Allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root was extracted by technology ofsupercritical CO_2 extraction under orthogonal experiment design, and it was used to analyzeallelopathic activity of Chinese-fir through bioassay of se...Allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root was extracted by technology ofsupercritical CO_2 extraction under orthogonal experiment design, and it was used to analyzeallelopathic activity of Chinese-fir through bioassay of seed germination. The results showed thatas to the available rate of allelochemicals, the pressure and temperature of extraction were themost important factors. The allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root extracted by pure CO_2 and ethanolmixed with CO_2 have different allelopathic activities to seed germination, and the allelochemicalsextracted by ethanol mixed with CO_2 had stronger inhibitory effects on seed germination than thatextracted by pure CO_2.展开更多
AIM： To study the action of hepatitis virus infectionassociated genes at transcription level during liver regeneration （LR）. METHODS： Hepatitis virus infection-associated genes were obtained by collecting the data...AIM： To study the action of hepatitis virus infectionassociated genes at transcription level during liver regeneration （LR）. METHODS： Hepatitis virus infection-associated genes were obtained by collecting the data from databases and retrieving the correlated articles, and their expression changes in the regenerating rat liver were detected with the rat genome 230 2.0 array. RESULTS： Eighty-eight genes were found to be associated with liver regeneration. The number of genes initially and totally expressed during initial LR [0.5-4 h affer partial hepatectomy （PH）], transition from （30 to G1 （4-6 h affer PH）, cell proliferation （6-66 h after PH）, cell differentiation and reorganization of structurefunction （66-168 h after PH） was 37, 8, 48, 3 and 37, 26, 80, 57, respectively, indicating that the genes were mainly triggered at the early stage of LR （0.5-4 h after PH）, and worked at different phases. These genes were classified into 5 types according to their expression similarity, namely 37 up-regulated, 9 predominantly upregulated, 34 down-regulated, 6 predominantly downregulated and 2 up/down-regulated genes. Their total up- and down-regulation frequencies were 359 and 149 during LR, indicating that the expression of most genes was enhanced, while the expression of a small number of genes was attenuated during LR. According to time relevance, they were classified into 12 groups （0.5 and 1h, 2 and 4h, 6h, 8 and 12h, 16 and 96h, 18 and 24 h, 30 and 42 h, 36 and 48 h, 54 and 60 h, 66 and 72 h, 120 and 144 h, 168 h）, demonstrating that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were fluctuated. According to expression changes of the genes, their expression patterns were classified into 23 types, suggesting that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were diverse and complicated. CONCLUSION： The anti-virus infection capacity of regenerating liver can be enhanced and 88 genes play an important role in LR.展开更多
This study examines the possibility of using live spirulina to biologically remove aqueous lead of low concentration (below 50 mg/L) from wastewater. The spirulina cells were first immersed for seven days in five wast...This study examines the possibility of using live spirulina to biologically remove aqueous lead of low concentration (below 50 mg/L) from wastewater. The spirulina cells were first immersed for seven days in five wastewater samples containing lead of different concentrations, and the growth rate was determined by light at wavelength of 560 nm. The 72 h-EC50 (72 h medium effective concentration) was estimated to be 11.46 mg/L (lead). Afterwards, the lead adsorption by live spirulina cells was conducted. It was observed that at the initial stage (0–12 min) the adsorption rate was so rapid that 74% of the metal was bio- logically adsorbed. The maximum biosorption capacity of live spirulina was estimated to be 0.62 mg lead per 105 alga cells.展开更多
Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract from Penicillium commune SD-118, a fungus obtained from a deep-sea sediment sample, resulted in the isolation of a known antibacterial compound, xanthocillin X (1), a...Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract from Penicillium commune SD-118, a fungus obtained from a deep-sea sediment sample, resulted in the isolation of a known antibacterial compound, xanthocillin X (1), and 14 other known compounds comprising three steroids (2-4), two ceramides (5 and 6), six aromatic compounds (7-12), and three alkaloids (13-15). Xanthocillin X (1) was isolated for the first time from a marine fungus. In the bioassay, xanthocillin X (1) displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HepG2, H460, Hela, Du145, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Meleagrin (15) exhibited cytotoxicity against HepG2, Hela, Du145, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. This is the first report of the cytotoxicity of xanthocillin X (1).展开更多
Karenia is one of the most harmful and representative red tide genus in a temperate zone. Blooms caused by this genus have resulted in massive fish death in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. However, the pot...Karenia is one of the most harmful and representative red tide genus in a temperate zone. Blooms caused by this genus have resulted in massive fish death in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. However, the potential effects of this dinoflagellate on human health through the transfer of toxins via marine food webs, and the mechanisms of toxicity, are still unknown. Therefore, we examined the toxic effects of a strain of K. mikimotoi （isolated from the South China Sea） on the proliferation and morphology of four mammalian cell lines （two normal cell lines and two cancer cell lines）. In addition, we carried out a preliminary investigation on the mechanism of toxicity of the alga. The results show that the polar lipid-soluble component ofK. mikimotoi significantly inhibited proliferation of the four cell lines, and resulted in the ceils becoming spherical, swollen and damaged. The result of Annexin V and PI double-staining confirmed that cell membranes were disrupted. The malonaldehyde （MDA） contents in the medium of the four cell lines treated with the polar-lipid extracts all increased significantly, which indicates that the polar-lipid toxins produced by K. rnikimotoi could adversely affect mammalian cells by inducing lipid peroxidation. We conclude that K. mikimotoi is a potential threat to human health, and the comprehensive effect of this dinoflagellate and its mechanisms should be investigated further.展开更多
Using mice infected with coxsackie B-3 virus (CVB3) as a viral myocarditis model, we observed the inhibitory effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on CVB3-RNA replication in myocardial tissue of mice by RNA-RNA in si...Using mice infected with coxsackie B-3 virus (CVB3) as a viral myocarditis model, we observed the inhibitory effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on CVB3-RNA replication in myocardial tissue of mice by RNA-RNA in situ hybridization with negative-strand RNA Probes labelled with ￣(35)S and quantitative imaging analysis of positive signals. The mechanism of its effect on CVB3-RNA replication has been investigated by detection of beta-interferon (β-IFN) as well. Results showed that the copy numbers of CVB3-RNA as well as the histologic scores (necrosis) in myocardial tissues of infected-AM treated mice were significantly lower than those in infected and normal saline treated mice, suggesting that AM could inhibit the replication of CVB3-RVA,but its effect on CVB3-RNA replication had no correlation with induction of β-IFN.展开更多
Over the last decade, the standard of care for the treat- ment of chronic hepatitis C has been the combination of pegylated-interferon-alfa （PEG-IFN） and ribavirin （RBV） which results in sustained virological resp...Over the last decade, the standard of care for the treat- ment of chronic hepatitis C has been the combination of pegylated-interferon-alfa （PEG-IFN） and ribavirin （RBV） which results in sustained virological response （SVR） rates of 75%-85% in patients with genotypes 2 or 3 but only of 40%-50% in patients with genotype 1. Cur- rently, there are rapid and continuous developments of numerous new agents against hepatitis C virus （HCV）, which are the focus of this review. Boceprevir and tela- previr, two first-generation NS3/4A HCV protease inhibi- tors, have been recently licensed in several countries around the world to be used in combination with PEG- IFN and RBV for the treatment of genotype 1 patients. Boceprevir or telaprevir based triple regimens, com- pared with the PEG-IFN/RBV combination, improve the SVR rates by 25%-31% in treatment-naTve genotype 1 patients, by 40%-64% in prior relapsers, by 33%-45% in prior partial responders and by 24%-28% in prior null responders. At the same time, the application of response-guided treatment algorithms according to the on-treatment virological response results in shortening of the total therapy duration to only 24 wk in 45%-55% of treatment-na＇ive patients. There are, however, several challenges with the use of the new triple combinations in genotype 1 patients, such as the need for immediate results of HCV RNA testing using sensitive quantitative assays, new and more frequent adverse events （anemia and dysgeusia for boceprevir; pruritus, rash and anemia for telaprevir）, new drug interactions and increasing dif- ficulties in compliance. Moreover, the SVR rates are still poor in very difficult to treat subgroups of genotype 1 patients, such as null responders with cirrhosis, while there is no benefit for patients who cannot tolerate PEG- IFN/RBV or who are infected with non-1 HCV genotype. Many newer anti-HCV agents of different classes and numerous combinations are currently under evaluation with encouraging results. Preliminary data suggest that the treatment of chronic HCV patients with well toler- ated combinations of oral agents without PEG-IFN is feasible and may lead to a universal HCV cure over the next 5-10 years.展开更多
Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is a steroidal synthetic progestagen and anti-androgenic compound widely administered in prostate cancer which has been evidentially correlated with a severe hepatotoxic potency. Three male p...Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is a steroidal synthetic progestagen and anti-androgenic compound widely administered in prostate cancer which has been evidentially correlated with a severe hepatotoxic potency. Three male patients aged 78-83 years are presented, in whom severe hepatotoxic reactions emerged after CPA administration. Patients were treated with CPA at the doses of 200-300 mg/d for malignant prostate disease for 3-12 mo prior to the acute manifestation of the hepatic disease. Clinical features compatible with mixed hepatocellular and cholestatic liver disease including jaundice, white stools and dark urine, manifested in all three cases whereas encephalopathy and ascites were present in two of the patients. Other primary causes of hepatotoxicity (alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis) were also verified in two cases, and in those patients biopsy findings revealed the presence of cirrhotic lesions in liver parenchyma. Discontinuation of the therapeutic agent led to the amelioration of the clinical profile in all the patients whereas a patient died 40 d after hospital admission due to sepsis, despite acute liver disease improvement. The current article highlights the hepatotoxic potency of a widely administered therapeutic agent and illustrates the importance of clinical surveillance especially in patients with previous hepatic diseases. Three relevant cases are reported and a review of the published literature is made.展开更多
Synergism and antagonism of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) to biological toxicities in red soil, yellow brown soil and black soil were evaluated by MICROTOX method. The relation between forms of the teste...Synergism and antagonism of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) to biological toxicities in red soil, yellow brown soil and black soil were evaluated by MICROTOX method. The relation between forms of the tested metals in soil and the synergism or antagonism between them was also studied.Results showed that owing to the difference of soil chemical properties, toxicity of these metals in soils was different. In red soil with acid reaction and low in cation exchange capacity, antagonism occurred significantly between metals when they coexisted at high concentrations, while synergism occurred only under low concentrations. It is indicated that in red soil, toxicity of metals affected by synergism or antagonism depends on concentration of the metals present. For yellow brown soil and black soil with larger cation exchange capacity and lower exchangeable aluminium (A1), no toxicity of metals was observed even if metals were added to soil in high concentrations. Synergism and antagonism between Cd, Cu and Se were controlled by the forms of metals present. The amount of water-soluble metals was the most important factor in determining synergism and antagonism.In this paper, comparisons of synergism and antagonism between metals in soils and in water solutions were made. There occurred the synergism of metal toxicity in water solutions when the concentration of coexisting metals was high. This is just opposite to the case in soils.展开更多
Aromatic compounds (ACs) in soil can induce competitive inhibition for soil NH3 oxidation, and nitrification inhibitors can be used to this end. A laboratory incubation experiment was performed with 12 nitroaromatic c...Aromatic compounds (ACs) in soil can induce competitive inhibition for soil NH3 oxidation, and nitrification inhibitors can be used to this end. A laboratory incubation experiment was performed with 12 nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), 15 amidoaromatic compounds (AACs) and 20 hydroxyaromatic compounds (HACs) to assess the inhibitory effects of ACs on soil nitrification. Based on these results, the critical and optimal concentrations of ACs were determined for better inhibitory effects. Most of the test ACs were able to inhibit soil nitrification; the effectiveness differed with soil type. Among the ACs, the NACs with m-nitryl, amino or hydroxyl and the AACs with a nitro group or a chlorine atom on aromatic ring or with a p-hydroxyl were more effective. 3-nitroaniline, 4-aminophenol and 3-nitrophenol showed the greatest potential as nitrification inhibitors. The critical concentration of these compounds in brown soil and cinnamon soil was found to be 0.5 mg kg-1 soil. Due to the toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of ACs, further toxicological and ecotoxicological research is necessary before ACs are used as nitrification inhibitors in agricultural and horticultural practices.展开更多
基金This paper was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (B0010020)
文摘Allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root was extracted by technology ofsupercritical CO_2 extraction under orthogonal experiment design, and it was used to analyzeallelopathic activity of Chinese-fir through bioassay of seed germination. The results showed thatas to the available rate of allelochemicals, the pressure and temperature of extraction were themost important factors. The allelochemicals of Chinese-fir root extracted by pure CO_2 and ethanolmixed with CO_2 have different allelopathic activities to seed germination, and the allelochemicalsextracted by ethanol mixed with CO_2 had stronger inhibitory effects on seed germination than thatextracted by pure CO_2.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30270673
文摘AIM： To study the action of hepatitis virus infectionassociated genes at transcription level during liver regeneration （LR）. METHODS： Hepatitis virus infection-associated genes were obtained by collecting the data from databases and retrieving the correlated articles, and their expression changes in the regenerating rat liver were detected with the rat genome 230 2.0 array. RESULTS： Eighty-eight genes were found to be associated with liver regeneration. The number of genes initially and totally expressed during initial LR [0.5-4 h affer partial hepatectomy （PH）], transition from （30 to G1 （4-6 h affer PH）, cell proliferation （6-66 h after PH）, cell differentiation and reorganization of structurefunction （66-168 h after PH） was 37, 8, 48, 3 and 37, 26, 80, 57, respectively, indicating that the genes were mainly triggered at the early stage of LR （0.5-4 h after PH）, and worked at different phases. These genes were classified into 5 types according to their expression similarity, namely 37 up-regulated, 9 predominantly upregulated, 34 down-regulated, 6 predominantly downregulated and 2 up/down-regulated genes. Their total up- and down-regulation frequencies were 359 and 149 during LR, indicating that the expression of most genes was enhanced, while the expression of a small number of genes was attenuated during LR. According to time relevance, they were classified into 12 groups （0.5 and 1h, 2 and 4h, 6h, 8 and 12h, 16 and 96h, 18 and 24 h, 30 and 42 h, 36 and 48 h, 54 and 60 h, 66 and 72 h, 120 and 144 h, 168 h）, demonstrating that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were fluctuated. According to expression changes of the genes, their expression patterns were classified into 23 types, suggesting that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities during LR were diverse and complicated. CONCLUSION： The anti-virus infection capacity of regenerating liver can be enhanced and 88 genes play an important role in LR.
文摘This study examines the possibility of using live spirulina to biologically remove aqueous lead of low concentration (below 50 mg/L) from wastewater. The spirulina cells were first immersed for seven days in five wastewater samples containing lead of different concentrations, and the growth rate was determined by light at wavelength of 560 nm. The 72 h-EC50 (72 h medium effective concentration) was estimated to be 11.46 mg/L (lead). Afterwards, the lead adsorption by live spirulina cells was conducted. It was observed that at the initial stage (0–12 min) the adsorption rate was so rapid that 74% of the metal was bio- logically adsorbed. The maximum biosorption capacity of live spirulina was estimated to be 0.62 mg lead per 105 alga cells.
基金Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology(No.2010CB833802)the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KSCX2-EW-G-12B)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30910103914)
文摘Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract from Penicillium commune SD-118, a fungus obtained from a deep-sea sediment sample, resulted in the isolation of a known antibacterial compound, xanthocillin X (1), and 14 other known compounds comprising three steroids (2-4), two ceramides (5 and 6), six aromatic compounds (7-12), and three alkaloids (13-15). Xanthocillin X (1) was isolated for the first time from a marine fungus. In the bioassay, xanthocillin X (1) displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HepG2, H460, Hela, Du145, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Meleagrin (15) exhibited cytotoxicity against HepG2, Hela, Du145, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. This is the first report of the cytotoxicity of xanthocillin X (1).
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2010CB428700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U0733006, 40821004)the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-YW-Q07-02)
文摘Karenia is one of the most harmful and representative red tide genus in a temperate zone. Blooms caused by this genus have resulted in massive fish death in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. However, the potential effects of this dinoflagellate on human health through the transfer of toxins via marine food webs, and the mechanisms of toxicity, are still unknown. Therefore, we examined the toxic effects of a strain of K. mikimotoi （isolated from the South China Sea） on the proliferation and morphology of four mammalian cell lines （two normal cell lines and two cancer cell lines）. In addition, we carried out a preliminary investigation on the mechanism of toxicity of the alga. The results show that the polar lipid-soluble component ofK. mikimotoi significantly inhibited proliferation of the four cell lines, and resulted in the ceils becoming spherical, swollen and damaged. The result of Annexin V and PI double-staining confirmed that cell membranes were disrupted. The malonaldehyde （MDA） contents in the medium of the four cell lines treated with the polar-lipid extracts all increased significantly, which indicates that the polar-lipid toxins produced by K. rnikimotoi could adversely affect mammalian cells by inducing lipid peroxidation. We conclude that K. mikimotoi is a potential threat to human health, and the comprehensive effect of this dinoflagellate and its mechanisms should be investigated further.
文摘Using mice infected with coxsackie B-3 virus (CVB3) as a viral myocarditis model, we observed the inhibitory effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on CVB3-RNA replication in myocardial tissue of mice by RNA-RNA in situ hybridization with negative-strand RNA Probes labelled with ￣(35)S and quantitative imaging analysis of positive signals. The mechanism of its effect on CVB3-RNA replication has been investigated by detection of beta-interferon (β-IFN) as well. Results showed that the copy numbers of CVB3-RNA as well as the histologic scores (necrosis) in myocardial tissues of infected-AM treated mice were significantly lower than those in infected and normal saline treated mice, suggesting that AM could inhibit the replication of CVB3-RVA,but its effect on CVB3-RNA replication had no correlation with induction of β-IFN.
文摘Over the last decade, the standard of care for the treat- ment of chronic hepatitis C has been the combination of pegylated-interferon-alfa （PEG-IFN） and ribavirin （RBV） which results in sustained virological response （SVR） rates of 75%-85% in patients with genotypes 2 or 3 but only of 40%-50% in patients with genotype 1. Cur- rently, there are rapid and continuous developments of numerous new agents against hepatitis C virus （HCV）, which are the focus of this review. Boceprevir and tela- previr, two first-generation NS3/4A HCV protease inhibi- tors, have been recently licensed in several countries around the world to be used in combination with PEG- IFN and RBV for the treatment of genotype 1 patients. Boceprevir or telaprevir based triple regimens, com- pared with the PEG-IFN/RBV combination, improve the SVR rates by 25%-31% in treatment-naTve genotype 1 patients, by 40%-64% in prior relapsers, by 33%-45% in prior partial responders and by 24%-28% in prior null responders. At the same time, the application of response-guided treatment algorithms according to the on-treatment virological response results in shortening of the total therapy duration to only 24 wk in 45%-55% of treatment-na＇ive patients. There are, however, several challenges with the use of the new triple combinations in genotype 1 patients, such as the need for immediate results of HCV RNA testing using sensitive quantitative assays, new and more frequent adverse events （anemia and dysgeusia for boceprevir; pruritus, rash and anemia for telaprevir）, new drug interactions and increasing dif- ficulties in compliance. Moreover, the SVR rates are still poor in very difficult to treat subgroups of genotype 1 patients, such as null responders with cirrhosis, while there is no benefit for patients who cannot tolerate PEG- IFN/RBV or who are infected with non-1 HCV genotype. Many newer anti-HCV agents of different classes and numerous combinations are currently under evaluation with encouraging results. Preliminary data suggest that the treatment of chronic HCV patients with well toler- ated combinations of oral agents without PEG-IFN is feasible and may lead to a universal HCV cure over the next 5-10 years.
文摘Cyproterone acetate (CPA) is a steroidal synthetic progestagen and anti-androgenic compound widely administered in prostate cancer which has been evidentially correlated with a severe hepatotoxic potency. Three male patients aged 78-83 years are presented, in whom severe hepatotoxic reactions emerged after CPA administration. Patients were treated with CPA at the doses of 200-300 mg/d for malignant prostate disease for 3-12 mo prior to the acute manifestation of the hepatic disease. Clinical features compatible with mixed hepatocellular and cholestatic liver disease including jaundice, white stools and dark urine, manifested in all three cases whereas encephalopathy and ascites were present in two of the patients. Other primary causes of hepatotoxicity (alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis) were also verified in two cases, and in those patients biopsy findings revealed the presence of cirrhotic lesions in liver parenchyma. Discontinuation of the therapeutic agent led to the amelioration of the clinical profile in all the patients whereas a patient died 40 d after hospital admission due to sepsis, despite acute liver disease improvement. The current article highlights the hepatotoxic potency of a widely administered therapeutic agent and illustrates the importance of clinical surveillance especially in patients with previous hepatic diseases. Three relevant cases are reported and a review of the published literature is made.
文摘Synergism and antagonism of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) to biological toxicities in red soil, yellow brown soil and black soil were evaluated by MICROTOX method. The relation between forms of the tested metals in soil and the synergism or antagonism between them was also studied.Results showed that owing to the difference of soil chemical properties, toxicity of these metals in soils was different. In red soil with acid reaction and low in cation exchange capacity, antagonism occurred significantly between metals when they coexisted at high concentrations, while synergism occurred only under low concentrations. It is indicated that in red soil, toxicity of metals affected by synergism or antagonism depends on concentration of the metals present. For yellow brown soil and black soil with larger cation exchange capacity and lower exchangeable aluminium (A1), no toxicity of metals was observed even if metals were added to soil in high concentrations. Synergism and antagonism between Cd, Cu and Se were controlled by the forms of metals present. The amount of water-soluble metals was the most important factor in determining synergism and antagonism.In this paper, comparisons of synergism and antagonism between metals in soils and in water solutions were made. There occurred the synergism of metal toxicity in water solutions when the concentration of coexisting metals was high. This is just opposite to the case in soils.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program (973 Program) of China (No.2007CB109307)the National Science & Technology Pillar Program (No.2006BAD10B01)
文摘Aromatic compounds (ACs) in soil can induce competitive inhibition for soil NH3 oxidation, and nitrification inhibitors can be used to this end. A laboratory incubation experiment was performed with 12 nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), 15 amidoaromatic compounds (AACs) and 20 hydroxyaromatic compounds (HACs) to assess the inhibitory effects of ACs on soil nitrification. Based on these results, the critical and optimal concentrations of ACs were determined for better inhibitory effects. Most of the test ACs were able to inhibit soil nitrification; the effectiveness differed with soil type. Among the ACs, the NACs with m-nitryl, amino or hydroxyl and the AACs with a nitro group or a chlorine atom on aromatic ring or with a p-hydroxyl were more effective. 3-nitroaniline, 4-aminophenol and 3-nitrophenol showed the greatest potential as nitrification inhibitors. The critical concentration of these compounds in brown soil and cinnamon soil was found to be 0.5 mg kg-1 soil. Due to the toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of ACs, further toxicological and ecotoxicological research is necessary before ACs are used as nitrification inhibitors in agricultural and horticultural practices.
