Commiphora molmol Modulates Glutamate-Nitric Oxide-cGMP and Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 Pathways and Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Hematological Alterations in Hyperammonemic Rats.

Hyperammonemia is a serious complication of liver disease and may lead to encephalopathy and death. This study investigated the effects of Commiphora molmol resin on oxidative stress, inflammation, and hematological alterations in ammonium chloride- (NH4Cl-) induced hyperammonemic rats, with an emphasis on the glutamate-NO-cGMP and Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathways. Rats received NH4Cl and C. molmol for 8 weeks. NH4Cl-induced rats showed significant increase in blood ammonia, liver function markers, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Concurrent supplementation of C. molmol significantly decreased circulating ammonia, liver function markers, and TNF-α in hyperammonemic rats. C. molmol suppressed lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide and enhanced the antioxidant defenses in the liver, kidney, and cerebrum of hyperammonemic rats. C. molmol significantly upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased glutamine and nitric oxide synthase, soluble guanylate cyclase, and Na+/K+-ATPase expression in the cerebrum of NH4Cl-induced hyperammonemic rats. Hyperammonemia was also associated with hematological and coagulation system alterations. These alterations were reversed by C. molmol. Our findings demonstrated that C. molmol attenuates ammonia-induced liver injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hematological alterations. This study points to the modulatory effect of C. molmol on glutamate-NO-cGMP and Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathways in hyperammonemia. Therefore, C. molmol might be a promising protective agent against hyperammonemia

The influence of the composition of algal detritus on nematode assemblages

A field-based experiment was conducted on a detritus-loaded beach from the south coast of the British Isles (Poole Harbour) to investigate the decay rates of different combinations of algal detritus and their associated nematode assemblages. Ten algal mixture treatment combinations (monocultures with all possible 2 or 3 mixed algal treatments) of three different species of green (Chlorophyta), brown (Phaeophyta), and red (Rhodophyta) algae were used to determine how the diversity of decaying algal detritus affects the associated nematode assemblage composition and structure. Our results indicated that nematode density, diversity, and assemblage composition differed significantly among the different algal treatments. The nematode densities and genera richness were significantly higher in the mixed algal treatments compared to those in the algal monoculture treatments. The loss of seaweed dry weight varied significantly among the algal detritus treatments with which included brown algae tending to decay at a slower rate than others. These results indicate different type of macroalgae detritus could offer different nutrient input and that encourage different dominant nematode species and composition

Observation of two-gap superconductivity in SrFe1.85Co0.15As2 single crystals by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy

Superconducting properties of SrFe1.85Co0.15As2 single crystals and their parent material, SrFe2As2, were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S). In the parent material, we modeled surface conditions on the in situ cleaved single crystals, based on the observation of 2x1 stripe patterns and p root 2 x root 2 square-lattice patterns in the atomic-resolution topography images and with the help of local density of states measurements. In the STM/S studies on SrFe1.85Co0.15As2, a robust superconducting gap (2 Delta(large) = 17.3 meV) was observed in the conductance spectra measured along a line on the SrFe1.85Co0.15As2 surface. Moreover, an additional small gap-like (2 Delta(small) = 2.9 meV) structure was simultaneously observed. Our observation corroborates the two-gap structures in iron-based superconductors.open1144sciescopu

A long-term ecological monitoring of subtidal macrozoobenthos around Dokdo waters, East Sea, Korea

Dokdo's high marine biodiversity has received worldwide attention recently. A total of 578 macrozoobenthos are recorded since the 1960s, but ecology of Dokdo's fauna is unknown. We monitored Dokdo's subtidal macrozoobenthos for 5 years in 2013–17, in the present study. Five stations representing three subtidal habitats were monitored; 1) oceanic plateau, 2) coastal terrace, and 3) island wharf. In total, 13,664 individuals belonging to 141 taxa were recorded during the survey. The number of species and density varied greatly among stations without distinct year-round variation. Faunal compositions significantly differed in time and space, reflecting varied faunal adaptations in a harsh environment. Whilst, temporal stability in faunal assemblages was evidenced for some dominant or cosmopolitan taxa. High spatial heterogeneity reflects site-specific oceanographic conditions. Meantime, sea-surface temperature and wave action were associated with year-round faunal compositions. Overall, the Dokdo's macrozoobenthos significantly contribute to marine biodiversity of the East Sea

Strain control spin reorientation transition in DyFeO(3)/SrTiO(3) epitaxial film

We grew single phase DyFeO3 (110) epitaxial films on SrTiO3(001) substrates in the layer-by-layer mode using the pulsed laser deposition. The Fe L-2,L-3-edge x-ray magnetic linear dichroism and magnetic hysteresis confirm that the film shows the spin-canted antiferromagnetism at room temperature and undergoes the spin reorientation transition (SRT) upon cooling as the bulk. The SRT temperature is significantly reduced in the thin films due to the compressive strain and becomes below 5 K for the thickness less than or similar to 50 angstrom. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3623756]X1145sciescopu

Evidence for coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism in single crystals of Co-doped SrFe2As2

In order to investigate whether magnetism and superconductivity coexist in Co-doped SrFe2As2, we have prepared single crystals of SrFe2-xCoxAs2, x = 0 and 0.4, and characterized them via x-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity in zero and applied field up to 9 T as well as at ambient and applied pressure up to 1.6 GPa, and magnetic susceptibility. At x = 0.4, there is both magnetic and resistive evidence for a spin density wave transition at 120 K, while T-c = 19.5 K-indicating coexistent magnetism and superconductivity. A discussion of how these results compare with reported results, both in SrFe2-xCoxAs2 and in other doped 122 compounds, is given.X1116sciescopu

Ultrahigh-vacuum-compatible diffractometer for soft X-ray scattering

We report on the development and the performance of a new instrument for soft X-ray scattering experiments. A ultrahigh- vacuum-compatible two-circle diffractometer was realized by mounting two differentially pumped rotary platforms on top of a cylindrical vacuum chamber. The concentric rotations of the detector and sample are driven by externally-mounted motors and gears. The vacuum chamber itself was designed to accommodate the instruments for surface treatment and in-situ film growth. A special cryo-system was also designed to allow changing the sample temperature from 8 K to 480 K. During measurements, a magnetic field of +/- 1500 Oe can be applied by using an electromagnet along all directions in the scattering plane. The synchronous rotation of the electromagnet with that of the sample is provided by using a separate rotary driver. All functions of the experimental setup have been extensively tested by measuring the ferromagnetic property of the CoFe/IrMn exchange-biased thin film and the antiferromagnetic ordering of LaSr2Mn2O7.X115sciescopuskc