Pharmacokinetic Comparative Study of Gastrodin and Rhynchophylline after Oral Administration of Different Prescriptions of Yizhi

Pharmacokinetic characters of rhynchophylline (RIN), gastrodin (GAS), and gastrodigenin (p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, HBA) were investigated after oral administration of different prescriptions of Yizhi: Yizhi tablets or effective parts of tianma (total saponins from Gastrodiae, EPT) and gouteng (rhynchophylla alkaloids, EPG). At different predetermined time points after administration, the concentrations of GAS, HBA, and RIN in rat plasma were determined by an HPLC-ESI/MS method, and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and Cmax⁡ and AUC0–∞ (P<0.05) were dramatically different after oral administration of different prescriptions of Yizhi. The data indicated that the pharmacokinetic processes of GAS, HBA, and RIN in rats would interact with each other or be affected by other components in Yizhi. The rationality of the compatibility of Uncaria and Gastrodia elata as a classic “herb pair” has been verified from the pharmacokinetic viewpoint

Crystal Structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans Apoptosome Reveals an Octameric Assembly of CED-4

SummaryThe CED-4 homo-oligomer or apoptosome is required for initiation of programmed cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans by facilitating autocatalytic activation of the CED-3 caspase zymogen. How the CED-4 apoptosome assembles and activates CED-3 remains enigmatic. Here we report the crystal structure of the complete CED-4 apoptosome and show that it consists of eight CED-4 molecules, organized as a tetramer of an asymmetric dimer via a previously unreported interface among AAA+ ATPases. These eight CED-4 molecules form a funnel-shaped structure. The mature CED-3 protease is monomeric in solution and forms an active holoenzyme with the CED-4 apoptosome, within which the protease activity of CED-3 is markedly stimulated. Unexpectedly, the octameric CED-4 apoptosome appears to bind only two, not eight, molecules of mature CED-3. The structure of the CED-4 apoptosome reveals shared principles for the NB-ARC family of AAA+ ATPases and suggests a mechanism for the activation of CED-3

Stepwise regression modeling on the monitoring of separation of Salvianolate through macroporous resin chromatographic column using UV spectral data

Aim: Study the monitoring method of separation of Salvianolate through macroporous resin chromatographic column using UV spectral data. Method: HPLC was used to determine the concentration of Salviol B in the eluent liquid of macroporous resin chromatographic column. The UV spectrum of the eluent liquid was measured using portable UV spectrometer. Stepwise regression was used to develop the model to predict the concentration of Salviol B in the eluent liquid of macroporous resin chromatographic column using the UV spectral data. Result: Stepwise regression model was developed to predict the concentration of Salviol B in the eluent liquid of macroporous resin chromatographic column. RMSE was 0.3263, MAP was 0.2323 and CV was 0.1796. Conclusion: Stepwise regression model could be used to predict the concentration of Salviol B in the eluent liquid of macroporous resin chromatographic column using UV spectral dat

An effective LFM signal reconstruction method for signal denoising

One of the main challenges in signal denoising is to accurately restore useful signals in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenarios. In this paper, we investigate the signal denoising problem for multi-component linear frequency modulated (LFM) signals. An effective time-frequency (TF) analysis-based approach is proposed. Compared to the existing approaches, our proposed one can further increase the noise suppressing performance and improve the quality of the reconstructed signal. Experimental results are presented to show that the proposed denoising approach is able to effectively separate the multi-component LFM signal from the strong noise environments

Investigation on the interactions between pirarubicin and phospholipids

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and quantum calculation based on molecular modeling were applied to investigate the interaction between pirarubicin (THP), an anthracycline antibiotic frequently used in chemotherapy, and zwitterionic distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) or anionic distearoylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG). DSC and FTIR studies suggested that DSPG bilayers were less perturbed by THP than those of DSPC, and this might be due to the strong interactions between NH3+ of THP and the phosphate (PO2−) group in the polar head of DSPG, which limit the further access of THP into its bilayers. Quantum calculation results based on molecular modeling could further confirm the DSC and FTIR conclusions. Meanwhile, it could well translate the calorimetric and spectroscopic phenomena into the underlying physical knowledge. Interactions between THP and phospholipids can play a critical role in the liposomal drug delivery system, especially in the safety mechanism elucidation and rational formulation design

High Spatial Resolution Modeling of Climate Change Impacts on Permafrost Thermal Conditions for the Beiluhe Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Permafrost is degrading on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) due to climate change. Permafrost degradation can result in ecosystem changes and damage to infrastructure. However, we lack baseline data related to permafrost thermal dynamics at a local scale. Here, we model climate change impacts on permafrost from 1986 to 2075 at a high resolution using a numerical model for the Beiluhe basin, which includes representative permafrost environments of the QTP. Ground surface temperatures are derived from air temperature using an n-factor vs Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) relationship. Soil properties are defined by field measurements and ecosystem types. The climate projections are based on long-term observations. The modelled ground temperature (MAGT) and active-layer thickness (ALT) are close to in situ observations. The results show a discontinuous permafrost distribution (61.4%) in the Beiluhe basin at present. For the past 30 years, the permafrost area has decreased rapidly, by a total of 26%. The mean ALT has increased by 0.46 m. For the next 60 years, 8.5&#8722;35% of the permafrost area is likely to degrade under different trends of climate warming. The ALT will probably increase by 0.38&#8722;0.86 m. The results of this study are useful for developing a deeper understanding of ecosystem change, permafrost development, and infrastructure development on the QTP