AIM： To observe the biotransformation process of a Chinese compound, aesculin, by human gut bacteria, and to identify its metabolites in rat urine.METHODS： Representative human gut bacteria were collected from 20 he...AIM： To observe the biotransformation process of a Chinese compound, aesculin, by human gut bacteria, and to identify its metabolites in rat urine.METHODS： Representative human gut bacteria were collected from 20 healthy volunteers, and then utilized in vitro to biotransform aesculin under anaerobic conditions. At 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h postincubation, 10 mL of culture medium was collected. Metabolites of aesculin were extracted 3 × from rat urine with methanol and analyzed by HPLC. For in vivo metabolite analysis, aesculetin （100 mg/kg） was administered to rats via stomach gavage, rat urine was collected from 6 to 48 h post-administration, and metabolite analysis was performed by LC/ESI-MS and MS/MS in the positive and negative modes.RESULTS： Human gut bacteria could completely convert aesculin into aesculetin in vitro. The biotransformation process occurred from 8 to 24 h post-incubation, with its highest activity was seen from 8 to 12 h. The in vitro process was much slower than the in vivo process. In contrast to the in vitro model, six aesculetin metabolites were identified in rat urine, including 6-hydroxy-7-glucocoumarin（M1）, 6-hydroxy-7-sulf-coumarin （M2）, 6, 7-digluco-coumarin （M3）, 6-glc-7-gluco-coumarin （M4）, 6-O-methyl-7-gluco-coumarin （MS） and 6-O-methyl-7- sulf-coumarin （M6）. Of which, M2 and M6 were novel metabolites.CONCLUSION： Aesculin can be transferred into aesculetin by human gut bacteria and is further modified by the host in vivo. The diverse metabolites of aesculin may explain its pleiotropic pharmaceutical effects.展开更多
The dietary protein requirement of juvenile turbot(initial average weight, 38.2 g ± 0.1 g) reared indoor in aerated aquaria was determined in this study. Five energy equal experimental diets were formulated with ...The dietary protein requirement of juvenile turbot(initial average weight, 38.2 g ± 0.1 g) reared indoor in aerated aquaria was determined in this study. Five energy equal experimental diets were formulated with fish meal as protein source, which contained different concentrations of protein(47.2%, 51.0%, 54.6%, 59.3% and 63.6% of dry diet). Three groups of fish with 18 individuals in each, were cultured in 300-L tanks and fed twice a day for 8 weeks. During culture, temperature was controlled between 15.0 and 18.0℃, salinity was controlled between 28.5 and 32.0, acidity was controlled between p H7.8 and p H8.5, and ammonia nitrogen was maintained below 0.03 mg L-1 and dissolved oxygen was maintained about 7 mg L-1. Results showed that the growth of fish was significantly affected by dietary protein content(P < 0.05). Specific growth rate(SGR) of turbot increased when dietary protein content varied between 47.2% and 51.0%(P < 0.05), and then kept stable when dietary protein content was higher than 51.0%. Fish which were fed the diet containing 63.6% protein showed the highest SGR while those fed the diet containing 59.3% protein showed the highest feed efficiency rate. No significant difference of feed intake and protein efficiency ratio was found among experimental diets(P > 0.05). Broken-line regression analysis of SGR showed that the optimal dietary protein requirement of turbot was about 57.0%.展开更多
OPV （Organic photovoltaic） cells represent a compelling candidate for renewable energy by solar energy conversion. In recent years, versatile light-trapping measures via structures have been intensively explored to ...OPV （Organic photovoltaic） cells represent a compelling candidate for renewable energy by solar energy conversion. In recent years, versatile light-trapping measures via structures have been intensively explored to optimize photovoltaic performance. In this work, a unique rubbing technique is demonstrated to create nanoscale grooves on the PEDOT：PSS [poly（3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene）： poly（styrenesulfonate）] surface and the grating-like features are 500 nm wide and 10 nm deep. The PEDOT：PSS film with grooved surface is used as buffer layers for OPV cell devices based on a P3HT：PCBM bulk heterojunction. The patterned surface has a profound effect on carrier mobility, light trapping, and hole collection efficiency, leading to an increase in the short circuit density, filling factor, and power conversion efficiency. These results indicate the feasibility of the rubbing method can be applicable to high-efficiency OPV cells.展开更多
Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and comp...Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and compared to assess their coexistence and ecological relationships. High values of life history parameters, viz. developmental rate,immature survival, fecundity, egg viability, reproductive rate and conversion of efficiency of ingested food were recorded for C. sexmaculata followed by C. transversalis and C.septempunctata suggesting that the former has intrinsic advantages over the latter two species. This could possibly counterbalance its disadvantages, like relatively smaller size and weight, thereby making it competitive. The developmental period increased with increase in body size. Exceptionally high fecundity after single mating has been recorded in C. sexmaculata. The egg viability, however, was lower than in both Coccinella species.展开更多
RUNXI is absolutely required for definitive hematopoiesis, but the function of RUNXlb/c, two isoforms of human RUNX1, is unclear. We established inducible RUNXlb/c-overexpressing human embryonic stem cell （hESC） lin...RUNXI is absolutely required for definitive hematopoiesis, but the function of RUNXlb/c, two isoforms of human RUNX1, is unclear. We established inducible RUNXlb/c-overexpressing human embryonic stem cell （hESC） lines, in which RUNXlb/c overexpression prevented the emergence of CD34＋ cells from early stage, thereby drastically reducing the production of hematopoi- etic stem/prognnitor cells. Simultaneously, the expression of hematopoiesis-related factors was downregulated. However, such blockage effect disappeared from day 6 in hESC/AGM-S3 ceU co-cultures, proving that the blockage occurred before the generation of hemogenic endothelial cells. This blockage was partially rescued by RepSox, an inhibitor of the transforming growth factor （TGF）-β signaling pathway, indicating a close relationship between RUNX1b/c and TGF-β pathway. Our results suggest a unique inhibitory function of RUNX1b/c in the development of early hematopoiesis and may aid further understanding of its biological function in normal and diseased models.展开更多
基金Supported by Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Sichuan Province,No.03JY-002
文摘AIM： To observe the biotransformation process of a Chinese compound, aesculin, by human gut bacteria, and to identify its metabolites in rat urine.METHODS： Representative human gut bacteria were collected from 20 healthy volunteers, and then utilized in vitro to biotransform aesculin under anaerobic conditions. At 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h postincubation, 10 mL of culture medium was collected. Metabolites of aesculin were extracted 3 × from rat urine with methanol and analyzed by HPLC. For in vivo metabolite analysis, aesculetin （100 mg/kg） was administered to rats via stomach gavage, rat urine was collected from 6 to 48 h post-administration, and metabolite analysis was performed by LC/ESI-MS and MS/MS in the positive and negative modes.RESULTS： Human gut bacteria could completely convert aesculin into aesculetin in vitro. The biotransformation process occurred from 8 to 24 h post-incubation, with its highest activity was seen from 8 to 12 h. The in vitro process was much slower than the in vivo process. In contrast to the in vitro model, six aesculetin metabolites were identified in rat urine, including 6-hydroxy-7-glucocoumarin（M1）, 6-hydroxy-7-sulf-coumarin （M2）, 6, 7-digluco-coumarin （M3）, 6-glc-7-gluco-coumarin （M4）, 6-O-methyl-7-gluco-coumarin （MS） and 6-O-methyl-7- sulf-coumarin （M6）. Of which, M2 and M6 were novel metabolites.CONCLUSION： Aesculin can be transferred into aesculetin by human gut bacteria and is further modified by the host in vivo. The diverse metabolites of aesculin may explain its pleiotropic pharmaceutical effects.
基金supported by the earmarked fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System with Grant No. CARS 50-G-08
文摘The dietary protein requirement of juvenile turbot(initial average weight, 38.2 g ± 0.1 g) reared indoor in aerated aquaria was determined in this study. Five energy equal experimental diets were formulated with fish meal as protein source, which contained different concentrations of protein(47.2%, 51.0%, 54.6%, 59.3% and 63.6% of dry diet). Three groups of fish with 18 individuals in each, were cultured in 300-L tanks and fed twice a day for 8 weeks. During culture, temperature was controlled between 15.0 and 18.0℃, salinity was controlled between 28.5 and 32.0, acidity was controlled between p H7.8 and p H8.5, and ammonia nitrogen was maintained below 0.03 mg L-1 and dissolved oxygen was maintained about 7 mg L-1. Results showed that the growth of fish was significantly affected by dietary protein content(P < 0.05). Specific growth rate(SGR) of turbot increased when dietary protein content varied between 47.2% and 51.0%(P < 0.05), and then kept stable when dietary protein content was higher than 51.0%. Fish which were fed the diet containing 63.6% protein showed the highest SGR while those fed the diet containing 59.3% protein showed the highest feed efficiency rate. No significant difference of feed intake and protein efficiency ratio was found among experimental diets(P > 0.05). Broken-line regression analysis of SGR showed that the optimal dietary protein requirement of turbot was about 57.0%.
文摘OPV （Organic photovoltaic） cells represent a compelling candidate for renewable energy by solar energy conversion. In recent years, versatile light-trapping measures via structures have been intensively explored to optimize photovoltaic performance. In this work, a unique rubbing technique is demonstrated to create nanoscale grooves on the PEDOT：PSS [poly（3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene）： poly（styrenesulfonate）] surface and the grating-like features are 500 nm wide and 10 nm deep. The PEDOT：PSS film with grooved surface is used as buffer layers for OPV cell devices based on a P3HT：PCBM bulk heterojunction. The patterned surface has a profound effect on carrier mobility, light trapping, and hole collection efficiency, leading to an increase in the short circuit density, filling factor, and power conversion efficiency. These results indicate the feasibility of the rubbing method can be applicable to high-efficiency OPV cells.
文摘Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and compared to assess their coexistence and ecological relationships. High values of life history parameters, viz. developmental rate,immature survival, fecundity, egg viability, reproductive rate and conversion of efficiency of ingested food were recorded for C. sexmaculata followed by C. transversalis and C.septempunctata suggesting that the former has intrinsic advantages over the latter two species. This could possibly counterbalance its disadvantages, like relatively smaller size and weight, thereby making it competitive. The developmental period increased with increase in body size. Exceptionally high fecundity after single mating has been recorded in C. sexmaculata. The egg viability, however, was lower than in both Coccinella species.
基金This work was supported by the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China （973 Program 2015CB964902）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （NSFC H81170466 and H81370597）, and the CAMS Initiatives for Innovative Medicine （2016-12M-1-018） awarded to F.M.
文摘RUNXI is absolutely required for definitive hematopoiesis, but the function of RUNXlb/c, two isoforms of human RUNX1, is unclear. We established inducible RUNXlb/c-overexpressing human embryonic stem cell （hESC） lines, in which RUNXlb/c overexpression prevented the emergence of CD34＋ cells from early stage, thereby drastically reducing the production of hematopoi- etic stem/prognnitor cells. Simultaneously, the expression of hematopoiesis-related factors was downregulated. However, such blockage effect disappeared from day 6 in hESC/AGM-S3 ceU co-cultures, proving that the blockage occurred before the generation of hemogenic endothelial cells. This blockage was partially rescued by RepSox, an inhibitor of the transforming growth factor （TGF）-β signaling pathway, indicating a close relationship between RUNX1b/c and TGF-β pathway. Our results suggest a unique inhibitory function of RUNX1b/c in the development of early hematopoiesis and may aid further understanding of its biological function in normal and diseased models.
