Effects of binary solvent extraction system, extraction time and extraction temperature on phenolic antioxidants and antioxidant capacity from mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia).

An investigation into the effects of ethanol concentration (0–100%, v/v), extraction time (20–120 min) and extraction temperature (25–65 °C) on the extraction of phenolic antioxidants from mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) was performed using a single-factor experiment. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) assays were used for determination of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging effect on 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Experimental results showed that extraction conditions had significant effect on extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities. The optimised conditions were 40% ethanol for 80 min at 65 °C, with values of 919.95 mg GAE/100 g DW for TPC, 472.73 mg CE/100 g DW for TFC, 791.71 μmol TEAC/100 g DW for ABTS and 1928.5 μmol TEAC/100 g DW for DPPH. TPC was significantly correlated with DPPH under the effects of ethanol concentration (r = 0.932) and extraction time (r = −0.938)

Expression of CD147 on monocytes/macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis: its potential role in monocyte accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase production

Monocytes/macrophages play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. They can activate fibroblasts through many molecules, including IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but there have been very few reports on the role of CD147 in RA. In our study, the results of flow cytometry reveal that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD147 expression on CD14+ monocytes of peripheral blood from RA patients was higher than that in normal control and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. The MFI of CD147 expression on the CD14+ monocytes in RA synovial fluid was higher than that in RA peripheral blood. Immunohistochemical staining shows that CD147 expression in RA synovium correlated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression. A double immunofluorescent assay shows that CD147 was expressed on CD68+ cells in RA synovium. The potential role of CD147 in cyclophilin A (CyPA)-mediated cell migration was studied using a chemotaxis assay in vitro and it was found that the addition of anti-CD147 antibody or a CD147 antagonistic peptide significantly decreased the chemotactic index of the mononuclear cells. The role of CD147 in MMP production and cell invasion in vitro were studied through the co-culture of human CD14+ monocytes or monocytic line THP-1 cells and human fibroblasts, as well as by gel zymography and an invasion assay. Significantly elevated release and activation of MMP-9 and/or MMP-2 were seen in the co-culture of human monocytes/THP-1 cells and fibroblasts compared with cultures of the cells alone. An increased number of cells invading through the filters in the invasion assays was also observed in the co-cultured cells. The addition of CD147 antagonistic peptide had some inhibitory effect, not only on MMP production but also on cell invasion in the co-culture. Our study demonstrates that the increased expression of CD147 on monocytes/macrophages in RA may be responsible for elevated MMP secretion, cell invasion and CyPA-mediated cell migration into the joints, all of which may contribute to the cartilage and bone destruction of RA. These findings, together with a better understanding of CD147, CyPA and RA, will help in the development of innovative therapeutic interventions for RA

Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy by Traditional Chinese Medicine

In spite of the impressive progress in the investigation of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), the complex mechanisms underlying the onset and deterioration of HE are still not fully understood. Currently, none of the existing theories provide conclusive explanations on the symptoms that link liver dysfunction to nervous system disorders and clinical manifestations. This paper summarized the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used for HE in modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and provided future perspective in HE therapies from the viewpoint of holistic and personalized Chinese medicine

Excellent Performance of Fe78Si9B13 Metallic Glass for Activating Peroxymonosulfate in Degradation of Naphthol Green B

The functional application of metallic glasses in the catalytic field has widely attracted research attention due to its unique atomic structure compared to crystalline materials. It has been reported that metallic glasses can effectively activate H2O2 and persulfate, yet the activation of peroxymonosulfate by metallic glasses is not studied well. In this work, the metallic glass with atomic composition of Fe78Si9B13 was applied for investigating the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation on degradation of naphthol green B (NGB) dye. The change of surface morphology indicated the important role of oxide films during the dye degradation. The effects and first-order kinetics model of various reaction parameters were evaluated systematically, including PMS concentration, catalyst dosage, irradiation intensity, and dye concentration. The results showed that about 98% of the dye removal rate could be achieved only within 10 min under rational conditions. The reaction kinetics k of 0.1339 min−1 without ribbons was sharply improved to 0.3140 min−1 by adding 0.5 g/L ribbons, indicating the superior activation ability of Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass. The recycling experiment revealed that the Fe78Si9B13 ribbons exhibited the excellent surface stability and catalytic reusability for activating PMS even after reused for 10th run

Investigation of the morbidity of dry eye among special crowd in Shunde district

AIM: To investigate the morbidity of dry eye in policeman of Shunde district, and to analyze the related factors and proposed methods of preventing and treating dry eye.<p>METHODS:Totally 650 policemen who came for physical examination in Shunde district recived questionnaire survey. The patients with dye eye disease were finally diagnosed through slit lamp examination, Schirmer test, tear film break-up time(BUT)measurement and keratoconjunctival fluorescent staining. The morbidity among different policemen was further analyzed and stasticed.<p>RESULTS:The results showed that 152 in 650 policemen suffered from dry eye disease, the ratio was 23.4%. Comparied with security police and crimanl police, the ratio in traffic police, patrolman,and back office police was significantly higher. The prevalence was higher when the ages were greater than 40.<p>CONCLUSION: Unsuitable working environment, air contamination are high risk factors of dry eye disease