Therapeutic effects of isothiocyanate prodrugs on rheumatoid arthritis

Isothiocyanates 7a and 7b have poor stability and aqueous solubility. To address these problems, prodrugs 8a and 8b were synthesized. Prodrugs 8a and 8b were stable in HEPES buffer at pH 4.4, but released the active compounds 7a and 7b in HEPES buffer at pH 7.4 and in mouse plasma, respectively. Compound 8a and especially compound 8b showed anti-inflammatory effects. Compound 8b demonstrated significant efficacy in animal models of traumatic inflammation, acute inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Compound 8b also did not cause appreciable toxicity in mice after 5?weeks at a daily dose of 200?mg/kg.     

Anti-neovascularization effects of DMBT in age-related macular degeneration by inhibition of VEGF secretion through ROS-dependent signaling pathway

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the hallmark of late-staged wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a...     

Neuroprotective Effect of Oxysophocarpine by Modulation of MAPK Pathway in Rat Hippocampal Neurons Subject to Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation and Reperfusion

Oxysophocarpine (OSC), an alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens Ait, has been traditionally used as a medicinal agent based on the observed pharmacological effects. In this study, the direct effect of OSC against neuronal injuries induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in neonatal rat primary-cultured hippocampal neurons and its mechanisms were investigated. Cultured hippocampal neurons, which were exposed to OGD for 2 h followed by a 24 h reoxygenation, were used as an in vitro model of ischemia and reperfusion. 2-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to confirm neural damage and to further evaluate the protective effects of OSC. The concentration of intracellular-free calcium [Ca²⁺]_i and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured to determine the intracellular mechanisms and to further estimate the degree of neuronal damage. Changes in expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2, and p-p38 MAPK were also observed in the in vitro model. It was shown that OSC (0.8, 2, or 5 µmol/L) significantly attenuated the increased absorbance of MTT, and the release of LDH manifests the neuronal damage by the OGD/R. Meanwhile, the pretreatment of the neurons during the reoxygenation period with OSC significantly increased MMP; it also inhibited [Ca²⁺]_i the elevation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the pretreatment with OSC (0.8, 2, or 5 µmol/L) significantly down-regulated expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK1/2, and p-p38 MAPK in neonatal rat primary-cultured hippocampal neurons induced by OGD/R injury. In conclusion, OSC displays a protective effect on OGD-injured hippocampal neurons by attenuating expression of inflammatory factors via down-regulated the MAPK signaling pathway.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of ammonia-oxidizing organisms of two types of wetlands in Northeast China

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) contribute significantly to the nitrogen cycle. The community structure of AOA and AOB...     

Hematite and multi-walled carbon nanotubes stimulate a faster syntrophic pathway during methanogenic beet sugar industrial wastewater degradation

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - The quest to understand and subsequently improve the role played by bacteria and archaea in the degradation of organic matter both in natural and engineered...     

Formation of forest gaps accelerates C,N and P release from foliar litter during 4 years of decomposition in an alpine forest

High-latitude boreal and arctic surface/inland waters contain sizeable reservoirs of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and trace elements (TE), which are subject to seasonal freezing. Specifically, shallow ponds and lakes in the permafrost zone often freeze solid, which can lead to transformations in the colloidal and dissolved fractions of DOM and TE. Here, we present results from experimental freeze-thaw cycles using iron (Fe)- and DOM-rich water from thaw ponds situated in Stordalen and Storflaket palsa mires in northern Sweden. After ten cycles of freezing, 85% of Fe and 25% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were removed from solution in circumneutral fen water (pH 6.9) but a much smaller removal of Fe and DOC (< 7%) was found in acidic bog water (pH 3.6). This removal pattern was consistent with initial supersaturation of fen water with respect to Fe hydroxide and a lack of supersaturation with any secondary mineral phase in the bog water. There was a nearly two- to threefold increase in the low-molecular-weight (LMW) fraction of organic carbon (OC) and several TEs caused by the repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Future increases in the freeze-thaw frequency of surface waters with climate warming may remove up to 25% of DOC in circumneutral organic-rich waters. Furthermore, an increase of LMW OC may result in enhanced carbon dioxide losses from aquatic ecosystems since this fraction is potentially more susceptible to biodegradation.     

干旱胁迫对大豆生长的影响及抗旱性评价方法与指标筛选

2014-2015年在年降雨量不足40 mm的敦煌市,设干旱和正常灌水两个处理,通过测定12份大豆品种的8个形态指标(株高、主茎节数、有效分枝数、单株荚数、单株粒数、单株粒重、单株生物量和百粒重)及小区产量,采用改进抗旱指数法及权重隶属函数值D对其进行抗旱性评价,并筛选出3份不同抗旱类型的大豆品种进行生理指标测定,验证该方法和指标。结果显示,与灌水处理(CK)相比较,干旱胁迫下的8个形态指标及产量,2014年除有效分枝数及百粒重差异不显著外,其余考察性状均达到了极显著差异,2015年所有考察表型性状均达到极显著差异;两年权重隶属函数法评价结果显著相关,小区产量与两年两种评价方法极显著相关;两种处理下,中度抗旱(中黄24)、弱抗旱品种(WDD00172)的SOD活性、POD活性、CAT活性、丙二醛含量、可溶性糖含量差异极显著,且与权重隶属函数值D显著相关,而强抗旱品种(晋豆21号)中SOD活性、POD活性、脯氨酸含量差异不显著,且6个生理指标与权重隶属函数值D均不相关。因此,权重隶属函数法和小区产量可作为大豆抗旱性评价单一可靠的方法与指标。