A New Coronary Retroinfusion Technique in theRat Infarct Model: Transjugular Cardiac Vein Catheterization

Cell delivery via the retrograde coronary route boasts less vessel embolism, myocardial injury, and arrhythmogenicity when compared with those via antegrade coronary administration or myocardial injection. However, conventional insertion into the coronary sinus and consequent bleeding complication prevent its application in small animals. To overcome the complication of bleeding, we described a modified coronary retroinfusion technique via the jugular vein route in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). A flexible wire with a bent end was inserted into the left internal jugular vein and advanced slowly along the left superior vena cava. Under direct vision, the wire was run into the left cardiac vein by rotating the wire and changing the position of its tip. A fine tube was then advanced along the wire to the left cardiac vein. This modified technique showed less lethal hemorrhage than the conventional technique. Retroinfusion via transjugular catheter enabled efficient fluid or cell dissemination to the majority areas of the free wall of the left ventricle, covering the infarcted anterior wall. In conclusion, transjugular cardiac vein catheterization may make retrocoronary infusion a more safe and practical route for delivering cell, drug, and gene therapy into the infarcted myocardium of rats.     

Inhibition of Human Neutrophil Elastase by Pentacyclic Triterpenes

Scope

Inhibiting human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a promising strategy for treating inflammatory lung diseases, such as H1N1 and SARS virus infections. The use of sivelestat, the only clinically registered synthesized HNE inhibitor, is largely limited by its risk of organ toxicity because it irreversibly inhibits HNE. Therefore, potent reversible HNE inhibitors are promising alternatives to sivelestat.

Methods and Results

An in vitro HNE inhibition assay was employed to screen a series of triterpenes. Six pentacyclic triterpenes, but not tetracyclic triterpenes, significantly inhibited HNE. Of these pentacyclic triterpenes, ursolic acid exhibited the highest inhibitory potency (IC₅₀ = 5.51 µM). The HNE inhibitory activity of ursolic acid was further verified using a mouse model of acute smoke-induced lung inflammation. The results of nuclear magnetic resonance and HNE inhibition kinetic analysis showed that the pentacyclic triterpenes competitively and reversibly inhibited HNE. Molecular docking experiments indicated that the molecular scaffold, 28-COOH, and a double bond at an appropriate location in the pentacyclic triterpenes are important for their inhibitory activity.

Conclusion

Our results provide insights into the effects of pentacyclic triterpenes on lung inflammatory actions through reversible inhibition of HNE activity.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Is a Second Messenger in the Salicylic Acid-Triggered Adventitious Rooting Process in Mung Bean Seedlings

In plants, salicylic acid (SA) is a signaling molecule that regulates disease resistance responses, such as systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and hypertensive response (HR). SA has been implicated as participating in various biotic and abiotic stresses. This study was conducted to investigate the role of SA in adventitious root formation (ARF) in mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L) hypocotyl cuttings. We observed that hypocotyl treatment with SA could significantly promote the adventitious root formation, and its effects were dose and time dependent. Explants treated with SA displayed a 130% increase in adventitious root number compared with control seedlings. The role of SA in mung bean hypocotyl ARF as well as its interaction with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were also elucidated. Pretreatment of mung bean explants with N, N’-dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a scavenger for H₂O₂, resulted in a significant reduction of SA-induced ARF. Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a specific inhibitor of membrane-linked NADPH oxidase, also inhibited the effect of adventitious rooting triggered by SA treatment. The determination of the endogenous H₂O₂ level indicated that the seedlings treated with SA could induce H₂O₂ accumulation compared with the control treatment. Our results revealed a distinctive role of SA in the promotion of adventitious rooting via the process of H₂O₂ accumulation. This conclusion was further supported by antioxidant enzyme activity assays. Based on these results, we conclude that the accumulation of free H₂O₂ might be a downstream event in response to SA-triggered adventitious root formation in mung bean seedlings.     

Improved inhibitory activities against tumor-cell migration and invasion by 15-benzylidene substitution derivatives of andrographolide

In the present study, andrographolide (Andro, 1) derivatives were screened to identify potent inhibitors against tumor-cell migration and invasion, and associated structure–activity relationships were studied. Compared to 1, compounds 8a–8d exhibited more potent activities against migration in SGC-7901, PC-3, A549, HT-29 and Ec109 cell lines. Improved activities against tumor-cell migration and invasion were proved to be associated with the down-regulation of MMPs.     

Molecular dynamics study on the correlation between structure and sensitivity for defective RDX crystals and their PBXs

Molecular dynamics simulation was applied to investigate the sensitivities of perfect and defective RDX (cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) crystals, as well as their PBXs (polymer-bonded explosives) with the polymeric binder F₂₃₁₁, in the NPT (constant number of particles, constant pressure, constant temperature) ensemble using the COMPASS force field. Five kinds of defects—two dislocations, one vacancy, and two types of doping—were considered separately. The bond length distribution and the maximum (L _max) and average (L _ave) bond lengths of the N–NO₂ trigger bonds in RDX were obtained and their relationships to the sensitivities of RDX and PBXs are discussed. L _max was found to be an important structural parameter for judging the relative sensitivity, and defects were observed to have little effect on the sensitivities of PBXs, due to the strong desensitizing effect of the polymer F₂₃₁₁.     

Endophytes isolated from Panax notoginseng converted ginsenosides

Endophytes may participate in the conversion of metabolites within medicinal plants, influencing the efficacy of host. However, the distribution of endophytes within medicinal plants P. notoginseng and how it contributes to the conversion of saponins are not well understood. Here, we determined the distribution of saponins and endophytes within P. notoginseng compartments and further confirm the saponin conversion by endophytes. We found metabolites showed compartment specificity within P. notoginseng. Potential saponin biomarkers, such as Rb1, Rg1, Re, Rc and Rd, were obtained. Endophytic diversity, composition and co-occurrence networks also showed compartment specificity, and bacterial alpha diversity values were highest in root compartment, consistently decreased in the stem and leaf compartments, whereas those of fungi showed the opposite trend. Potential bacterial biomarkers, such as Rhizobium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pantoea and fungal biomarkers Phoma, Epicoccum, Xylariales, were also obtained. Endophytes related to saponin contents were found by Spearman correlation analysis, and further verification experiments showed that Enterobacter chengduensis could convert ginsenoside Rg1 to F1 at a rate of 13.24%; Trichoderma koningii could convert ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd at a rate of 40.00% and to Rg3 at a rate of 32.31%; Penicillium chermesinum could convert ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd at a rate of 74.24%.     

Quantifying patch‐specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics to estimate population spread of an endangered plant species

AimHabitat loss and fragmentation impose high extinction risk upon endangered plant species globally. For many endangered plant species, as the remnant habitats become smaller and more fragmented, it is vital to estimate the population spread rate of small patches in order to effectively manage and preserve them for potential future range expansion. However, population spread rate has rarely been quantified at the patch level to inform conservation strategies and management decisions. To close this gap, we quantify the patch‐specific seed dispersal and local population dynamics of Minuartia smejkalii, which is a critically endangered plant species endemic in the Czech Republic and is of urgent conservation concern.LocationŽelivka and Hrnčíře, Czechia.MethodsWe conducted demographic analyses using population projection matrices with long‐term demographic data and used an analytic mechanistic dispersal model to simulate seed dispersal. We then used information on local population dynamics and seed dispersal to estimate the population spread rate and compared the relative contributions of seed dispersal and population growth rate to the population spread rate.ResultsWe found that although both seed dispersal and population growth rate in M. smejkalii were critically limited, the population spread rate depended more strongly on the maximal dispersal distance than on the population growth rate.Main conclusionsWe recommend conservationists to largely increase the dispersal distance of M. smejkalii. Generally, efforts made to increase seed dispersal ability could largely raise efficiency and effectiveness of conservation actions for critically endangered plant species.     

内蒙古中部草原区发现天然胡杨林

1980年夏季,我们在发菜(Nostoc flagellitorme)资源考察中,根据当地收民和林业干部提供的线索,在内蒙古高原中部四子王旗锡拉木伦河下游的哈沙图查干淖尔附近,发现两片天然胡杨(Populus euphratica——P.diversifolia)林,共120多株,面积约8亩。位置在东经111度15分,北纬42度50分。属于草原区荒漠草原带。分布点的降水量在150-200毫米之间,年均温4℃左右,≥10℃的积温在2700℃左右。     

Studies on Nitrogen Fixation and Photosynthesis in Azolla imbricata Roxb and Azolla fiticuloides Lam.

Azolla imbricata and Azolla filieuloides were studied in regard to the nitrogenase- catalyzed reactions of C2H2 reduction and H2 production, employing gas chromatography; and photosynthetic CO2 uptake as well as simultaneous determinations of C2H2 reduction, photosynthesis and respiration in a closed system. Photosynthetic CO2 uptake and respiratory C02 production were determined using an infrared gas analyzer. These studies have indicated the following 1. Nitrogenase-catalyzed C2H2 reduction is largely light dependent. About 10,000 lux were required for saturation in A imbricata. A concentration of 10% C2H2 in the gas phase is saturating for C2H2 reduction and 1% CO inhibits C2H2 reduction with concomitant H2 production. 2. A determination of C2H2 reduction activity as a function of leaf age established a develop mental gradient in both A. imbricata and A. fgliculaides. In both species activity is negligible in the apex, increases markedly in progressively older leaves, plateaus, and decreases as leaves senesce. The developmental gradient of activity is much steeper in A. imbricate than in A. filiculoieds due to differences in their gross morphology. 3. Nitrogenase-eatalyzed H2 production in A. imbricata was not detectable under Ar but was appreciable under Ar containing 15% C2H2 and 2% CO. H2 production was also determined under the latter gas phase as a function of leaf. These studies implicate the occurrence of an uptake hydrogenase. 4. The photosynthetic compensation points in air are approximately 30 ppm CO2 for A. imbricata and A. filiculoides. 5. Simultaneous measurements of photosynthesis, respiration and C2H2 reduction in A. imbricata demonstrated the immediate dependence of nitrogenase on photosynthetically captured radiation for energy but an indirect dependence on CO2 fixation.