Phosphorus overenrichment of shallow ponds prevailing in wetlands leads to their eutrophication causing the collapse of those vulnerable habitats.The potential of phosphorus accumulation by periphyton developed on art...Phosphorus overenrichment of shallow ponds prevailing in wetlands leads to their eutrophication causing the collapse of those vulnerable habitats.The potential of phosphorus accumulation by periphyton developed on artificial substrata has been investigated in two shallow ponds(Bara?ka and?iroki Rit)in northwest Serbia and compared to the same ability of plankton and metaphyton.The periphyton substrate carrier has been submerged from May to October.Both continuously(CS)and monthly developed(MS)periphyton were sampled.Autotrophic component of all investigated communities has been qualitatively assessed.Maximum accumulation of only 14.7 mg TP/m^(2) was recorded in three-month exposed periphyton CS.MS exposed from July to August reached maximal 12.7 mg TP/m^(2).Plankton community that was characterized by more diverse and abundantly developed algal component was more effective in phosphorus accumulation(0.7 mg/g dry weight)in comparison with dominantly inorganic and diatom-dominated periphyton in Bara?ka.Unstable conditions caused by recent revitalization(dredging organic matter and mud from pond basin—redigging)as well as rapid desiccation of?iroki Rit disabled making an unambiguous conclusion about the efficiency of phosphorus accumulation among different communities,but suggested slight potential of phosphorus harvesting by metaphyton in this pond.Due to the shorter exposure time that brings the reduced risk of unpredictable changes in the ecosystem,as well as the considerable amount of accumulated phosphorus,large-scale application of one-month exposed periphyton developed on artificial substrates would be more advisable for phosphorus harvesting in nutrient affected shallow ponds.展开更多
Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a widely spread epidemic dis ease that results from the absence of insulin, decreased secretion and/or impaired function. Since DM is a multi factorial disease, the available pharmaceuticals, ...Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a widely spread epidemic dis ease that results from the absence of insulin, decreased secretion and/or impaired function. Since DM is a multi factorial disease, the available pharmaceuticals, despite their sensible treatment, target mostly one pathway to control hyperglycemia and encounter several side effects. Therefore, new therapeutic paradigms aim to hit several pathways using only one agent. Tradition ally, antidiabetic plants and/or their active constituents may fulfill this need. More than 200 species of plants possess antidiabetic properties which were evaluated mostly by screening tests without digging far for the exact mode of action. Searching among the differen literature resources and various database and in view o the above aspects, the present article provides a com prehensive review on the available antidiabetic plants that have been approved by pharmacological and clini cal evaluations, and which their mechanism(s) of ac tion is assured. These plants are categorized according to their proved mode of action and are classified into those that act by inhibiting glucose absorption from in testine, increasing insulin secretion from the pancreasinhibiting glucose production from hepatocytes, or enhancing glucose uptake by adipose and muscle tissues. The current review also highlights those that mimic in their action the new peptide analogs, such as exenatide, liraglutide and dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors that increase glucagon-like peptide-1 serum concentration and slow down the gastric emptying.展开更多
Although active constituents extracted from plants show robust in vitro pharmacological effects, low in vivo absorption greatly limits the widespread application of these compounds. A strategy of using phyto-phospholi...Although active constituents extracted from plants show robust in vitro pharmacological effects, low in vivo absorption greatly limits the widespread application of these compounds. A strategy of using phyto-phospholipid complexes represents a promising approach to increase the oral bioavailability of active constituents, which is consist of ‘‘label-friendly'phospholipids and active constituents. Hydrogen bond interactions between active constituents and phospholipids enable phospholipid complexes as an integral part. This review provides an update on four important issues related to phyto-phospholipid complexes: active constituents, phospholipids, solvents, and stoichiometric ratios. We also discuss recent progress in research on the preparation, characterization, structural verification, and increased bioavailability of phyto-phospholipid complexes.展开更多
Objective To investigate the protective effect of 17β-estradiol （E2）, peganum harmala extract （PHE） administration and calorie restriction （CR） treatment （60%） on oxidative stress and hepato-toxicity in aged ...Objective To investigate the protective effect of 17β-estradiol （E2）, peganum harmala extract （PHE） administration and calorie restriction （CR） treatment （60%） on oxidative stress and hepato-toxicity in aged rats. Methods Eighteen months old animals that were treated at the age of 12 months were divided into 4 groups： normal control group with free access to food, E2 treatment group, PHE treatment group and CR treatment group of the food given to control group. Six male rats at the age of 4 months were used as a reference group. Results Aging significantly decreased superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX）, and increased lactate deshydrogenase （LDH）, gamma-glyiamyl transferase （GGT）, pbosphatase alkalines （PAL）, aspartate and lactate transaminase （AST and ALT） activities in the liver. Aging also induced an increased lipid peroxidation level, histological changes and a decreased E2 level. However, treatment with E2, PHE, and CR increased 17β-estradiol, and decreased hepatic dysfunction parameters and lipid peroxidation as well as histological changes in the liver of aged rats. Conclusion The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of PHE and CR is possibly attributed to its ability to increase E2 level, which as an antioxidant, acts as a scavenger of ROS. Further studies on the pharmaceutical functions of E2 in males may contribute to its clinical application.展开更多
The Songliao Basin,the biggest Cretaceous oil-gas producing lacustrine basin in northeast China, contains the giant Daqing Oilfield situated in the central part.Lacustrine setting dominated the basin during the Cretac...The Songliao Basin,the biggest Cretaceous oil-gas producing lacustrine basin in northeast China, contains the giant Daqing Oilfield situated in the central part.Lacustrine setting dominated the basin during the Cretaceous period.The SK-I drilling, located in the northern central part of the Songliao Basin,was completed in 2007 and is supposed to be a possible breakthrough in lake investigation.This paper aims to study the Cretaceous展开更多
The androgen receptor （AR） plays a critical role in prostate cancer development and progression. This study aimed to use a computerized docking approach to examine the interactions between the human AR and phytooest...The androgen receptor （AR） plays a critical role in prostate cancer development and progression. This study aimed to use a computerized docking approach to examine the interactions between the human AR and phytooestrogens （genistein, daidzein, and flavone） and xeno-oestrogens （bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane [DDT], diethylstilbestrol [DES]）. The predicted three-dimensional structure of AR and androgens was established using X-ray diffraction. The binding of four xeno-oestrogens and three phyto-oestrogens to AR was analysed. The steroids estradiol and dihydrotestosterone （DHT） were used as positive controls and thyroxine as negative control. All the ligands shared the same binding site except for thyroxine. The endogenous hormones DHT and 17β-oestradiol showed the strongest binding with the lowest affinity energy （〈 -10 kcal mol-1）. All three phyto- oestrogens and two xeno-oestrogens （bisphenol A and DES） showed strong binding to AR. The affinities offlavone, genistein, and daidzein were between -8.8 and -8.5 kcal mol 1, while that of bisphenol A was -8.1 kcal mol-l and DES -8.3 kcal mol-1. Another two xeno-oestrogens, 4-nonylphenol and DDT, although they fit within the binding domain of AR, showed weak affinity （-6.4 and -6.7 kcal mol 1, respectively）. The phyto-oestrogens genistein, daidzein and flavone, and the xeno-oestrogens bisphenol A and DES can be regarded as androgenic effectors. The xenooestrogens DDT and 4-nonylphenol bind only weakly to AR.展开更多
Dear Editor： Pergularia daemia Forsk （Asclepiadaceae） is a perennial twining herb commonly known as veliparuthi in Tamil. The plant has anthelmintic, laxative, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory ...Dear Editor： Pergularia daemia Forsk （Asclepiadaceae） is a perennial twining herb commonly known as veliparuthi in Tamil. The plant has anthelmintic, laxative, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. The pharmacological properties of this plant come from bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, triterpenes, saponins and flavonoids. Phytochemically, the plant has been investigated for the presence of cardenolides, alkaloids, saponins and steroidal compoundst. In the present study, we developed a rapid method for identification and quantitative determination of putative phyto compounds in the crude extracts of ethyl acetate and methanol from whole plant of Pergularia daemia.展开更多
A one-year field study was conducted to determine the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon (Phyto-C) to chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Jiaozhou Bay,China.We measured suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) an...A one-year field study was conducted to determine the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon (Phyto-C) to chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Jiaozhou Bay,China.We measured suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) and phytoplankton Chl-a samples collected in surface water monthly from March 2005 to February 2006.The temporal and spatial variations of Chl-a and POC concentrations were observed in the bay.Based on the field measurements,a linear regression model II was used to generate the conversion ratio of Phyto-C to Chl-a.In most cases,a good linear correlation was found between the observed POC and Chl-a concentrations,and the calculated conversion ratios ranged from 26 to 250 with a mean value of 56 μgμg-1.The conversion ratio in the fall was higher than that in the winter and spring months,and had the lowest values in the summer.The ratios also exhibited spatial variations,generally with low values in the near shore regions and relatively high values in offshore waters.Our study suggests that temperature was likely to be the main factor influencing the observed seasonal variations of conversion ratios while nutrient supply and light penetration played important roles in controlling the spatial variations.展开更多
基金Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development,Republic of Serbia,Projects(Nos.451-03-68/2020-14/200178,451-03-68/2020-14/200026)。
文摘Phosphorus overenrichment of shallow ponds prevailing in wetlands leads to their eutrophication causing the collapse of those vulnerable habitats.The potential of phosphorus accumulation by periphyton developed on artificial substrata has been investigated in two shallow ponds(Bara?ka and?iroki Rit)in northwest Serbia and compared to the same ability of plankton and metaphyton.The periphyton substrate carrier has been submerged from May to October.Both continuously(CS)and monthly developed(MS)periphyton were sampled.Autotrophic component of all investigated communities has been qualitatively assessed.Maximum accumulation of only 14.7 mg TP/m^(2) was recorded in three-month exposed periphyton CS.MS exposed from July to August reached maximal 12.7 mg TP/m^(2).Plankton community that was characterized by more diverse and abundantly developed algal component was more effective in phosphorus accumulation(0.7 mg/g dry weight)in comparison with dominantly inorganic and diatom-dominated periphyton in Bara?ka.Unstable conditions caused by recent revitalization(dredging organic matter and mud from pond basin—redigging)as well as rapid desiccation of?iroki Rit disabled making an unambiguous conclusion about the efficiency of phosphorus accumulation among different communities,but suggested slight potential of phosphorus harvesting by metaphyton in this pond.Due to the shorter exposure time that brings the reduced risk of unpredictable changes in the ecosystem,as well as the considerable amount of accumulated phosphorus,large-scale application of one-month exposed periphyton developed on artificial substrates would be more advisable for phosphorus harvesting in nutrient affected shallow ponds.
文摘Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a widely spread epidemic dis ease that results from the absence of insulin, decreased secretion and/or impaired function. Since DM is a multi factorial disease, the available pharmaceuticals, despite their sensible treatment, target mostly one pathway to control hyperglycemia and encounter several side effects. Therefore, new therapeutic paradigms aim to hit several pathways using only one agent. Tradition ally, antidiabetic plants and/or their active constituents may fulfill this need. More than 200 species of plants possess antidiabetic properties which were evaluated mostly by screening tests without digging far for the exact mode of action. Searching among the differen literature resources and various database and in view o the above aspects, the present article provides a com prehensive review on the available antidiabetic plants that have been approved by pharmacological and clini cal evaluations, and which their mechanism(s) of ac tion is assured. These plants are categorized according to their proved mode of action and are classified into those that act by inhibiting glucose absorption from in testine, increasing insulin secretion from the pancreasinhibiting glucose production from hepatocytes, or enhancing glucose uptake by adipose and muscle tissues. The current review also highlights those that mimic in their action the new peptide analogs, such as exenatide, liraglutide and dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors that increase glucagon-like peptide-1 serum concentration and slow down the gastric emptying.
文摘Although active constituents extracted from plants show robust in vitro pharmacological effects, low in vivo absorption greatly limits the widespread application of these compounds. A strategy of using phyto-phospholipid complexes represents a promising approach to increase the oral bioavailability of active constituents, which is consist of ‘‘label-friendly'phospholipids and active constituents. Hydrogen bond interactions between active constituents and phospholipids enable phospholipid complexes as an integral part. This review provides an update on four important issues related to phyto-phospholipid complexes: active constituents, phospholipids, solvents, and stoichiometric ratios. We also discuss recent progress in research on the preparation, characterization, structural verification, and increased bioavailability of phyto-phospholipid complexes.
基金supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Education and Scientific Research and the Faculty of Science,Sfax, Tunisia
文摘Objective To investigate the protective effect of 17β-estradiol （E2）, peganum harmala extract （PHE） administration and calorie restriction （CR） treatment （60%） on oxidative stress and hepato-toxicity in aged rats. Methods Eighteen months old animals that were treated at the age of 12 months were divided into 4 groups： normal control group with free access to food, E2 treatment group, PHE treatment group and CR treatment group of the food given to control group. Six male rats at the age of 4 months were used as a reference group. Results Aging significantly decreased superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX）, and increased lactate deshydrogenase （LDH）, gamma-glyiamyl transferase （GGT）, pbosphatase alkalines （PAL）, aspartate and lactate transaminase （AST and ALT） activities in the liver. Aging also induced an increased lipid peroxidation level, histological changes and a decreased E2 level. However, treatment with E2, PHE, and CR increased 17β-estradiol, and decreased hepatic dysfunction parameters and lipid peroxidation as well as histological changes in the liver of aged rats. Conclusion The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of PHE and CR is possibly attributed to its ability to increase E2 level, which as an antioxidant, acts as a scavenger of ROS. Further studies on the pharmaceutical functions of E2 in males may contribute to its clinical application.
文摘The Songliao Basin,the biggest Cretaceous oil-gas producing lacustrine basin in northeast China, contains the giant Daqing Oilfield situated in the central part.Lacustrine setting dominated the basin during the Cretaceous period.The SK-I drilling, located in the northern central part of the Songliao Basin,was completed in 2007 and is supposed to be a possible breakthrough in lake investigation.This paper aims to study the Cretaceous
基金This study was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology （No. 2010DFA31430）, the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30871301, 30700827）, Ministry of Education of China （No. 108047）, Jilin Provincial Science ＆ Technology Department （No. 20070719, 20080731, 200905116）. We thank Mr Michael Hoyt, who critically read and revised our manuscript.
文摘The androgen receptor （AR） plays a critical role in prostate cancer development and progression. This study aimed to use a computerized docking approach to examine the interactions between the human AR and phytooestrogens （genistein, daidzein, and flavone） and xeno-oestrogens （bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane [DDT], diethylstilbestrol [DES]）. The predicted three-dimensional structure of AR and androgens was established using X-ray diffraction. The binding of four xeno-oestrogens and three phyto-oestrogens to AR was analysed. The steroids estradiol and dihydrotestosterone （DHT） were used as positive controls and thyroxine as negative control. All the ligands shared the same binding site except for thyroxine. The endogenous hormones DHT and 17β-oestradiol showed the strongest binding with the lowest affinity energy （〈 -10 kcal mol-1）. All three phyto- oestrogens and two xeno-oestrogens （bisphenol A and DES） showed strong binding to AR. The affinities offlavone, genistein, and daidzein were between -8.8 and -8.5 kcal mol 1, while that of bisphenol A was -8.1 kcal mol-l and DES -8.3 kcal mol-1. Another two xeno-oestrogens, 4-nonylphenol and DDT, although they fit within the binding domain of AR, showed weak affinity （-6.4 and -6.7 kcal mol 1, respectively）. The phyto-oestrogens genistein, daidzein and flavone, and the xeno-oestrogens bisphenol A and DES can be regarded as androgenic effectors. The xenooestrogens DDT and 4-nonylphenol bind only weakly to AR.
文摘Dear Editor： Pergularia daemia Forsk （Asclepiadaceae） is a perennial twining herb commonly known as veliparuthi in Tamil. The plant has anthelmintic, laxative, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. The pharmacological properties of this plant come from bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, triterpenes, saponins and flavonoids. Phytochemically, the plant has been investigated for the presence of cardenolides, alkaloids, saponins and steroidal compoundst. In the present study, we developed a rapid method for identification and quantitative determination of putative phyto compounds in the crude extracts of ethyl acetate and methanol from whole plant of Pergularia daemia.
基金Supported by the Knowledge Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nos.KZCX3-SW-214KZCX-YW-213-3)
文摘A one-year field study was conducted to determine the conversion ratio of phytoplankton biomass carbon (Phyto-C) to chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Jiaozhou Bay,China.We measured suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) and phytoplankton Chl-a samples collected in surface water monthly from March 2005 to February 2006.The temporal and spatial variations of Chl-a and POC concentrations were observed in the bay.Based on the field measurements,a linear regression model II was used to generate the conversion ratio of Phyto-C to Chl-a.In most cases,a good linear correlation was found between the observed POC and Chl-a concentrations,and the calculated conversion ratios ranged from 26 to 250 with a mean value of 56 μgμg-1.The conversion ratio in the fall was higher than that in the winter and spring months,and had the lowest values in the summer.The ratios also exhibited spatial variations,generally with low values in the near shore regions and relatively high values in offshore waters.Our study suggests that temperature was likely to be the main factor influencing the observed seasonal variations of conversion ratios while nutrient supply and light penetration played important roles in controlling the spatial variations.
