Simultaneous quantification of 6,7-di-hydroxyligustilide and gastrodin in rat plasma by LC-MS: application to pharmacokinetic study of tianshu capsule

A LC-MS method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 6, 7-di-hydroxyligustilide and gastrodin in rat plasma, and which was subsequently applied in the pharmacokinetic analysis of an administration of a Chinese herbal extract containing Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Gastrodia Elata Rhizome, i.e. TianShu capsule against migraine. The analytes were separated on a Kromasil C18 column with a gradient elution program and detected without interference in the selected ion monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. The linear range was 0.010-10.0 μg/mL for 6,7-di-hydroxyligustilide and 0.025-25.0 μg/mL for gastrodin with the limit of quantitation of 0.01 and 0.025 μg/mL, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precisions for the entire validation were less than14.7 % of RSD. The pharmacokinetic parameters indicated that 6, 7-di-hydroxyligustilide and gastrodin are absorbed rapidly and reached a maximum concentration within one hour, which was consistent with the clinical requirements for the rapid relieving the symptoms of migraine.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

in KKAy mice

and mechanisms of resveratrol on the amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatic steatosi

A novel lytic phage potentially effective for phage therapy against Burkholderia pseudomallei in the tropics.

BACKGROUND: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a tropical pathogen that causes melioidosis. Its intrinsic drug-resistance is a leading cause of treatment failure, and the few available antibiotics require prolonged use to be effective. This study aimed to assess the clinical potential of B. pseudomallei phages isolated from Hainan, China. METHODS: Burkholderia pseudomallei strain (HNBP001) was used as the isolation host, and phages were recovered from domestic environmental sources, which were submitted to the host range determination, lytic property assays, and stability tests. The best candidate was examined via the transmission electron microscope for classification. With its genome sequenced and analyzed, its protective efficacy against B. pseudomallei infection in A549 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans was evaluated, in which cell viability and survival rates were compared using the one-way ANOVA method and the log-rank test. RESULTS: A phage able to lyse 24/25 clinical isolates was recovered. It was classified in the Podoviridae family and was found to be amenable to propagation. Under the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, an eclipse period of around 20 min and a high titer (1012 PFU/ml) produced within 1 h were demonstrated. This phage was found stabile at a wide range of temperatures (24, 37, 40, 50, and 60 °C) and pH values (3-12). After being designated as vB_BpP_HN01, it was fully sequenced, and the 71,398 bp linear genome, containing 93 open reading frames and a tRNA-Asn, displayed a low sequence similarity with known viruses. Additionally, protective effects of applications of vB_BpP_HN01 (MOI = 0.1 and MOI = 1) alone or in combination with antibiotics were found to improve viability of infected cells (70.6 ± 6.8%, 85.8 ± 5.7%, 91.9 ± 1.8%, and 96.8 ± 1.8%, respectively). A significantly reduced mortality (10%) and a decreased pathogen load were demonstrated in infected C. elegans following the addition of this phage. CONCLUSIONS: As the first B. pseudomallei phage was isolated in Hainan, China, phage vB_BpP_HN01 was characterized by promising lytic property, stability, and efficiency of bacterial elimination during the in vitro/vivo experiments. Therefore, we can conclude that it is a potential alternative agent for combating melioidosis

Structural Properties of the Fluid Mixture Confined by a Semipermeable Membrane: A Density Functional Study

Classical density functional theory (DFT) is employed to study the structural properties of a binary fluid mixture confined by a semipermeable membrane. The influences of volume fraction and size asymmetry on three characteristic densities and excess adsorption are investigated in detail. In addition, some of our results are calculated by the analytical method, which agree well with those from the DFT calculations. These results may provide helpful clues to understand the structural properties of other complex fluids or mixture confined by semipermeable membrane

A new species of Sedum (Crassulaceae) from Mount Danxia in Guangdong, China

Sedum jinglanii, a new species of Crassulaceae from Mount Danxia in Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nrDNA suggests that the new species belongs to S. sect. Sedum sensu Fu and Ohba (2001) in the “Flora of China”, and is sister to a clade comprising S. alfredi and S. emarginatum with high support values (SH-aLRT = 84, UFBS = 95) but is distantly related to S. baileyi. The new species is morphologically similar to S. alfredi but it can be distinguished from the latter in its opposite leaves (vs. alternate leaves), its usually wider leaves (0.4–1.2 cm vs. 0.2–0.6 cm), its usually shorter petals (3.4–4.5 mm vs. 4–6 mm), its shorter nectar scales (0.4–0.5 mm vs. 0.5–1 mm), its shorter carpels (1.5–2.6 mm vs. 4–5 mm), and its shorter styles (0.6–0.9 mm vs. 1–2 mm). The new species can be easily distinguished from S. emarginatum which both have opposite leaves by its short, erect or ascending rhizome (vs. long and prostrate rhizome in the latter), shorter petals (3.4–4.5 mm vs. 6–8 mm) and shorter carpels (1.5–2.6 mm vs. 4–5 mm). It can also be easily distinguished from S. baileyi by its short, erect or ascending rhizome (vs. long and prostrate rhizome) and its shorter style (0.6–0.9 mm vs. 1–1.5 mm)

Effect of IGFBP2 Overexpression on the Expression of Fatty Acid Synthesis Genes in Primary Cultured Chicken Hepatocytes

The effects of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) on the expression of fatty acid synthesis regulators and triglyceride production were investigated in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes. The full-length chicken IGFBP2 coding region was synthesized by overlap extension PCR and cloned into the pcDNA3.1 vector. An in situ digestion method was used to prepare the chicken hepatocytes. Primary chicken hepatocytes were maintained in monolayer culture. Real-time PCR was used to detect changes in the expression of IGFBP2, PPARG, IGF1, IGF1R, APOAI, and LFABP, after the overexpression of IGFBP2 in chicken hepatocytes. Triglyceride production and glucose content were also evaluated using triglyceride and glucose analysis methods. The expression level of IGFBP2 increased after transfection of the IGFBP2-containing vector. The expression levels of PPARG, IGF1, and IGF1R also increased in cultured chicken hepatocytes after the overexpression of IGFBP2, whereas the expression of LFABP and APOAI decreased. Triglyceride production in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes increased after the overexpression of IGFBP2. These results suggest that IGFBP2 is involved in lipogenesis, increasing both the expression of fatty acid synthesis regulators, and triglyceride production in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes

Pioglitazone Ameliorates Lipid Metabolic Disorder in KKAy Mice

Pioglitazone (pio) has been used as an effective hypoglycemic drug in medicine, however, the effects and mechanisms of pio on lipid metabolic disorder are still largely unknown. To explore the effects of pio on serum and liver lipid level and antioxidant ability of mice with lipid metabolic disorder, KKAy mice were treated with piofor 12 weeks and their lipid and antioxidant indices were compared to those of KKAy mice without pio treatment. C57BL/6J mice were used as control animals. The results show that pio treatment reduces serum and liver TG, elevates serum HDL-C level, increases serum and liver SOD activity, attenuates serum MDA content, ameliorates liver steatosis, induces liver PPARγexpression and enhances AMPKα phosphorylation level. In conclusion, the results indicate that pio could regulate blood lipid level, reduce liver lipid deposition and enhance antioxidant capacity of mice with lipid metabolic disorder, which is possibly through increasing AMPKα phosphorylation

An experimental study of fault slips under unloading condition in coal mines

Abstract To investigate the mechanism of fault slips in coal mines, a biaxial shear experiment was carried out under unloading condition based on the fault F16 in Yima city, China. Two rock samples were used in the experiment and each sample was composed of two triangular sandstone blocks which were put together to simulate the fault. One rock sample was used to do fault slip tests and it was called slip-test sample. The other sample for comparison with the slip-test one was untested, and it was named non-slip-test sample. During the biaxial shear experiment of the slip-test sample, normal and shear strains near the fault, acoustic emission (AE) signals, and the sliding displacement were measured. After the experiment, microscopic profiles of fault surfaces of both rock samples were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, a numerical simulation was conducted to model the slip of the fault F16. The results indicate that: (1) three fault slips occurred during the biaxial shear experiment, and the shear stress, normal and shear strains in the first slip showed the maximum variation among three slips; (2) Shear strains near the two ends of the fault had a more significate variation than that in the middle part, and the typical trend of shear strains was first dropping, then increasing rapidly, and then falling slowly to a specific value during the first slip; (3) The first slip had the largest sliding displacement of 29.89 μm, and in the first slip three phases including slow slip, main shock and aftershock occurred based on AE monitoring results. (4) On the fault surface of non-slip-test sample, microstructures such as bulges, voids and veins were ubiquitous and notable, making the fault surface much rough, while similar microstructures were few and the fault surface of the slip-test sample was flattened after fault slips; (5) The slipping direction in the shallow part and deep part of the fault F16 were opposite during mining

Comparative analysis of growth and photosynthetic characteristics of (Populus simonii × P. nigra) × (P. nigra × P. simonii) hybrid clones of different ploidides.

To evaluate differences among poplar clones of various ploidies, 12 hybrid poplar clones (P. simonii × P. nigra) × (P. nigra × P. simonii) with different ploidies were used to study phenotypic variation in growth traits and photosynthetic characteristics. Analysis of variance showed remarkable differences for each of the investigated traits among these clones (P < 0.01). Coefficients of phenotypic variation (PCV) ranged from 2.38% to 56.71%, and repeatability ranged from 0.656 to 0.987. The Pn (photosynthetic rate) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) curves of the 12 clones were S-shaped, but the Pn-ambient CO2 (Ca) curves were shaped like an inverted "V". The stomatal conductance (Gs)-PPFD and transpiration rate (Tr)-PPFD curves had an upward tendency; however, with increasing PFFD, the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci)-PPFD curves had a downward tendency in all of the clones. The Pn-PPFD and Pn-Ca curves followed the pattern of a quadratic equation. The average light saturation point and light compensation point of the triploid clones were the highest and lowest, respectively, among the three types of clones. For Pn-Ca curves, diploid clones had a higher average CO2 saturation point and average CO2 compensation point compared with triploid and tetraploid clones. Correlation analyses indicated that all investigated traits were strongly correlated with each other. In future studies, molecular methods should be used to analyze poplar clones of different ploidies to improve our understanding of the growth and development mechanisms of polyploidy