Comparison study of antibacterial properties of curcumin from Curcuma longa and enrofloxacin against Aeromonas hydrophila

Antibacterial properties of curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) and enrofloxacin against Aeromonas hydrophila were assayed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of curcumin and enrofloxacin against A. hydrophila were found to be 100ug/ml and 9.375ug/ml, respectively. To realize the mechanisms of action of curcumin against A. hydrophila, we researched the antibacterial activity and bacterial membrane permeability of A. hydrophila cells treated with curcumin or enrofloxacin. All results elucidated that curcumin increased membrane permeabilization and caused leakage of intracellular contents, while its role was not as good as enrofloxacin. Moreover, a synergistic effect was shown between curcumin and enrofloxacin. The present study suggests that curcumin extracted from turmeric has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial for the control of A. hydrophila

Inhalation of Hydrogen Attenuates Progression of Chronic Heart Failure via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and P53 Related to Apoptosis Pathway in Rats

Background: Continuous damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis are the important mechanisms that facilitate chronic heart failure (CHF). Molecular hydrogen (H2) has potentiality in the aspects of anti-oxidation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possible mechanism of H2 inhalation in delaying the progress of CHF.Methods and Results: A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, Sham treated with H2, CHF and CHF treated with H2. Rats from CHF and CHF treated with H2 groups were injected isoprenaline subcutaneously to establish the rat CHF model. One month later, the rat with CHF was identified by the echocardiography. After inhalation of H2, cardiac function was improved vs. CHF (p < 0.05), whereas oxidative stress damage and apoptosis were significantly attenuated (p < 0.05). In this study, the mild oxidative stress was induced in primary cardiomyocytes of rats, and H2 treatments significantly reduced oxidative stress damage and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Finally, as a pivotal transcription factor in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-apoptosis signaling pathway, the expression and phosphorylation of p53 were significantly reduced by H2 treatment in this rat model and H9c2 cells (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01).Conclusion: As a safe antioxidant, molecular hydrogen mitigates the progression of CHF via inhibiting apoptosis modulated by p53. Therefore, from the translational point of view and speculation, H2 is equipped with potential therapeutic application as a novel antioxidant in protecting CHF in the future

Intensive Cytokine induction in Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection Accompanied by Robust Production of IL-10 and IL-6

BACKGROUND: The innate immune system is the first line of defense against viruses by inducing expression of cytokines and chemokines. Many pandemic influenza H1N1 virus [P(H1N1)] infected severe cases occur in young adults under 18 years old who were rarely seriously affected by seasonal influenza. Results regarding host cytokine profiles of P(H1N1) are ambivalent. In the present study we investigated host cytokine profiles in P(H1N1) patients and identified cytokines related to disease severity. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We retrieved 77, 59, 26 and 26 sera samples from P(H1N1) and non-flu influenza like illness (non-ILIs) cases with mild symptoms (mild patients), P(H1N1) vaccinees and healthy individuals, respectively. Nine and 16 sera were from hospitalized P(H1N1) and non-ILIs patients with severe symptoms (severe patients). Cytokines of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α were assayed by cytokine bead array, IL-17 and IL-23 measured with ELISA. Mild P(H1N1) patients produced significantly elevated IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 versus to healthy controls. While an overwhelming IL-6 and IL-10 production were observed in severe P(H1N1) patients. Higher IL-10 secretion in P(H1N1) vaccinees confirmed our observation that highly increased level of sera IL-6 and IL-10 in P(H1N1) patients may lead to disease progression. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: A comprehensive innate immune response was activated at the early stage of P(H1N1) infection with a combine Th1/Th2/Th3 cytokines production. As disease progression, a systemic production of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed in severe P(H1N1) patients. Further analysis found a strong correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 production in the severe P(H1N1) patients. IL-6 may be served as a mediator to induce IL-10 production. Highly elevated level of sera IL-6 and IL-10 in P(H1N1) patients may lead to disease progression, but the underlying mechanism awaits further detailed investigations

Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Inventory Analysis of Near-Road Traffic Pollution in Urban Areas

Vehicle emissions belong to the category of near-surface sources, occur close to human activity areas, and pose a greater threat to human health than other anthropogenic pollution sources. Furthermore, the study of the spatiotemporal characteristics of near-road traffic pollution is of great significance to urban and regional ambient air quality management, and is also an important basis for vehicle emission inventories, as well as the assessment of ambient air impact. Most previous studies have analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of hydrocarbons (HCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in urban vehicle emissions over a certain time, without considering the synergistic effect of mobile source particulate matter, NOx, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we analyze the composition of vehicles with different emission standards from road mobile sources in Anqing City, China. National category III and IV vehicles are the main contribution sources of various pollutants, accounting for more than 60% of emissions. Although national category I and II vehicles accounted for less than 1% of the total number of vehicles, their contribution to emissions cannot be ignored, especially for CO and HCs, the contribution of which from such vehicles can reach about 7%. This is mainly due to the low level of pollution control arising from the larger emission factor and greater age of these vehicles. Furthermore, eliminating old cars and increasing the proportion of national category VI vehicles can effectively reduce vehicle pollutant emissions. In terms of the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, highways around urban areas are also the main sources of heavy vehicles, and the emission intensity of these pollutants is also higher on national roads and highways surrounding urban areas. In addition, the presence of m/p-xylene and toluene solvent-using species is detected, which indicates that petrol vehicle emissions, LPG and petrol volatilization, and solvent-using sources contribute significantly to ozone formation in the ozone pollution process. Comparing weekdays and non-weekdays, the PM2.5 peaks on non-weekdays are significantly higher than those on weekdays, and there is no “weekend effect”, which indicates that traffic emissions have little influence on PM2.5 emissions, and may be related to energy use and industrial pollution. Overall, this study strengthens the understanding of the relationship between emissions, traffic volumes, and vehicle types on spatial and temporal scales, and emphasizes the need for further investigation and comprehensive measures to mitigate pollution from these emissions

Ad Hoc Solid Electrolyte On Acidized Carbon Nanotube Paper Improves Cycle Life Of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is greatly improved by using acidized carbon nanotube paper (ACNTP) to induce in situ polymerization of ether-based DOL/DME liquid to grow an ion-selective solid barrier, to seal in soluble polysulfides on the cathode side. The Li-S battery with the in situ barrier showed an initial specific capacity of 683 mA h g-1 at a high current density of 1675 mA g-1, and maintained a discharge capacity of 454 mA h g-1 after 400 cycles. The capacity decay rate was 0.1% per cycle and a high Coulombic efficiency of 99% was achieved. Experimental characterizations and theoretical models demonstrate the in situ polymerized solid barrier stops sulfur transport while still allowing bidirectional Li+ transport, alleviating the shuttle effect and increasing the cycling performance. The soft and sticky nature of the solid electrolyte barrier makes it a good sealant, forming an enclosed catholyte chamber on the sulfur side

Experimental Study of the Plastic Zone and Stress Asymmetric Distribution in Roadway Layered Surrounding Rocks

A three-axis experimental simulation model was established for a roadway with layered surrounding rock by a 20 MPa true triaxial analog simulation equipment, and the corresponding layered surrounding rock numerical simulation model was established by discrete element software. The simulation results showed that the deformation of the roadway layered surrounding rock showed asynchronous deformation with time and asymmetric deformation in space. The measured results of the multipoint displacement meter inside the surrounding rock showed that the order of displacement of surrounding rock from the four corners of the roadway to the center of the roadway were upper right, lower left, upper left, and lower right. Under the influence of the surrounding rock bedding, the shape of the plastic zone of the roadway surrounding rock was irregular. In the area where the rock layer and the surface of the roadway were tangent and in the vertical area between the rock layer and the surface of the roadway, the plastic zone had a large development depth. In other regions, the development depth of the plastic zone was smaller. As a result, the stress values obtained at the monitoring points in the surrounding rock at the same distance from the roadway surface were different, and the stress increase value of the monitoring points in the plastic zone was not large (No. 929). With the expansion of the plastic zone, the monitoring point change from outside the plastic zone to inside the plastic zone, its stress first increased and then decreased (No. 2 and No. 872). The experimental results are of great significance for understanding and controlling the development law of the plastic zone of a layered inclined rock roadway and the deformation control of the roadway layered surrounding rock

Experimental Study of the Plastic Zone and Stress Asymmetric Distribution in Roadway Layered Surrounding Rocks

A three-axis experimental simulation model was established for a roadway with layered surrounding rock by a 20 MPa true triaxial analog simulation equipment, and the corresponding layered surrounding rock numerical simulation model was established by discrete element software. The simulation results showed that the deformation of the roadway layered surrounding rock showed asynchronous deformation with time and asymmetric deformation in space. The measured results of the multipoint displacement meter inside the surrounding rock showed that the order of displacement of surrounding rock from the four corners of the roadway to the center of the roadway were upper right, lower left, upper left, and lower right. Under the influence of the surrounding rock bedding, the shape of the plastic zone of the roadway surrounding rock was irregular. In the area where the rock layer and the surface of the roadway were tangent and in the vertical area between the rock layer and the surface of the roadway, the plastic zone had a large development depth. In other regions, the development depth of the plastic zone was smaller. As a result, the stress values obtained at the monitoring points in the surrounding rock at the same distance from the roadway surface were different, and the stress increase value of the monitoring points in the plastic zone was not large (No. 929). With the expansion of the plastic zone, the monitoring point change from outside the plastic zone to inside the plastic zone, its stress first increased and then decreased (No. 2 and No. 872). The experimental results are of great significance for understanding and controlling the development law of the plastic zone of a layered inclined rock roadway and the deformation control of the roadway layered surrounding rock