Anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulatory activities of caffeic acid and ellagic acid in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caffeic acid (CA) and ellagic acid (EA) are phenolic acids naturally occurring in many plant foods. Cardiac protective effects of these compounds against dyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic mice were examined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Diabetic mice were divided into three groups (15 mice per group): diabetic mice with normal diet, 2% CA treatment, or 2% EA treatment. One group of non-diabetic mice with normal diet was used for comparison. After 12 weeks supplement, mice were sacrificed, and the variation of biomarkers for hypercoagulability, oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intake of CA or EA significantly increased cardiac content of these compounds, alleviated body weight loss, elevated plasma insulin and decreased plasma glucose levels in diabetic mice (<it>p </it>< 0.05). These treatments also significantly enhanced plasma antithrombin-III and protein C activities (<it>p </it>< 0.05); and decreased triglyceride content in cardiac tissue and plasma (<it>p </it>< 0.05), in which the hypolipidemic effects of EA were significantly greater than that of CA (<it>p </it>< 0.05). CA or EA significantly lowered cardiac levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, interleukin (IL)-beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (<it>p </it>< 0.05); and retained cardiac activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (<it>p </it>< 0.05). These compounds also significantly up-regulated cardiac mRNA expression of GPX1, SOD and catalase; and down-regulated IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 mRNA expression in diabetic mice (<it>p </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results support that CA and EA could provide triglyceride-lowering, anti-coagulatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory protection in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice. Thus, the supplement of these agents might be helpful for the prevention or attenuation of diabetic cardiomyopathy.</p

Developing new heat pump system to improve indoor living space in senior long-term care house

The issue of an aging population is becoming increasingly acute in Taiwan; in 2018, seniors comprised over 14 % of the total population. The quality of care for senior citizens hinges on the ability of long-term care facilities to create comfortable living spaces while ensuring energy efficiency by reducing electricity consumption, thereby providing them with an environment for aging in an active and positive way. This study proposes a new heat pump system that offers a cold source in the summer and a heat source in the winter. In addition, the air-conditioning and ventilation rates required for comfort in indoor living spaces are established to ensure the high quality of the care spaces in these types of institutions. The results after installation of the heat pump system were as follows: (1) Performance of the heat pump system: the inlet temperature of the heat pump chilled water was maintained at 7-10 °C, and the outlet temperature, at 42-54 °C. (2) Energy efficiency: Based on a 95 % confidence interval, the average annual electricity consumption was 32.65 kwh/day, which was 32.65 % of the prior consumption level; the reduction of 67.35 % is comparable to those of most heat pump systems. (3) Improvement of the indoor environment: In the hottest scenario, the indoor temperature was reduced by 3 °C and the relative humidity to 55-65 %, which fall within comfortable ranges. After the heat pump system was introduced, significant improvements in ventilation, air quality and comfort were noted, as well as significant improvement in average total satisfaction scores. All improvements reached statistical significance. The overall objective of the system is to enhance the environmental quality in long-term senior care facilities and make them healthier and more energy efficient

Expressão não equilibrada do receptor de hidrocarboneto arílico nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+ do sangue periférico na artrite reumatoide

ResumoObjetivoAnalisar o papel do receptor de hidrocarboneto arílico (AhR) nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+ no sangue periférico de pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR).MétodosFoi aplicada citometria de fluxo para determinar a proporção de células AhR positivas em linfócitos CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+ do sangue periférico e células mononucleares periféricas de cada indivíduo. Os níveis de expressão relativa de ácido ribonucleico mensageiro (do inglês ribonucleic acid, RNAm,) de AhR e RNAm de enzima de primeiro estágio essencial para o AhR (CYP1A1) foram testados por reação em cadeia de polimerase (do inglês polymerase chain reaction, PCR,) em tempo real.ResultadosA percentagem de células AhR positivas nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico foi maior no grupo com AR do que nos indivíduos saudáveis [(35,23±10,71)% vs. (18,83±7,32)%, (p<0,01)]. Os níveis de expressão de AhR e CYP1A1 estavam aumentados em pacientes com AR quando comparados com os controles [(3,71±1,63) vs. (2,00±1,27), p=0,002; (2,62±2,08) vs. (0,62±0,29), p<0,01, respectivamente]. Em pacientes com AR, a percentagem de células AhR positivas nos linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ foi significativamente inferior à dos controles [17,90 (6,10±80,10)]% vs. (52,49±19,18)%, p < 0,01]; em controles saudáveis, a percentagem de células AhR positivas nos linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ foi significativamente mais elevada do que nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e também foi significativamente maior do que nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico (do inglês peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMC,) [(52,49±19,18)% vs. (23,18±5,62)% vs. (18,06±7,80)%, X 2=24,03, p < 0,01]; em pacientes com AR, a percentagem de células AHR positivas nos linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ era significativamente maior em comparação com os linfócitos T CD4+ CD25+ e PBMC (46,02±14,68)% vs. [17,90 (6,10±80.10)]% vs. (34,22±10,33)%, X 2=38,29, p<0,01]; no entanto, não foi encontrada correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os dados clínicos e células AhR positivas em linfócitos T CCR6+ CD4+ e CD4+ CD25+.ConclusãoO Ahr pode participar do progresso patológico da AR ao controlar a diferenciação de linfócitos Th17 e Treg no sangue periférico.AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this study was to analyze the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in peripheral blood CCR6+ CD4+ and CD4+ CD25+T cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsFlow cytometry was applied to determine the proportion of AhR positive cells in CCR6+ CD4+T, CD4+ CD25+T and peripheral blood peripheral mononuclear cells from each subject. AhR mRNA and CYP1A1 mRNA relative expression levels were tested by real‐time PCR.ResultsThe percentage of AhR positive cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was higher in RA group than that in healthy cases [(35.23±10.71) % vs. (18.83±7.32) %, (p<0.01)]. The expression levels of AhR and CYP1A1 were both increased in patients with RA while compared to controls [(3.71±1.63) vs. (2.00±1.27), p=0.002; (2.62±2.08) vs. (0.62±0.29), p<0.01, respectively]. In RA patients, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CD4+CD25+T cells was significantly lower than that from controls [17.90(6.10±80.10)]% vs. (52.49±19.18)%, p<0.01]; In healthy controls, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CD4+CD25+T cells was significantly higher than that in CCR6+CD4+T cells, and was also significantly higher than that in PBMCs [(52.49±19.18)% vs. (23.18±5.62)% vs. (18.06±7.80)%, X2=24.03, p<0.01]; in RA patients, the percentage of AhR positive cells in CCR6+CD4+T cells was significantly increased than that in CD4+CD25+T cells and PBMCs (46.02±14.68)% vs. [17.90 (6.10±80.10)] %vs. (34.22±10.33)%, X2=38.29, p<0.01]; Nevertheless, no statistically significant relationship was found between clinical data and AhR positive cells in CCR6+CD4+T and CD4+ CD25+T cells.ConclusionAhR may participate in the pathological progress of RA by controlling the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood

TOC interpretation of lithofacies-based categorical regression model: A case study of the Yanchang formation shale in the Ordos basin, NW China

In this paper, taking the shale of Chang 7-Chang 9 oil formation in Yanchang Formation in the southeastern Ordos Basin as an example, through the study of shale heterogeneity characteristics, starting from the preprocessing of supervision data set, a logging interpretation method of total organic carbon content (TOC) on the lithofacies-based Categorical regression model (LBCRM) is proposed. It is show that: 1) Based on core observation, and Differences of sedimentation and structure, five lithofacies developed in the Yanchang Formation: shale shale facies, siltstone/ultrafine sandstone facies, tuff facies, argillaceous shale facies with silty lamina and argillaceous shale facies with tuff lamina. 2) The strong heterogeneity of shale makes it difficult to accurately explain the TOC distribution of shale intervals in the application of model-based interpretation methods. The LBCRM interpretation method based on the understanding of shale heterogeneity can effectively reduce the influence of formation factors other than TOC on the prediction accuracy by studying the characteristics of shale heterogeneity and constructing a TOC interpretation model for each lithofacies category. At the same time, the degree of unbalanced distribution of data is reduced, so that the data mining algorithm achieves better prediction effect. 3) The interpretability of lithofacies logging ensures the wellsite application based on the classification and regression model of lithofacies. Compared with the traditional homogeneous regression model, the prediction performance has been greatly improved, TOC segment prediction is more accurate. 4) The LBCRM method based on shale heterogeneity can better understand the reasons for the deviation of the traditional model-based interpretation method. After being combined with the latter, it can make logging data provide more useful information

The Intrinsic Energy Resolution of LaBr3_3(Ce) Crystal for GECAM

The intrinsic resolution is the primary limitation on the total energy resolution of LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal. This intrinsic resolution arises from two effects: fluctuations occurring in the process of energy transfer to luminescent centers within the LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal and the LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal's non-proportional luminescence. Presently, experimental measurements regarding the intrinsic resolution of LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal are scarce, and the underlying physical mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this paper, we aim to elucidate the concept of intrinsic resolution. We investigated the entire physical process of luminescence following energy deposition in the LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal, quantifying the various components in the total energy resolution. We conducted a series of experimental measurements and Geant4 simulations, determining the intrinsic resolution of LaBr$_3$(Ce) crystal to 100 keV electrons as 2.12%. The non-proportionality contributes significantly at 1.43%, while fluctuations in the energy transfer process accounted for 0.27%. It is evident that non-proportionality in light output constitutes the primary source of intrinsic resolution. Horizontal and vertical unevenness in light collection contributed 0.25% and 0.07%, respectively. Statistical fluctuations showed the largest impact on the total energy resolution, at 2.86%. The contribution from fluctuations in single-photoelectron events was 0.77%. Furthermore, we reconstructed the photon response using Geant4, and the consistency between the simulated relative light yield and the experimentally measured one confirmed the reliability of the LaBr$_3$(Ce) detector mass model employed in the simulation.Comment: 11 pages, 16 figure

New Cembranolides from the Dongsha Atoll Soft Coral Lobophytum durum

Chemical investigations of the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Lobophytum durum resulted in the isolation of five new cembranolides, durumolides M–Q (1–5). The structures of compounds 1–5 were characterized by the interpretation of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 4 exhibited cytotoxicity against P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia) cell line with an ED50 of 3.8 μg/mL. Moreover, compound 5 showed significant antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus with an IC50 of 5.2 μg/mL

MAPK SIGNAL PATHWAY INVOLVED IN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF CHAIHU-SHUGAN-SAN AND SHEN-LING-BAI-ZHU-SAN ON HEPATOCYTE IN NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS RATS

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a thousands-of-years long history of use. Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) and Shen-ling-bai-zhu-San (SLBZS) are famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas, which has been used in China for the treatment of many chronic diseases. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of CSS and SLBZS on signaling molecules involved in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway on hepatocytes of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats induced by high fat diet. SD male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: negative control group, model control group, high(9.6 g/kg/day)/low(3.2 g/kg/day)-dose CSS group, high(30 g/kg/day)/low(10 g/kg/day)-dose SLBZS group, high(39.6 g/kg/day)/low(13.2g/kg/day)-dose integrated group. The rats of NASH model were induced by feeding a high-fat diet. After 16 weeks, Hepatocytes were isolated from 6 rats in each group by collagenase perfusion. The liver histopathological changes and serum inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 were determined. The proteins of TLR4, phosphor-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK involved in p38 MAPK signal pathway were assayed. The statistical data indicated the NASH model rats reproduced typical histopathological features of NASH in human. CSS and SLBZS ameliorated lipid metabolic disturbance, attenuated NASH progression, decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum, as well as inhibited TLR4 protein expression, p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and activation of p38 MAPK. In conclusion, CSS and SLBZS might work as a significant anti-inflammatory effect on hepatocyte of NASH by inhibiting the activation of TLR4, p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK involved in p38 MAPK signal pathway. To some extent, CSS and SLBZS may be a potentially alternative and complementary medicine to protect against liver injury, alleviate the inflammation reaction, moderate NASH progression

Spectroscopic Investigation of Fluorescence Quenching Agents. Part 3: Effect of Solvent Polarity on the Selectivity of Nitromethane for Discriminating Between Alternant Versus Nonalternant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Article on a spectroscopic investigation of fluorescence quenching agents and the effect of solvent polarity on the selectivity of nitromethane for discriminating between alternant versus nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons