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Background: β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) induced oxidative damage contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and the cerebrovascular system is more vulnerable to oxidative stress. Our earlier study showed a clue that Genistein (Gen) might activate the Nf-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway to protect cerebrovascular cells from oxidative damage induced by Aβ, but the specific mechanisms and regulation targets are unclear. Objective: In this study, the anti-oxidative effects and the possible targets of Gen on regulating the Nrf2 pathway in bEnd.3 cells were investigated. Cells were divided into control, Aβ25-35, Gen, and Gen+Aβ25-35 groups. Methods: Cell viability, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, and nitrotyrosine were evaluated. Moreover, mRNA and/or protein expressions of Nrf2 and kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) were measured. Then we transfected Keap1 over-expressed plasmid into bEnd.3 cells and measured the protein expressions of Nrf2 pathway related factors. Results: Data showed that Gen could inhibit the over-production of MDA and nitrotyrosine and activate SOD activity. Furthermore, we discovered that Gen could up-regulate Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression while down-regulating Keap1 protein expression. The Keap1 over-expressed plasmid study revealed that the up-regulation of Nrf2 protein expression induced by Gen pretreatment could be blocked by transfection of Keap1 over-expressed plasmid, and the same results were observed in Nrf2 downstream factors. Conclusion: Gen could alleviate the cerebrovascular cells' oxidative damage induced by Aβ25-35 by regulating the Nrf2 pathway, and Keap1 might be one of the targets of Gen in activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Two new monoterpene esters, illigerates H and I (

Background: The occurrence of serious diseases, such as inflammatory diseases and cancer, in the small intestine is significantly lower than that in the colon. The differentiation of small-intestine microbiota from large-intestine microbiota might hold great significance. Materials and methods: To compare floral composition and functions between the two types of microbiota, ileal contents and feces were collected from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene in these rats was amplified and sequenced. We subjected the data to bioinformatics analyzing. Results: Compared with feces, about 50% of bacterial genera in the ileum were exclusive, with low abundance (operational taxonomic units [OTUs] P < 0.05). A high-fat diet (HFD) and specific-pathogen–free (SPF) conditions had a profound influence on α-diversity and abundance but not on the exclusive/shared features or β-diversity of samples. Intestinal microbiota were composed of high-prevalence dominant, low-prevalence dominant, and less-dominant bacteria. Conclusions: The present findings suggested that ileal and fecal bacteria were different structurally and functionally. These differences might be key to the fundamental protection of the small intestine from diseases.

The tumor and tissue microbiomes of human beings have recently been investigated. Gut permeability is known as a possible resource for the positive detection of tissue bacteria. Herein, we report that bacteria were detected in high abundance in the hepatocytes of healthy rats, and that they were shared with the gut microbiota to an extent. We assessed male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene. After rats were sacrificed by blood drainage from the portal vein, we extracted total deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from their ileal and colonic contents and liver tissues. The V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Sequences were assigned taxonomically by the SILVA database. We also detected bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in situ using immunofluorescence (IF) and western blotting and the 16S rRNA gene using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In the livers of six rats, we detected 54,867.50 ± 6450.03 effective tags of the 16S rRNA gene and clustered them into 1003 kinds of operational taxonomic units (OTUs; 805.67 ± 70.14, 729–893). Individuals showed conservation of bacterial richness, abundance, and evenness. LPS and 16S rRNA gene were detected in the nuclei of hepatocytes. The main function composition of the genomes of the annotated bacteria was correlated with metabolism (79.92 ± 0.24%). Gram negativity was about 1.6 times higher than gram positivity. Liver bacteria were shared with both the small and large intestines but showed significantly higher richness, evenness, and β-diversity results showed that the liver microbiota exhibited significantly higher similarity than the small and large intestines (P < 0.05). The liver microbiota were hidden intracellular inhabitants in healthy rat livers and were shared with the gut microbiota.

As a Yi medicine for eliminating wind to relieve pain, Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis (S. Y. Hu) H. S. Lo (TSY) is widely used to treat sore throat, stomach pain, bone and muscle injuries, and tumors; however, the material basis and mechanism of action remain unclear.This study aims to investigate the potential active compounds of TSY and related pharmacological mechanisms against gastric cancer using a multitarget strategy.The main chemical components of TSY were collected through a literature review and database searches. The components were further screened for ADMET properties, and their targets were predicted using network pharmacology (admetSAR) and substructure-drug-target network-based inference (SDTNBI) approaches in silico. The pharmacological mechanism of action of TSY extract for pain relief, sedation, and anti-gastric cancer activities were identified via in vivo and in vitro biochemical analyses.Here, 28 chemical components were identified, 7 active compounds were selected, and 75 targets of TSY extract were predicted. A compound-target-disease network topological approach revealed that the predicted targets are highly related to the digestive system and nervous system. Network pharmacology results suggested that the anti-gastric cancer activity of TSY was highly correlated with its analgesic and sedative targets and MAPK. In vivo experiments confirmed that TSY extract not only reduced the number of voluntary activities in the mouse model but also exhibited a synergistic effect on sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep, reduced the number of mice exhibiting writhing responses to acetic acid, and increased the hot plate pain threshold of mice. Thus, TSY extract exhibits good analgesic and sedative effects. The TSY extract inhibited HGC-27 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by regulating apoptotic proteins (BAX, BCL-2 and BCL-XL) in vitro.TSY exhibits combined analgesic, sedative, and anti-gastric cancer activities.

Background: The occurrence of serious diseases, such as inflammatory diseases and cancer, in the small intestine is significantly lower than that in the colon. The differentiation of small-intestine microbiota from large-intestine microbiota might hold great significance. To compare floral composition and functions between the two types of microbiota, ileal contents and feces were collected from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene in these rats was amplified and sequenced. We subjected the data to bioinformatics analyzing.Results: Compared with feces, about 50% of bacterial genera in the ileum were exclusive, with low abundance (operational taxonomic units [OTUs] P < 0.05). A high-fat diet (HFD) and specific-pathogen–free (SPF) conditions had a profound influence on α-diversity and abundance but not on the exclusive/shared features or β-diversity of samples. Intestinal microbiota were composed of high-prevalence dominant, low-prevalence dominant, and less-dominant bacteria.Conclusions: The present findings suggested that ileal and fecal bacteria were different structurally and functionally. These differences might be key to the fundamental protection of the small intestine from diseases.

Three phenylpropanoid glucosides (1 – 3) and one iridoid glucoside (11), together with eleven known glucosides, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Hemiphragma heterophyllum. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, and chemical methods. All compounds except 11 and 13 – 15 showed varying degrees of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 5, 9, and 12 were marginally active in the bioassay, while compounds 1 – 4, 6 – 8, and 10 exhibited appreciable inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 33.6 ~ 83.1 µM, which was much lower than that of the positive control acarbose (IC50 = 310.8 µM).

Considering the significance of thermodynamic cycles in the global energy system, it is necessary to develop new general classes of thermodynamic cycles to relieve current energy and environmental problems. Inspired by the relationship between power cycles and refrigeration cycles, we realize that general classes of thermodynamic cycles should occur in pairs with opposite functions. Here we reverse class 1 heating cycles to obtain another new general class of thermodynamic cycles named class 2 heating cycles (HC-2s). HC-2s have two basic forms, and each contains six thermodynamic processes. HC-2s present the simplest and most general approach to utilizing the temperature difference between a medium-temperature heat source and a low-temperature heat sink to achieve efficient high-temperature heating. HC-2s fill the gaps that have existed since the origin of thermal science, and they will play significant roles in the global sustainable energy system.

Thermodynamic cycles are not only the core concepts of thermal science, but also key approaches to energy conversion and utilization. So far, power cycles and refrigeration cycles have been the only two general classes of thermodynamic cycles. While diverse types of systems have been developed to perform thermodynamic cycles, no new general classes of thermodynamic cycles have been proposed. Based on the basic principles of thermodynamics, here we propose and analyze a new general class of thermodynamic cycles named class 1 heating cycles (HC-1s). Two basic forms of HC-1s are obtained by connecting six essential thermodynamic processes in the proper order and forming a thermodynamic cycle. HC-1s present the simplest and most general approach to utilizing the temperature difference between a high-temperature heat source and a medium-temperature heat sink to achieve efficient medium-temperature heating and/or low-temperature cooling. HC-1s fill the gaps that have existed since the origin of thermal science, and they will play significant roles in energy conservation and emission reduction.

Background The Yi is the largest ethnic group in Yunnan Province (China), with a population of five million. The Yi people tend to live in mountainous areas, and their culture includes a unique dietary system for treating and protecting people against illnesses. Medicinal plants occupy an essential place in the Yi diet because they play a key role in health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, few studies have addressed these medicinal dietary plants and their importance in the Yi’s daily lives. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the medicinal dietary plants used by the Yi in Mile City, (2) document the traditional knowledge held about these plants, (3) identify species with important cultural significance to the Yi in Mile City, and (4) analyze the special preparation methods and consumption habits of these plants. Methods Field investigations were performed in six villages in Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, from July 2017 to May 2018. Information was collected using direct observation, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, individual discussions, and focus group discussions. The use value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) of these plants were analyzed. Plant samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification. Results This study documented 124 species belonging to 62 families and 102 genera. These plants included angiosperms (117 spp.), gymnosperms (3), pteridophytes (2), lichen (1), and fungus (1). The 20 species with the highest UV were noted as being particularly important to the Yi people’s daily life in Mile City. The primary medicinal preparation method for plants recorded in the study was decoction. The most commonly used plant parts were fruits and roots. The most frequently used edible parts were fruits, and the most frequently used medicinal parts were roots. The medicinal parts were used to treat diseases such as rheumatism, edemas, kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, gastritis, parasites, and so on. Conclusion A wide variety of medicinal dietary plants are used by the Yi people in Mile City. Those plants, which have both rich nutritional and medicinal value, occupy an essential part of the Yi dietary and medicine culture. Ethnobotanical surveys of medicinal dietary plants provide a theoretical reference for the conservation and sustainable use of the plant resources and could contribute to the protection of the Yi food culture and traditional medicine in Mile City. In addition, this information provides a sound basis for developing and using Yi ethnic medicine and health products.

A pilot study on the ethanol extracts of

A pilot study on the ethanol extracts of Agrimonia pilosa found to have anti-α-glucosidase and anti-inflammatory activities. Subsequent chemical study afforded a new phenylethyl isocoumarin glycoside (1) and eight known compounds (2-9). The structure of 1 was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. All compounds showed modest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 values ranging from 36.8 to 210.7 μM), which was lower than that of the positive control acarbose (IC50=301.9 μM). Those compounds except inactive compounds 3 and 6 showed weak anti-inflammatory activity.

Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles have become a research hotspot in high-efficiency power production. Adoption of other gas into CO2 is proved to be an effective way to improve the performance of supercritical CO2 cycle. In practice, it is inevitable to mix impurity gas into CO2. The additive gas would have significant effects on isobaric heat capacity of CO2 system. However, the lack of isobaric heat capacity of CO2 mixture gas over supercritical regions of CO2 poses a challenge in the design and optimization of supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle. In this work, N2 and Xe, whose mole fraction ranges from 1% to 50 %, is considered as an additive gas in CO2. The isobaric heat capacity of pure CO2, CO2/Xe and CO2/N2 binary mixture is calculated via molecular dynamics simulation. Compared to the commonly utilized database REFPROP, it is found that molecular dynamics simulation exhibits comparable and acceptable performance in prediction of the isobaric heat capacity of the mixed CO2 system. The absolute average deviate of isobaric heat capacity of pure CO2 and CO2/N2 binary mixtures is less than 1% and 1.3 % compared to the REFPROP database, respectively. Then, the effect of the Xe and N2 on the isobaric heat capacity is discussed. The results demonstrated that the isobaric heat capacity would decrease continuously when CO2 is mixed with Xe and N2. The prediction models and data put forth in this paper offer great values for practical application system involving S-CO2 Brayton cycle.

Three new diterpenoids, dumetoranes A (1) and B (2), melanocane B (3), together with four known ones including melanocane A (4), ent-15S,16-dihydroxypimar-8(14)-en-19-oic acid (5), ent-pimara-8(14),15-diene-19-oic acid (6), and ent-pimara-8(14),15-diene-19-ol (7) were obtained from the ethanol extract of the roots of Aralia dumetorum. Their structure elucidation was achieved by the methods of spectroscopic HRMS, IR, NMR, and by comparison with literature. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1–3 and 5 were assayed by in vitro MTT methods.

Ge’erke (>100 t gold) is one of six Mesozoic gold deposits within the Dashui-Zhongqu District, that collectively have a non-JORC resource of about 150 tonnes gold out of a total of >1100 tonnes gold for the host West Qinling Belt. The deposits in the Dashui-Zhonggu District are deeply weathered to depths of up to 400 m, with secondary Fe-oxides having replaced pyrite and other sulfides. This makes traditional ore deposit studies involving mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic analysis difficult. Thus, their association has been controversial with correlations to deposits that include Carlin and intrusion-related types postulated. However, these associations can be discounted in favour of their classification as epizonal orogenic gold deposits. At Ge’erke, gold mineralization was focused in the hangingwall of a broadly south-dipping southern margin of a granite pluton in a wide variety of fault trends. This complexity was caused by heterogeneous stresses developed around the rigid pluton by the broadly NE-SW directed regional principal maximum stress responsible for the sinistral movement along the crustal-scale faults which control the regional alignment of the West Qinling gold deposits. At the orebody and ore shoot scale, gold mineralization is controlled by rheology contrasts, particularly the fault contacts between crystalline limestone units and granite dykes, which are themselves in a variety of orientations because of inhomogeneous strain around the parent granite pluton. In this region the secondary faults that subparallel the Mianlue Suture and associated crustal-scale faults are poorly gold mineralized in the absence of granite plutons. During exploration, such buried plutons and the orientations of their margins can best be detected by gravity surveys, although magnetic surveys may also be useful.

To investigate the extraction technique of soluble soybean polysaccharide by ultrasonic assistance, four relative factors, including water extraction temperature, ultrasonic treatment time, ultrasonic power and solid to liquid ratio, were optimized through orthogonal test L9 (34 ) on the basis of single factor experiment. The factors influencing the extraction rate of soluble soybean polysaccharide, in the sequence of significance, were ultrasonic treatment time, water extraction time, water extraction temperature and sold to liquid ratio. The optimum extraction technological parameter of soluble soybean polysaccharide was: ultrasonic wave period 20 min, water extraction temperature 90 °C, sold to liquid ratio 1:40, water extraction period 4 h, and the extracting rate was 3.5421% of bean dregs. The method of phenol-sulphate acid was applied to determine the content of polysaccharide. The content of polysaccharide was 96.58％ of extracted soybean polysaccharide sample.

The research in this paper optimized the extraction technique of lentinan with ultrasonic assistant method on the basis of hot water extraction technique, and investigated the promoting function of ultrasound to polysaccharides extraction. Extraction condition was selected by means of orthogonal experimental design, four factors and three levels L9(34), after key elements were respectively chosen through single factor experiments. Comparison between optimal extraction parameters of two method, hot water extraction technique and ultrasonic assistant extraction technique, showed decreased extraction temperature and significantly shortened extraction time, which existed in the second means, improved the extraction efficiency. Lentinus edodes polysaccharide extracted with ultrasonic assistant technique, the extraction rate and polysaccharide content percentage increased 6.22% and 8.66% respectively, comparative to which extracted with hot water extraction technique.

An applied coarse classification scheme for handwritten Chinese character is presented in this paper. Four-side code feature is employed as coarse feature and RBF neural network is used as classifier in this experiment. In contrast to Euclidean distance as the measurement of similarity used in conventional method, RBF (radial basis function) neural network is better to fit the data of each class. In this way the precision rate is up to 93.20%. Analyzing the misclassified characters, overlap area classification method is applied in experiment and precision rate is up to 96.18%. Experimental results show that proposed method is applied and has satisfying performance on coarse classification of handwritten Chinese character.