Effects of Polysaccharides from Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (Thunb.), Makino on Physical Fatigue

Background: Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits in Chinese herbal medicines. Polysaccharides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (PGP), has been identified as one of the active ingredients responsible for its biological activities. Although many pharmacological activities of PGP have received a great deal of attention, there is limited evidence for the anti-fatigue effects of PGP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polysaccharides from PGP on physical fatigue.Materials and method: The rats were divided into four groups, with 10 animals per group: control (C), group, low-treated (LT), group, mediumtreated (MT), group, and high-treated (HT), group. The C group received distilled water, while LT, MT and HT groups were given various doses of PGP (100, 200, 400 mg/kg· d). After 30 days, forced swimming test was carried out in an acrylic plastic pool, then the exhaustive swimming time of rats and some biochemical parameters related to fatigue were measured. The data obtained showed that PGP could extend the exhaustive swimming time of the rats, as well as decrease the blood lactic acid (BLA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), concentrations, and increase the hemoglobin, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen concentrations.Result: The data obtained showed that different doses of PGP could extend the exhaustive swimming time of the rats, as well as decrease the BLA and BUN concentrations, and increase the hemoglobin, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen concentrations, which suggests that PGP had significant anti-fatigue effects on rats.Conclusion: PGP may be of use as a potential anti-fatigue agent, but there is a need for further research on long-term use in order to show its positive effects on physical fatigue.Key words: polysaccharides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino; physical fatigue; forced swimming test; rat

Discussion on the teaching mode of higher vocational nursing specialty based on CDIO model

基于CDIO模式下高职院校护理专业教学模式的探讨是本文的研究核心。CDIO是国际高等工程教育改革的最新成果，兴起于2000年，国内高校在引入CDIO 模式改革过程中，出现一些问题或疑惑是在所难免的，所以CDIO模式是高等教育院校,尤其是高职院校教师对陈旧教学模式的一次大胆尝试。CDIO模式能够促使教师反思已固有的习惯性教学理念，从而在教学过程中改变教学方法，使教师的教学工作能力得以很大程度的提高，同时鼓励学生的学习行为趋于自主性，培养其自身的专业能力、个人发展能力、人际交往能力和系统创新能力等职业综合能力。Discussion on the teaching mode of higher vocational nursing specialty based on CDIO model is the core of this study. CDIO is the latest achievement in the reform of the international higher education of engineering and has been thrived since 2000. There are some inevitable problems when domestic universities introduced and innovated the CDIO mode. Therefore the CDIO model is a bold attempt for the institutions of higher education, especially higher vocational college teachers. The CDIO mode drives teachers to reflect on the existed teaching philosophy, and therefore enables them to change teaching methods in the teaching process and improve their teaching capacity tremendously. Meanwhile, it also encourages students to learn automatically and cultivate their comprehensive abilities such as professional capability, development capability, interpersonal skills, innovation ability, etc

Urban green networks

Multi-disciplinary research is needed to address the issue of urban landscape fragmentation. Based on empirical and theoretical context analysis, a framework of network-based, socio-ecological methods and indicators that can be effectively applied by practitioners in different geographical locations was developed in this thesis. A methodological review and historical comparison were performed in order to create a socio-ecological perspective from which to analyse the fragmentation issue. An urban green networks framework was then formulated, based on a sound understanding of relevant fields. The framework process comprised four steps: landscape visualisation, structure representation, habitat identification and linkage calculation. The framework was applied and tested in Stockholm, Sweden and Xi’an, China, in order to cover both the Western and Eastern context and increase the relevance to international scholars. The first case study (Stockholm) examined the applicability of the framework and its potential effectiveness in current planning and management. A need for two main corridors to link the Royal National Park and the rest of green-blue space at city scale was identified. A detailed design in Hjorthagen, a district undergoing densification, was proposed in order to maintain densification while preserving local habitat connectivity. In the second case study (Xi’an), the context of the fragmentation situation was added to complement the framework analysis. This case was used to test the framework in a different context, while also searching for potential improvements to the framework. The case study identified a need for ten corridors of city green-blue space for constructing the network system and produced one site design of a second ring road. Based on the two case studies, it can be concluded that: i) the proposed framework for urban green networks can be applied to resolve the fragmentation issue in urban environments, and ii) framework application is context-dependent and thus requires a range of local knowledge. This thesis contributes to addressing the fragmentation issue in global cities and to the general body of knowledge on this topic. The proposed approach can be applied to other cities facing similar challenges

Anti-hyperprolactinemia mechanism of Radix bupleuri extract in rats

Purpose: To determine the mechanism underlying the anti-hyperprolactinemia effects of Radix bupleuri extract (RBE) in rats.Methods: Rats were divided into six groups (n=10 each group): healthy controls, untreated hyperprolactinemic rats, hyperprolactinemic rats treated with bromocriptine (0.6 mg/kg), and hyperprolactinemic rats treated with RBE (4.8, 9.6, or 19.2 g/kg). After 30 days, hypothalamic protein levels of dopamine D2 receptor, protein kinase A (PKA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined.Results: Dopamine D2 receptor levels were lower in untreated hyperprolactinemic rats than in healthy controls (p < 0.01), but this decrease was attenuated by RBE (p < 0.05). Elevated PKA levels in untreated hyperprolactinemic rats (0.61 ± 0.04 μg/ml, p < 0.01) were decreased by RBE (4.8 g/kg, 0.42 ± 0.03 μg/ml, p < 0.05; 9.6 g/kg, 0.33 ± 0.02 μg/ml, p < 0.01; 19.2 g/kg, 0.27 ± 0.03 μg/ml, p < 0.01). Similarly, elevated cAMP levels in hyperprolactinemic rats (2.4 ± 0.4 ng/ml) were decreased by RBE (4.8 g/kg, 1.8 ± 0.3 ng/ml, p < 0.05; 9.6 g/kg, 1.5 ± 0.3 ng/ml, p < 0.01; 19.2 g/kg, 1.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml, p < 0.01).Conclusions: RBE anti-hyperprolactinemia activity is mediated by dopamine D2 receptor signaling via the cAMP/PKA pathway.Keywords: Hyperprolactinemia, Radix bupleuri, Dopamine D2 receptor, cAMP/PK

Planning and Design of Urban Green Networks in Stockholm

Green and blue spaces, together with other land use changes are determining factors of habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and decline of ecosystem services in urbanized areas (Adriaensen et al., 2003; Collinge, 1996; Kong et al., 2010; Teng et al., 2011). In attempt to tackle the issue, network connectivity is regarded as a suitable approach from an ecological (CookVan Lier, 1994) and social perspective (Teng et al., 2011). Landscape-scale connectivity is normally built on a ‘patch-corridor-matrix’ model to describe structural or functional continuity in a spatial and time configuration (FormanGodron, 1986). A graph-theoretic approach therefore can provide an operable way of framing and evaluating features of connectivity (Bunn et al., 2000; MinorUrban, 2008; Zetterberg et al., 2010). In this paper, the concept of ‘green networks’ is expanded into a concrete analytical framework for studying green and blue linkages, as well as social and ecological connections and integrations. We selected Stockholm, capital city of Sweden and green capital of Europe 2010, as an example of a city with ample urban green spaces, but also with challenges in terms of green space fragmentation. The main research questions of this paper are: how can the green network concept provide a comprehensive framework for analysing landscape and habitat fragmentation, and how current city green-blue spaces planning can and design benefit from it

Benzyl­aminium perchlorate–18-crown-6 (1/1)

In the title compound, C7H10N+·ClO4 −·C20H24O6, the proton­ated benzyl­amine cation forms a rotator–stator complex with the 18-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexa­oxacyclo­octa­deca­ne) mol­ecule via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The cations are associated via weak C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming chains parallel to [011], while the perclorate anions are located between these chains

Molecular cloning and expression of a novel trehalose synthase gene from Enterobacter hormaechei

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Trehalose synthase (TreS) which converts maltose to trehalose is considered to be a potential biocatalyst for trehalose production. This enzymatic process has the advantage of simple reaction and employs an inexpensive substrate. Therefore, new TreS producing bacteria with suitable enzyme properties are expected to be isolated from extreme environment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six TreS producing strains were isolated from a specimen obtained from soil of the Tibetan Plateau using degenerate PCR. A novel <it>treS </it>gene from <it>Enterobacter hormaechei </it>was amplified using thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. The gene contained a 1626 bp open reading frame encoding 541 amino acids. The gene was expressed in <it>Escherichia coli</it>, and the recombinant TreS was purified and characterized. The purified TreS had a molecular mass of 65 kDa and an activity of 18.5 U/mg. The optimum temperature and pH for the converting reaction were 37°C and 6, respectively. Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺and SDS inhibited the enzyme activity at different levels whereas Mn²⁺showed an enhancing effect by 10%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, several TreS producing strains were screened from a source of soil bacteria. The characterization of the recombinant TreS of <it>Enterobacter hormaechei </it>suggested its potential application. Consequently, a strategy for isolation of TreS producing strains and cloning of novel <it>treS </it>genes from natural sources was demonstrated.</p

Therapeutic effects of Jiaotai pill on rat insomnia via regulation of GABA signal pathway

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Jiaotai pill (JTP) on rats with insomnia induced by pchlorophenylalanine (PCPA).Methods: Rats with PCPA-induced insomnia were divided into 5 groups (n = 10), made up of control group, positive treatment group (estazolam 0.1 mg/kg), and 3 JTP treatment groups (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 g/kg). Another group of 10 rats were treated as normal group. Rats in normal and control groups were treated with normal saline (10 mL/kg). After 14 days of drug treatment, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with sodium pentobarbital (45 mg/kg) and thereafter, latent period and sleeping time were recorded, while contents of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid (Glu) in hypothalamus were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, the expressions of glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD-65), glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD-67), GABAaminotransferase (GABA)-T, anti-GABA transporter 1 (GAT)-1, anti-GABA transporter (GAT)-3, and GABA receptors (GABA-A and GABA-B) in the hypothalamus were analyzed by western blotting assay.Results: The results showed that JTP (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 g/kg) significantly shortened latent period and prolonged sleeping time (p &lt; 0.01). JTP also increased GABA level (p &lt; 0.01), but decreased Glu contents of the rat hypothalamus (p &lt; 0.01). Western blotting data indicate that JTP significantly upregulated the levels of GAD-65 (p &lt; 0.01), GAD-67 (p &lt; 0.05), GAT-1 (p &lt; 0.01), GAT-3 (p &lt; 0.01), GABA-A (p &lt; 0.01) and GABA-B (p &lt; 0.01), while the level of GABA-T was down-regulated.Conclusion: The results demonstrate that JTP possesses significant sedative effects on insomnia in rats, most probably through a mechanism involving GABA signal pathway.Keywords: Jiaotai pill, Insomnia, GABA, Glutamate, Estazolam, GABA signal pathwa