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The differential chemical constituents of the different Phyllanthus urinaria L. (PUL) parts were investigated by UPLC/Q-TOF MS-based metabolomics. A total of 69 compounds were tentatively identified in the whole plant extract and 35 of them were common to root, stem, leaf and fruit parts. And four compounds were selected as biomarkers for leaves, fruits, stems and roots, respectively. The four PUL parts all had good α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and the activities of fruit, root and stem extracts were about fivefold higher than the leaf part. The hierarchical cluster analysis and heat map were used to explore the relationship between the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and chemical constituent differences of four PUL parts.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is regarded as an effective treatment to stabilize organic materials and recycle the energy in pig manure. In this study, 0%, 3%, 5%, and 7% biochar (based on dry weight) were added to pig manure to investigate its influence on improving biogas production and reducing heavy metal bioavailability. The potential ecological risk of heavy metals (namely Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Cr) in digestates was also assessed. Results show that the methane yield was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 26.7%, 23.0%, and 26.4% following addition of 3%, 5%, and 7% biochar, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant change in the heavy metal speciation in amendment each group. The 5% biochar group showed the highest passivation rate of Ni, As, and Pb, while the highest passivation rate of Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn was observed with 7% biochar. Although the anaerobic digestion process slightly increased the ecological risk of heavy metals, all tested digestates were still classified as a moderate risk. Results of this study can provide a reference for the treatment of heavy metal pollution in large- and medium-sized anaerobic digesters treating pig manure.

Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that regulate embryonic development programs including organogenesis, axis formation and limb development. Previously, we identified and cloned a mouse double homeobox gene, Duxbl, whose homeodomain exhibits the highest identity (67 %) to human DUX4, a candidate gene of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Duxbl proteins have been shown to be expressed in elongated myocytes and myotubes of trunk and limb muscles during embryogenesis. In this study, we found that Duxbl maintained low expression levels in various adult muscles. Duxbl proteins were induced to express in activated satellite cells and colocalized with MyoG, a myogenic differentiating marker. Furthermore, Duxbl proteins were not detected in quiescent satellite cells but detected in regenerated myocytes and colocalized with MyoD and MyoG following cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury. Ectopic Duxbl overexpressions in C2C12 myoblast cells promoted cell proliferation through mainly enhancing cyclin D1 and hyper-phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein but reducing p21 expression. However, Duxbl overexpression in C2C12 cells inhibited myogenic differentiation by decreasing MyoD downstream gene expressions, including M-cadherin, MyoG, p21 and cyclin D3 but not MyoD itself. Duxbl overexpressions also promoted cell proliferation but blocked MyoD-induced myogenic conversion in multipotent mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. In addition, results of a luciferase reporter assay suggest that Duxbl negatively regulated MyoG promoter activity through the proximal two E boxes. In conclusion, these results indicate that Duxbl may play a crucial role in myogenesis and postnatal muscle regeneration by activating and proliferating satellite and myoblast cells.

[Re-188]Rhenium sulfide suspension was prepared by the reaction of Na2S2O3 and KReO4 containing (NaReO4)-Re-188 in acid solution and assessed for its applicability in tumor treatment by the techniques of radioisotope interventional therapy. The reaction conditions such as the concentration ratio of Na2S2O3, to KReO4, heating time, ultrasonic time were optimized. The radiochemical yield of [Re-188]Rhenium sulfide suspension is more than 96% and in vitro stability studies demonstrated that more than 99% of the 188Re remained in sulfide form over a 72hrs period. The main particle size after various ultrasonic times is 1-5 mu m. [Re-188]Rhenium sulfide suspension was injected into tumors and the tumor-bearing mice were killed after some time to determine the retention of Re-188 in tumor and the leakage to different organs by gamma counter. The mean retention percentages of Re-188 in tumors were 83.08 +/- 13.71%, 83.92 +/- 9.79%, 80.23 +/- 3.82% and 78.75 +/- 3.02% at Ih, 24, 48 and 72hrs respectively. After 72hrs the highest activity outside the tumors was in the liver, spleen and the kidneys. Our preliminary results indicated that [Re-188]Rhenium sulfide suspension may be an effective radiopharmaceutical for tumor treatment by the techniques of radioisotope interventional therapy.

Intralesional therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for tumors. In this study, the suitability of [Re-188]rhenium sulfide suspension for tumor treatment following intra-tumor injection was evaluated. The [Re-188]rhenium sulfide suspension was radiolabeled with Re-188 with a radiochemical yield of more than 96%. In vitro stability studies revealed that more than 99% of the Re-188 remained in sulfide form over a 3-day period. After ultrasonication for 5 or 10 min, the main particle size was 1-5 mu m. Two [Re-188]rhenium sulfide suspensions ultrasonicated for 5 and 10 min, respectively, were injected into separate group of tumor-bearing mice that were killed after specified times to compare the retention of Re-188 in tumors and the leakage to different organs by periods and organs removed to gamma counting. The mean retention percentages of Re-188 in tumors injected with suspension ultrasonicated for 5 (or 10) min were as follows: 1 h, 90.5 +/- 7.7% (83.1 +/- 13.7%); 24 h, 92.2 +/- 8.6% (83.9 +/- 9.8%); 48 h, 88.3 +/- 10.9% (80.2 +/- 3.8%); and 72 h, 91.5 +/- 7.6% (78.8 +/- 3.0%). Tumor-inhibiting ratio was 96.5%. These results demonstrated that [Re-188]rhenium sulfide suspension is an effective radiopharmaceutical for tumor treatment by intralesional therapy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.