Can e-commerce reduce urban CO2 emissions? Evidence from National E-commerce Demonstration Cities policy in China

The existing studies ignore the potential impact of e-commerce on CO₂ emissions. Based on panel data of 284 cities at the prefecture level and above in China from 2003 to 2019, we regard National E-commerce Demonstration Cities (NEDC) policy as a quasi-natural experiment and empirically examine the impact and mechanism of NEDC policy on urban CO₂ emissions by using multi-period difference-in-difference (DID) model and mediating effect model. The results show that, under the premise of satisfying parallel trends, the NEDC policy significantly reduces urban CO₂ emissions. Compared with the non-pilot cities, the NEDC policy leads to decreases in urban CO₂ emissions by 0.83%. The result still holds after a series of robustness tests, which include placebo test, propensity score matching (PSM) DID estimation, and instrumental variable estimation. The NEDC policy reduces urban CO₂ emissions through promoting industrial structure upgrading, green technology innovation, and economic agglomeration. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the reduction effect of NEDC policy on urban CO₂ emissions is stronger in non-western cities, larger scale cities, and resource-based cities.

Efficacy and safety of colchicine for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching several databases from the creation date to August 31, 2020 and were reviewed. Eight eligible trials of colchicine therapy involving a total of 11, 463 patients were included (5, 776 subjects received colchicine, while 5, 687 subjects were in the respective control arms), and the outcome was reported as risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), as the relative measure of association. Overall, the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.61-0.80), myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.64-0.94), emergency readmission due to CHD (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.58-0.86), and ischemic stroke (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30-0.79) were lower in the colchicine group than in the placebo arm. We did not find a significant reduction in the incidence of all-cause mortality (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.80-1.32). Although the incidence of diarrhea in the colchicine treatment group was higher than that in the placebo arms (RR 2.53; 95% CI 1.17, 5.48), the symptoms disappeared rapidly after drug withdrawal, and no serious adverse reactions occurred. In summary, colchicine is an accessible, safe, and effective drug that could be successfully utilized for the secondary prevention of CHD. The tolerability and benefits should be confirmed in in-depth clinical trials.

Foliage application of selenium and silicon nanoparticles alleviates Cd and Pb toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Direct discharge of untreated industrial waste water in water bodies and then irrigation from these sources has increased trace metals contamination in paddy fields of southern China. Among trace metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are classified as most harmful contaminants in farmland to many organisms including plants, animals and humans. Rice is a staple food which is consumed by half population of the world; due to longer growth period it can easily absorb and accumulate the trace metals from soil. The objective of study was to check the efficacy of Se and Si NPs (nanoparticles) alone or in combination on metals accumulation and Se-fortified rice (Oryzasativa L.) production as their efficiency remained untested. Alone as well as combined application of Se- and Si-NPs (5, 10 and 20 mg L^-1) was achieved along with CK. All the treatments significantly reduced the Cd and Pb contents in brown rice, except CK, Se3, Si1 and Se1Si3. Combined application of Se and Si (Se3Si2) was more effective in reducing the Cd and Pb contents by 62 and 52%, respectively. In addition, foliar application of both NPs improved the rice growth and quality by increasing the grain yield, rice biomass, and Se contents in brown rice. Highest concentration of Se (1.35 mg kg^-1) in brown rice was observed with combined application of Se- and Si-Nps (Se3Si2). Selenium speciation revealed the presence of organic species (74%) in brown rice. The combinations of different doses of Se- and Si-Nps are the main determining factor for total concentration of metals in grains. These results demonstrate that foliage supplementation of Se and Si-Nps alleviate the Cd and Pb toxicity by reducing the metals' concentration in brown rice. Additionally foliage supplementation improved the nutritional quality by reducing the phytic acid contents in rice grains.

New Bohaiornis-like bird from the Early Cretaceous of China: enantiornithine interrelationships and flight performance

During the last decade, several Bohaiornis-like enantiornithine species-and numerous specimens-have been recognized from the celebrated Jehol Biota of northwestern China. In this paper, we describe the anatomy of another "bohaiornithid" species from the 125 million-year-old Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. The new taxon differs from previously recognized "bohaiornithids" on a number of characters from the forelimb and shoulder girdle. We also provide a new phylogenetic framework for enantiornithine birds, which questions the monophyly of the previously recognized bohaiornithid clade and highlights ongoing challenges for resolving enantiornithine interrelationships. Additionally, we offer the first assessment of the flight properties of Bohaiornis-like enantiornithines. Our results indicate that while "bohaiornithids" were morphologically suited for flying through continuous flapping, they would have been unable to sustain prolonged flights. Such findings expand the flight strategies previously known for enantiornithines and other early birds.

Rapid identification of common medicinal snakes and their adulterants using the Bar-HRM analysis method

Effective identification methods for snake species are lacking, exacerbating the extermination of medicinal and commercially valuable snake species. Hence, it is imperative to find fast and reliable methods to distinguish snake samples available on the market. Seventy-three samples from four families belonging to 13 genera were collected in China and found to contain common medicinal snakes and their adulterants. Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was utilized as a DNA barcode to analyse these common snakes, and a DNA mini-barcode was employed for fast detection. Then, the DNA mini-barcode assays were coupled with a high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis (Bar-HRM) to realize the rapid discrimination of these snake species. The results showed the power of DNA barcoding with COI, which was capable of distinguishing all collected snake samples, and the combined Bar-HRM method can successfully identify the adulterants and different snake species. In particular, Bar-HRM revealed Bungarus fasciatus adulterants in B. multicinctus at concentrations as low as 1.6%. Moreover, the results of the study confirmed the effectiveness of the technique in terms of the rapid identification of snakes, which has great potential for ensuring the safety of commercially valuable snake species.

Genome characterization of Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus with special reference to RNAi based molecular breeding

Sugarcane is an essential crop for sugar and biofuel. Globally, its production is severely affected by sugarcane yellow leaf disease (SCYLD) caused by Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus (SCYLV). Many aphid vectors are involved in the spread of the disease which reduced the effectiveness of cultural and chemical management. Empirical methods of plant breeding such as introgression from wild and cultivated germplasm were not possible or at least challenging due to the absence of resistance in cultivated and wild germplasm of sugarcane. RNA interference (RNAi) transformation is an effective method to create virus-resistant varieties. Nevertheless, limited progress has been made due to lack of comprehensive research program on SCYLV based on RNAi technique. In order to show improvement and to propose future strategies for the feasibility of the RNAi technique to cope SCYLV, genome-wide consensus sequences of SCYLV were analyzed through GenBank. The coverage rates of every consensus sequence in SCYLV isolates were calculated to evaluate their practicability. Our analysis showed that single consensus sequence from SCYLV could not work well for RNAi based sugarcane breeding programs. This may be due to high mutation rate and continuous recombination within and between various viral strains. Alternative multi-target RNAi strategy is suggested to combat several strains of the viruses and to reduce the silencing escape. The multi-target small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be used together to construct RNAi plant expression plasmid, and to transform sugarcane tissues to develop new sugarcane varieties resistant to SCYLV.

Abstract P3-10-13: Bilateral breast cancer in China: A 10-year single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUD: Women with unilateral breast cancer are at increased risk for developing contralateral disease. The objective of the single-center retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of bilateral breast cancer (BBC) and to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics for BBC in China.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 3924 female patients with breast cancer consecutively treated at the department of Breast Oncology in the Peking University Cancer Hospital between 2006 and 2016. BBC was categorized as synchronous (within 6 months) or metachronous bilateral breast cancer (after 6 months of a first tumor). Patients with BBC were identified according to the criteria described by Chaudary et al. Patients with stage IV first breast cancer, and those who were found to have distant metastases between the first and second primary breast cancer were excluded. Analyses of demographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment characteristics were done between sBBC and mBBC.

RESULTS: The incidence of BBC in our population was 3.2% (127 of 3924). Of those, 2.5 % ( 99 of 3924) were metachronous bilateral breast cancer ( mBBC ), and 0.71 % (28 of 3924) were synchronous bilateral breast cancer ( sBBC ). The overall median age of the patients at first diagnosis was 45 years (range, 27-81 years). The age of onset of the first mBBC was significantly younger than that of sBBC ( p = 0.027). In mBBC subgroups, the median time interval between first and second tumors was 68 months (range, 7-342 months), and 80.8% of the second tumor were diagnosed within 10 years of the diagnosis of the first tumor. A positive family history of breast cancer was found in 25% of sBBC and 9.1% of mBBC ( p = 0.025). In ER-negative first tumor of mBBC, 56.1% of the second tumor were ER-positive. Mastectomy was the commonest surgery performed in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the necessity of screening contralateral breast at the diagnosis of unilateral breast cancer and following-up for Chinese patients with breast cancer.

Citation Format: Li H, Jiang H, Zhang R, Shao B, Yan Y, Ran R, Di L. Bilateral breast cancer in China: A 10-year single-center retrospective study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-13.

Pre- and Peri-/Post-Compaction Follistatin Treatment Increases In Vitro Production of Cattle Embryos

Our previous studies demonstrated that maternal (oocyte derived) follistatin (FST) expression is positively associated with bovine oocyte competence and exogenous follistatin treatment during the pre-compaction period of development (d 1–3 post insemination) is stimulatory to bovine early embryogenesis in vitro [blastocyst rates and cell numbers/allocation to trophectoderm (TE)]. In the present study, bovine embryos were treated with exogenous follistatin during d 1–3, d 4–7 and d 1–7 post insemination to test the hypothesis that embryotropic effects of exogenous follistatin are specific to the pre-compaction period (d 1–3) of early embryogenesis. Follistatin treatment during d 4–7 (peri-/post-compaction period) of embryo culture increased proportion of embryos reaching blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stage and total cell numbers compared to controls, but blastocyst rates and total cell numbers were lower than observed following d 1–3 (pre-compaction) follistatin treatment. Follistatin supplementation during d 1–7 of embryo culture increased development to blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stages and blastocyst total cell numbers compared to d 1–3 and d 4–7 follistatin treatment and untreated controls. A similar increase in blastocyst CDX2 mRNA and protein (TE cell marker) was observed in response to d 1–3, d 4–7 and d 1–7 follistatin treatment. However, an elevation in blastocyst BMP4 protein (TE cell regulator) was observed in response to d 1–3 and d 1–7, but not d 4–7 (peri-/post-compaction) follistatin treatment. In summary, our study revealed the potential utility of follistatin treatment for increasing the success rate of in vitro embryo production in cattle. Such results also expand our understanding of the embryotropic actions of follistatin and demonstrate that follistatin actions on blastocyst development and cell allocation to the TE layer are not specific to the pre-compaction period.

Use of Raman spectroscopy to identify active spermatogenesis and Sertoli-cell-only tubules in mice

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) has become the first line therapy to harvest spermatozoa for men with nonobstructive azoospermia. However, the pitfall is that the selection of seminiferous tubules depends on subjective assessment of the colour and size of tubules, which cannot guarantee successful retrieval of spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to determine whether Raman spectroscopy (RS) could distinguish tubules with spermatogenesis from Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) tubules, and potentially serve as a useful tool to improve sperm retrieval rates. Fourteen male adult mice were divided into two groups: SCO group received a single intraperitoneal injection of busulfan (40 mg per kg body weight), and the control group received a placebo dose of 0.9% saline solution. Mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks, and the testicular tissue was assessed by RS and then confirmed with histopathology. The results indicated that tubules with spermatogenesis had intensified Raman peaks at 748, 1124, 1309, 1446 and 1658 cm^-1 compared to SCO tubules, except a decreased peak at 1582 cm^-1 . RS was able to distinguish the two groups with a sensitivity of 91.2% and specificity of 82.9%. In conclusion, RS may serve as a useful diagnostic tool prior to sperm retrieval.

Embryotropic actions of follistatin: paracrine and autocrine mediators of oocyte competence and embryo developmental progression

Despite several decades since the birth of the first test tube baby and the first calf derived from an in vitro-fertilised embryo, the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies remains less than ideal. Poor oocyte competence is a major factor limiting the efficiency of in vitro embryo production. Developmental competence obtained during oocyte growth and maturation establishes the foundation for successful fertilisation and preimplantation embryonic development. Regulation of molecular and cellular events during fertilisation and embryo development is mediated, in part, by oocyte-derived factors acquired during oocyte growth and maturation and programmed by factors of follicular somatic cell origin. The available evidence supports an important intrinsic role for oocyte-derived follistatin and JY-1 proteins in mediating embryo developmental progression after fertilisation, and suggests that the paracrine and autocrine actions of oocyte-derived growth differentiation factor 9, bone morphogenetic protein 15 and follicular somatic cell-derived members of the fibroblast growth factor family impact oocyte competence and subsequent embryo developmental progression after fertilisation. An increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating oocyte competence and stage-specific developmental events during early embryogenesis is crucial for further improvements in assisted reproductive technologies.

New information on the anatomy of the Chinese Early Cretaceous Bohaiornithidae (Aves: Enantiornithes) from a subadult specimen of Zhouornis hani

Enantiornithines are the most diverse avian clade in the Cretaceous. However, morphological specializations indicative of specific ecological roles are not well known for this clade. Here we report on an exquisitely well-preserved specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of northeastern China, which pedal morphology is suggestive of a unique ecological specialization within Enantiornithes. The morphology of the new specimen is largely indistinguishable from that of the holotype of the bohaiornithid enantiornithine Zhouornis hani, albeit the latter is somewhat larger. The new specimen provides important and previously unknown details of the skull of Zhouornis hani, which add to the limited knowledge about the cranial anatomy and evolution of enantiornithines. The information offered by the new specimen also augments our understanding of the postcranial morphology of bohaiornithid enantiornithines, a clade that has been only recently recognized. With the description of this specimen, Zhouornis hani becomes one of the most anatomically complete known enantiornithine species, which will facilitate future morphological studies.

Protein adsorption and peroxidation of rat retinas under stimulation of a neural probe coated with polyaniline

For the purpose of investigating the potential use of conducting polymers, i.e. polyaniline (PANi), as electrode coating material for improving the function of neural probes, a PANi-coated platinum (Pt) electrode was prepared by the in situ polymerization method. Protein adsorption was observed by atomic force microscopy/scanning electron microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, as well as quantification. Peroxidation of rat retinas was evaluated by determination of conjugated dienes and PLOOH, which were quantified by UV-visible spectrophotometer and high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of PANi coating for 6 months was also estimated with an in vitro electrical stimulation system. This revealed that: (1) PANi with regular and compact nanoparticles 20-40 nm in diameter was successfully polymerized on the uncoated platinum electrode surface; (2) the PANi-coated Pt electrode adsorbed fewer retinal fragments and induced less peroxidation than the uncoated platinum electrode; (3) in contrast to the uncoated platinum electrode, the PANi-coated Pt electrode surface tended to aggregate retinal fragments rather than spread them, which may help to reduce inflammation and scar formation in long-term implantation; (4) the PANi coating exhibited excellent properties in terms of the intactness and the stable nanoparticle morphology after 6 months' electrical stimulation, while corrosion occurred on the uncoated platinum electrode after 1 month.

Isolation and Metabolic Characterization of a Pseudomonas stutzeri Mutant Able To Grow on the Three Isomers of Xylene

From an o-xylene-degrading Pseudomonas stutzeri strain (OX1), we previously isolated mutant M1, which had acquired the ability to grow on m-xylene and p-xylene but lost the ability to utilize the ortho isomer. From M1 cultures we have now isolated a revertant strain (R1) which grows on o-xylene and retains the ability to grow with the meta and para isomers regardless of the selective pressure applied. In P. stutzeri R1, o-xylene is degraded through two successive monooxygenations of the aromatic ring, while m-xylene and p-xylene catabolism proceeds through the progressive oxidation of a methyl substituent, although unquantifiable amounts of these two substrates are transformed into the corresponding dimethylphenols, which are not utilized for further growth. The two catabolic pathways are inducible by all three xylene isomers.

[Efficient expression of soluble human FGF-21 and its glucose regulation activity]

The cDNA of human FGF-21 was subcloned into the pSUMO expression vector and the fusion protein was induced to express in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3). The recombinant hFGF-21 was expressed in soluble form in the pSUMO expression system. The recombinant fusion protein was purified by Ni-NTA column. The purified recombinant protein was dialyzed against PBS for re-nature. To obtain pure and active recombinant protein, the fusion protein was subjected to cleavage with SUMO protease I. To examine glucose regulation activity of hFGF-21, 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes, glucose up-take activity of hFGF-21 was examined by glucose oxidase and peroxidase (GOD-POD) assay. Compared with no stimulation control, the recombinant hFGF-21 treatment led to a significant increase in glucose consumption of adipocytes and a significant decrease in concentration of glucose in the medium (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).

Physicochemical profiling: overview of the screens

Physicochemical screens are increasingly used in drug discovery to provide an early understanding of key properties that affect ADME. They also insure that discovery experiments are planned and interpreted correctly. Key physicochemical properties discussed are: integrity, pKa, lipophilicity, solubility and permeability. Various groups might implement literature methods or develop their own. Commercial instruments are also available for these properties to allow groups to rapidly provide data for their organizations.:

Characterization and comparative evaluation of a structurally unique PAI-1 inhibitor exhibiting oral in-vivo efficacy

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the major physiological inhibitor of both tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Elevated levels of PAI-1 are associated with thrombosis and vascular disease, suggesting that high plasma PAI-1 may promote a hypercoagulable state by disrupting the natural balance between fibrinolysis and coagulation. In this study, we identify WAY-140312 as a structurally novel small molecule inactivator of PAI-1, compare its inhibitory activity with other previously identified small molecule inhibitors, and investigate the mechanism of inactivation of PAI-1 in the presence of both tPA and uPA. In an immunofunctional assay, WAY-140312 inhibited PAI-1 with an estimated inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 11.7 micro m, which was the lowest value obtained of the four different PAI-1 inactivators tested. Surface activity profiling indicated that the critical micelle concentration for WAY-140312 was 95.8 micro m, and that each inhibitor exhibited unique physical chemical properties. Using a sensitive direct activity assay, the IC(50) for WAY-140312 was similar when either tPA or uPA was used as the target protease. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that WAY-140312 near the IC(50) inhibited the complex formation between either tPA or uPA and PAI-1. After oral administration, WAY-140312 exhibited 29% bioavailability with a plasma half-life of approximately 1 h. In an in-vivo model of vascular injury, a 10 mg kg(-1) oral dose of WAY-140312 was associated with improvement in arterial blood flow and reduction in venous thrombosis. Thus, WAY-140312 represents a structurally novel small molecule inhibitor of PAI-1, and is the first such molecule to exhibit efficacy in animal models of vascular disease following oral administration.

The discovery of anthranilic acid-based MMP inhibitors. Part 3: incorporation of basic amines

Anthranilic acid derivatives bearing basic amines were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo as inhibitors of MMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-13, and TACE. Piperazine 4u has been identified as a potent, selective, orally active inhibitor of MMP-9 and MMP-13.

[Cancer pain and its influence on cancer patients' quality of life]

OBJECTIVE

To study cancer pain and its effect on cancer patients' quality of life.

METHODS

Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) methods were used to investigate cancer pain, its effect on patients' quality of life and management in 200 cancer inpatients.

RESULTS

The incidence of cancer pain was 69%, including 21.5% with mild pain, 19% with moderate pain and 28.5% with severe pain. Moderate and severe pain occurred more frequently in patients with cancer of the digestive tract. No correlation was found between pain and stage of the disease, but was closely associated with bone metastasis. Regardless of its severity, cancer pain seriously affected patients general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work and sleep. With the seriousness of pain, the patients were more affected. However, there was no obvious difference between moderate and severe pain in terms of their effect on the patients' joy of life and relations with people. The effect of moderate pain on patients' mentality appeared earlier than did severe pain. Among patients with cancer pain, 41.3% of them did not receive proper treatment. Only 52.1% of patients with severe pain were given strong opioids, which is far from the anti-pain standard set forth by the WHO.

CONCLUSION

Cancer pain is one of the most important factors which affect cancer patients' quality of life. For adequate control of cancer pain, there is still a long way to go to achieve WHO's goal.

Physical properties of the transmembrane signal molecule, sn-1-stearoyl 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Acyl chain segregation and its biochemical implications

sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), a key intermediate in lipid metabolism, activates protein kinase C and is a fusogen. Phosphoinositides, the main sources of DAG in cell signaling, contain mostly stearoyl and arachidonoyl in the sn-1 and -2 positions, respectively. The polymorphic behavior of sn-1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoylglycerol (SAG) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray powder diffraction, and solid state magic angle spinning (MAS) (13)C NMR. Three alpha phases were found in the dry state. X-ray diffraction indicated that the acyl chains packed in a hexagonal array in the alpha phase, and the two sub-alpha phases packed with pseudo-hexagonal symmetry. In the narrow angle range strong diffractions of approximately 31 and approximately 62 A were present. High power proton-decoupled MAS (13)C NMR of isotropic SAG gave 16 distinct resonances of the 20 arachidonoyl carbons and 5 distinct resonances of the 18 stearoyl carbons. Upon cooling, all resonances of stearoyl weakened and vanished in the sub-alpha(2) phase, whereas arachidonoyl carbons from 8/9 to 20 gave distinct resonances in the frozen phases. Remarkably, the omega-carbon of the two acyl chains had different chemical shifts in alpha, sub-alpha(1), and sub-alpha(2) phases. Large differences in spin lattice relaxation of the stearoyl and arachidonoyl methene and methyl groups were demonstrated by contact time (cross-polarization) MAS (13)C NMR experiments in the solid phases alpha, sub-alpha(1), and sub-alpha(2). This shows that stearoyl and arachidonoyl in SAG have different environments in the solid states (alpha, sub-alpha(1), and sub-alpha(2) phases) and may segregate during cooling. The NMR and long spacing x-ray diffraction results suggest that SAG does not pack in a conventional double layer with the two acyls in a hairpin fashion. Our findings thus provide a physicochemical basis for DAG hexagonal phase domain separation within membrane bilayers.

Vasoactive effects of adrenotensin and its interactions with adrenomedullin

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the vasoactive effects of adrenotensin and the interactions between adrenotensin and adrenomedullin (ADM).

METHODS

Isolated rat aortic tension, rat mean arterial pressure and 3H-TdR incorporation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells were measured. Isolated rat aortas were incubated in K-H solution containing adrenomedullin or adrenotensin. The released adrenotensin or adrenomedullin (in incubation medium) from rat aortas was measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-7) mol/L adrenotensin augmented rat aortic tension in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). An intravenous bolus injection of adrenotensin (2.5 nmol/kg, i.v.) increased the mean arterial pressure by 28% in anesthetized rats (P < 0.01). 1 x 10(-7) mol/L adrenotensin increased 3H-TdR incorporation in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells by 55% (P < 0.01). Adrenomedullin inhibited these activities of adrenotensin to different extents. 1 x 10(-9), 1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-7) mol/L adrenotensin decreased adrenomedullin release rates by 19%, 35% and 46%, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L adrenomedullin also inhibited adrenotensin release by 45% from rat aorta (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adrenotensin is a novel peptide that elicits the activities of vasoconstriction, pressor effects and induces the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. There is antagonism in vascular activities and reciprocal inhibition in the release between adrenotensin and adrenomedullin. These interactions are manifestations of intramolecular regulation of proadrenomedullin (Pro-ADM).

[Study on the extraction of volatile oil in dry ginger and the preparation of its beta-cyclodextrin inclusion compound]

By using orthogonal tests, the optimized extraction of volatile oil was practiced by distillation. The inclusion compound of the oil-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion compound was prepared by the liquid-phase method in aqueous solution. And it was confirmed by thin layer chromatogram and differential thermal analysis.

[Determination of paeonol in jiawei xiaoyao granules by HPLC]

A HPLC method has been used for the determination of paeonol in Jiawei Xiaoyao Granules. The method is simple and accurate. The average recovery is 96.48% and relative standard deviation 1.11%. The method can be used for quantitative analysis of these granules.

[Study on the extraction method and the opimun factor for Paeonia suffruticosa]

The optimun extraction process were selected from three extraction methods according to the content of paeonol and it UV characters. Futhermore, the conditions of extraction process selected were studied with orthogonal test. The result showed that the yield of paeonol is 73.7%, RSD 2.93% (n = 3).

[Determination of geniposide and paeoniflorin in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills by HPLC]

The geniposide and paeoniflorin in Jiaowei Xiaoyao Pills were separated and determined by HPLC, with a C18 column and a mixture of CH3CN-0.1% H3PO4(13:87) as mobile phase. The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The components have a good linearity, and the average recovery with RSD(n = 5) is 101.81% + 2.38% for geniposide and 98.75% + 1.95% for paeoniflorin.

[Hypoglycemic effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor. polysaccharides: comparison of administration in different ways]

When Rhodiola sachalinensis polysaccharides A and B (RSP A and RSP B) were intraperitoneally injected to mice at dosages of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, the result showed that RSP B was the effective hypoglycemic ingredient of Rhodiola sachalinensis. When mice were administrated in different ways, it was shown that RSP B did not possess significant hypoglycemic effect through absorption in the instestines. However, RSP B does possess significant hypoglycemic effect if administrated subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally and intravenously.

Physical behavior of the hydrophobic core of membranes: properties of 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol

Phospholipids containing a saturated fatty acid in the primary position and an unsaturated fatty acid in the secondary position are a major structural part of biological membranes. The mixed-chain hydrophobic core of the membranes is the diacylglycerol part. To better understand the core properties of membranes we have studied the physical behavior of 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (SLDG) by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the dry and hydrated states. Dry SLDG has four polymorphic phases: alpha (transition temperature, 11.6 degrees C; delta H = 7.5 kcal/mol); sub-alpha 1 (3.0 degrees C; 0.6 kcal/mol); sub-alpha 2(-1.0 degrees C; 0.5 kcal/mol); and beta' (16.1 degrees C; 15.4 kcal/mol). The alpha, sub-alpha 1, and sub-alpha 2 phases are metastable with a probable extended bilayer structure (d001 approximately 59.5 A). The chain packing of the alpha phase is hexagonal, while sub-alpha 1 and sub-alpha 2 have pseudohexagonal chain packing. The beta' phase has a tilted bilayer structure (46.9 A) with strong wide-angle diffractions, suggesting elements of orthorhombic perpendicular packing. Compared to saturated 1,2-diacylglycerols, SLDG packs much less efficiently, but, when compared to 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol, it appears to pack somewhat more efficiently. Thus polyunsaturated linoleate chains appear to pack marginally more effectively with the saturated stearate chains than do monounsaturated chains. SLDG hydrates with 0.5 mol of H2O, which prevents the beta' phase from forming. Only one hydrated alpha phase (alpha w) and two hydrated sub-alpha (sub-alpha w1, sub-alpha w2) phases are formed. These phases are similar in structure to the nonhydrated alpha phases, but the bilayer period is increased by about 2 A (d001 approximately 61.5 A). This causes minor changes in polymorphism, including lower melting temperatures and enthalpy. A comparison of diacylglycerols to phosphatidylcholines with the same chains shows that the addition of a strong polar group (e.g., phosphocholine) to the free hydroxyl of the glycerol depresses chain melting and prevents the more efficient packing of the SLDG core of the bilayer.

Crystal structure of a mixed chain diacylglycerol, 1-stearoyl-3-oleyl-glycerol

Diacylglycerols composed of one saturated and one unsaturated chain make up the hydrophobic core of many biological membranes. We report here the first crystalline structure of such a mixed chain diacylglycerol. The mixed chain diacylglycerol, 1-stearoyl-3-oleyl-glycerol (1,3-SODG) was produced by solution isomerization of 1-stearoyl-2-oleyl-sn-glycerol. 1,3-SODG was isolated by flash chromatography and crystallized by slow evaporation in ethyl acetate at 4 degrees C. The melting point was 42.5 degrees C and the enthalpy was 18.0 kcal/mol. The crystal structure was determined to a final R factor of 0.127. Four molecules are present in the monoclinic unit cell: space group Cc, a = 9.362(2), b = 5.495(2), c = 77.92(3)A, beta = 91.46(2), V = 4007(4)A3, Z = 4, D = 1.032 g/cm3. The molecule forms an extended V-shaped conformation with the oleate and stearate chains coming off the two ends of the glycerol with an angle between their planes of 94 degrees. The two chains pack separately in individual layers and do not interact. The hydrogen bonds between the free hydroxyl group on the glycerol-2 position and the carbonyl oxygen on the oleyl chain of an adjacent molecule are 2.78 A in length and stabilize the glycerol layers. The stearoyl chain is roughly straight and packed in a triclinic parallel subcell. Both portions of the oleyl chain also pack in triclinic parallel packing. The torsion angle sequence along the double bond extending from the oleyl carbons C7 to C13 is tscsst (173 degrees, -152 degrees, -17 degrees, -157 degrees, -163 degrees, -178 degrees). This sequence is different from other monounsaturates. The torsion angle sequence around the glycerol region shows that the glycerol conformation is quite similar to the A conformer of racemic alpha monolaurin, and to 1,3-di-11-bromoundecanoyl glycerol, but completely unlike 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols. Thus the glycerol conformation appears to be driven by the hydrogen bond formation, which in turn determines whether chains interact or are segregated. In 1,3-diacylglycerols the two acyl chains point in different directions and are segregated. In 1,2-diacylglycerols the acyl chains lie side by side and must interact. When the two chains are quite different, then serious problems in packing occur, giving rise to disordered crystal packing. Probably as a result of the disordered chain packing in 1-stearoyl-2-oleyl-sn-glycerol (Di, L. and D.M. Small. 1993. J. Lipid Res. 34: 1611-1623) we were not successful in growing adequate crystals suitable for crystallographic structure determination of this 1,2 mixed chain diacylglycerol.

Physical behavior of the mixed chain diacylglycerol, 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol: difficulties in chain packing produced marked polymorphism

Diacylglycerols (DAG) play an important role in metabolism, signal transduction and protein kinase activation. Naturally occurring DAGs usually contain a saturated chain in the 1-position and an unsaturated chain in the 2-position. We have investigated the physical behavior of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (sn-SODG) both in the dry and hydrated states by means of differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and NMR. In the dry state the saturated stearate and unsaturated oleate chains have difficulties in packing. As a result marked polymorphism occurs as the chains try to find a suitable packing. Eight phases were found in the dry state: alpha (transition temperature = 16.4 degrees C; delta H = 6.8 kcal/mol); beta 4 (20.7 degrees C; 13.8); beta 3 (21.5 degrees C; 13.8); beta 2 (22.2 degrees C; 14.4); beta 1 (23.1 degrees C; 12.3); beta' (25.7 degrees C; 11.9); gamma 1 (-2.9 degrees C; 0.5), and gamma 2 (-5.9 degrees C; 1.2), all of relatively low stability compared to 1,2 distearoyl-sn-glycerol (beta', 77.2 degrees C; 30.6). gamma 1 and gamma 2 are metastable low temperature phases. beta 1-beta 4 are bilayers (d001 = 3.4, 43.4, 44.7, 46.1 A, respectively) with elements of triclinic parallel chain packing, while beta' is a bilayer (d001 = 47.1 A) with orthorhombic perpendicular chain packing. The metastable alpha phase has hexagonal chain packing and an unusual eight-layer structure (d001 = 174 A). Hydrated sn-SODG contains about one-half of a water molecule per diacylglycerol. Three phases can be distinguished gamma w, alpha w (15.1 degrees C; 6.7) and beta w (19.9 degrees C, 14.3). Both alpha w and beta w are bilayers but alpha w has hexagonal chain packing and beta w is predominantly triclinic parallel packing. Thus, when saturated and unsaturated chains must pack side by side, complex chain conformation, disorder, and instability result giving rise to marked polymorphism. Hydration appears to partly stabilize the interactions.

[Studies on the hypoglycemic effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor. polysaccharides]

Rhodiola sachalinensis polysaccharides (RSP) isolated from the root of Rhodiola sachalinensis was demonstrated to decrease the levels of blood sugar, liver glycogen and total blood lipid when injected peritoneally to mice at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg once or for 7 successive days. In addition, RSP was found to decrease blood sugar and total blood lipid in various experimental hyperglycemias induced by injection of adrenaline, glucose and alloxan in mice. RSP exhibit inhibiting effect on the glycogen enhancement induced by glucose as well as strenghtening effect on the glycogen decomposition induced by adrenaline and alloxan.