Effective components of Chinese herbs reduce central nervous system function decline induced by iron overload

Abnormally increased levels of iron in the brain trigger cascade amplification in Alzheimer＇s dis- ease patients, resulting in neuronal death. This study investigated whether components extracted from the Chinese herbs epimedium herb, milkvetch root and kudzuvine root could relieve the abnormal expression of iron metabolism-related protein in Alzheimer＇s disease patients. An APPs,~JPSI^E9 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease was used. The intragas- tric administration of compounds from epimedium herb, milkvetch root and kudzuvine root improved pathological alterations such as neuronal edema, increased the number of neurons, downregulated divalent metal transporter 1 expression, upregulated ferroportin 1 expression, and inhibited iron overload in the cerebral cortex of mice with Alzheimer＇s disease. These com- pounds reduced iron overload-induced impairment of the central nervous system, indicating a new strategy for developing novel drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer＇s disease.

Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety. METHODS: Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution. The eyes of each group was examined clinically with slit lamp using ulcer scoring system on day 4, 10, 15, and 21 for status of healing, corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula. The findings were recorded on day 10 and day 21. RESULTS: Ulcer score on day 10, day 15, day 21: The score of Natamycin group are 1.45 +/- 0.16, 1.08 +/- 0.11, 0.70 +/- 0.40. The score of Natacyn group are 1.35 +/- 0.12, 1.10 +/- 0.12, 0.65 +/- 0.35. the score of control group are 1.30 +/- 0.08, 3.63 +/- 0.28, 3.80 +/- 0.16. Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P <0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Status of healing on day 10 and day 21: The cure rate of the Natamycin group is 90% on day 10, and 100% on day 21. The cure rate of the Natacyn group is 80% on day 10, and 100% on day 21.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. Corneal vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula on day 10 and day 21: in Natamycin group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 2,0,0,2. In Natacyn group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 1,0,0,2. In control group, the number of the eyes which have Corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula are 9,9,8,9.Natamycin group and Natacyn group were different from control group (P<0.01). There is no difference between Natamycin group and Natacyn group. CONCLUSION: Natamycin was found to be effective in fungal keratitis, similar to Natacyn, and it can stop the corner vascularisation, iritis, hypopyon and macular nebula to happen. Natamyin manufactured in China is effective against fungal keratitis, with esay availability and low toxicity in its use.

Recent advances in ethanol gas sensors based on metal oxide semiconductor heterojunctions

Metal oxide semiconductor heterojunctions(MOSHs)can enhance the performance of ethanol gas sen-sors substantially.Ethanol gas sensors based on MOSHs are cost-effective and have excellent sensing response,good selectivity,fast response and recovery,long-term stability or repeatability,a low operating temperature,a facile fabrica-tion process,and versatile applications.This paper reviews the recent advances in gas sensors that are based on MOSHs and the advantages of using them to detect ethanol gas.According to the literature,compared with ethanol gas sen-sors that use single-component sensing materials,the MOSHs exhibit superior performance due to the synergy between the different components,which can amplify the reception and transduction components of the sensor signals.To the best of our knowledge,heterojunctions can be grouped into four main categories as metal oxide/metal oxide,metal oxide/metal sulfide,metal oxide/noble metal,and metal oxide/other materials,including rare-earth metals,g-C_(3)N_(4),and graphene,heterojunctions.The future trends and challenges that would be faced in the development of ethanol gas sensors based on MOSHs are discussed in detail.Finally,critical ideas and thinking regarding the future progress of MOSH-based gas sensors are presented.