Neuroprotective Effect of Insulin-like Growth Factor-II on 1- Methyl-4-Phenyl Pyridinium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Cortical Neuronal Cells

Purpose: To evaluate the receptor-mediated neuroprotective effect of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGFII) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP) induced oxidative damage in adult cortical neuronal cultures.Methods: Adult rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Cortical neurons were prepared from rats. The cells were exposed to 10 μM of MPP (group 1, G1); MPP + 100 ng/mL of IGF-II (group 2, G2); MPP + IGF in the presence of 20 ng/μL IGF-I analogue (group 3; G3); 5 ng/μL anti-IGF-IIR (group 4; G4); or MPP + IGF II + IGF inhibitor (group 5; G5). The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), levels of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial functional markers were analyzed in the MPP-treated neuronal cells (with or without treatment with IGF-II).Results: The results demonstrate that IGF-II treatment protects MPP-induced toxicity by decreasing ROS production (58.33 %; p ˂ 0.001), AChE levels (50 %), and maintaining the innate antioxidants to near normal levels. The study on oxidative functional markers showed that IGF-II significantly decreased the MPP-induced elevated levels and mitochondrial markers (TBARS, 40 %, LOOH-39.28 %) to near normal levels. Further analysis using inhibitors of IGF-IR (IGF-I analogue) and IGF-IIR (anti- IGF-IIR) showed that involvement of IGF-IIR might have greatly contributed to the neuroprotective effect of IGF-II.Conclusion: IGF-II receptors play a significant role in the neuroprotective mechanism of IGF-II by acting as an antioxidant, thereby reducing the neuro-degeneration induced by oxidative insults. This indicates that IGF-II receptors are a potential target for the treatment of diseases related to imbalance in redox homeostasis.Keywords: Insulin-like Growth Factor-II, Neuronal Cells, 1-Methyl-4-phenyl Pyridinium, Mitochondrial Markers, Oxidative Stress, Neuroprotection, Antioxidan

The effect of salt stress on the chlorophyll level of the main sand-binding plants in the shelterbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway

Based on the fact that only high saline water irrigated to the shelterbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway, the experiment about three species with six degree of salinity was carried out to analyze the relation between chlorophyll content and salt stress. The results show that: (1) the chlorophyll content of tree species decreases with aggravating the salt stress, which explains that salt stress can affect chlorophyll accumulation of three plants; (2) from chlorophyll content with different salinity, the chlorophyll content of three shrubs also has twice obvious decrease, which indicates that some plants adapt to salt stress. We divided salt resistance of the plant into three grades, namely the slight salt resistance, the heavy salt resistance and the extreme salt resistance; and (3) according to the experimental results, the salt stress of each plant was divided, which can provide theoretical guidance for constructing the shelterbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway

p38 Mapk signal pathway involved in anti-inflammatory effect of chaihu-shugan-san and shen-ling-bai-zhu-san on hepatocyte in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis rats

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has over thousands-of-years history of use. Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS), and Shen-ling-bai-zhu-San (SLBZS), are famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas, which have been used in China, for the treatment of many chronic diseases.Materials and Methods:This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of CSS and SLBZS on signaling molecules involved in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), pathway on hepatocytes of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), rats induced by high fat diet. SD male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: negative control group, model control group, high (9.6g/kg/day)/low (3.2g/kg/day)-dose CSS group, high (30g/kg/day)/low (10g/kg/day)-dose SLBZS group, high (39.6g/kg/day)/low (13.2g/kg/day)-dose integrated group. The rats of NASH model were induced by feeding a high-fat diet. After 16, wks, Hepatocytes were isolated from 6, rats in each group by collagenase perfusion. The liver histopathological changes and serum inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 were determined. The proteins of TLR4,  phosphor-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK involved in p38 MAPK signal pathway were assayed.Results: The statistical data indicated the NASH model rats reproduced typical histopathological features of NASH in human. CSS and SLBZS ameliorated lipid metabolic disturbance, attenuated NASH progression, decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum, as well as inhibited TLR4 protein expression, p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and activation of p38 MAPK. In conclusion, CSS and SLBZS might work as a significant anti-inflammatory effect on hepatocyte of NASH by inhibiting the activation of TLR4, p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK involved in p38 MAPK signal pathway.Conclusion: To some extent, CSS and SLBZS may be a potential alternative and complementary medicine to protect against liver injury, alleviate the inflammation reaction, moderate NASH progression.Key words: p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; Toll like receptor 4; Hepatocytes; Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis; Traditional Chinese medicine

The vertical distribution of the root system of the desert highway shelterbelt in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert

In this work, the vertical distribution of the root system in the Tarim Desert Highway shelterbelt under high salinity water drip irrigation was investigated. The effect of site condition and shelterbelt age was studied. The root sample was collected by plant side soil column excavation. The root distribution was found to be dependent on soil texture, aspect, and plant age. In harden sand, the roots were mostly in the 0-40 cm soil. The root distribution is deep in flat sandy ground and ridge sand. In unit soil volume, the root weight of flat sandy ground was the highest. Compared with the shady slope, the sunny slope had much high total root weight, deeper root distribution, but less hair root. The root weight increased rapidly with the increase of the shelterbelt ages, and the most substantial increase was observed in the early years after forest implantation

Chlorophyll a fluorescence responses of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings subjected to progressive saline stress in the Tarim desert highway ecological shelterbelt

In order to assess the long-term impacts of saline groundwater irrigation to Haloxylon ammodendron, one of the main shrubs in the Tarim desert highway ecological shelterbelt, we irrigated the H. ammodendron seedlings with progressive saline groundwater (3-30 g L-1, simulation environment in the Tarim desert highway ecological shelterbelt) and investigated the diurnal variations of chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence parameters, such as maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F-v/F-m), quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII (Y-II), the apparent rate of electron transport at the PSII level (ETR), photochemical quenching coefficient (q(P)), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), quantum yield of nonregulated non-photochemical energy loss in PSII (Y-NO) and quantum yield of regulated non-photochemical energy loss in PSII (Y-II), at approximately 2-h intervals. F-v/F-m with 5 g L-1 (S2) was lower than that with 2 g L-1 (S1) but a little higher than 20 g L-1 (S5), respectively. Under the low light [photosyntheticallyactive radiation (PAR) a parts per thousand currency sign 250 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), at 08:00, 10:00 and 20:00 h of the local time], S1 kept the lowest Y-II and the highest Y-NPQ; while under the high light (PAR a parts per thousand yen 1500 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)), the Y-II performed S1 &gt; S2 &gt; S5, and the reverse Y-NPQ; under mild light (250 mu mol m(t-2) s(-1) a parts per thousand currency sign PAR a parts per thousand currency sign 1500 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)), S1 remained the highest Y-II, no matter the light and the salinity, the similar Y-NO almost occurred basically. The results showed that the sand-binding plant H. ammodendron could regulate its energy-utilizing strategies. The S2 might be the most suitable salinity of the irrigation water for H. ammodendron in the Tarim desert highway ecological shelterbelt in the northwest of China. </div

The salt accumulation at the shifting aeolian sandy soil surface with high salinity groundwater drip irrigation in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert

The EC analysis and water serial sampling was performed in the Tarim Desert Highway shelterbelt to explore the water and salt dynamics of the shallow aeolian sandy soil (0-30cm) under high salinity groundwater drip irrigation. It was found that in one irrigation cycle, the EC of the shallow shifting aeolian sandy soil (0-30cm) increased while the water content decreased. The EC of the surface aeolian sandy soil at the wetting front was far greater than that of the wetting area or the outside of the wetting area. During the irrigation cycle, the EC of the wetting front and the wetting area changed at a significant magnitude, whereas the EC of the outside of the wetting area remained largely steady. The horizontal influence distance of drip irrigation on the salt accumulation at the soil surface was about 100 cm, and the vertical influence depth was 5 cm. The three most abundant ions in the accumulated salt at the aeolian sandy soil surface were Na+, Cl- and SO42-. The salt accumulation at the soil surface was influenced by air temperature, wind speed, mineralization of irrigation water, sand burial thickness, soil texture, and litter content

The dynamics variation of soil moisture of shelterbelts along the Tarim Desert Highway

We studied the variation of soil moisture as well as its regularity over the irrigation cycle at shelterbelts along the Tarim Desert Highway at different site types and different planting years. The results show that: (1) There is an obvious temporal variation of soil moisture within a typical irrigation period in shelterbelts along the Tarim Desert Highway, and the soil water storage varied linearly with the number of days after irrigation. Along the direction perpendicular to the soil top, the soil profile can be divided into four layers and each shows different dynamics of soil moisture variation, including the quickly changing layer (0-20 cm), the active layer (20-60 cm), the weakly layer (60-100 cm), and the regulated layer (under 100 cm). (2) Both the soil moisture and soil water content decreased gradually with the number of planting year, while the soil water deficit increased. It indicates that shelterbelts along the Tarim Desert Highway can retain the water accumulated from previous years. (3) The soil water storage of harden sand is the maximum among all types of sites. Specifically, it is about 1.58 times higher than that of longitudinal dune, 1.15 times higher than clay, and 1.43 times higher than flat sand. Its soil water deficit was over 900 mm

The effect of S-substitution at the O6-guanine site on the structure and dynamics of a DNA oligomer containing a G:T mismatch

The effect of S-substitution on the O6 guanine site of a 13-mer DNA duplex containing a G:T mismatch is studied using molecular dynamics. The structure, dynamic evolution and hydration of the S-substituted duplex are compared with those of a normal duplex, a duplex with Ssubstitution on guanine, but no mismatch and a duplex with just a G:T mismatch. The S-substituted mismatch leads to cell death rather than repair. One suggestion is that the G:T mismatch recognition protein recognises the S-substituted mismatch (GS:T) as G:T. This leads to a cycle of futile repair ending in DNA breakage and cell death. We find that some structural features of the helix are similar for the duplex with the G:T mismatch and that with the S-substituted mismatch, but differ from the normal duplex, notably the helical twist. These differences arise from the change in the hydrogen-bonding pattern of the base pair. However a marked feature of the S-substituted G:T mismatch duplex is a very large opening. This showed considerable variability. It is suggested that this enlarged opening would lend support to an alternative model of cell death in which the mismatch protein attaches to thioguanine and activates downstream damage-response pathways. Attack on the sulphur by reactive oxygen species, also leading to cell death, would also be aided by the large, variable opening

Promoting contraceptive use among unmarried female migrants in one factory in Shanghai: a pilot workplace intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In urban China, more single women are becoming pregnant and resorting to induced abortion, despite the wide availability of temporary methods of contraception. We developed and piloted a workplace-based intervention to promote contraceptive use in unmarried female migrants working in privately owned factories.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Quasi-experimental design. In consultation with clients, we developed a workplace based intervention to promote contraception use in unmarried female migrants in a privately owned factory. We then implemented this in one factory, using a controlled before-and-after design. The intervention included lectures, bespoke information leaflets, and support to the factory doctors in providing a contraceptive service.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>598 women participated: most were under 25, migrants to the city, with high school education. Twenty percent were lost when staff were made redundant, and implementation was logistically complicated. All women attended the initial lecture, and just over half the second lecture. Most reported reading the educational material provided (73%), but very few women reported using the free family planning services offered at the factory clinic (5%) or the Family Planning Institute (3%). At baseline, 90% (N = 539) stated that contraceptives were required if having sex before marriage; of those reporting sex in the last three months, the majority reporting using contraceptives (78%, 62/79) but condom use was low (44%, 35/79).</p> <p>Qualitative data showed that the reading material seemed to be popular and young women expressed a need for more specific reproductive health information, particularly on HIV/AIDS. Women wanted services with some privacy and anonymity, and views on the factory service were mixed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Implementing a complex intervention with a hard to reach population through a factory in China, using a quasi-experimental design, is not easy. Further research should focus on the specific needs and service preferences of this population and these should be considered in any policy reform so that contraceptive use may be encouraged among young urban migrant workers.</p

Biofilter aquaponic system for nutrients removal from fresh market wastewater

Aquaponics is a significant wastewater treatment system which refers to the combination of conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic organism) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. This system has a high ability in removing nutrients compared to conventional methods because it is a natural and environmentally friendly system (aquaponics). The current chapter aimed to review the possible application of aquaponics system to treat fresh market wastewater with the intention to highlight the mechanism of phytoremediation occurs in aquaponic system. The literature revealed that aquaponic system was able to remove nutrients in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus