Modulation of gastric mucosal inflammatory responses to <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>by ghrelin: Role of cNOS-dependent IKK-<i>β</i>S-nitrosylation in the regulation of COX-2 activation

Disturbances in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) isozyme systems, manifested by the excessive NO and prostaglandin (PGE2) generation, are well-recognized features of gastric mucosal inflammatory responses to H. pylori infection. In this study, we report that H. pylori LPS-induced enhancement in gastric mucosal inducible (i) iNOS expression and COX-2 activation was accompanied by the impairment in constitutive (c) cNOS phosphorylation, up-regulation in the inhibitory κB kinase-β (IKKβ) activation and the increase in the transcriptional factor, NF-κB, nuclear translocation. Further, we show that abrogation of cNOS control over NF-κB activation has lead to induction of iNOS expression and COX-2 activation through S-nitrosylation. Moreover, we demonstrate that the modulatory effect of peptide hormone, ghrelin, on the LPS-induced changes was reflected in the increase in Src/Akt-dependent cNOS activation through phosphorylation and the suppression of IKK-β activity through cNOS-mediated IKK-β protein S-nitrosylation. As a result, ghrelin exerted the inhibitory effect on NF-κB nuclear translocation, thus causing the repression of iNOS gene induction and the inhibition in COX-2 activation through iNOS-dependent S-nitrosylation. Our findings point to cNOS activation as a pivotal element in the signaling cascade by which ghrelin exerts modulatory control over proinflammatory events triggered in gastric mucosa by H. pylori infection.

C―H Activation

Conventional syntheses of organic chemicals rely mostly on reactions between various reactive functional groups and reagents. Mechanistically, they are dominated by the involvement of highly reactive intermediates such as carbocations, carbanions, radicals and carbenes.

Solar energy‐driven C−H activation of methanol for direct C−C coupling to ethylene glycol with high stability by nitrogen doped tantalum oxide

Direct photocatalytic coupling of methanol to ethylene glycol(EG)is highly attractive.The reported photocatalysts for this reaction are all metal sulfide semiconductors,which may suffer from photocorrosion and have low stability.Thus,the development of non‐sulfide photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic coupling of methanol to EG and H2 with high stability is urgent but extremely challenging.Herein,the first metal oxide photocatalyst,tantalum‐based semiconductor,is reported for preferential activation of C−H bond within methanol to form hydroxymethyl radical(•CH_(2)OH)and subsequent C−C coupling to EG.Compared with other metal oxide photocatalysts,such as TiO2,ZnO,WO_(3),Nb_(2)O_(5),tantalum oxide(Ta_(2)O_(5))is unique in that it can realize the selective photocatalytic coupling of methanol to EG.The co‐catalyst free nitrogen doped tantalum oxide(2%N‐Ta_(2)O_(5))shows an EG formation rate as high as 4.0 mmol gcat−1 h−1,about 9 times higher than that of Ta_(2)O_(5),with a selectivity higher than 70%.The high charge separation ability of nitrogen doped tantalum oxide plays a key role in its high activity for EG production.This catalyst also shows excellent stability longer than 160 h,which has not been achieved over the reported metal sulfide photocatalysts.Tantalum‐based photocatalyst is an environmentally friendly and highly stable candidate for photocatalytic coupling of methanol to EG.

Theoretical perspective on mononuclear copper‐oxygen mediated C–H and O–H activations:A comparison between biological and synthetic systems

Dioxygen activations constitute one of core issues in copper-dependent metalloenzymes. Upon O_(2) activation, copper-dependent metalloenzymes such as particulate methane monooxygenases(pM MOs), lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases(LPMOs) and binuclear copper enzymes PHM and DβM, are able to perform various challenging C–H bond activations. Meanwhile, various copper-oxygen core containing complexes have been synthetized to mimic the active species of metalloenzymes. Dioxygen activation by mononuclear copper active site may generate various copper-oxygen intermediates, including Cu(Ⅱ)-superoxo, Cu(Ⅱ)-hydroperoxo, Cu(Ⅱ)-oxyl as well as the Cu(Ⅲ)-hydroxide species. Intriguingly, all these species have been invoked as the potential active intermediates for C–H/O–H activations in either biological or synthetic systems. Due to the poor understanding on reactivities of copper-oxygen complex, the nature of active species in both biological and synthetic systems are highly controversial. In this account, we will compare the reactivities of various mononuclear copper-oxygen species between biological systems and the synthetic systems. The present study is expected to provide the consistent understanding on reactivities of various copper-oxygen active species in both biological and synthetic systems.

Activation of Carcinogenic Non-aminoazo Compounds iu Horseradish Peroxidase/H_2O_2 System

Eriochrome black T and Nitrosulfophenol S were advocated as the chemical models of carcinogenic non-aminoazo compounds. The main products of their oxidative cleavage in horseradish peroxidase/H2O2 system was identified as the benezenediazonium ion, the ultimate carcinogens, which could bind to DNA. The reaction conditions were investigated preliminarily. Some inhibitors and inducers of the reaction were discovered.

Competition between C-C and C-H Activation in Reactions of Neutral Nickel Atom with Cycloalkanes （n = 3-7）

A theoretical investigation of the reaction mechanisms for C-H and C-C bond activation processes in the reaction of Ni with cycloalkanes C,,H2. （n = 3-7） is carried out. For the Ni ＋ CnH2, （n = 3, 4） reactions, the major and minor reaction channels involve C-C and C-H bond activations, respectively, whereas Ni atom prefers the attacking of C-H bond over the C-C bond in CnH2n （n = 5=7）. The results are in good agreement with the experimental study. In all cases, intermediates and transition states along the reaction paths of interest are characterized, It is found that both the C-H and C-C bond activation processes are proposed to proceed in a one-step manner via one transition state. The overall C-H and C-C bond activation processes are exothermic and involve low energy barriers, thus transition metal atom Ni is a good mediator for the activity of cycloalkanes CnH2n （n = 3 -7）.

Multi Objective Robust Active Vibration Control for Flexure Jointed Struts of Stewart Platforms via H∞ and μ Synthesis

Active vibration control is needed for future space telescopes, space laser communication and other precision sensitive payloads which require ultra-quiet environments. A Stewart platform based hybrid isolator with 6 hybrid struts is the effective system for active/passive vibration isolation over 5-250 Hz band. Using an identification transfer matrix of the Stewart platform, the coupling analysis of six channels is provided. A dynamics model is derived, and the rigid mode is removed to keep the signal of pointing control. Multi objective robust H∞ and μ synthesis strategies, based on singular values and structured singular values respectively, are presented, which simultaneously satisfy the low frequency pointing and high frequency disturbance rejection requirements and take account of the model uncertainty, parametric uncertainty and sensor noise. Then, by performing robust stability test, it is shown that the two controllers are robust to the uncertainties, the robust stability margin of H, controller is less than that of μ controller, but the order of μ controller is higher than that of H, controller, so the balanced controller reduction is provided. Additionally, the μ controller is compared with a PI controller. The time domain simulation of the μ controller indicates that the two robust control strategies are effective for keeping the pointing command and isolating the harmonic and stochastic disturbances.

Studies on the Proton Pumping Activity of H^+-ATPase in Tonoplast Vesicles of Populus euphratica

Tonoplast-enriched vesicles were prepared from suspension-cultured Populus euphratica Oliv. cells by differential centrifugation and discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The properties of the proton pumping activity of H+-ATPases in tonoplast vesicles were studied by acridine orange fluorescent quenching measured at 22 degreesC. The proton pumping activity of ATPase was ATP-dependent with apparent Michaelis-Menten Constant (K-m) for ATP about 0.65 mmol/L. The optimal pH for H+-ATPases activity was 7.5. The proton pumping activity of H+-ATPase could be initiated by some divalent cations, Mg2+ being highly efficient, much more than Fe2+; and Ca2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ were inefficient under the experimental condition. The proton translocation could be stimulated by halide anions, with potencies decreasing in the order Cl- > Br- > I- > F-. The proton pumping activity was greatly inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), N, N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), NO3- and Bafilomycin A(1), but not by orthovanadate and azide. These results demonstrated that the H+-ATPase in the tonoplast of Populus euphratica belonged to vacuolar type ATPase. This work was the first time that tonoplast-enriched vesicles were isolated from Populus euphratica cells.

Dynamic Changes of Nitrate Reductase Activity within 24 Hours

[Objective] The research aimed to study the circadian rhythm of nitrate re- ductase activity （NRA） in plant. [Method] The wheat plants at heading stage were used as the materials for the measurement of dynamic changes of nitrate reductase activity （NRA） within 24 h under the conditions of constant high temperature. [Resulti The fluctuation of NRA in wheat changed greatly from 20：00 pm to 11：00 am. The enzyme activity remained constant, but at 14：00 the enzyme activity was the high- est, higher than all the other time points except the enzyme activity measured at11：00. The enzyme activity was the lowest of 17：00, which was lower than all the other time points except the enzyme activity measured at 2：00. [Conclusion] There were autonomous rhythm changes of NRA in wheat in a certain degree.

基于自抗扰控制的H桥逆变器的混沌研究

为了解决新能源发电系统逆变器出现混沌的问题,提出了一种基于自抗扰控制的H桥逆变器的调节方案。针对处于混沌状态的逆变器的稳态和动态特性差的现象,构建了逆变器的离散模型,并通过建立跟踪微分器、扩张状态观测器以及状态误差反馈控制律进行混沌控制。通过分岔图、折叠图以及仿真分析,结果可知基于自抗扰控制的H桥逆变器比基于比例控制的H桥逆变器的稳定范围扩大了45%,有效地抑制了混沌现象的发生。通过分析可得出:该控制策略对系统的混沌行为能够进行抑制,拓宽了系统稳定工作范围。

Real-time Feed-forward Force Compensation for Active Magnetic Bearings System Based on H∞ Controller

There are two kinds of unbalance vibrations—force vibration and displacement vibration due to the existence of unbalance excitation in active magnetic bearings（AMB） system. And two unbalance compensation methods—closed-loop feedback and open loop feed-forward are presented to reduce the force vibration. The transfer function order of the control system directly influencing the system stability will be increased when the closed-loop method is adopted, which makes the real-time compensation not easily achieved. While the open loop method would not increase the primary transfer function order, it provides conditions for real-time compensation. But the real-time compensation signals are not easy to be obtained in the open loop method. To implement real-time force compensation, a new method is proposed to reduce the force vibration caused by the rotor unbalance on the basis of AMB active control. The method realizes real-time and on-line force auto-compensation based on H∞ controller and one novel feed-forward compensation controller, which makes the rotor rotate around its inertia axis. The time-variable feed-forward compensatory signal is provided by a modified adaptive variable step-size least mean square（VSLMS） algorithm. And the relevant least mean square（LMS） algorithm parameters are used to solve the H∞ controller weighting functions. The simulation of the new method to compensate some frequency-variable and sinusoidal signals is completed by MATLAB programming, and real-time compensation is implemented in the actual AMB experimental system. The simulation and experiment results show that the compensation scheme can improve the robust stability and the anti-interference ability of the whole AMB system by using H∞ controller to achieve close-loop control, and then real-time force unbalance compensation is implemented. The proposed research provides a new control strategy containing real-time algorithm and H∞ controller for the force compensation of AMB system. And the stability of the control system is finally improved.

Properties of Polysaccharides in Several Seaweeds from Atlantic Canada and Their Potential Anti-Influenza Viral Activities

To explore the polysaccharides from selected seaweeds of Atlantic Canada and to evaluate their potential anti-influenza virus activities, polysaccharides were isolated from several Atlantic Canadian seaweeds, including three red algae (Polysiphonia lanosa, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Palmaria palmata), two brown algae (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus), and one green alga (Ulva lactuca) by sequential extraction with cold water, hot water, and alkali solutions. These polysaccharides were ana-lyzed for monosaccharide composition and other general chemical properties, and they were evaluated for anti-influenza virus activities. Total sugar contents in these polysaccharides ranged from 15.4% (in U. lactuca) to 91.4% (in F. lumbricalis); sulfation level was as high as 17.6% in a polysaccharide from U. lactuca, whereas it could not be detected in an alikali-extract from P. palmaria. For polysaccharides from red seaweeds, the main sugar units were sulfated galactans (agar or carrageenan) for P. lanosa, F. lumbricalis, and xylans for P. palmata. In brown seaweeds, the polysaccharides largely contained sulfated fucans, whereas the polysaccharides in green seaweed were mainly composed of heteroglycuronans. Screening for antiviral activity against influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus revealed that brown algal polysaccharides were particularly effective. Seaweeds from Atlantic Canada are a good source of marine polysaccharides with potential antiviral properties.

H∞ control of novel active steering integrated with electric power steering function

Based on the traditional active steering system, a novel active steering system integrated with electric power steering function was introduced, which can achieve the functions of both active steering and electric power steering. In view of the interference from road random signal and sensor noise in the novel active steering system, the H∞ control model of the novel active steering system was built. With satisfying steering feel, good robust performance and steering stability being the control objectives, the H∞ controller for the novel active front steering (AFS) system was designed. The simulation results show that the novel AFS system with H∞ control strategy can attenuate the road interference quickly, and there is no resonance peak in the bode diagram. It can make the driver obtain more useful information in the low frequency range, and attenuate the road interference better in the high frequency range, thus the driver can get more satisfying road feeling. Therefore, the designed H∞ controller can synthesize the advantages of both robust performance and robust stability, and has certain contribution to the design of novel AFS system.

Ni nanoparticles as electron-transfer mediators and NiS_x as interfacial active sites for coordinative enhancement of H_2-evolution performance of TiO_2

The development of efficient photocatalytic H2-evolution materials requires both rapid electron transfer and an effective interfacial catalysis reaction for H2 production. In addition to the well-known noble metals, low-cost and earth-abundant non-noble metals can also act as electron- transfer mediators to modify photocatalysts. However, as almost all non-noble metals lack the interfacial catalytic active sites required for the H2-evolution reaction, the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance is limited. Therefore, the development of new interfacial active sites on metal-modified photocatalysts is of considerable importance. In this study, to enhance the photocatalytic evolution of H2 by Ni-modified TiO2, the formation of NiSx as interfacial active sites was promoted on the surface of Ni nanoparticles. Specifically, the co-modified TiO2/Ni-NiSx photocatalysts were prepared via a two-step process involving the photoinduced deposition of Ni on the TiO2 surface and the subsequent formation of NiSx on the Ni surface by a hydrothermal reaction method. It was found that the TiO2/Ni-NiSx photocatalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic H2-evolution activity. In particular, TiO2/Ni-NiSx(30%) showed the highest photocatalytic rate (223.74 μmol h.1), which was greater than those of TiO2, TiO2/Ni, and TiO2/NiSx by factors of 22.2, 8.0, and 2.2, respectively. The improved H2-evolution performance of TiO2/Ni-NiSx could be attributed to the excellent synergistic effect of Ni and NiSx, where Ni nanoparticles function as effective mediators to transfer electrons from the TiO2 surface and NiSx serves as interfacial active sites to capture H+ ions from solution and promote the interfacial H2-evolution reaction. The synergistic effect of the non-noble metal cocatalyst and the interfacial active sites may provide new insights for the design of highly efficient photocatalytic materials.

Construction of an oral recombinant DNA vaccine from H pylori neutrophil activating protein and its immunogenicity

AIM： To construct a live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium （S. typhimurium） strain harboring the H pylori neutrophil activating protein （HP-NAP） gene as an oral recombinant DNA vaccine, and to evaluate its immunogenicity. METHODS： By genetic engineering methods, the genomic DNA of Hpylori was extracted as a template. The total length of the HP-NAP gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and cloned into pBT vector for sequencing and BLAST analysis, then subcloned into a eukaryotic expression vector pIRES followed by PCR identification and restriction enzyme digestion. The identified recombinant plasmid pIRES-NAP was transfected into COS-7 cells for target fusion protein expression, and its antigenicity was detected by Western blotting. Then the recombinant plasmid was transformed into a live attenuated S. typhimurium strain SL7207 as an oral vaccine strain, and its immunogenicity was evaluated with animal experiments. RESULTS： A 435 bp product was cloned using high homology with HP-NAP gene in GenBank （more than 98%）. With identification by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion, a recomoinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRES-NAP containing the HP-NAP gene of H pylori was successfully constructed. The expressed target protein had a specific reaction with Hpyloril whole cell antibody and showed a single strip result detected by Western blotting. Oral immunization of mice with recombinant DNA vaccine strain SL7207 （pIRES-NAP） also induced a specific immune response. CONCLUSION： The successful construction of HP-NAP oral DNA vaccine with good immunogenicity may help to further investigate its immunoprotection effects and develop vaccine against Hpylori infection.

Antiviral activity of five Asian medicinal pant crude extracts against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus

Objective: To study the antiviral properties of the five Asian medicinal plants against in vitro infection by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus(H5N1).Methods: Crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa(C. longa),Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Kaempferia parviflora(K. parviflora), and Psidium guajava obtained by both water and ethanol extractions were investigated for their cytotoxicity in the Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. Thereafter, they were investigated in vitro for antiviral activity and cytokine response upon H5N1 virus infection.Results: The results revealed that both water and ethanol extracts of all the five studied plants showed significant antiviral activity against H5N1 virus. Among these plants,C. longa and K. parviflora showed strong anti-H5N1 activity. Thus, they were selected for further studies on their cytokine response upon virus infection. It was found that ethanol and water crude extracts of C. longa and K. parviflora induced significant upregulation of TNF-a and IFN-b m RNA expressions, suggesting their roles in the inhibition of H5N1 virus replication.Conclusions: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is among the earliest reports to illustrate the antiviral property of these Asian medicinal plants against the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus. The results of this study shed light on alternative therapeutic sources for treatment of H5N1 influenza virus infection in the future.

A novel phenol-bound pectic polysaccharide from Decalepis hamiltonii with multi-step ulcer preventive activity

AIM: To investigate H+, K+-ATPase inhibition, anti-H pylori , antioxidant, and the in vivo antiulcer potential of a pectic polysaccharide from Swallow root (Decalepis hamiltonii; SRPP). METHODS: SRPP, with known sugar composition [rhamnose: arabinose: xylose: galactose in the ratio of 16:50:2:32 (w/w), with 141 mg/g of uronic acid] was examined for anti-ulcer potency in vivo against swim/ ethanol stress-induction in animal models. Ulcer index, antioxidant/antioxidant enzymes, H+, K+-ATPase and gastric mucin levels were determined to assess the anti- ulcer potency. Anti-H pylori activity was also determined by viable colony count and electron microscopic studies. RESULTS: SRPP, containing phenolics at 0.12 g GAE/g, prevented stress-induced gastric ulcers in animal models by 80%-85%. Down regulation of gastric mucin 2-3 fold, antioxidant/antioxidant enzymes and upregulation of 3 fold of H+, K+-ATPase in ulcerous animals were normalized upon treatment with SRPP. Histopathological analysis revealed protection to the disrupted gastric mucosal layer and epithelial glands. SRPP also inhibited H+, K+-ATPase in vitro, at an IC50 of 77 μg/mL as opposed to that of 19.3 μg/mL of Lansoprazole and H pylori growth at Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 150 μg/mL. In addition, free radical scavenging (IC50-40 μg/mL) and reducing power (3200 U/g) activities were also observed. CONCLUSION: SRPP, with defined sugar composition and phenolics, exhibited multi-potent free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-H pylori, inhibition of H+, K+-ATPase and gastric mucosal protective activities. In addition, SRPP is non-toxic as opposed to other known anti-ulcer drugs, and therefore may be employed as a potential alternative for ulcer management.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of nanotube-like titania by sulfuric acid treatment

The TiO 2 nanotube sample was prepared via a NaOH solution in a Teflon vessel at 150℃. The as-prepared nanotubes were then treated with H 2SO 4 solutions. The TiO 2 nanotube has a crystalline structure with open-ended and multiwall morphologies. The TiO 2 nanotubes before and after surface acid treatment were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and UV-VIS dispersive energy spectrophotometry(DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of acid orange II in aqueous solutions. It was found that the order of photocatalytic activity was as follows: TiO 2 nanotubes treated with 1.0 mol/L H 2SO 4 solution (TiO 2(1.0M H 2SO 4) nanotubes)>TiO 2 nanotubes treated with 0.2 mol/L H 2SO 4 solution (TiO 2(0.2M H 2SO 4) nanotubes)>TiO 2 nanotubes >TiO 2 powder. This was attributed to the fact that TiO 2 nanotubes treated with H 2SO 4 was composed of smaller particles and had higher specific surface areas. Furthermore, the smaller TiO 2 particles were beneficial to the transfer and separation of photo-generated electrons and holes in the inner of and on the surface of TiO 2 particles and reduced the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. Acid treatment was particularly effective for TiO 2 nanotubes, this increase in activity was correlated with the concentration of H 2SO 4 solution.

Antiviral activity of Basidiomycete mycelia against influenza type A(serotype H1N1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 in cell culture

In this study, we investigated the in vitro antiviral activity of the mycelia of higher mushrooms against influenza virus type A(serotype H1N1) and herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2), strain BH. All 10 investigated mushroom species inhibited the reproduction of influenza virus strain A/FM/1/47(H1N1) in MDCK cells reducing the infectious titer by 2.0–6.0 lg ID50. Four species, Pleurotus ostreatus, Fomes fomentarius, Auriporia aurea, and Trametes versicolor, were also determined to be effective against HSV-2 strain BH in RK-13 cells, with similar levels of inhibition as for influenza. For some of the investigated mushroom species—Pleurotus eryngii, Lyophyllum shimeji, and Flammulina velutipes—this is the first report of an anti-influenza effect. This study also reports the first data on the medicinal properties of A. aurea, including anti-influenza and antiherpetic activities. T. versicolor 353 mycelium was found to have a high therapeutic index(324.67), and may be a promising material for the pharmaceutical industry as an anti-influenza and antiherpetic agent with low toxicity. Mycelia with antiviral activity were obtained in our investigation by bioconversion of agricultural wastes(amaranth flour after CO2 extraction), which would reduce the cost of the final product and solve some ecological problems.

Effects of NaCl and Iso-Osmotic Polyethylene Glycol Stress on Na^+/H^+Antiport Activity of Three Malus species with Different Salt Tolerance

Salt stress contains osmotic and ionic stress, while iso-osmotic polyethylene glycol （PEG） has only osmotic stress. This study aimed to compare the different effects on the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in Malus seedlings between osmotic and ionic stress. Species of salt tolerant Malus zumi, middle salt tolerant Malus xiaojinensis and salt sensitive Malus baccata were used as experimental materials. Malus seedlings were treated with NaCl and iso-osmotic PEG stress. The activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport of plasmolemma and tonoplast in Malus seedlings were obviously increased under salt stress, and those in salt-tolerant species increased more. Under the same NaCl concentration, the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport of plasmolemma and tonoplast in salt-tolerant species were all obviously higher than those in salt-sensitive one. Higher Na＋/H＋antiport activity of plasmolemma and tonoplast in salt-tolerant species could help to extrude and compartmentalize sodium in roots under salt stress. The ascent rate of activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in Malus seedlings under the three salt concentration stress was all obviously higher than that under the iso-osmotic PEG stress. It indicated that the sodium ion effect had more stimulation on the activity of H＋-ATPase, proton pump and Na＋/H＋antiport in salt-tolerant species, and salt-tolerant species has higher capability of sodium extrusion and compartmentalization in roots and is therefore more salt tolerant.