Research Progress of Natural Active Components against Damage from UV Radiation

The sun's ultraviolet(UV)rays are extremely harmful to the skin.In addition to causing sunburn and aging,excessive UV radiation can also lead to benign or malignant skin tumors.This paper reviews the researches on natural active components against damage from UV radiation,and summarizes the types of compounds,research methods and mechanisms of action.Moreover,the main problems in current research are put forward,and the possible development direction in the future is discussed.

Acid mine drainage activation mechanism on lime-depressed pyrite flotation from copper sulfide ore

The lime-depressed pyrite from Cu differential flotation tailings with acid mine drainage(AMD)as a natural activator was recovered.The effect of AMD on lime-depressed pyrite flotation was investigated by a series of laboratory flotation tests and surface analytical techniques.Flotation test results indicated that AMD could effectively activate the pyrite flotation with a sodium butyl xanthate(SBX)collector,and a high-quality sulfur concentrate was obtained.Pulp ion concentration analysis results indicated that AMD facilitated desorption of Ca~(2+)and adsorption of Cu~(2+)on the depressed-pyrite surface.Adsorption measurements and contact angle analysis results confirmed that adding AMD improved the adsorption amount of SBX collector on the pyrite surface and increased the contact angle by 31°.Results of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that AMD treatment promoted the formation of hydrophobic species(S~0 hydrophobic entity and copper sulfides)and the removal of hydrophilic calcium and iron species on the pyrite surface,which reinforced the adsorption of collector.The findings of the present research provide important theoretical basis and technical support for a cleaner production of copper sulfide ores.

Pharmacological Investigation on the Qi-Invigorating Action of Schisandrin B: Effects on Mitochondrial ATP Generation in Multiple Tissues and Innate/Adaptive Immunity in Mice

Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.

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.

Determination of reactive oxygen generated from natural medicines and their antibacterial activity

Extracts of 16 natural medicine powders {Galla chinensis,Malloti cortex,Cassiae semen,Sophorae radix,Myricae cortex,Crataegi fructus,Gambit,Mume fructus,Geranii herba,Phellodendri cortex,Coptidis rhizoma,Swertiae herba,and Cinnamomi cortex） were assayed for reactive oxygen concentrations using the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescent detection system.High luminescence intensity was observed in Galla chinensis,Geranii herba,Malloti cortex,Myricae cortex,and Cinnamomi cortex.Additional experiments identified the reactive oxygen species as hydrogen peroxide.Galla chinensis generated 2.4 × 10^（-4） mol/L hydrogen peroxide from a 1 mg/mL solution.In bacterial growth tests,Galla chinensis extract had antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.Staphylococcus aureus,Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron,Campylobacter sputorum biovar sputorum.Streptococcus salivarius thermophilus,Lactobacillus casei,and Bifidobacterium longum infantis.This antibacterial activity was decreased by the addition of catalase.It revealed that hydrogen peroxide which Galla chinensis produced participated in antibacterial activity.

REGULATORY EFFECTS OF HUMAN RECOMBINANT IL-6 ON NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN FETAL SPLEENS

In the present study it was proved first that human recombinant interleukin-6(HrIL-6) significantly augmented natural killer(NK) cell activity derived from human fetal spleens against K562 target cells in a 4 hours 51Cr release assay. The enhancement of NK activity with 24 hours preincubation in HrlL-6 was dose-dependent, and significantly higher than that of fresh NK cells and controls cultured with RPMI-1640 medium alone (P<0.001). We also found that IL-6 was able to augment NK activity from different fetal spleens at 20 to 40 weeks of gestation (up to 2.24 to 2.78 times), and no difference of NK activity of fetal splenocytes treated by HrIL-6 was observed between different fetal age (32.3% to 45.4%, P>0.05). Furthermore, IL-6-augmented NK activity of fetal splenocytes was very similar to adult levels (P>0.05). These finding strongly indicated that IL-6 plays an important role in the development of NK cell function during the gestational period, suggesting that IL-6 may be of importance in the regulation of host defense mechanisms against malignancies and viral diseases.

Differential Effects of Yin- and Yang-Chinese Tonifying Herbs on Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The present study investigated the effect of treatment with methanolic extracts of Yin- and Yang-Chinese tonifying herbs on concanavalin A (Con A)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation (adaptive immunity) and natural killer (NK) cell activity (innate immunity) in an ex vivo mouse model. The results indicated that while treatment with most Yin herbal extracts potentiated the Con A/LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, only Yang (but not Yin) herbal extracts stimulated NK cell activity. The differential effects of Yin- and Yang-Chinese tonifying herbs on innate and adaptive immunity are consistent with the Chinese medicine theory which depicts the Yin and Yang functional components of Zheng Qi (vital energy), with the Yang component being responsible for the first line of defense against invading microorganisms (i.e., innate immunity) and the Yin oner serving as a follow-up defensive response (adaptive immunity).

Fenlong Cultivation-the Fourth Set of Farming Methods Invented in China

The basic theory and effect of the new farming method of ＂Fenlong＂ cultivation which has been included in the main extension technology of Ministry of Agriculture of the People＇s Republic of China is fully illustrated for the first time, and it is the fourth set （generation） of farming modes and methods following manpower, animal and mechanical （tractor） farming. It follows the natural law to achieve soil activation, water saving, oxygen increase, warming and desalination through the active use of natural resources like soil, rainfall and solar energy, thereby promoting a new round of natural agricultural production and quality improvement and water con- servation, which has crop yield increase by 10%-30%, quality improvement of 5%, natural precipitation retaining increase by100%. The characteristics and mechanism are the use of spiral drill for one-time completion of the land preparation by drilling vertically to 30-50 cm of soil layer through high speed peeling. After instant high temperature and many fierce impacts, mechanical frictions, it could achieve the multiplication of the number of loose soil, soil physical modification and expansion of the soil nutrients, reservoirs, oxygen, microorganisms （＂Four pools＂）. Fenlong cultivation can give birth to new farming culture and civilization, and it can achieve the physical ＂desalinized＂ transformation and utilization of saline soil. The formation of Fenlong green farming technology system makes it possible to invent the farming tools of ＂serf-propelled Fenlong machinery＂ that has got the patent, and it is the method for farmland （dry land, paddy field） Fenlong cultivation, saline-alkali soil smash-ridging cultivation and for the abundance of grass ecology on degraded grassland. The application of Fenlong ＂4＋1＂ （arable, saline-alkali soil, grasslands, Sponge City＋rivers） green development in China can achieve the ＂double safety＂ of food and living space.

Impairment of innate immune responses in cirrhotic patients and treatment by branched-chain amino acids

It has been reported that host defense responses, such as phagocytic function of neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes, are impaired in cirrhotic patients. This review will concentrate on the impairment of innate immune responses in decompensated cirrhotic patients and the effect of the treatment by branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on innate immune responses. We already reported that phagocytic function of neutrophils was significantly improved by 3-mo BCAA supplementation. In addition, the changes of NK activity were also significant at 3 mo of supplementation compared with before supplementation. Also, Fisher&#x02019;s ratios were reported to be significantly increased at 3 mo of BCAA supplementation compared with those before oral supplementation. Therefore, administration of BCAA could reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis by restoring impaired innate immune responses of the host. In addition, it was also revealed that BCAA oral supplementation could reduce the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. The mechanisms of the effects will also be discussed in this review article.

Simulation of oxygen transfer in liquid lead under influence of nanoparticles by using lattice Boltzmann method

Oxygen transfer presents a serious challenge in the application of liquid lead as a nuclear coolant in advanced reactors. To mitigate corrosion by liquid lead in contact with steel, carefully controlling the oxygen concentration has been used as an effective way. Oxygen needs to mix in liquid lead uniformly and quickly. To enhance oxygen transport in liquid lead, nanoparticles are added to the liquid metal. In the current study, a lattice Boltzmann method is applied to investigate natural convection of copper/lead and aluminum oxide/lead in two-dimensional simplified container. Two thermal boundary cases are evaluated in order to check the effect of different natural convection flow patterns on oxygen transport. Some useful information are obtained such as improvement in natural convection and reduction in oxygen equilibrium time.

Effects of HHV-6 Infection in Vitro on Cytokines Induction and NK Activity of Peripherial Blood Mononuclear Cells

Three Nanjing local strains (CN5, CN8, CN10) of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6] had been isolated and identified by electronmicroscopy, antibody reactions with IFA and specific PCR. The purpose of this paper was to study effects on cytokines synthesis and NK activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) in vitro post infection of human herpesvirus 6. PBMCs cultural supernatants were collected at different hours post infection. Cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-α and IL-8 could be detected as early as 24 h post infection, plateaued at 48h, and then decreased gradually. The levels of these cytokines in infected PBMCs supernatants were markedly higher than those in uninfected ones, but the IL-6 level was lower than that of uninfected one. These differences between infected and uninfected groups were all significant(P<0.05). There were no differences in the induction of TNF-α, IFN-α and IL-8 between the local strain CN8 and GS strain (all P>0.05), while the inhibition of IL-6 production induced by GS strain was more prominant than that induced by CN8 (P<0.05). It was also found that NK activity was augmented at 24h post infection, which was more striking in CN8 strain infection group than in GS strain infection group (P<0.05), after then, it was gradually decreased. From these reults, it could be inferred that the increase of cytokines synthesis and augmentation of NK activity were associated with convalescence and pathogenicity of the HHV-6 infection. GS strain, which belongs to groups A, disturbed the function of human immunity more remarkably than the local strain CN8, which belongs to group B.

Inhibiting Human Copper Transfer and Tumor Growth

Copper is a trace element that is required by almost all forms of life.Acting as cofactors for various key metabolism enzymes,copper takes part in many vital biological processes.Previous studies have found the concentration of copper is significantly higher in tumor cells than in normal cells.In addition,copper can promote angiogenesis by activating VEGF and FGF signaling.

Attenuated retinoic acid signaling is among the early responses in mouse uterus approaching embryo attachment

The uterus is transiently receptive for embryo implantation.It remains to be understood why the uterus does not reject a semi-allogeneic embryo(to the biological mother)or an allogeneic embryo(to a surrogate)for implantation.To gain insights,we examined uterine early response genes approaching embryo attachment on day 3 post coitum(D3)at 22 hours when blue dye reaction,an indication of embryo attachment,had not manifested in mice.C57BL/6 pseudo-pregnant(control)and pregnant mouse uteri were collected on D3 at 22 hours for microarray analysis.The self-assembling-manifold(SAM)algorithm identified 21,858 unique probesets.Principal component analysis indicated a clear separation between the pseudo-pregnant and pregnant groups.There were 106 upregulated and five downregulated protein-coding genes in the pregnant uterus with fold change(fc)>1.5 andq value<5%.Gene ontology(GO)analysis of the 106 upregulated genes revealed 38 significant GO biological process(GOBP)terms(P<0.05),and 32(84%)of them were associated with immune responses,with a dominant natural killer(NK)cell activation signature.Among the top eight upregulated protein-coding genes,Cyp26a1 inactivates retinoic acid(RA)whileLrat promotes vitamin A storage,both of which are expected to attenuate RA bioavailability;Atp6v0d2 andGjb2 play roles in ion transport and transmembrane transport;Gzmb,Gzmc,andIl2rb are involved in immune responses;andTdo2 is important for kynurenine pathway.Most of these genes or their related pathways have functions in immune regulations.RA signaling has been implicated in immune tolerance and immune homeostasis,and uterine NK cells have been implicated in immunotolerance at the maternal-fetal interface in the placenta.The mechanisms of immune responses approaching embryo attachment remain to be elucidated.The coordinated effects of the early response genes may hold the keys to the question of why the uterus does not reject an implanting embryo.

Recovery of natural active molecules using aqueous two-phase systems comprising of ionic liquids/deep eutectic solvents

Due to environmental protection requirements,extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials using environment-friendly green solvents has always been a research hotspot.And great efforts of scholars have been made in this direction,as well as environment-friendly solvents have been used to develop many innovative extraction techniques.Ionic liquids(ILs)and deep eutectic solvents(DESs)are two kinds of typical designable green solvents,which are potential replacements for traditional volatile organic solvents used for extracting.Under the substances action of inorganic salts or polymers,ILs/DESs can form an aqueous two-phase system(ATPS),which has obvious advantages for separating natural products.This paper discussed the phase separation principle of ILs/DESs-based ATPSs and reviewed the applications in the extraction of natural active molecules in recent years,as well as to promote the development of separation of the active constituents in Chinese materia medica.

Contributions of anthropogenic and external natural forcings to climate changes over China based on CMIP5 model simulations

Based on observations and historical simulations from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP5) archive, the contributions of human activities(including greenhouse gases(GHGs), anthropogenic aerosols(AAs), and land use(LU)) and external natural forcings(Nat) to climate changes in China over the past 50 years were quantified. Both anthropogenic and external natural forcings account for 95%–99% of the observed temperature change from 1951–1975 to 1981–2005. In particular, the temperature changes induced by GHGs are approximately 2–3 times stronger than the observed changes, and AAs impose a significant cooling effect. The total external forcings can explain 65%–78% of the observed precipitation changes over the past 50 years, in which AAs and GHGs are the primary external forcings leading to the precipitation changes; in particular, AAs dominate the main spatial features of precipitation changes in eastern China. Human activities also dominate the long-term non-linear trends in observed temperature during the past several decades, and, in particular, GHGs, the primary warming contributor, have produced significant warming since the 1960 s. Compared to the long-term non-linear trends in observed precipitation, GHGs have largely caused the wetting changes in the arid-semiarid region since the 1970 s, whereas AAs have led to the drying changes in the humid-semihumid region; both LU and Nat can impose certain impacts on the long-term non-linear trends in precipitation. Using the optimal fingerprinting detection approach, the effects of human activities on the temperature changes can be detected and attributed in China, and the effect of GHGs can be clearly detected from the observations in humid-semihumid areas. However, the anthropogenic effects cannot be detected in the observed precipitation changes, which may be due to the uncertainties in the model simulations and to other issues. Although some results in this paper still need improvement due to uncertainties in the coupled models, this study is expected to provide the background and scientific basis for climate changes to conduct vulnerability and risk assessments of the ecological systems and water resources in the arid-semiarid region of China.

Comparison of different combined treatment processes to address the source water with high concentration of natural organic matter during snowmelt period

The source water in one forest region of the Northeast China had very high natural organic matter（NOM） concentration and heavy color during snowmelt period. The efficiency of five combined treatment processes was compared to address the high concentration of NOM and the mechanisms were also analyzed. Conventional treatment can hardly remove dissolved organic carbon（DOC） in the source water. KMn O4pre-oxidization could improve the DOC removal to 22.0%. Post activated carbon adsorption improved the DOC removal of conventional treatment to 28.8%. The non-sufficient NOM removal could be attributed to the dominance of large molecular weight organic matters in raw water, which cannot be adsorbed by the micropore upon activated carbon. O3＋ activated carbon treatment are another available technology for eliminating the color and UV254 in water. However, its performance of DOC removal was only 36.4%, which could not satisfy the requirement for organic matter. The limited ozone dosage is not sufficient to mineralize the high concentration of NOM. Magnetic ion-exchange resin combined with conventional treatment could remove 96.2%of color, 96.0% of UV254 and 87.1% of DOC, enabling effluents to meet the drinking water quality standard. The high removal efficiency could be explained by the negative charge on the surface of NOM which benefits the static adsorption of NOM on the anion exchange resin. The results indicated that magnetic ion-exchange resin combined with conventional treatment is the best available technology to remove high concentration of NOM.

Natural orbitals renormalization group approach to a Kondo singlet

A magnetic impurity embedded in a Fermi sea is collectively screened by a cloud of conduction electrons to form a Kondo singlet below a characteristic energy scale TK,the Kondo temperature,through the mechanism of the Kondo effect.We have reinvestigated the Kondo singlet by means of the newly developed natural orbitals renormalization group(NORG)method.We find that,in the framework of natural orbitals formalism,the Kondo screening mechanism becomes transparent and simple,while the intrinsic structure of a Kondo singlet is clearly resolved.For a single impurity Kondo system in whichever case of either finite size or thermodynamic limit,there exists a single active natural orbital that screens the magnetic impurity dominantly.In the perspective of entanglement,the magnetic impurity is entangled dominantly with the active natural orbital,i.e.,the subsystem formed by the active natural orbital and the magnetic impurity basically disentangles from the remaining system.We have also studied the structures of the active natural orbital respectively projected into real space and momentum space.Moreover,the dynamical properties,represented by one-particle Green’s functions defined at the active natural orbital,are obtained by the correction vector method.Meanwhile,the well-known Kondo resonance is clearly observed in the spectral function at the active natural orbital.To realize the thermodynamic limit,the Wilson chains with the numerical renormalization group approach are employed.

Review on herbal tea as a functional food:classification,active compounds,biological activity,and industrial status

Most herbal tea infusions use edible medicinal plants as raw material and are consumed daily.Although herbal tea has a long history of health care applications worldwide,there is a lack of systematic research on the classification and functional nutritional value of various herbal teas.In recent years,the discovery of the rich biological activities and health benefits of herbal tea has become a driving force for researchers interested in its development as a functional food.However,the shortcomings of herbal tea products are not fully known.In particular,the quality evaluation system is not perfect,and there is insufficient data on the mechanism of action of herbal teas in their traditional uses.To better understand the functions and mechanisms of various herbal teas,this article reviews the classification,effective chemical composition,main biological activities,and mechanism of action of herbal teas.Finally,the current advantages,limitations,and direction of future development of herbal tea are determined and discussed.

Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of NAFLD:A promising drug Potentilla discolor Bunge

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is characterized by excessive accumulation of hepatic lipids and metabolic stress-induced liver injury.There are currently no approved effective pharmacological treatments for NAFLD.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been used for centuries to treat patients with chronic liver diseases without clear disease types and mechanisms.More recently,TCM has been shown to have unique advantages in the treatment of NAFLD.We performed a systematic review of the medical literature published over the last two decades and found that many TCM formulas have been reported to be beneficial for the treatment of metabolic dysfunctions,including Potentilla discolor Bunge(PDB).PDB has a variety of active compounds,including flavonoids,terpenoids,organic acids,steroids and tannins.Many compounds have been shown to exhibit a series of beneficial effects for the treatment of NAFLD,including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions,improvement of lipid metabolism and reversal of insulin resistance.In this review,we summarize potential therapeutic effects of TCM formulas for the treatment of NAFLD,focusing on the medicinal properties of natural active compounds from PDB and their underlying mechanisms.We point out that PDB can be classified as a novel candidate for the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.

Seimatoric acid and colletonoic acid:Two new compounds from the endophytic fungi,Seimatosporium sp.and Colletotrichum sp.

A new metabolite,named seimatoric acid（1）,representing a new oxobutanoic acid derivative has been isolated from Seimatosporium sp., in addition to four known compounds viz.,2-hydroxymethyl-4β,5α,6β-trihydroxycyclohex-2-enone（2）,（-）-phyllostine（3）,（＋）-epiepoxydon（4） and（＋）-epoxydon monoacetate（5）.Similarly one new benzoic acid derivative,named colletonoic acid（6） was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Colletotrichum sp.The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed ^1 H NMR,^13C NMR,COSY,HMQC.HMBC spectroscopic analysis,and HR-E1-MS.Seimatoric acid（1）was also isolated from another taxonomical unidentified fungal strain 4295 in ourgroup.The structures of the known compounds were elucidated by their spectral data comparison to literature data.Preliminary studies showed that colletonoic acid（6） showed good antibacterial,antifungal,and antialgal activities.