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The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel that is activated by capsaicin (CAP), the main component of chili pepper. Despite studies in several neurological diseases, the role of TRPV1 in demyelinating diseases remains unknown. Herein, we reported that TRPV1 expression was increased within the corpus callosum during demyelination in a cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelination mouse model. TRPV1 deficiency exacerbated motor coordinative dysfunction and demyelination in CPZ-treated mice, whereas the TRPV1 agonist CAP improved the behavioral performance and facilitated remyelination. TRPV1 was predominantly expressed in Iba1

Two new monoterpene esters illigerates F and G (1 and 2) together with 5 know compounds illigerate A (3), illigerate C (4), actinodaphnine (5), N-methylactinodaphnine(6) and N-methyllaurotetanine(7) were isolated from Illigera aromatica S. Z. Huang et S. L. Mo. Their structures were identified by extensive NMR data and by comparing with the known compounds. The anti-inflammatory activity of four monoterpenes (1 - 4) was evaluated by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and four monoterpenoids exhibited inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 71.5 ± 7.3, 74.7 ± 5.6, 48.0 ± 7.4 and 65.1 ± 3.7 μM, respectively.

A dense bridge-like tissue named the myodural bridge (MDB) connecting the suboccipital muscles and the spinal dura mater was originally discovered in humans. Recent studies have revealed that the MDB confirmed a universal existing normal anatomical structure in mammals which is considered being significant in physiological functions. Our previous investigations have confirmed the existence of MDB in the finless porpoises. We conduct this research to expound the specificity of the MDB in Neophocana asiaeorientalis (N.asiaeorientalis). Five carcasses of N.asiaeorientalis with formalin fixation were used for this study. Two were used for head and neck CT scanning, three-dimensional reconstruction, and dissection of suboccipital region. One was used for P45 plastinated sheets observation. One was for histological analysis of suboccipital region. One was for Scanning electron microscopic study. The results showed that the MDB in N.asiaeorientalis is an independent muscle originated from the caudal border of occiput, directly extended through the posterior atlanto-occipital interspace and connected with the cervical spinal dura mater. Thus the MDB in N.asiaeorientalis is an independent and specialized muscle. Based on the origin and termination of this muscle, we could name it as ‘Occipital-Dural Muscle’. And the direct pull on the cervical spinal dura mater might affect the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by altering the volume of subarachnoid space of spine.

Background: The trichomes of cucumber fruits are also called spines. Cucumber has important commercial value, and its fruit spines represent a classical tissue with which to study the cell division and differentiation mode of multicellular trichomes. Although there have been many studies on the development of unicellular trichomes in model plants, the molecular mechanism of multicellular trichome formation remains elusive. In this study, we used a pair of cucumber materials defined as having hard (Ts, wild type) or tender (ts, mutant) spines in a previous study. The whole developmental process of fruit spines was continuously observed by microscopy and SEM. In an attempt to define the developmental stages of fruit spines, transcriptome profiles at different stages were determined to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of spine development. Results: According to significant phenotypic differences, the developmental process of fruit spines was clearly defined as involving four stages. Comparison of transcriptome profiles showed that 803 and 722 genes were upregulated in the stalk (stage II and stage III) and base (stage IV) developmental stages of fruit spines, respectively. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that for all developmental stages of fruit spines, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and signal transduction were the most noticeable pathways. However, during the development of the stalk, genes related to auxin polar transport and HD-ZIP transcription factors were significantly upregulated. bHLH transcription factors and cytoskeleton-related genes were significantly upregulated during the development of the base. In addition, stage III was the key point for differentiating between the wild type and mutant. We detected 628 DEGs between the wild type and mutant at this stage. These DEGs are mainly involved in calcium signaling of the cytoskeleton and auxin polar transport, indicating that the main reason for the disorder of the fruit spine developmental pattern in the mutant was a change in cell polarity caused by blocked intercellular signal transmission.Conclusions: Our study defines in great detail the developmental stages of cucumber fruit spines. At the same time, transcriptome profiles are used to present the gene regulatory networks at different developmental stages of cucumber fruit spines. In addition, we analyzed transcriptomic data of a wild type and mutant to elucidate the biological pathways involving C-type lectin receptor-like kinase that regulate the development of fruit spines.

Study design A scanning electron microscopic study performed on three cadaveric specimens focused on the human suboccipital region, specifically, myodural bridge (MDB). Objective This study showed the connection form of the MDB among the suboccipital muscles, the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the spinal dura mater (SDM), and provided an ultrastructural morphological basis for the functional studies of the MDB. Summary of background data Since the myodural bridge was first discovered by Hack, researches on its morphology and functions had been progressing continuously. However, at present, research results about MDB were still limited to the gross anatomical and histological level. There was no research report showing the MDB's ultrastructural morphology and its ultrastructural connection forms between PAOM and SDM. Methods A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the connection of myodural bridge fibers with PAOM and SDM in atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial interspaces, and the connection forms were analyzed. Results Under the SEM, it was observed that there were clear direct connections between the suboccipital muscles and the PAOM and SDM in the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial spaces. These connections were myodural bridge. The fibers of the myodural bridge merged into the spinal dura mater and gradually became a superficial layer of the spinal dura mater. Conclusion MDB fibers merged into the SDM and became part of the SDM in the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial space. MDB could transfer tension and pulling force to the SDM effectively, during the contraction or relaxation of the suboccipital muscles. Level of evidence N/A.

To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in accelerating the aggregation of microglia and promoting the remyelination at the location of demyelination.C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal, control, model (LPC) and LPC＋EA. The demyelination model was established by microinjection of Lysolecithin (LPC, 1 µL) into the left corpus callosum. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 2－4 mA) was applied to "Baihui"(GV20)and "Zhiyang"(GV9)for 30 min，once daily for 3 days, then, once every other day for 18 days. Immuno-fluorescence staining was used to observe the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and Axl tyrosine kinase receptor (Axl), Iba1 and numbers of Olig2-positive oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of MBP in the corpus callosum, and Oil Red O staining was used to observe changes of number of myelin pieces.Following modeling, the expression levels of MBP on day 5 and 10 after modeling were significantly decreased (EA intervention may reduce myelin debris and promote the aggregation of microglial cells and oligodendrocytes to the injured site, accelerate the myelin regeneration and up-regulate the expression of MBP and Axl of corpus callosum in demyelination mice.

Phytochemical investigation on Hemiphragma heterophyllum led to the isolation of two new compounds, heterophyllumin A (1) and heterophylliol (3), along with nine known compounds, (‒)-sibiricumin A (2), iridolactone (4), jatamanin A (5), dihydrocatalpolgenin (6), 25-hydroperoxycycloart-23-en-3β-ol (7), 24-methylenecycloartanol (8), (+)-pinoresinol (9), hexadec-(4Z)-enoic acid (10), and 9,12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with literature data. Further, the structure of compound 3 was unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Some of those compounds showed moderate activity in the α-glucosidase inhibition assay.

Two new monoterpene esters illigerates F and G (

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.

Four new coumestans dolichosins A – D (1–4) were isolated from the roots of Dolichos trilobus, together with four known compounds: isosojagol (5), phaseol (6), psoralidin (7), and 4″,5″-dehydroisopsoralidin (8). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation, mass spectrometric analyses, and the comparison with literature data of related compounds. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds (1–8) was evaluated through the inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, in which compounds 1 and 6 displayed moderate inhibitory activity and no cytotoxic effects. In a α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, compounds 1 and 5–8 exhibited appreciable inhibition on α-glucosidase. Especially compounds 1, 7, and 8 showed IC50 values lower than 20.0 µM.

Acutissimanide (1), a new lignin, together with 11 known polyphenols (2-12) were isolated from the bark of the deciduous oak tree, Quercus acutissima Carruth. The structure of compound 1 was determined using multidimensional (1)H and (13)C NMR and mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant properties of compounds 1-12 were investigated using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl radical-scavenging assay with compounds 6-11 displaying significant antioxidant activity (EC50 values of 5.2-23.7 μM). Our findings suggest the extracts of Q. acutissima Carruth are a potential source of natural antioxidant additives for use in the food and other allied industries.

Side chain cleavage of progesterone occurred in the biotransformation by Aspergillus versicolor. The conversion products were purified by column chromatography with ether/EtOAc and characterized by spectroscopic methods including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, UV, MS and physical constants such as melting point and optical rotation. Those conversion products were identified as testosterone, androstenedione and androstenediendione.

Microbial hydroxylation of progesterone occurred in the biotransformation by Phomopsis sp.. The conversion products were purified by column chromatography with ether/EtOAc and characterized by spectroscopic methods including 1HNMR, 13C NMR, IR, UV and MS. Those conversion products were identified as 11α-hydroxyprogesterone (2), 11α,15β-dihydroxy progesterone (3),11α-dihydroxypreg-1,4-dien-3,20-dione (4), 6β,15βdihydroxypregesterone (5) and 7β,15βdihydroxypregesterone (6).

The antioxidant activity of Polyrhachis vicina wine extract was investigated: The IC50 of scavenging effect on superoxide radical generated by Pyrogallol autoxidation was 0.37 mg/mL; the maximum scavenging rate was 81.4%. The IC50 of scavenging effect on hydroxyl free radical generated by Fenton reaction was 0.66 mg/mL; the maximum scavenging rate was 91.8%. The IC50 of DPPH· scavenging effect was 0.48 mg/mL; the maximum scavenging rate was 91.4%. The results indicated that Polyrhachis vicina wine extract showed activity both in scavenging free radicals and antioxidation.

By constructing a special cone and using cone compression and expansion fixed point theorem, this paper presents some existence results of positive solutions of singular boundary value problem on unbounded domains for a class of first order differential equation. As applications of the main results, two examples are given at the end of this paper.

In this paper, by the fixed point index theory, the number of fixed points for sublinear and asymptotically linear operators via two coupled parallel sub-super solutions is studied. Under suitable conditions, the existence of at least nine or seven distinct fixed points for sublinear and asymptotically linear operators is proved. Finally, the theoretical results are applied to a nonlinear system of Hammerstein integral equations.

The singular second-order m-point boundary value problem $$ \left\{ \begin{aligned} & - {\left( {L\varphi } \right)}{\left( x \right)} = h{\left( x \right)}f{\left( {\varphi {\left( x \right)}} \right)},{\kern 1pt} 0 < x < 1, \\ & \varphi {\left( 0 \right)} = 0,{\kern 1pt} \varphi {\left( 1 \right)} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{m - 2} {a_{i} \varphi {\left( {\xi _{i} } \right)}} } \\ \end{aligned} \right. $$ , is considered under some conditions concerning the first eigenvalue of the relevant linear operators, where (Lϕ)(x) = (p(x)ϕ′(x))′ + q(x)ϕ(x) and ξ i ∈ (0, 1) with 0 < ξ1 < ξ2 < · · · < ξ m−2 < 1, a i ∈ [0, ∞). h(x) is allowed to be singular at x = 0 and x = 1. The existence of positive solutions is obtained by means of fixed point index theory. Similar conclusions hold for some other m-point boundary value conditions.