Preparation of sulfur self-doped coal-based adsorbent and its adsorption performance for Cu2

The limited application of high-sulfur coal (HSC) and the increasing severity of copper pollution in solution are two pressing issues. To alleviate such issues, a sulfur self-doped coal-based adsorbent (HSC@ZnCl2) was obtained by pyrolysis (850 °C, 60 min holding time) of HSC and ZnCl2 with a mass ratio of 1:0.5. The results adsorption experiment revealed that the endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process was consistent with the Sips isothermal model (R2 = 0.992) and pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 = 0.994), and that the adsorption process with a maximum adsorption capacity of 11.97 mg/g. Meanwhile, the adsorption of Cu2+ onto HSC@ZnCl2 was a result of the synergistic effects of various interactions, such as the complexation by oxygen-containing functional groups, electrostatic attraction and surface precipitation by ZnS on the adsorbent surface, and the process also included redox reaction. The findings of this work indicate that the preparation of sulfur self-doped coal-based adsorbent prepared from high-sulfur coal is a promising method for its large-scale utilization.

3-Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 drives acquired resistance to osimertinib

Osimertinib sensitive and resistant NSCLC NCI-H1975 clones are used to model osimertinib acquired resistance in humanized and non-humanized mice and delineate potential resistance mechanisms. No new EGFR mutations or loss of the EGFR T790M mutation are found in resistant clones. Resistant tumors grown under continuous osimertinib pressure both in humanized and non-humanized mice show aggressive tumor regrowth which is significantly less sensitive to osimertinib as compared with parental tumors. 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is identified as a potential driver of osimertinib acquired resistance, and its selective inhibition by BX795 and CRISPR gene knock out, sensitizes resistant clones. In-vivo inhibition of PDK1 enhances the osimertinib sensitivity against osimertinib resistant xenograft and a patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumors. PDK1 knock-out dysregulates PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, promotes cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and active-YAP are upregulated in resistant tumors, and PDK1 knock-out inhibits nuclear translocation of YAP. Higher expression of PDK1 and an association between PDK1 and YAP are found in patients with progressive disease following osimertinib treatment. PDK1 is a central upstream regulator of two critical drug resistance pathways: PI3K/AKT/mTOR and YAP.

Hypouricemic Actions of the Pericarp of Mangosteen in Vitro and in Vivo

Hyperuricemia is the result of overproduction and/or underexcretion of uric acid, and it is a well-known risk factor for gout, hypertension, and diabetes. However, available drugs for hyperuricemia in the clinic are limited. Recently, a lot of research has been conducted in order to discover new uric acid-lowering agents from plants and foods. We found that the extracts from the pericarp of mangosteen reduced urate. Bioactivity-guided study showed that α-mangostin was the principal constituent. Herein, we reported for the first time the hypouricemic activities and underling mechanism of α-mangostin. The α-mangostin dose- and time-dependently decreased the levels of serum urate in hyperuricemic mice and markedly increased the clearance of urate in hyperuricemic rats, exhibiting a promotion of urate excretion in the kidney. Further evidence showed that α-mangostin significantly decreased the protein levels of GLUT9 in the kidneys. The change in the expression of URAT1 was not observed. Moreover, α-mangostin did not inhibit the activities of xanthine oxidoreductase and uricase in vitro or in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that α-mangostin has potential to be developed as a new anti-hyperuricemic agent with promoting uric acid excretion.

Abstract 5354: 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1, PDPK1) is a driver of osimertinib acquired resistance in EGFR mutant NSCLC

Osimertinib, the only third-generation EGFR-TKI, showed incomplete responses to T790M-mutant NSCLC due to acquired resistance caused by activation of bypass pathways. We developed osimertinib-acquired resistant H1975-OSIR (T790M/L858R mutant) isogenic cells and TC386-OSIR isogenic PDXs. Neither H1975-OSIR nor TC386-OSIR PDXs developed additional mutations in EGFR. The H1975-OSIR clone showed 100 fold higher resistance to osimertinib compared with H1975 cells. TC386-OSIR PDX was developed through continuous in-vivo treatment for 8 months and the residual PDXs were passaged for several generations under continuous osimertinib treatment. TC386-OSIR fourth resistant generation (RG4) showed significantly higher resistance than initial generations (RG1). H1975-OSIR xenografts were developed in non-humanized and humanized NSG mice under osimertinib pressure. H1975-OsiR tumors were significantly less sensitive to osimertinib than their parental counterparts in both mouse models. Dose dependent antitumor activity of osimertinib (5mg/kg and 10mg/kg) was observed in H1975-parental tumors, whereas no treatment effect was observed for H1975-OsiR tumors with increasing doses. The tumor microenvironment was enriched with higher infiltration of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and lower numbers of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in H1975-OSIR vs H1975 tumors. RPPA analysis of residual tumor tissues showed a distinct set of proteins upregulated in H1975-OsiR vs H1975-parental, among which PDK1 was the most upregulated. PDK1 was also significantly upregulated in H1975-OsiR tumors treated with osimertinib vs controls. PDK1 was not altered in any treatment groups in H1975-parental tumors. PDK1 and pPDK1 expression was many-fold higher in both H1975-OSIR cells and TC386-OSIR PDXs as compared to their parental counterparts by western blot and mass spec proteomics. Selective inhibition by the PDK inhibitor, BX 795, and CRISPR knock-out (KO) restored osimertinib sensitivity in resistant cells. Colony forming assays showed that the PDK1 KO clone was as sensitive as H1975-parental cells whereas a PDK overexpressing clone (OE) restored resistance. In-vivo inhibition of PDK1 by treating mice with BX-795 in both H1975-OSIR xenografts and TC386-OSIR PDXs significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of osimertinib. PDK1 KO dysregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling by downregulating Akt and mTOR phosphorylation and promoted cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. NCI-H1975-OSIR and PDK1 OE cells showed a high level of nuclear localization of the activated Yes-associated protein pYAP(Y357). PDK1 KO cells significantly reduced nuclear localization of pYAP(Y357). The level of YAP and pYAP was upregulated in osimertinib resistant xenograft tumors and residual tumor biopsies. Taken together, we identified PDK1 as a drug able target to treat osimertinib acquired resistance.

Citation Format: Ismail M. Meraz, Mourad Majidi, Bingliang Fang, Feng Meng, Lihui Gao, RuPing Shao, Renduo Song, Feng Li, Min Jin Ha, Qi Wang, Jing Wang, Elizabeth Shpall, Sung Yun Jung, Franziska Haderk, Philippe Gui, Jonathan W. Riess, Victor Olivas, Trever G. Bivona, Jack A. Roth. 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1, PDPK1) is a driver of osimertinib acquired resistance in EGFR mutant NSCLC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5354.

Highly active Fenton-like catalyst derived from solid waste-iron ore tailings using wheat straw pyrolysis

The pollutants degradation rate of iron ore tailings-based heterogeneous catalysts is the main factor limiting its application. Herein, an iron ore tailings-based Fenton-like catalyst (I/W(3:1)-900-60) with a relatively fast catalysis rate was constructed by co-pyrolysis (900°C, 60 min holding time) of iron ore tailings and wheat straw with a mass ratio of 3:1. With wheat straw blending, the generated I/W(3:1)-900-60 presented a larger surface area (24.53 m²/g), smaller pore size (3.76 nm), reduced iron species (Fe²⁺ from magnetic), and a higher catalytic activity (0.0229 min^-1) than I-900-60 (1.32 m²/g, 12.87 nm, 0.012 min^-1) pyrolyzed using single iron ore tailing under the same pyrolysis conditions. In addition, biochar and iron ore tailings in I/W(3:1)-900-60 were tightly combined through chemical bonding. The optimal catalyst remains active after three cycles, indicating its catalytic stability and recyclability. The good Fenton-like methylene blue degradation efficiency of I/W(3:1)-900-60 was ascribed to the sacrificial role of biochar, as well as the electron transfer between biochar and iron active sites or the redox cycles of ≡Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺. This finding provides a facile construction strategy for highly active iron ore tailings-based Fenton-like catalyst and thereby had a great potential application in wastewater treatment.

[Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of reported imported malaria cases in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, so as to provide insights into the management of imported malaria in the city.

METHODS

All data pertaining to cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020 were captured from the National Notifiable Disease Report System and the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control in China, including individual demographic data, and malaria onset, initial diagnosis and definitive diagnosis data. All data were descriptively analyzed. The duration from malaria onset to initial diagnosis, from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis and from onset to definitive diagnosis was compared among cases. In addition, the diagnoses of imported malaria cases in which definitive diagnosis was made were compared with the reexaminations by Zhengzhou Municipal Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory.

RESULTS

A total of 302 cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria were reported in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, and all were imported cases, with Plasmodium falciparum malaria as the predominant type (230 cases, 76.2%). There were 293 malaria cases imported from Africa (293 cases, 97.0%), which mainly included Nigeria (48 cases, 15.9%), Angola (40 cases, 13.2%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (29 cases, 9.6%). There was no obvious seasonality found in the date of malaria onset and time of reporting malaria. The ratio of male to female malaria cases was 49.3:1, and there were 103 cases (34.1%) with the current residency address in Zhengzhou City, 193 cases (63.9%) with the current residency address in other cities of Henan Province and 6 cases (2.0%) in other provinces of China. There were 271 cases (89.7%) seeking initial diagnosis in medical institutions, and the diagnostic accuracy of malaria was 56.6% (171/302) at initial diagnosis institutions. A total of 122 cases (40.4%) sought medical care on the day of malaria onset, and 252 cases (86.4%) within 3 days; however, only 22 cases (7.3%) were definitively diagnosed on the day of onset, and 162 cases (53.6%) diagnosed within 3 days. There were no significant differences between malaria cases seeking initial diagnosis at medical institutions and disease control and prevention institutions in terms of the duration from malaria onset to initial diagnosis (Z = -1.663, P > 0.05), from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis (Z = -0.413, P > 0.05) or from malaria onset to definitive diagnosis (Z = -0.838, P > 0.05). The median duration (interquartile range) from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of malaria was 3.00 (2.00), 3.00 (6.00), 2.00 (4.00) d and 1.00 (1.00) d among cases seeking medical care at township-level and lower, county-, city- and province-level medical institutions, and the median duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of malaria was significantly longer among cases seeking medical care at township-level and lower medical institutions than at city (Z = -3.286, P < 0.008 33) and province-level medical institutions (Z = -9.119, P < 0.008 33), while the median duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis [1.00 (3.00) d vs. 2.00 (4.00) d; Z = -4.099, P < 0.016] and from malaria onset to definitive diagnosis [3.00 (4.00) d vs. 4.00 (5.00) d; Z = -2.868, P < 0.016] among malaria cases with the current residency address in Zhengzhou City was both shorter than in other cities of Henan Province. The diagnostic accuracy was 89.1% (269/302) among malaria cases in which definitive diagnosis was made, and the accuracy of malaria reexaminations was 94.0% (284/302) in Zhengzhou Municipal Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory.

CONCLUSIONS

P. falciparum malaria was predominant among reported imported malaria cases in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, and these imported malaria cases were predominantly diagnosed at medical institutions; however, the diagnostic capability of malaria is poor in township-level and lower medical institutions. Strengthening the collaboration between medical institutions and disease control and prevention institutions and improving the diagnostic capability building at medical institutions are recommended to consolidate malaria elimination achivements.

Characterization and adsorption applications of composite biochars of clay minerals and biomass

Composite mineral-biochars of a homogeneous biomass (cellulose) and heterogeneous biomass (oak leaves) were fabricated with either 5 wt% or 10 wt% minerals (montmorillonite (MMT), kaolinite, and sand) and then pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 60 min. Characterizations including proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, surface area and porosity, morphology, and surface chemistry confirmed that minerals were present on the surface of biochar, and MMT/kaolinite-biochar composites showed a strengthening in the chars' aromatic structures, as well as increases in oxygen-containing surface functional groups. Methylene blue adsorption isotherms indicated that the MMT/kaolinite-biochars had higher adsorption capacities than pure biomass or biomass-sand biochars (110 mg_MB/g_char and 24 mg_MB/g_char for MMT-cellulose char and cellulose char, respectively). A multilinear model relating adsorption capacity and adsorbent properties was developed to measure the relative contribution of biochar properties to adsorption behavior. The model indicates that pore volume and hydrogen bonding were the dominant properties in controlling the adsorption of methylene blue onto the biochars. Findings from this work indicate that composite biochars prepared from biomass and inexpensive clay minerals are a promising adsorbent for remediating organic contaminants from water.

BBB07 contributes to, but is not essential for, Borrelia burgdorferi infection in mice

Borrelia burgdorferi, a causative agent of Lyme disease, encodes a protein BBB07 on the genomic plasmid cp26. BBB07 was identified as a candidate integrin ligand based on the presence of an RGD tripeptide motif, which is present in a number of mammalian ligands for β₁ and β₃ integrins . Previous work demonstrated that BBB07 in recombinant form binds to β₁ integrins and induces inflammatory responses in synovial cells in culture. Several transposon mutants in bbb07 were attenuated in an in vivo screen of the transposon library in mice. We therefore tested individual transposon mutant clones in single-strain infections in mice and found that they were attenuated in terms of ID₅₀ but did not have significantly reduced tissue burdens in mice. Based on data presented here we conclude that BBB07 is not essential for, but does contribute to, B. burgdorferi infectivity in mice.

Combination of bis (α-furancarboxylato) oxovanadium (IV) and metformin improves hepatic steatosis through down-regulating inflammatory pathways in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice

The effects of the combination of bis (α-furancarboxylato) oxovanadium (IV) (BFOV) and metformin (Met) on hepatic steatosis were investigated in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice (HFC57 mice) for 6 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed to evaluate glucose metabolism. Moreover, blood and hepatic biochemical and histological indices were detected. Besides, Affymetrix-GeneChip analysis and Western blot of the liver were performed. Comparing to the monotherapy group, BFOV + Met showed more effective improvement in glucose metabolism, which decreased the fasting blood glucose, insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity in HFC57 mice. BFOV + Met significantly decreased serum ALT and AST activities and reduced hepatic triglyceride content and iNOS activities, accompanied by ameliorating intrahepatic fat accumulation and hepatocellular vacuolation. Enhanced hepatic insulin signalling transduction and attenuated inflammation pathway were identified as the major pathways in the BFOV + Met group. BFOV + Met significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of MMPs, NF-κB, iNOS and up-regulated phosphorylation of AKT and AMPK levels. We concluded that a combination of BFOV and metformin ameliorates hepatic steatosis in HFC57 mice via alleviating hepatic inflammation and enhancing insulin signalling pathway, suggesting that the combination of BFOV and metformin is a potential treatment for hepatic steatosis.

Olsalazine Sodium Increases Renal Urate Excretion by Modulating Urate Transporters in Hyperuricemic Animals

Hyperuricemia is mainly the result of relative underexcretion of urate. Urate is mainly eliminated by kidney and several important transporters expressed on the membrane of renal tubular cells involved in urate excretion. Olsalazine sodium was screened from 3167 authorized small compounds/drugs, targeting xanthine oxidoreductase. In previous study, we reported that olsalazine sodium significantly reduced the serum urate levels, and the anti-hyperuricemic activity linked with inhibiting urate formation by reducing the activity of xanthine oxidoreductase. The current research aimed to assess olsalazine sodium renal urate excretion and likely molecular mechanism. The results showed that administration of olsalazine sodium 5.0 mg/kg decreased the levels of serum urate in hyperuricemic rats, and noticeably improved the fractional excretion of urate and urate clearance, exhibiting an uricosuric action. Moreover, olsalazine sodium (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg) reduced the level of blood urea nitrogen in rats. Further study showed that olsalazine sodium reduced the mRNA expression of urate reabsorptive transporter glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), increased the mRNA expression of urate secretory transporters, organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), OAT3 and type 1 sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (NPT1) as well as the protein expression of OAT3 in the kidney in hyperuricemic mice. In conclusion, olsalazine sodium exhibited a promotion of urate excretion in kidney by increasing the expression of OAT3.

Mangiferin promotes intestinal elimination of uric acid by modulating intestinal transporters

Increasing evidence shows that the intestinal tract plays an important role in maintaining urate homeostasis and might be a potential therapeutic target for hyperuricaemia. However, uric acid-lowering drugs available in the clinic do not target intestinal excretion as a therapeutic strategy. We previously reported that mangiferin had potent hypouricaemic effects in hyperuricaemic animals. However, the underlying mechanisms are not completely clear. Here, we investigated the effects of mangiferin on the intestinal excretion of urate and its underlying mechanisms. The data revealed that mangiferin concentration-dependently promoted the intestinal secretion of endogenous urate in in situ intestinal closed loops in normal and hyperuricaemic mice, as well as inhibited the absorption of exogenous uric acid perfused into the intestinal loops in rats. Administration of mangiferin not only decreased the serum urate levels in the hyperuricaemic mice but also increased the protein expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter, subfamily G, member 2 (ABCG2) and inhibited the protein expression of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT 9) in the intestine. These findings suggested that intestinal ABCG2 and GLUT9 might be pivotal and possible action sites for the observed hypouricaemic effects. Moreover, no significant changes in intestinal xanthine oxidoreductase activities were observed, suggesting that mangiferin did not affect intestinal uric acid generation in the hyperuricaemic mice. Overall, promoting intestinal elimination of urate by upregulating ABCG2 expression and downregulating GLUT9 expression might be an important mechanism underlying mangiferin lowering serum uric acid levels. Mangiferin supplementation might be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricaemia.

Synergistic Effect and Chlorine-Release Behaviors During Co-pyrolysis of LLDPE, PP, and PVC

Plastic wastes are environmentally problematic and costly to treat, but they also represent a vast untapped resource for the renewable chemical and fuel production. Pyrolysis has received extensive attention in the treatment of plastic wastes because of its technical maturity. A sole polymer in the waste plastic is easy to recycle by any means of physical or chemical techniques. However, the majority of plastic in life are mixtures and they are hard to separate, which make pyrolysis of plastic complicated compared with pure plastic because of its difference in physical/chemical properties. This work focuses on the synergistic effect and its impact on chlorine removal from the pyrolysis of chlorinated plastic mixtures. The pyrolysis behavior of plastic mixtures was investigated in terms of thermogravimetric analysis, and the corresponding kinetics were analyzed according to the distributed activation energy model (DAEM). The results show that the synergistic effect existed in the pyrolysis of a plastic mixture of LLDPE, PP, and PVC, and the DAEM could well predict the kinetics behavior. The decomposition of LLDPE/PP mixtures occurred earlier than that of calculated ones. However, the synergistic effect weakened with the increase of LLDPE in the mixtures. As for the chlorine removal, the LLDPE and PP hindered the chlorine removal from PVC during the plastic mixture pyrolysis. A noticeable negative effect on dechlorination was observed after the introduction of LLDPE or PP. Besides, the chlorine-releasing temperature became higher during the pyrolysis of plastic mixtures ([LLDPE/PVC (1:1), PP/PVC (1:1), and LLDPE/PP/PVC (1:1:1)]. These results imply that the treatment of chlorinated plastic wastes was more difficult than that of PVC in thermal conversion. In other words, more attention should be paid to both the high-temperature chlorine corrosion and high-efficient chlorine removal in practical. These data are helpful for the treatment and thermal utilization of the yearly increased plastic wastes.

The intergenic small non-coding RNA ittA is required for optimal infectivity and tissue tropism in Borrelia burgdorferi

Post-transcriptional regulation via small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) has been implicated in diverse regulatory processes in bacteria, including virulence. One class of sRNAs, termed trans-acting sRNAs, can affect the stability and/or the translational efficiency of regulated transcripts. In this study, we utilized a collaborative approach that employed data from infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi Tn library, coupled with Tn-seq, together with borrelial sRNA and total RNA transcriptomes, to identify an intergenic trans-acting sRNA, which we designate here as ittA for infectivity-associated and tissue-tropic sRNA locus A. The genetic inactivation of ittA resulted in a significant attenuation in infectivity, with decreased spirochetal load in ear, heart, skin and joint tissues. In addition, the ittA mutant did not disseminate to peripheral skin sites or heart tissue, suggesting a role for ittA in regulating a tissue-tropic response. RNA-Seq analysis determined that 19 transcripts were differentially expressed in the ittA mutant relative to its genetic parent, including vraA, bba66, ospD and oms28 (bba74). Subsequent proteomic analyses also showed a significant decrease of OspD and Oms28 (BBA74) proteins. To our knowledge this is the first documented intergenic sRNA that alters the infectivity potential of B. burgdorferi.

Enhancement of floatability of low-rank coal using oxidized paraffin soap

The processing of low-rank coal is becoming more urgent with depletion of high-rank coal and severe environmental pollution in China. The flotation of low-rank coal suffers poor efficiency with hydrocarbon oils unless it is at a high dose. A representative non-polar oil, diesel oil (DO), was used as a collector to float a long-frame coal. The feasibility of oxidized paraffin soap (OPS) was explored to improve flotation performance. Experimental measurements (polarized optical microscopy, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact-angle analysis) were used to explore the influence of OPS in low-rank-coal flotation. Poor flotation performances of coal samples were received using OPS or DO as collectors at an economical dose. The flotation efficiency of coal samples was improved considerably upon addition of OPS plus DO. OPS reduced the surface tension of aqueous solutions and promoted dispersion of DO in suspensions. Addition of OPS plus DO reduced the absolute value of the zeta potential on coal particles. Moreover, OPS improved DO adsorption on low-rank coal particles, and the hydrophobicity of low-rank coal was improved visibly. OPS reduced the contact angles of coal–bubble and coal–DO in aqueous solution, which enhanced the adhesion probability of particles to bubbles. This study suggests that OPS is an effective surfactant for improving the floatability of low-rank coal.

Flotation of low-rank coal has suffered poor flotation efficiency with hydrocarbon oils unless at an even high dosage. The both addition of OPS and DO achieved better floatability of low-rank coal than that of OPS and DO as collector solely.

Yunnan Baiyao diminishes lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in osteoclasts

Yunnan Baiyao (YNBY) has been refined for hundreds of years and has become a treasure of proprietary Chinese medicine that has significant curative effects in the field of hemostasis, blood circulation, and callus. In past years, YNBY has been demonstrated to play an anti-inflammatory role in bone-related diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. However, the osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells that resorb bone and participate in the occurrence, development, and progression of these bone-related diseases. Previous studies have reported that the inflammatory function is closely associated with arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, as well as some inflammatory-related pathways, including the nuclear factor кB (NF-кB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Wnt5a pathways. Therefore, we speculated that the anti-inflammatory effect of YNBY might be associated with the NF-кB, MAPK, and Wnt5a pathways. In order to further excavate the anti-inflammatory roles of YNBY, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with an optimal concentration of 1,000 pg/ml was used to induce inflammation in osteoclasts. Our results showed that YNBY with a time- and dose-dependent method decreased the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, 5-lipoxygenase, and prostaglandin E2. Moreover, it was found that COX-2 was the target gene regulated by YNBY. Finally, using NF-кB and MAPK pathway inhibitors or miRNA101b (involved in the Wnt5a pathway) in tandem with YNBY and the results exhibited that these groups caused a reduction in COX-1 and COX-2 expression, indicating that the anti-inflammatory function of YNBY might directly affect the NF-кB, MAPK, and Wnt5a pathways. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Yunnan Baiyao (YNBY) is mainly extracted from precious Chinese medicines such as Panax notoginseng, borneol, musk, and yam and has a wide range of clinical applications. It is not only used to treat various types of traumatic injuries, but also used for upper gastrointestinal bleeding and wound ulcers, neonatal umbilitis, recurrent oral ulcers, esophagitis, bacterial dysentery, and so on. Although the detailed mechanism of action is not clear at present, it is believed that this is related to its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and immune-enhancing effects. Many bone-related diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, are regarded to be intimately related to the inflammatory reaction. Thus, this study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of YNBY at anti-inflammatory roles. And our results suggested that YNBY directly affected the inflammatory cytokines and AA metabolic products which referred to the NF-кB, MAPK, and Wnt5a pathways, as well as AA metabolism, respectively. Hence, the practical applications of YNBY are the anti-inflammatory effects used to treat for bone-related diseases.

Heterogeneous biochars from agriculture residues and coal fly ash for the removal of heavy metals from coking wastewater

While we have started down the path towards a global transition to a green economy, as with most things we began with the "low-hanging fruit," such that increasingly difficult material and chemical conversions remain. Coking is one such example; it is unlikely that steel production will transition away from using coking coal anytime in the near future, such that coking wastewater remains a global environmental challenge. However, we can develop greener methods and materials to treat such waste. The present work demonstrates how wheat straw, an abundant agricultural residue, can be co-pyrolyzed and co-activated with coal fly ash to produce a high surface area biochar. Coal fly ash has previously been shown to promote devolatilization and deoxygenation of pyrolyzed biofuels. This work shows how coal fly ash increases microporosity as well as aromaticity of the surface functional groups, while decreasing carbonyl but preserving or only slightly decreasing ketones and carboxylic acids. CO2-activation of 5 and 10 wt% fly ash with wheat straw blends yields heterogeneous biochars with adsorption capacities upwards of 170 mgmetal gchar -1, with 5 wt% blends showing higher capacity and adsorption uptake rates than the 0 or 10 wt% blends. The adsorption of the four heavy metals ions (Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+) was chemical in nature, with cobalt preferentially adsorbing to the char surface. The overall adsorption rate is limited by an initial rapid uptake to fill available surface adsorption sites.

Genome-wide screen identifies novel genes required for Borrelia burgdorferi survival in its Ixodes tick vector

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease in humans, is maintained in a complex biphasic life cycle, which alternates between tick and vertebrate hosts. To successfully survive and complete its enzootic cycle, B. burgdorferi adapts to diverse hosts by regulating genes required for survival in specific environments. Here we describe the first ever use of transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq) to identify genes required for B. burgdorferi survival in its tick host. We found that insertions into 46 genes resulted in a complete loss of recovery of mutants from larval Ixodes ticks. Insertions in an additional 56 genes resulted in a >90% decrease in fitness. The screen identified both previously known and new genes important for larval tick survival. Almost half of the genes required for survival in the tick encode proteins of unknown function, while a significant portion (over 20%) encode membrane-associated proteins or lipoproteins. We validated the results of the screen for five Tn mutants by performing individual competition assays using mutant and complemented strains. To better understand the role of one of these genes in tick survival, we conducted mechanistic studies of bb0017, a gene previously shown to be required for resistance against oxidative stress. In this study we show that BB0017 affects the regulation of key borrelial virulence determinants. The application of Tn-seq to in vivo screening of B. burgdorferi in its natural vector is a powerful tool that can be used to address many different aspects of the host pathogen interaction.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, must adjust to environmental changes as it moves between its tick and vertebrate hosts. We performed a screen of a B. burgdorferi transposon library using massively parallel sequencing (Tn-seq) to identify fitness defects involved in survival in its tick host. This screen accurately identified genes known to cause decreased fitness for tick survival and identified new genes involved in B. burgdorferi survival in ticks. All of the genes tested individually confirmed the Tn-seq results. One of the genes identified encodes a protein whose function was previously unknown that appears to be involved in regulating expression of proteins known to be involved in environmental adaptation. Tn-seq is a powerful tool for understanding vector-pathogen interactions and may reveal new opportunities for interrupting the infectious cycle of vector-borne diseases.

Mangiferin alleviates hypertension induced by hyperuricemia via increasing nitric oxide releases

Mangiferin, a natural glucosyl xanthone, was confirmed to be an effective uric acid (UA)- lowering agent with dual action of inhibiting production and promoting excretion of UA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of mangiferin on alleviating hypertension induced by hyperuricemia. Mangiferin (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to hyperuricemic rats induced by gavage with potassium oxonate (750 mg/kg). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum levels of UA, nitric oxide (NO), C-reactionprotein (CRP) and ONOO^- were measured. The mRNA and protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CRP were also analyzed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in vitro studies. Administration of mangiferin significantly decreased the serum urate level and SBP at 8 weeks and last to 12 weeks. Further more, mangiferin could increase the release of NO and decrease the level of CRP in blood. In addition, mangiferin reversed the protein expression of eNOS, CRP, ICAM-1 and ONOO^- in aortic segments in hyperuricemic rats. The results in vitro were consistent with the observed results in vivo. Taken together, these data suggested that mangiferin has played an important part in alleviating hypertension induced by hyperuricemia via increasing NO secretion and improving endothelial function.

Influence of surface modification by sulfuric acid on coking coal's adsorption of coking wastewater

Coking coal, the raw material of a coke plant, was applied to the adsorption of coking wastewater. In this study, coking coal was directly treated with sulfuric acid to improve its surface properties and adsorption ability. Acid treatment was carried out at various concentrations, by varying from 0.001 to 1 mol/L. The samples were characterized by ash content analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), wettability analysis, and zeta potential analysis. These results demonstrated that H⁺ could react with inorganic minerals, which resulted in a significant variation of the chemical composition and the structure of coal surface. Furthermore, both the ash content and the surface content of O = C-O, C = O and C-O groups declined gradually as the concentration of sulfuric acid increased, while the surface area and pore volume of micropore, the lipophilic and hydrophobic properties, and zeta potential magnitude increased, resulting in enhanced hydrophobic and Van der Waals' forces between the fine coal and organic pollutants. Characterization modification showed a better performance in adsorption, the removal rate enhanced from 23% to 42% after treated by 1 mol/L sulfuric acid. It was concluded that the acid activation modified the lipophilic and hydrophobic properties, the surface charge properties, surface area and pore volume, the content of oxygen functional groups, all of which could be potentially useful in wastewater adsorption.

Anti-diabetic effects and mechanisms of action of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation JQ-R in vitro and in diabetic KKAy mice

Refined-JQ (JQ-R) is a mixture of refined extracts from Coptis chinensis (Ranunculaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae) and Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae), the three major herbs of JinQi-JiangTang tablet, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula. The mechanisms by which JQ-R regulates glucose metabolism and improves insulin sensitivity were studied in type 2 diabetic KK^Ay mice and insulin-resistant L6 myotubes. To investigate the mechanisms by which JQ-R improves insulin sensitivity, a model of insulin-resistant cells induced with palmitic acid (PA) was established in L6 myotubes. Glucose uptake and expression of factors involved in insulin signaling, stress, and inflammatory pathways were detected by immunoblotting. JQ-R showed beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in a euglycemic clamp experiment and decreased fasting insulin levels in diabetic KK^Ay mice. JQ-R also improved the plasma lipid profiles. JQ-R directly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in insulin-resistant L6 cells, and elevated the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake with upregulated phosphorylation of AKT. The phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB α), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) were also changed after JQ-R treatment compared with the control group. Together these findings suggest that JQ-R improved glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic KK^Ay mice. JQ-R directly enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in insulin-resistant myotubes with improved insulin signalling and inflammatory response and oxidative stress. JQ-R could be a candidate to achieve improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Global Tn-seq analysis of carbohydrate utilization and vertebrate infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi maintains a complex life cycle between tick and vertebrate hosts. Although some genes have been identified as contributing to bacterial adaptation in the different hosts, the list is incomplete. In this manuscript, we report the first use of transposon mutagenesis combined with high-throughput sequencing (Tn-seq) in B. burgdorferi. We utilize the technique to investigate mechanisms of carbohydrate utilization in B. burgdorferi and the role of carbohydrate metabolism during mouse infection. We performed genetic fitness analyses to identify genes encoding factors contributing to growth on glucose, maltose, mannose, trehalose and N-acetyl-glucosamine. We obtained insight into the potential functions of proteins predicted to be involved in carbohydrate utilization and identified additional factors previously unrecognized as contributing to the metabolism of the tested carbohydrates. Strong phenotypes were observed for the putative carbohydrate phosphotransferase transporters BB0408 and BBB29 as well as the response regulator Rrp1. We further validated Tn-seq for use in mouse studies and were able to correctly identify known infectivity factors as well as additional transporters and genes on lp54 that may contribute to optimal mouse infection. As such, this study establishes Tn-seq as a powerful method for both in vitro and in vivo studies of B. burgdorferi.

Effect of pH on the flocculation behaviors of kaolin using a pH-sensitive copolymer

pH-sensitive copolymers have been widely introduced to achieve rapid dewatering and consolidation of solids in mining and oil sands processing wastes. But no more attention has been given to the flocculation efficiency of solid suspensions as a function of pH using pH-sensitive copolymer. In this study, a pH-sensitive copolymer was synthesized and employed to investigate the flocculation behaviors of kaolin by focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM). A titration test was introduced to characterize the copolymer conformation transition. The results demonstrated that at pH ranging from 3 to 6, with the pH increase, the zeta potential magnitude of kaolin particles increased, resulting in the repulsive forces between particles increasing. However, the hydrophobicity of kaolin increased as the pH increased. Thus, the hydrophobic forces could neutralize a part of the repulsive forces between particles and result in good and similar flocculation performances. At the pH greater than 6, the zeta potential magnitude of kaolin particles and copolymer molecules increased significantly, and the repulsive force between kaolin particles increased after copolymer addition due to the kaolin particles being more negatively charged, which resulted in poor flocculation efficiency and cloudy supernatant. It was concluded that the pH-sensitive copolymer could achieve both perfect flocculation efficiency and low moisture of filter cake at the isoelectric point of copolymer.

Effect of different pH coking wastewater on adsorption of coking coal

H2SO4 has an effect on the sorption of organic contaminants by coking coal (CC) in wastewater. This paper focused on the effect of pH on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenols and ammonia. UV-vis spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, zeta potential and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) analysis were investigated to characterize the changes of CC properties and coking wastewater (CW) at different pH values. The results showed that the COD and phenol removal efficiencies increased with decreasing pH value, while the ammonia removal efficiency was decreased gradually. A new transmittance band in the region of 340-600 cm(-1) was observed in UV-vis spectra of CW in acidic condition. The absolute value of the zeta potential as the solution was gradually increasing with the increasing of pH value. Surface area and total pore volume of CC which was immersed in acidic solutions measured by BET were much higher than that of raw CC. CC has a greater adsorption capacity to organic pollution in the acidic solution mainly by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding.

Distribution and Photochemistry of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Baotou Section of the Yellow River During Winter

In this study, ice and water samples were collected from seven sites along the Baotou section of the Yellow River during winter 2013. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the ice and in the water under the ice ranged from 21.3 to 59.4 ng L(-1), and from 38.3 to 222.4 ng L(-1), respectively. The average concentration in water under the ice was approximately 2.5 times greater than the average concentration in the ice phase. Four-ring PAHs dominated and accounted for 68.2 and 76.0 % of the total PAHs in ice and water, respectively. PAH concentrations were highest at sampling site S2 and were also relatively high at sites S4 and S5. PAH sources in ice and in water under the ice were similar. Three components were selected to represent the coal-combustion sources of PAHs. Because it was the main pollutant, and its concentrations were the highest, we examined the photodegradation behavior of fluoranthene and investigated the effects of light-sensitive materials (H2O2, acetone, and sediment) on fluoranthene photodegradation in the ice phase. Results showed that low H2O2 concentrations promoted photoconversion in the initial stage of the reaction and that degradation rates decreased later in the reaction. Likewise, high H2O2 concentrations promoted photoconversion. As acetone concentrations increased, the rates of fluoranthene-degradation decreased. Sediments may also have decreased the degradation rate of fluoranthene.

Organic pollution removal from coke plant wastewater using coking coal

Coke plant wastewater (CPW) is an intractable chemical wastewater, and it contains many toxic pollutants. This article presents the results of research on a semi-industrial adsorption method of coking wastewater treatment. As a sorbent, the coking coal (CC) was a dozen times less expensive than active carbon. The treatment was conducted within two scenarios, as follows: (1) adsorption after biological treatment of CPW with CC at 40 g L(-1); the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was 75.66%, and the concentration was reduced from 178.99 to 43.56 mg L(-1); (2) given an adsorption by CC of 250 g L(-1) prior to the biological treatment of CPW, the eliminations of COD and phenol were 58.08% and 67.12%, respectively. The CC that adsorbed organic pollution and was returned to the coking system might have no effect on both coke oven gas and coke.

Atorvastatin helps preserve pancreatic β cell function in obese C57BL/6 J mice and the effect is related to increased pancreas proliferation and amelioration of endoplasmic-reticulum stress

BACKGROUND

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins are competitive inhibitors of the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Currently, statins are used as first-line therapy in the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia. However, effects of statins on β cell function remains unclear. This study aims to examine effects of atorvastatin treatment on pancreatic β cell function in obese C57BL/6 J mice and the possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6 J mice were treated with atorvastatin (30 mg/kg/day) for 58 days. β cell function was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp and the area of insulin-positive β cells was examined by immunofluorescence. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress related proteins were examined by Western blot. Additionally, cell viability and apoptosis of the cholesterol-loaded NIT-1 cells were investigated after atorvastatin treatment.

RESULTS

Hyperglycemic clamp study revealed that glucose infusion rate (GIR) and insulin stimulation ratio in atorvastatin-treated DIO mice were markedly higher than control mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 vs. con), indicating preserved β-cell sensitivity to glucose. Lipid profiles of plasma triglyceride (TG), pancreas TG and plasma cholesterol (CHO) were improved. Pancreas weight and weight index were improved significantly after atorvastatin treatment (P < 0.05 vs. con). Immunofluorescence results showed that atorvastatin-treated mice had significantly larger insulin-positive β cell area (P < 0.05 vs. con). Furthermore, RT-PCR and western blot showed that the mRNA and protein expression of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) in the pancreas were upregulated (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 vs. con). Moreover, the expression level of ER stress markers of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) were downregulated in the pancreas of atorvastatin-treated mice (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.01 vs. con). Besides, atorvastatin protected the pancreatic β cell line of NIT-1 from cholesterol-induced apoptosis. Western blot showed increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2).

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic β cell function of obese C57BL/6 J mice was preserved after atorvastatin treatment, and this improvement may be attributed to enhanced pancreas proliferation and amelioration of pancreatic ER stress.

Transposon mutagenesis as an approach to improved understanding of Borrelia pathogenesis and biology

Transposon insertion provides a method for near-random mutation of bacterial genomes, and has been utilized extensively for the study of bacterial pathogenesis and biology. This approach is particularly useful for organisms that are relatively refractory to genetic manipulation, including Lyme disease Borrelia. In this review, progress to date in the application of transposon mutagenesis to the study of Borrelia burgdorferi is reported. An effective Himar1-based transposon vector has been developed and used to acquire a sequence-defined library of nearly 4500 mutants in the infectious, moderately transformable B. burgdorferi B31 derivative 5A18NP1. Analysis of these transposon mutants using signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) and Tn-seq approaches has begun to yield valuable information regarding the genes important in the pathogenesis and biology of this organism.

A refined-JinQi-JiangTang tablet ameliorates prediabetes by reducing insulin resistance and improving beta cell function in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Refined-JQ (JQ-R) is a mixture of refined extracts from three major herbal components of JinQi-JiangTang tablet: Coptis chinensis (Ranunculaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae), and Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae). Our previous studies have indicated that JQ-R could decrease fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic mice and insulin resistance mice. Investigating the hypoglycemic effect of JQ-R on prediabetes has practical application value for preventing or delaying insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and possibly the development of clinical diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-diabetic potential of JQ-R was investigated using a high fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model. C57BL/6J mice (HFD-C57 mice) were fed with high-fat diet for 4 months. HFD-C57 mice were treated with either JQ-R (administered intragastrically once daily for 4 weeks) or metformin (as positive control), and the effects of JQ-R on body weight, blood lipids, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and beta cell function were monitored.

RESULTS

The body weight, serum cholesterol, and the Homeostasis Model Assessment ratio (insulin resistance index) were significantly reduced in JQ-R or metformin-treated mice, and the glucose tolerance was enhanced and insulin response was improved simultaneously. Moreover, both JQ-R and metformin could activate liver glycogen syntheses even under a relatively high glucose loading. Although glyconeogenesis was inhibited in the metformin treated mice, it was not observed in JQ-R treated mice. Similar to metformin, JQ-R could also improve the glucose infusion rate (GIR) in hyperglycemic clamp test. JQ-R was also shown to increase the levels of phosphorylated AMPKα and phosphorylated acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), similar to metformin.

CONCLUSION

JQ-R could reduce HFD-induced insulin resistance by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, increasing insulin sensitivity through activating the AMPK signaling pathway, and subsequently improving β cell function. Therefore, JQ-R may offer an alternative in treating disorders associated with insulin resistance, such as prediabetes and T2DM.

Cytomegalovirus infection accelerates the process of chronic rejection in rat liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for rat chronic liver rejection.

METHODS

Based on animal models that we previously developed, we divided control and a CMV infection group to analyze survival, histopathology and rejection activity. The level and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured in peripheral blood serum and liver tissue.

RESULTS

Obliterative arteriopathy and fibrosis was significantly greater in the CMV infection versus the control group (P < .05). PDGF mRNA expression in rat liver and in peripheral blood were significantly higher in the CMV infection versus the control group (P < .05). bFGF mRNA expression in the CMV infection group was also significantly higher than among the controls (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

CMV infection aggravated foam cell obliterative arteriopathy and liver fibrosis in chronic liver rejection, processes that accelerate the immune response, which may correlate with early high PDGF and bFGF expression.

Bis(α-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) exerts durable antidiabetic effects and suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice

Vanadium compounds maintain euglycemic effects in diabetic rats long after drug withdrawal and bis(α-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) (BFOV) possesses potent antidiabetic effects in diabetic rats. Here, we investigated the treatment and posttreatment effects of BFOV in diabetic Kuo Kondo [1, 2] with Ay gene (KKAy) mice, and whether these effects were associated with changes in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). KKAy mice received normal saline or BFOV initially at 70 μmol/kg/day for 1 month, which was tapered to 17 μmol/kg/day in the next 2 months and discontinued thereafter. Compared to diabetic controls, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was reduced by 46 and 19 % in KKAy mice after 70 μmol/kg BFOV for 1 month and 3 months after BFOV withdrawal, respectively. OGTT and ITT showed improved glucose tolerance and a better response of FPG to insulin with a significant decrease in HOMA-IR and a marked rise in the insulin sensitivity index after 70 μmol/kg BFOV for 1 month and 4 months after BFOV withdrawal (P <0.05 in all vs. diabetic controls). BFOV treatment resulted in a moderate but significant reduction in body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 1 month of treatment and 4 months following BFOV withdrawal (P <0.05 in all vs. diabetic controls). Gelatin zymography showed that serum MMP2 activity was significantly reduced and immunoblotting assays further showed that MMP2 expression was markedly downregulated in the liver after 1 month of treatment with 70 μmol/kg and 4 months after BFOV withdrawal (P <0.05 in all vs. diabetic controls). These results suggested that BFOV possessed potent treatment and posttreatment effects in KKAy mice with improved metabolic profile and reduced body weight and SBP. Furthermore, these effects were associated with decreased MMP2 expression and activity in diabetic KKAy mice.

[Interleukin-8 monoclonal antibody attenuates smooth muscle cell proliferation and balloon inflation-induced abdominal aorta stenosis in rabbits]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of interleukin-8 monoclonal antibody on smooth muscle cell proliferation and balloon inflation-induced abdominal aorta stenosis in rabbits.

METHODS

Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to balloon inflation group (group A, n = 12), interleukin-8 monoclonal antibody pre-treated rabbits (2 mg/kg for 3 days before balloon inflation, group B, n = 12) and sham-operated control group (group C, n = 12). Peripheral blood was collected before experiment and at 4 h, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post balloon inflation or sham operation and the levels of IL-8 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ratio of positive and negative masculine cells in the high power microscopic field was determined in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained slide. Histopathologic examination was performed in abdominal aorta and luminal area, intima and tunica media area were measured.

RESULTS

Plasma interleukin-8 began to rise at 4 h and peaked at 1 day and remained increased up to 28 days after balloon inflation in rabbits of group A, plasma interleukin-8 level in group A was significantly higher than in group B and C at 4 h and thereafter post operation. The ratio of positive and negative masculine cells was significantly increased in group A compared to group C and was significantly lower in group B than in group A. Abdominal aorta stenosis, luminal area, intima and tunica media area were significantly reduced in group B than in group A. Correlation analysis indicated that there were positive relations between plasma IL-8 level and intima thickness, area of intima and tunica media, respectively (r = 0.894, 0.783, 0.801, 0.912, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma IL-8 level is increased in this abdominal aorta stenosis model and is positively correlated to the severity of abdominal aorta stenosis. IL-8 monoclonal antibody could significantly reduce abdominal aorta stenosis in this abdominal aorta stenosis model.

Reducing effect of mangiferin on serum uric acid levels in mice

CONTEXT

Mangiferin, a natural bioactive xanthone C-glycoside, is widely present in medicinal plants like the leaf of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae). It has been reported that mangiferin possesses a variety of biological activities, including antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic.

OBJECTIVE

The hypouricemic effect and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitory activity of mangiferin were investigated here for the first time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hypouricemic effect of mangiferin was investigated in normal and hyperuricemic mice induced by potassium oxonate. Mangiferin at a dose of 0.75-100.0 mg/kg was given intragastrically to mice. The serum urate levels were determined using the phosphotungstic acid method. The hepatic activities of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) in hyperuricemic mice were assayed using commercially available kits.

RESULTS

The results showed that mangiferin at a dose of 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg significantly reduced the serum urate levels (148.7 ± 37.8, 142.2 ± 44.5, 121.7 ± 21.7 µmmol/L) in hyperuricemic mice, compared with untreated hyperuricemic mice (201.8 ± 71.2 µmmol/L). However, mangiferin did not decrease the serum urate levels in normal mice until mangiferin was up to 100 mg/kg. In addition, the hepatic activities of XDH in hyperuricemic mice were significantly decreased by mangiferin, while no changes of XOD were observed. Acute toxicity study in mice showed that mangiferin was very safe at a dose of up to 25 g/kg.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that mangiferin has the potential to be developed as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.

Cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

Dementia and cognitive impairment (CI) are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have important clinical consequences. We explored the prognostic factors for CI in patients with PD.

METHODS

A total of 102 patients with PD in Xuan wu hospital and Qian dongnan People's Hospital from 2005 to 2010 were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical and neurological assessments. Relevant demographic and performance parameters were analysed to determine variables that may be independently associated with the progression of CI.

RESULTS

In the 6-month follow-up group, CI progressed in three out of 58 cases (5%): two cases progressed from mild CI (MiCI) to moderate CI (MoCI), and one case from MoCI to dementia. In the six-month-to-two-year follow-up group, seven out of 46 cases (15%) worsened: one case developed MiCI, three cases progressed from MiCI to MoCI and three other cases from MoCI to dementia. In the two-to-five-year group, 20 out of 44 cases (45%) worsened with one case developing MiCI, 14 cases progressing from MiCi to MoCI and five cases from MoCI to dementia. Compared with other patients, those with worsening of CI symptoms were significantly older in the two-to-five-year group. Progression of CI was also associated with age at onset and initial staging of PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age, late onset of disease and severity of PD are the predictive factors for the progression of CI in PD. The highest probability of progression of CI is in patients with initial severe impairments of visuospatial function.

A high accuracy femto-/picosecond laser damage test facility dedicated to the study of optical thin films

A laser damage test facility delivering pulses from 100 fs to 3 ps and designed to operate at 1030 nm is presented. The different details of its implementation and performances are given. The originality of this system relies the online damage detection system based on Nomarski microscopy and the use of a non-conventional energy detection method based on the utilization of a cooled CCD that offers the possibility to obtain the laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) with high accuracy. Applications of this instrument to study thin films under laser irradiation are presented. Particularly the deterministic behavior of the sub-picosecond damage is investigated in the case of fused silica and oxide films. It is demonstrated that the transition of 0-1 damage probability is very sharp and the LIDT is perfectly deterministic at few hundreds of femtoseconds. The damage process in dielectric materials being the results of electronic processes, specific information such as the material bandgap is needed for the interpretation of results and applications of scaling laws. A review of the different approaches for the estimation of the absorption gap of optical dielectric coatings is conducted and the results given by the different methods are compared and discussed. The LIDT and gap of several oxide materials are then measured with the presented instrument: Al(2)O(3), Nb(2)O(5), HfO(2), SiO(2), Ta(2)O(5), and ZrO(2). The obtained relation between the LIDT and gap at 1030 nm confirms the linear evolution of the threshold with the bandgap that exists at 800 nm, and our work expands the number of tested materials.

High-efficiency photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using electrospun ZnO nanofibers as catalyst

In this work, ZnO nanofibers (ZNFs) were successfully prepared via a simple electrospinning technique using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2 2H2O) as precursors. The obtained ZNFs have an average diameter of ca. 95 nm and are composed of crystalline wurtzite phase. Methylene blue (MB) dye was used to investigate the photocatalytic performance of pure ZNFs. The study confirms that ZNFs have favorable catalytic activity, and the best degradation efficiency of MB can exceed 90% under UV light irradiation for 3 hours. In addition, we propose a possible photodegradation mechanism.

A novel GLP-1 analog, BPI3006, with potent DPP IV resistance and good glucoregulatory effect

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that decreases postprandial glycemic excursions by enhancing insulin secretion but with short half-life due to rapid inactivation by enzymatic N-terminal truncation. Therefore, efforts are being made to improve the stability of GLP-1 via modifying its structure or inhibiting dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP IV), which is responsible for its degradation. Here we report a novel GLP-1 analog BPI3006 with -NHCO- of Ala(8) replaced by -CH(CF(3))NH- and features of its metabolic stability, GLP-1 receptor trans-activation and in vivo biological activity. BPI3006 is highly resistant to DPP IV-mediated degradation with 91.1% of parental peptide left after 24h exposure to the enzyme. BPI3006 also effectively activates its target gene promoter through GLP-1 receptor activation by measuring the transiently transfected reporter gene green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression in NIT-1 cells. Furthermore, BPI3006 could well restrain the glycemia variation in fasted normal ICR mice after a single administration followed by an oral glucose loading. In spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKA(y) mice, BPI3006 injected twice daily could significantly improve the oral glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemia, as well as ameliorate the food and water consumption. In conclusion, BPI3006 has enhanced resistance to DPP IV leading to improved stability, and shows excellent in vivo biological activity. Thus it may be a new candidate for T2DM treatment and its novel modification may provide valuable guidance for the future development of long-acting GLP-1 analogs.

Central role of the Holliday junction helicase RuvAB in vlsE recombination and infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi

Antigenic variation plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of many infectious bacteria and protozoa including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. VlsE, a 35 kDa surface-exposed lipoprotein, undergoes antigenic variation during B. burgdorferi infection of mammalian hosts, and is believed to be a critical mechanism by which the spirochetes evade immune clearance. Random, segmental recombination between the expressed vlsE gene and adjacent vls silent cassettes generates a large number of different VlsE variants within the infected host. Although the occurrence and importance of vlsE sequence variation is well established, little is known about the biological mechanism of vlsE recombination. To identify factors important in antigenic variation and vlsE recombination, we screened transposon mutants of genes known to be involved in DNA recombination and repair for their effects on infectivity and vlsE recombination. Several mutants, including those in BB0023 (ruvA), BB0022 (ruvB), BB0797 (mutS), and BB0098 (mutS-II), showed reduced infectivity in immunocompetent C3H/HeN mice. Mutants in ruvA and ruvB exhibited greatly reduced rates of vlsE recombination in C3H/HeN mice, as determined by restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) screening and DNA sequence analysis. In severe combined immunodeficiency (C3H/scid) mice, the ruvA mutant retained full infectivity; however, all recovered clones retained the ‘parental’ vlsE sequence, consistent with low rates of vlsE recombination. These results suggest that the reduced infectivity of ruvA and ruvB mutants is the result of ineffective vlsE recombination and underscores the important role that vlsE recombination plays in immune evasion. Based on functional studies in other organisms, the RuvAB complex of B. burgdorferi may promote branch migration of Holliday junctions during vlsE recombination. Our findings are consistent with those in the accompanying article by Dresser et al., and together these studies provide the first examples of trans-acting factors involved in vlsE recombination.

Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne infection in North America and Eurasia. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans via the bite of infected ticks. These spirochetes can cause both acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the skin, joints, heart, and central nervous system. The persistence of infection despite the presence of an active immune response is dependent upon antigenic variation of VlsE, a 35 kDa surface-exposed lipoprotein. A large number of different VlsE variants are present in the host simultaneously and are generated by recombination of the vlsE gene with adjacent vls silent cassettes. To try to identify factors important in vlsE recombination and immune evasion, we selected mutants in genes involved in DNA recombination and repair and screened them for infectivity and vlsE recombination. Mutants in genes encoding RuvA and RuvB (which act together to promote the exchange of strands between two different DNA molecules) had reduced infectivity and greatly diminished vlsE recombination. In immunodeficient mice, ruvA mutants retained full infectivity, and no vlsE recombination was detected. Our findings reinforce the importance of vlsE variation in immune evasion and persistent infection.

Comparison of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi S. L. isolated from the tick Ixodes scapularis in southeastern and northeastern United States

Thirty-five strains of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s. l.) were isolated from the blacklegged tick vector Ixodes scapularis in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Rhode Island. They were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of rrf (5S)-rrl (23S) intergenic spacer amplicons. PCR-RFLP analysis indicated that the strains represented at least 3 genospecies (including a possible novel genospecies) and 4 different restriction patterns. Thirty strains belonged to the genospecies B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B. burgdorferi s. s.), 4 southern strains were identified as B. bissettii, and strain SCCH-5 from South Carolina exhibited MseI and DraI restriction patterns different from those of previously reported genospecies. Complete sequences of rrf-rrl intergenic spacers from 14 southeastern and northeastern strains were determined and the phylogenetic relationships of these strains were compared. The 14 strains clustered into 3 separate lineages on the basis of sequence analysis. These results were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis.

Detailed analysis of sequence changes occurring during vlsE antigenic variation in the mouse model of Borrelia burgdorferi infection

Lyme disease Borrelia can infect humans and animals for months to years, despite the presence of an active host immune response. The vls antigenic variation system, which expresses the surface-exposed lipoprotein VlsE, plays a major role in B. burgdorferi immune evasion. Gene conversion between vls silent cassettes and the vlsE expression site occurs at high frequency during mammalian infection, resulting in sequence variation in the VlsE product. In this study, we examined vlsE sequence variation in B. burgdorferi B31 during mouse infection by analyzing 1,399 clones isolated from bladder, heart, joint, ear, and skin tissues of mice infected for 4 to 365 days. The median number of codon changes increased progressively in C3H/HeN mice from 4 to 28 days post infection, and no clones retained the parental vlsE sequence at 28 days. In contrast, the decrease in the number of clones with the parental vlsE sequence and the increase in the number of sequence changes occurred more gradually in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Clones containing a stop codon were isolated, indicating that continuous expression of full-length VlsE is not required for survival in vivo; also, these clones continued to undergo vlsE recombination. Analysis of clones with apparent single recombination events indicated that recombinations into vlsE are nonselective with regard to the silent cassette utilized, as well as the length and location of the recombination event. Sequence changes as small as one base pair were common. Fifteen percent of recovered vlsE variants contained “template-independent” sequence changes, which clustered in the variable regions of vlsE. We hypothesize that the increased frequency and complexity of vlsE sequence changes observed in clones recovered from immunocompetent mice (as compared with SCID mice) is due to rapid clearance of relatively invariant clones by variable region-specific anti-VlsE antibody responses.

Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-transmitted infection in Europe and North America, and is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and other closely related Borrelia species. Lyme disease Borrelia have an elaborate mechanism for varying the sequence of VlsE, a surface-localized, immunogenic lipoprotein. This antigenic variation is thought to be important in immune evasion and thus in the ability of Lyme disease Borrelia to cause long-term infection. In this study, we examined 1,399 B. burgdorferi clones isolated from infected immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice to gain a better understanding of the rate and variety of VlsE sequence changes that occur during infection. We determined that clones with few or no VlsE sequence changes are rapidly cleared in mice with active immune responses, whereas clones with many VlsE changes persist. The vls antigenic variation system can utilize any of the 15 silent cassette sequences as sequence “donors,” and does not exhibit obvious preferences in the location of changes within the vlsE cassette region or the types of VlsE sequence variations found in different tissues, such as in joints or in the heart. Our findings provide further evidence that the vls locus represents a remarkably robust recombination system and immune evasion mechanism.

Mechanisms of improvement of left ventricle remodeling by trans-planting two kinds of autologous bone marrow stem cells in pigs

BACKGROUND

The necrosis of a large number of myocardial cells after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in a decrease of cardiac function and ventricle remodeling. Stem cell transplantation could improve cardiac function after AMI, but the involving mechanisms have not been completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via the coronary artery on the ventricle remodeling after AMI as well as the mechanisms of the effects of transplantation of different stem cells on ventricle remodeling.

METHODS

A total of 36 male pigs were enrolled in this study, which were divided into 4 groups: control group, simple infarct model group, BM-MNC transplantation group, and MSCs transplantation group. At 90 minutes when a miniature porcine model with AMI was established, transplantation of autologous BM-MNC ((4.7 +/- 1.7) x 10(7)) and MSCs ((6.2 +/- 1.6) x 10(5)) was performed in the coronary artery via a catheter. Ultrasound, electron microscope, immunohistochemical examination and real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used respectively to observe cardiac functions, counts of blood vessels of cardiac muscle, cardiac muscle nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, myocardial cell apoptosis, and the expression of the mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in cardiac muscles. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation factors of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD).

RESULTS

The number of blood vessels in the infarct zone and around its border in the BM-MNC transplantation group was more than those in the infarct model group and MSCs group (P = 0.0001) and there was less myocardial cell apoptosis in the stem cell transplantation group than that in the infarct model group (all P < 0.01). The positive rate of NF-kappaB in the stem cell transplantation group was lower than that in the infarct model group (P = 0.001). The gene expression of VEGF in the infarct border zone of the BM-MNC group was higher than that in the MSCs group (P = 0.0001). The gene expression of bFGF in the infarct border zone in the MSCs transplantation group was higher than that in the infarct model group and the BM-MNC group (P = 0.0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction was inversely proportional to the apoptotic rate of myocardial cells and cardiac muscle NF-kappaB but positively correlated with the number of blood vessels and the expression of VEGF and bFGF in the infarct zone and infarct border zone. The Multivariate Logistic regression analysis on the factors influencing the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter after stem cell transplantation showed that the expression of VEGF mRNA in the cardiac muscles in the infarct zone, the number of apoptotic myocardial cells and the expression of NF-kappaB in the infarct border zone were independent factors for predicting the inhibitory effect on the dilation of left ventricular EDD after stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Transplantation of autologous BM-MNC and MSCs in pigs can improve the condition of left ventricular remodeling and recover the cardiac functions after AMI. The improvement of cardiac functions is related to the increase of blood vessels, the increased expression of VEGF and bFGF, the reduction of myocardial cell apoptosis, and the decrease of NF-kappaB level in cardiac muscle tissues after stem cell transplantation.

Effects of bis(alpha-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) on glucose metabolism in fat-fed/streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Bis(alpha-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) (BFOV) is a new orally active anti-diabetic organic vanadium complex. In the previous studies, we found that BFOV exhibited a glucose-lowering activity following oral administration to type 1-like diabetic mice induced by alloxan and rats induced by streptozotocin, and the mechanism was not related to enhancing the insulin synthesis and secretion. Since the enhancement of insulin sensitivity is involved in one of the mechanisms by which vanadium exerts its anti-diabetic effects, BFOV has been further tested on fat-fed/streptozotocin-treated rats, a type 2-like diabetic animal model, in the present study. The results showed that 4 weeks of BFOV treatment significantly improved hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia, as well as increased insulin sensitivity index in the fat-fed/streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Furthermore, BFOV efficiently activated glucokinase, increased hepatic glycogen content and suppressed phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression in the liver and kidney of the diabetic rats, which contributed to augmentation of hepatic glucose disposal and maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis. These findings suggested that BEOV had anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing effects in the diabetic rats, exhibiting the potential to be developed as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A rat model of chronic allograft liver rejection

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to develop a rat model of chronic irreversible rejection, which is a major causes of late graft loss and retransplantation after orthotopic liver allotransplantation.

METHODS

Allogeneic liver transplantation was performed in a rat combination of Dark Agouti (DA) to Brown Norway (BN). Group A was left without treatment, group B received cyclosporine' (CsA; 1 mg/kg/d) and group C, CsA (4 mg/kg/d). Animals were followed for 6 months. Liver tissue was harvested to construct a time course of histological changes after liver transplantation using histopathological and morphometric techniques. We compared the total histological score of rejection activity index and survival rates.

RESULTS

In untreated animals, irreversible acute rejection developed, all animals died within 15 days. In the low-dose CsA group, all animals that survived more than 30 days developed moderate to severe manifestations of chronic liver rejection, with graft infiltration, ductular damage or proliferation, obliterative arteriopathy, and liver fibrosis. No apparent histological alterations were observed in group C. Survival analysis showed significant differences between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In the rat strain combination of DA --> BN with low-dose immunosuppression, early mild inflammation was followed by the development of chronic rejection.

Molecular characterization of Borrelia isolates from ticks and mammals from the southern United States

Fifty Borrelia isolates from ticks and rodents from several geographic regions of the southern United States were analyzed by genomic macrorestriction analysis. Significant genetic diversity was observed among them. These isolates segregated into 4 major clusters and 10 subclusters, which are correlated with the genospecies distribution. Nineteen pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types were recognized among the isolates. The genospecies Borrelia andersonii and Borrelia bissettii consisted of 5 and 2 subclusters, respectively. Two subclusters comprised the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s. s.) strains. These results indicated that PFGE is a suitable molecular typing method for B. burgdorferi at both the genospecies and strain levels. Seventeen representative isolates from different PFGE groups were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis of flaB. Twenty-three AluI, 3 CelII, and 11 DdeI RFLP patterns were found among strains from the B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) complex and the relapsing fever borreliae complex. Three genospecies in the B. burgdorferi s. l. complex and 1 species in the relapsing fever borreliae complex were recognized. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences of flaB indicated that all the Borrelia strains analyzed here could be divided into 2 parts, i.e., B. burgdorferi s. l. complex and the relapsing fever borreliae complex. The flaB appears to be a useful target gene to screen and identify strains from both B. burgdorferi s. l. and relapsing fever borreliae complexes.