Effects of Different Alkaloids in Coptis chinensis on Inhibiting TGEV Proliferation

[Objectives]To study the effects of different alkaloids in Coptis chinensis on inhibiting the proliferation of Transmissible gastroenteritis virus(TGEV).[Methods]The components and content of the main alkaloids in the extract of C.chinensis were analyzed.The main alkaloids were selected as drugs to inhibit the proliferation of TGEV.The maximum non-toxic concentration of Columbamine,Jatrorrhizine,Epiberberine,Coptisine,Palmatine,and Berberine was screened.The protective rate of each drug on TGEV-infected ST cells was determined,and the transcriptional inhibitory effect of the drug on TGEV N gene was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.[Results]The extract of C.chinensis mainly contains 6 alkaloids:Columbamine,Jatrorrhizine,Epiberberine,Coptisine,Palmatine,and Berberine,accounting for 2.03%,8.88%,9.21%,15.07%,14.63%,and 50.18%,respectively.In the range of the safe concentration,Jatrorrhizine,Palmatine,and Coptisine had better protective effects on ST cells infected with TGEV;compared with the Columbamine group,the cell protection rate was significantly different(P<0.05);compared with the Berberine group,the difference was extremely significant(P<0.01).The Coptisine and Palmatine groups had significant inhibitory effects on the transcription of TGEV N gene,and the difference was extremely significant compared with the virus group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jatrorrhizine and Palmatine in C.chinensis are the main components to inhibit the proliferation of TGEV.

Protective effects of curcumin against human immunodeficiency virus 1 gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal injury in rats

Curcumin improves the learning and memory deficits in rats induced by the gp120 V3 loop. The present study cultured rat hippocampal neurons with 1 nM gp120 V3 loop and 1 μM curcumin for 24 hours. The results showed that curcumin inhibited the gp120 V3 loop-induced mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, reduced the mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3, and attenuated hippocampal neuronal injury.

Curcumin ameliorates hippocampal neuron damage induced by human immunodeficiency virus-1

Our previous studies have shown that infection with the gp120 V3 loop can cause human immunodeficiency virus-1 associated neurocognitive disorders. Curcumin has been shown to improve these effects to some degree, but the precise mechanisms remain unknown. The present study analyzed the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of curcumin in relation to hippocampal neurons. Results showed that 1 nmol/L gp120 V3 loop suppressed the growth of synapses. After administration of 1 !umol/L curcumin, synaptic growth improved. Curcumin is neuroprotective against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting the activation of L-type calcium currents, relieving intracellular Ca^2＋ overload, promoting Bcl-2 expression, and inhibiting Bax activation. The effect of curcumin was identical to nimodipine, suggesting that curcumin has the same neuroprotective effects against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage.

Advanced architecture designs towards high-performance 3D microbatteries

Rechargeable microbatteries are important power supplies for microelectronic devices.Two essential targets for rechargeable microbatteries are high output energy and minimal footprint areas.In addition to the development of new high-performance electrode materials,the device configurations of microbatteries also play an important role in enhancing the output energy and miniaturizing the footprint area.To make a clear vision on the design principle of rechargeable microbatteries,we firstly summarize the typical configurations of microbatteries.The advantages of different configurations are thoroughly discussed from the aspects of fabrication technologies and material engineering.Towards the high energy output at a minimal footprint area,a revolutionary design for microbatteries is of great importance.In this perspective,we review the progress of fabricating microbatteries based on the rolled-up nanotechnology,a derivative origami technology.Finally,we discussed the challenges and perspectives in the device design and materials optimization.

Curcumin protects against interleukin-6-induced rapid Ca～(2+) influx in rat hippocampal neurons

The current study sought to investigate the potential protective action of curcumin against interleukin-6-induced injury in rat hippocampal neurons. The results revealed that interleukin-6 induced typical cellular injury, such as the swelling of cell bodies and increased Ca^2＋ concentration. After administration of curcumin, interleukin-6-induced neurons recovered to a normal state, and the fluorescence intensity of Ca^2＋ gradually returned to normal. These findings suggest that curcumin exerts a protective effect on hippocampal neurons of rats. In addition, our results suggest that the protective effect of curcumin involves prevention of the rapid Ca^2＋ influx induced by interleukin-6, which maintains Ca^2＋ homeostasis.

Application of Mathematical Models in the Research of Chinese Herbal Compound Prescriptions

With the interdisciplinary development of multiple disciplines,mathematical models play a role as a bridge in the research process of Chinese herbal compounds,which can make full use of the interrelationships of knowledge,making the research and use of Chinese herbal compounds from complex and cumbersome to simple.This paper reviewed the research and application of mathematical models in the production and preparation,pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics and other aspects of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions,providing a theoretical basis for the development of the modern Chinese medicine industry.

The Technology and Application of the Tree Planting Baseplate in Bare Rock Area

The ecological greening technology of the bare rock area of the arbor governance be-longs to the field of ecological environment restoration, selection of suitable arbors for vegetation restoration in bare rock area, vegetation recovery is the primary approach to governance the ecological environment of bare rock area. The reconstruction of bare rock area arbor-shrub-grass ecosystems is a global environmental science problem. Paying attention to Geological conditions with rich rock fissures and abundant groundwater in these fissures, following the idea to reconstruct ecosystem from arbor to shrub and grass and the principle one tree in a baseplate, authors develop a baseplate technique for tree planting in bare rock area. The baseplate includes the parent body, the root, and the cover to prevent evaporation. Especially, there are filled in nutritional soil for the parent body and the root, and the composition of nutritional soil are selected by test in laboratory, while optimal mix ratio of the composition is obtained. Then, application method in field is put forward. The technique can guarantee survival at early stage and growth in the later for tree planting in the baseplate. In particular, the root provides a good channel to guide tree roots into fissure rock and absorb groundwater in rock. Test in field shows that the baseplate technique has strong practicality in vegetation recovery of bare rock area. Test in field shows that the baseplate technique has strong practicality in vegetation recovery of bare rock area in the world.

Unleashing energy storage ability of aqueous battery electrolytes

Electrolytes make up a large portion of the volume of energy storage devices,but they often do not contribute to energy storage.The ability of using electrolytes to store charge would promise a significant increase in energy density to meet the needs of evolving electronic devices.Redox-flow batteries use electrolytes to store energy and show high energy densities,but the same design cannot be applied to portable or microdevices that require static electrolytes.Therefore,implementing electrolyte energy storage in a non-flow design becomes critical.This review summarizes the requirements for a stable and efficient electrolyte and diverse redox-active species dissolved in aqueous solutions.More importantly,we review the pioneering works using static electrolyte energy storage in the hope that it will pave a new way to design compact and energy-dense batteries.