Anti-inflammatory Activity of Berbamine

Berbamine, a kind of alkaloid, was studied for anti-inflammatory activity. Thedrug was tested on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and kaolin-induced arthritis in rats.Berbamine has shown significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities.

初中化学实验要注重“活”

化学课堂要赋予实验“活性”，才能更好地调动学生的积极性，培养学生的创新意识和严谨的科学态度。

Characterization of pancreatic stem cells derived from adult human pancreas ducts by fluorescence activated cell sorting

AIM： To isolate putative pancreatic stem cells （PSCs） from human adult tissues of pancreas duct using serumfree, conditioned medium. The characterization of surface phenotype of these PSCs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The potential for pancreatic lineage and the capability of β-cell differentiation in these PSCs were evaluated as well. METHODS： By using serum-free medium supplemented with essential growth factors, we attempted to isolate the putative PSCs which has been reported to express nestin and pdx-1. The MatrigelTM was employed to evaluate the differential capacity of isolated cells. Dithizone staining, insulin content/secretion measurement, and immunohistochemistry staining were used to monitor the differentiation. Fluorescence activated cell sorting （FACS） was used to detect the phenotypic markers of putative PSCs. RESULTS： A monolayer of spindle-like cells was cultivated. The putative PSCs expressed pdx-1 and nestin. They were also able to differentiate into insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-positive cells. The spectrum of phenotypic markers in PSCs was investigated; a similarity was revealed when using human bone marrow-derived stem cells as the comparative experiment, such as CD29, CD44, CD49, CD50, CD51, CD62E, PDGFR-α, CD73 （SH2）, CD81, CD105（SH3）. CONCLUSION： In this study, we successfully isolated PSCs from adult human pancreatic duct by using serumfree medium. These PSCs not only expressed nestin and pdx-1 but also exhibited markers attributable to mesenchymal stem cells. Although work is needed to elucidate the role of these cells, the application of these PSCs might be therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus.

Experimental study on the mechanisms of fault reactivation and coal bumps induced by mining

Experiments simulating the effect of coal mine stopping through a fault zone were designed based on a working face of the Qianqiu coal mine in Yima, China. Through simulation of the physical process of fault reactivation and coal bumps, the displacement of the surrounding strata and evolution characteristics of fault stress under the effect of mining were studied. The mechanism of fault reactivation induced by coal mining was analyzed. The results show that shortly before fault reactiva- tion, the normal stress and shear stress increased rapidly and the risk of a fault slip occurring was also increased. The fault reac- tivation, caused by the mining activity, occurred when the working face was 25-35 m from the fault along the hanging wall. The influence of mining increased the possibility of fault reactivation, while the local failure of the bearing capacity of the working face was the direct cause of the fault slip. Our results indicate that the influence of fault slip on the coal of the working face had a transient impact and acted as a loading-unloading function.

Development and Application of CDOS Series Catalysts for Bottoms Cracking

Development of CDOS catalyst for bottoms cracking is based on DOSY zeolite,which is characterized by high metal tolerance.The results of DOSY tests have shown that the catalyst has better activity retention at high metal content in the feed.The performance of catalyst tested in the bench scale was superior over that of the reference catalyst.The results of catalyst application have shown that the CDOS series catalysts have better bottoms cracking activity,high metal tolerance,excellent dry gas selectivity,and enhanced liquid yield.

Effect of synbiotics on intestinal microflora and digestive enzyme activities in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of synbiotics, i.e. probiotics and prebiotics mixture, on the gut microbial ecology and digestive enzyme activities in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats weighing about 280 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into three groups according to the contents of probiotics and prebiotics mixture in the feed as control, low and high dose groups. The duration of the experiment was 8 wk. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, thefecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts were significantly increased and the fecal Coliform organism counts were markedly reduced in the low and high dose groups. Concerning the digestive enzyme activity of jejunum, only lactase activity increased in low dose group. However, significant increase of lipase, lactase, sucrase, and isomaltase activities were observed in high dose group.CONCLUSION: Intake of low and high dosages of probiotics and prebiotics mixture significantly improved the ecosystem of the intestinal tract by increasing the probiotics population and digestive enzyme activities in rats.

Evaluation of mouse bioassay results in an inter-laboratory comparison for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins

An inter-laboratory comparison of the AOAC mouse bioassay for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxicity in shellfish was carried out among 25 Chinese laboratories to examine the overall performance for PSP testing in China, and to analyze the main factors affecting the performance of this method. The toxic scallop Patinopecten yessoensis collected from coast of Bohai Sea, China, was used as a test sample in the comparison study. The results were reported and evaluated using robust statistical methods. The z scores showed that 80%, 8%, and 12% of laboratories reported satisfactory results, unsatisfactory results, and questionable results, respectively. This evaluation demonstrates that the PSP mouse bioassay is an appropriate method for screening and testing PSP toxicity in shellfish. However, it was found that the experience and skill of technicians, as well as the body weight and health status of mice being used significantly affected the accuracy of the method.

Interplay between nitric oxide and VIP in CCK-8-induced phasic contractile activity in the rabbit sphincter of Oddi

AIM: The sphincter of Oddi (SO) plays an important role in delivery of bile into the duodenum. To establish whether vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) were involved in phasic contractile activity of the rabbit SO stimulated by cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8). METHODS: Isolated SO muscle rings were cleaned of fat and mounted horizontally on two small L-shaped hooks one of which was connected to a force transducer for the measurement of isometric tension.The experiments were carried out in a thermostatically controlled (37±0.2℃) organ bath (5 mL) containing Krebs solution.The organ fluid was gassed with 95% O2 and 50 mL/L CO2 to keep the pH at 7.40±0.05. Contractile responses to CCK-8 (1 μmol/L) were evaluated in the presence and absence of NG-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA), an inhibitor of NO synthase (100 μmol/L), and (p-chloro-D-Phe6-Leu17)-VIP (VlPa, 30 μmol/L), a VIP receptor antagonist. RESULTS: CCK-8 stimulated the phasic activity of the SO. NO synthase inhibition increased the frequency and amplitude of contractions with a slight increase in developed tension. Pre-incubation with VlPa also attenuated this CCK-8 effect. The combined application of LNNA and VlPa abolished the phasic activity of the muscle rings with a marked increase in tension in response to CCK-8. CONCLUSION: VIP and NO together contribute to an increase in phasic activity of SO.

Impact of an active educational video game on children's motivation,science knowledge, and physical activity

Background： Active educational video games （AVGs） appear to have a positive effect on elementary school students＇ motivation leading to enhanced learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of an AVG on elementary school students＇ science knowledge learning, physical activity （PA） level, and interest-based motivation. Methods： In this randomized controlled study, 53 elementary school students were assigned to an experimental condition or a comparison condition. The experimental condition provided an AVG learning environment, whereas the comparison condition was based on sedentary educational video games. Results： The results of repeated measures analysis of variance （ANOVA） on the knowledge test showed that students in both groups performed better on the post-test than they did on the pre-test （p 〈 0.001, η2 = 0.486）, and their post-test scores did not differ significantly. The experimental condition provided a more active environment since the students＇ average heart rates （HRs） were in the Target-Heart-Rate-Zone （HR = 134 bpm）, which was significantly higher than the average HR （103 bpm） from the comparison condition （t = 7.212, p 〈 0.001）. Students in the experimental condition perceived a higher level of situational interest than their counterparts in the comparison group （p 〈 0.01, and η2 = 0.301）. Conclusion： These results suggest that AVGs benefit children more in terms of PA and motivation than traditional video games by providing an enjoyable learning experience and sufficient PA.

Tetrandrine inhibits activation of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro via transforming growth factor-β signaling

AIM: To investigate the effect of various concentrations of tetrandrine on activation of quiescent rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in vitro.METHODS: HSCs were isolated from rats by in situperfusion of liver and 18% Nycodenz gradient centrifugation, and primarily cultured on uncoated plastic plates for 24 hwith DMEM containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS/DMEM) before the culture medium was substituted with 2% FBS/DMEM for another 24 h. Then, the HSCs were cultured in 2% FBS/DMEM with tetrandrine (0.25, 0.5, 1,2 mg/L, respectively). Cell morphological features were observed under an inverted microscope, smooth muscleα-actin (α-SMA) was detected by immunocytochemistry and image analysis system, laminin (LN) and type Ⅲprocollagen (PCⅢ) in supernatants were determined byradioimmunoassay. TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad 7 mRNA and Smad 7 protein were analyzed with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.RESULTS: Tetrandrine at the concentrations of 0.25-2 mg/L prevented morphological transformation of HSC from the quiescent state to the activated one, while α-SMA, LN and PCⅢ expressions were inhibited. As estimated by gray values, the expression of α-SMA in tetrandrine groups (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/L) was reduced from 21.3% to 42.2%(control: 0.67, tetrandrine groups: 0.82, 0.85, 0.96, or 0.96, respectively, which were statistically different from the control, P＜0.01), and the difference was more significant in tetrandrine at 1 and 2 mg/L. The content of LN in supernatants was significantly decreased in tetrandrine groups to 58.5%, 69.1%, 65.8% or 60.0% that of the control respectively, and that of PCⅢ to 84.6%, 81.5%,75.7% or 80.7% respectively (P＜0.05 vs control), with no significant difference among tetrandrine groups. RTPCR showed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was reduced by tetrandrine treatments from 56.56% to 87.90% in comparison with the control, while Smad 7 mRNA was increased 1.4-4.8 times. The TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad 7 mRNA expression was in a significant negative correlation (r= -0.755, P＜0.01), and both were significantly correlated with α-SMA protein expression (r = -0.938, P＜0.01;r = 0.938, P＜0.01, respectively). The up-regulation of Smad 7 protein by tetrandrine (1 mg/L)was confirmed by Western blotting as well.CONCLUSION: Tetrandrine has a direct inhibiting effect on the activation of rat HSCs in culture. It up-regulates the expression of Smad 7 which in turn blocks TGF-β1 expression and signaling.

Variation of Phosphorus Bioavailability in the Re-suspended Sediments

The variation of phosphorus （P） bioavailability in terms of water soluble P （WSP ）, readily desorbable P （RDP）, algal available P （AAP）, and NaHCo3 extracting P （Olsen-P） in the re-suspended sediments was investigated in laboratory experiments, in which the waters and sediments were taken from campus canal. The results indicate that sediment re-suspension can promote the migration, of soluble reactive P （SRP） from overlying water to sediments. The contents of AAP and Olsen-P in re-suspended sediments reduced obviously, whereas the values of the sediments in the control increased slightly, compared with the initial state, indicating that the P bioavailability in the sediments could be rcduced evidently due to sediment re-suspension. The content and characteristics of iron-bound P （BD-P） significantly affect the formation of AAP. The formation of OlservP has close relationship with the contents of BD-P, almninium-botmd P （AI-P）, and organic P （NaOH-nrP）.

Kinetic method for enzymatic analysis by predicting background with uricase reaction as model

Objective：To investigate the reliability for kinetic assay of substance with background predicted by the integrated method using uricase reaction as model. Methods： Absorbance before uricase action （Δ0） was estimated by extrapolation with given lag time of steady-state reaction. With Km fixed at 12.5μmol/L, background absorbance （Δb） was predicted by nonlinearly fitting integrated Michaelis-Menten equation to Candida utilis uricase reaction curve. Uric acid in reaction solution was determined by the difference （ΔA） between Δ0 and Δb. Results .Ab usually showed deviation 〈3% from direct assay with residual substrate done fifth of initial substrate for analysis. ΔA showed CV 〈5% with resistance to common interferences except xanthine, and it linearly responded to uric acid with slope consistent to the absorptivity of uric acid. The lower limit was 2.0 μmol/L and upper limit reached 30 μmol/L in reaction solution with data monitored within 8 min reaction at 0. 015 U/ml uricase. Preliminary application to serum and urine gave better precision than the direct equilibrium method without the removal of proteins before analysis. Conclusion .This kinetic method with background predicted by the integrated method was reliable for enzymatic analysis, and it showed resistance to common interferences and enhanced efficiency at much lower cost.

Allelopathic Potential of Rice （Oryza sativa L.） Cultivars on Barnyard Grass （Echinochloa crus-galh~

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to assess the allelopathic potential of 12 rice cultivars on barnyard grass. Polyethylene glycol （PEG） was used to determine the influence of osmotic potential on the bioassay materials. Effect of different concentrations of stem, root, and leaf extracts of rice cultivars on seed germination, radicle and primary shoot length of barnyard grass seedlings, and rate of respiration of root pieces were investigated in the laboratory experiments. Shoot height and dry weight of weed stands were studied in the greenhouse, Also total peroxidase activity, chlorophyll pigment and mitotic index were determined. Results indicated that, among rice cultivars, Mehr, Tarom-mahali, G3, Nemat, and Shahpasand caused the most inhibition effects on investigated factors. Amol-3 showed the least negative effects on growth of seedlings and stands of barnyard grass. In laboratory, the Mehr cultivar demonstrated the maximum inhibitory effects by reducing barnyard grass seed germination percentage （88%）, radicle length （100%）, primary shoot length （83%）, and root respiration （85%） Cell division, expressed as mitotic index, was significantly reduced in the presence of rice aqueous extracts. Mehr cultivar had higher inhibitory effect on mitosis compared to Amol-3. In greenhouse, the same cultivar showed the maximum inhibitory effect by reducing barnyard grass height （45%） and dry weight （64%）. With increase in extract concentration, the inhibitory effect increased. Leaf extract from rice plants was more effective compared with the root and stem extracts. Comparison of rice cultivars and PEG indicated that any reduction in germination and growth of barnyard grass using rice extract concentrations of 5% and 10% must have been the result of allelochemicals in the extracts. Lower extract concentrations showed a more pronounced inhibitory effect in the laboratory as compared to the greenhouse studies. These results suggest that rice leaf extracts may be a source of natural herbicide.

Is There an Information Field in the Life World？ Empirical Approach Using Electrophotonic Analysis

This paper presents a brief review of distant biological communication phenomena, information fields explained as a transduction of information without energy displacement, experimental requirements for testing this hypothesis with human beings using electrophotonic analysis, oxymetry and electromagnetic shielding. Finally, authors present preliminary results and future work on this new field of interdisciplinary research.

Experiment study of forming and activation of conductive film of the surface conduction electron emitter display

The forming and activation of the conductive films are studied experimentally. The power supply, a peak-to-peak 30 V triangle profile voltage, is applied to three kinds of conductive films that contain 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% of palladium respectively. In the experiments we contrasted the values of related parameter in different conditions, observed the lumi- nous spots on the anode panel, dealt with and analyzed the related data, and compared the positions and the amount of the luminous spots. We have gotten the conclusion that there is a threshold value Uth. The emission current Ie will increase rapidly when the device voltage Uf is greater than Uth. And the emission current Ie could be controlled by the device voltage Uf. The positions of the luminous spots on the anode panel are related with the device voltage Uf.

Inositol hexaphosphate-induced enhancement of natural killer cell activity correlates with suppression of colon carcinogenesis in rats

AIM： To investigate the anti-neoplastic effect of inositol hexaphosphate （InsP6 or phytic acid） on dimethylhydrazine （DMH）-induced colon tumor in rats and its effect on blood natural killer （NK） cell activity. METHODS： Healthy Wistar rats, 4 wk old, were divided into control group （fed with common food） and InsP6 group （fed with common food＋2% sodium inositol hexaphosphate in the drinking water）, 15 rats in each group. Both groups were injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine subcutaneously （20 mg/kg body weight） once a week for 20 wk. Rats were killed after 21 wk. The whole large intestine was isolated to determine the general condition of tumors and to test blood NK cell activity by lactate-dehydrogenase-release assay. RESULTS： Administration of InsP6 significantly increased blood NK cell activity in DMH-induced colorectal tumor in rats. InsP6 group had a smaller tumor size on average and a smaller number of tumors than the control group. Its mortality was also higher than that in control. However, the variables of body weight and tumor incidence were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION： InsP6 can increase blood NK cell activity in DMH-induced colon tumor in rats and inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in rats.

Effects of long-term ethanol consumption on jejunal lipase and disaccharidase activities in male and female rats

AIM: To study the effect of long-term ethanol consumption on jejunal lipase and disaccharidase (sucrase, maltase,and lactase) activities in rats and its gender difference. METHODS: Age-matched male and female Wistar rats were fed control or ethanol-containing liquid diets for 12 wk following the Lieber-DeCarli model. According to both theplasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, 40 rats were divided into four groups as follows: male control group (MC), male ethanol group (ME), female control group (FC), and female ethanol group (FE).RESULTS: After ethanol feeding for 12 wk, the results revealed that plasma AST and ALT activities of group MEwere significantly increased by 58% and 92%, respectively,than those of group MC (P＜0.05). Similarly, plasma AST and ALT activities of group FE were also significantly increased by 61% and 188%, respectively, than those of group FC (P＜0.05). Fat accumulation was observed in both ethanol treated groups, while fatty changes were more severe in group FE than those in group ME. The induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) was obviously seen in group ME and group FE, but was not detected in group MC and group FC. Jejunal lipase activity of group ME was significantly increased by 1.25-fold than that of group MC (P＜0.05). In contrast to, sucrase, maltase, and lactase activities of group ME were significantly decreased by 63%, 62% and 67%, respectively, than those of group MC (P＜0.05). Similarly, activities of these three enzymes of group FE were also significantly decreased by 43%, 46% and 52%, respectively, than those of group FC (P＜0.05).There were no significant epithelial changes of the duodenal mucosa in any group.CONCLUSION: Long-term ethanol consumption significantly can increase jejunal lipase and decrease jejunal disaccharidase activities in both male and female rats.

Flexibility of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc in Bending and Torsion： Experimental and Finite Element Study

Intervertebral disc flexibility is influenced by lifestyle, loading history, trauma, preexisting conditions, age and degeneration. With regard to degeneration, intervertebral discs become less flexible and stiffer. In this study, a testing protocol using bending and torsion loading was developed to gain the flexibility curves and stiffness often cadaveric lumbar discs. Measurements of rotation in the sagittal plane （flexion-extension）, coronal plane （right-lefl lateral bending） and transverse plane （torsion） due to a 5 N-m load are reported. Results show that overall normal discs are more flexible and behave in a nonlinear fashion. The testing results were used in a develop t＇mite element model of an intervertebral disc to investigate the stresses and strains in the disc components： annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus with regard to degeneration. Simulation of bending and torsion loadings show large strains in the annulus and nucleus from a normal disc, in contrast higher stresses develop in the annulus from a degenerated disc. The proposed methodology is novel, versatile, functional and economic with implications in bioengineering, medical sciences and the clinical field.

Seismic Retrofit of Masonry Buildings with Polymer Grid

The performance of masonry walls reinforced using innovative polymer grids embedded into thin plaster layers as a tool for the seismic enhancement of brick masonry buildings has been investigated by experimental tests. A number of diagonal compression, shear compression and out-of-plane tests were executed on sample panels; experimental activities included pseudo-dynamic and shaking table tests on infills and reduced scaled building mock-ups, respectively. The results of the experimental activities are presented and discussed. Experimental campaigns have been supported by theoretical and numerical investigations; based on the experimental data and on the results of detailed numerical simulations, simplified models for the design of the retrofitting intervention are hereinafter proposed. The models：, calibrated on the experimental evidence, properly consider the collapse mechanisms as well as the grid effect in the evolution of the above mentioned mechanisms.

Effects of Collagen Peptide from Cyanea nozakii on Mouse Immune Function

[Objective ] The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of collagen peptide from Cyanea nozakii. [ Method] After acute toxicity test on mice, collagen peptide from C. nozakii were given to mice by continuous intragastric administration for 30 d at the doses of 25, 50, 100 mg/kg, and then the phagocytosis of macrophage, delayed type hypersensitivity （DTH） and serum hemolysin level were determined. [ Result] Collagen peptide from C. nozakii was atoxic or low toxic, and the three immune indices of experimental groups were signifi- canUy higher than those of the control group （treated with same volume of normal saline） at 0.05 or 0.01 level. E Conclusion] Collagen peptide from C. nozakii has a certain immunopotentiation.