pg/dose, residual protein being 23.5ng/ml, and residual bovine albumin being 8.9ng/dose, respectively. During storage under various conditions, no abnormal appearance was observed; pH was slightly increased and residual aluminum level was decreased, both of which were within acceptable range of standards. The titers of vaccine products were determined by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). Three batches of vaccine products that were stored at 37±1℃ for 4 weeks were found to maintain titers of above 95%. When stored for 12 weeks, there was an apparent decrease of titer (maintained at 78.6% to 81.5%). Except batch 20081101 showed T values less than standard, other two batches were still qualified. Three batches of vaccine products that were stored at 2~8℃ for 36 months were found to maintain titer of 85.4% ~86.7%, with potency T values above that of reference product. At major time points of this storage condition, sterility, abnormal toxicity, and endotoxin level were all conforming to standards. This study indicates that these vaccine products have excellent stability within specific duration of storage under various conditions.

Marine organisms are being considered increasingly as sources of anti-tumour agents. The extract from Arca granosa L. has been shown to decrease the growth of tumours and this study was undertaken to determine its ability and mechanism of inhibition. The extract inhibited the proliferation of six human tumour cell lines from different origins with varying sensitivity. The cell lines Ketr-3, A549 and NCI-H460 with kidney or lung origins were more sensitive to the extract than those of the HepG-2, MCF-7 and MGC-803 cells from other origins. In the three sensitive cell lines (Ketr-3, A549 and NCI-H460) the extract was shown to block different phases of the cell cycle progression and inhibit DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. It was concluded that the extract from A. granosa is potentially a novel anti-tumour agent, especially on kidney and lung tumour cell lines.

Marine low-temperature lysozyme is purified from a marine bacterium. The lysozyme can keep high activity at low-temperature and has broad-spectrum antibiotic reaction. This study was undertaken to investigate the major characteristics, acute and subchronic toxicity of marine low-temperature lysozyme. The relative molecular weight of this lysozyme was determined as approximate 16 kD; its optimum pH value and temperature towards Micrococcus lysodleikticus were pH 6.5 and 35 °C, respectively. The lysozyme activity was slightly enhanced by Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ and slightly inhibited by Mn 2+ and Ag + . The lysozyme showed good compatibility to many common chemical agents such as EDTA (0.1%), KH 2 PO 4 (1.0%), etc. In experiments on acute toxicity, the drug was injected through the tail vein of mice, and intoxication symptoms and date of death were recorded. The 50% lethal dose (LD 50 ) of Marine low-temperature lysozyme and 95%, 99% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The subchronic study was designed to determine whether effects progressed with repeated Marine low-temperature lysozyme exposure. Wistar rats were tested by daily intragastric administration of Marine low-temperature lysozyme at the doses of 1.0; 0.5; 0.25 g/kg bw for 90 days. The LD 50 value of lysozyme was 4530 mg/kg bw; 90 days of Marine low-temperature lysozyme treatment at three doses, and there is no significant difference on blood biochemistry and organ index in drug treatment groups compared to saline treatment group. There is no affirmative pathologic change of all the observed organs in this study. The present results suggest that Marine low-temperature lysozyme can be safely used at the dose of experiment applied.

TRPM4, a Ca(2+)-activated cation channel of the transient receptor potential superfamily, undergoes a fast desensitization to Ca(2+). The mechanisms underlying the alterations in Ca(2+) sensitivity are unknown. Here we show that cytoplasmic ATP reversed Ca(2+) sensitivity after desensitization, whereas mutations to putative ATP binding sites resulted in faster and more complete desensitization. Phorbol ester-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) increased the Ca(2+) sensitivity of wild-type TRPM4 but not of two mutants mutated at putative PKC phosphorylation sites. Overexpression of a calmodulin mutant unable to bind Ca(2+) dramatically reduced TRPM4 activation. We identified five Ca(2+)-calmodulin binding sites in TRPM4 and showed that deletion of any of the three C-terminal sites strongly impaired current activation by reducing Ca(2+) sensitivity and shifting the voltage dependence of activation to very positive potentials. Thus, the Ca(2+) sensitivity of TRPM4 is regulated by ATP, PKC-dependent phosphorylation, and calmodulin binding at the C terminus. ispartof: Journal of Biological Chemistry vol:280 issue:8 pages:6423-6433 ispartof: location:United States status: published

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily contains a large number of proteins encoding cation permeable channels that are further divided into TRPC (canonical), TRPM (melastatin), and TRPV (vanilloid) subfamilies. Among the six TRPV members, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, and TRPV4 form heat-activated cation channels, which serve diverse functions ranging from nociception to osmolality regulation. Although chemical activators for TRPV1 and TRPV4 are well documented, those for TRPV2 and TRPV3 are lacking. Here we show that in the absence of other stimuli, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB) activates TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3, but not TRPV4, TRPV5, and TRPV6 expressed in HEK293 cells. In contrast, 2APB inhibits the activity of TRPC6 and TRPM8 evoked by 1-oleolyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol and menthol, respectively. In addition, low levels of 2APB strongly potentiate the effect of capsaicin, protons, and heat on TRPV1 as well as that of heat on TRPV3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In dorsal root ganglia neurons, supra-additive stimulations were evoked by 2APB and capsaicin or 2APB and acid. Our data suggest the existence of a common activation mechanism for TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3 that may serve as a therapeutic target for pain management and treatment for diseases caused by hypersensitivity and temperature misregulation.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the participation of sphingolipids in signal transduction and regulation of cell growth. Several cellular stress agents have been shown to elevate ceramide, the basic precursor of all sphingolipids, initiating a cascade of events leading to arrest of the cell cycle, apoptosis and cell death. Aiming at inhibiting metabolic pathways of sphingolipid metabolism that might lead to an increase of cellular ceramide, we have synthesized non-natural analogs of ceramide, sphingosine and trimethylsphingosine. When the respective analogs were applied to HL60 human myeloid leukemic cells they inhibited the biosynthesis of sphingomyelin (SPM) and glycosphingolipids and induced apoptosis that led to cell death. A fluorescent procedure which has been developed for quantifying the biosynthesis of cellular ceramide indicated an increase in the ceramide content following an incubation with the synthetic analogs. These results suggest that the newly synthesized sphingolipid analogs might be valuable for potential application as a therapeutic modality in leukemia and other malignancies.

Purpose: To determine the cellular and molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity induced by Haishengsu (HSS), nature extract from Tegillarca granosa, toward human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3. Methods: The cytotoxic effects of HSS on two ovarian cancer cell lines were tested by XTT assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by HSS were demonstrated by DNA ladder assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. RT-PCR or flow cytometric analysis was used to investigate the expression of bcl-2, caspase-3, p53, ?-catenin, E-cadherin, CD24, and CD44. Results: Continuous exposure to HSS for 48 h produced cytotoxic effects on both cell lines in a concentration dependent manner, which was accompanied by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Apoptosis associated gene bcl-2 and caspase-3, tumor metastasis associated gene ?-catenin, but not E-cadherin, and CD24, but not CD44, were involved in the effect of growth inhibition induced by HSS. Although p53 mediated apoptosis induced by HSS in OVCAR-3 cells, it was not required in SKOV-3 cells. Conclusion: HSS has a potential cytotoxic effect on human ovarian cancer cells, which was mediated by multiple signal molecules including bcl-2, caspase-3, ?-catenin, and CD24. These findings will provide a theoretical basis for HSS’s potential clinical application as a novel marine anti-cancer agent.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Haishengsu (HSS) on transplanted K562 and drug-resistant K562/ADM tumors. Methods: Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with K562 and K562/ADM cells, respectively. Tumour-bearing animals were divided into HSS, adriamycin, combination therapy (adriamycin plus HSS) and placebo groups. The anti-tumour effect was assessed by tumour growth curve and tumour inhibitory rate (IR). Results: In animals inoculated with K562 cells, the inhibitory rates of high (1800mg/kg) and medium (900mg/kg ) dose HSS groups were 100% and 96.4%, respectively, which was higher than that in the adriamycin (88.9%) or the combination therapy groups (85.8%, P < 0.05). The inhibitory rate in the low-dose HSS group (53.4%) was lower than in all other groups (P < 0.01). In mice inoculated with K562/ADM cells, the inhibitory rates in the high, medium and low dose HSS groups were 100%, 95.9%, and 44.1%, respectively. In the adriamycin group, the inhibitory rate was 23.07%, which was lower than in the HSS group (P < 0.01). Pathological examination of tumour tissues from HSS-treated animals showed extensive necrosis and bleeding. Conclusions: Haishengsu inhibits the growth of transplanted K562 tumours in mice. It is also effective in suppressing the growth of drug-resistant K562/ADM tumors in this animal model.