Chemical composition and biological activity of Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is an important traditional Chinese medicine.It is widely used for clearing heat and detoxification,reducing swelling and treating sores,diuresis and dehumidification.It is also used to treat lung carbuncles,ulcers,hemorrhoids,rectal bleeding,spleen and stomach heat,which are caused by excess heat,heat toxicity,dampness,and disease heat.Modern pharmacological experiments have shown that H.cordata has antibacterial,antiviral,immune enhancing,diuretic and other effects.This article reviews the chemical components and biological activities of H.cordata to provide reference for clinical application.

Chemical composition and pharmacological activities of Atractylodes lancea:A review

Atractylodes lancea(called Cangzhu in China)is a medicinal plant that has long been used as tonic agent in various ethno-medical systems in East Asia,especially in China,for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction,cancer,osteoporosis,obesity and fetal irritability.We used the TCMSP database to search for the main active ingredients and traditional Chinese medicine targets of Atractylodes macrocephala.There are a total of 38 related articles,of which 27 are closely related to chemical composition and activity.This study reviews the chemical components and pharmacological effects of A.lancea,aiming to provide reference for its further research and development.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Cistus munbyi essential oil: an endemic plant from Algeria

The chemical composition and antimicrobial potential of Cistus munbyi essential oil were studied for the first time. GC and GC–MS analysis revealed 48 compounds representing 96.98% of the oil. Terpinen-4-ol(23.75%), meta-Cymene(17.30%), and Sabinene(12.38%)were the major constituents. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against nine pathogens using the disc diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. Results show that C.munbyi essential oil possesses strong antimicrobial activity against all strains, regardless if Gram-positive or Gramnegative bacteria, or yeast, with MICs values not exceeding10(mg/ml). In addition to its efficacy, C. munbyi essential oil has an unusual antimicrobial potency which is attributed to its specific chemical composition. Thus, findings presented here suggest that endemic C. munbyi contains a very interesting essential oil that may be valuable in several areas.

Analysis on the Nutrition Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Different Types of Sweet Potato Cultivars

In this study, we selected four different color fleshed sweet potatoes, purple- (Jizi 01), red- (Xinong 431), yellow- (Beijing 553) and white- (Shangshu 19) fleshed cultivars as test materials, analyzed nutrient composition, dietary fiber content, anthocyanins quantification, and total phenolics content, and also measured their total antioxidant activity in four different types of sweet potato. In view of differences in flesh color, the nutrient contents of different cultivars appeared to be significantly different. Starch contents of Beijing 553 and Shangshu 19 were higher, but fat contents were lower than others. Protein content of Shangshu 19 was the highest followed by Jizi 01 and Xinong 431. In addition, our analysis results confirmed that purple fleshed sweet potato possesses much higher anthocyanins content than others, even up to 6.23 mg/g dry matter. Also, dietary fiber, total phenolics content, and total antioxidant capacity of Jizi 01 were significantly higher.

Radical-scavenging activity,ACE-inhibiting capability and identification of rapeseed albumin hydrolysate

Albumin derived from rapeseed was hydrolyzed sequentially using alcalase and flavorzyme to produce antioxidant peptides.To identify antioxidant peptides,rapeseed albumin hydrolysate(RAH)was fractionated using size exclusion chromatography(G-25).The antioxidant activity and angiotensin I-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibiting activity of rapeseed peptides(RSP)purified from RAH were evaluated.The results revealed that RSP-4 had the highest ABTS radical-scavenging activity(TEAC value=0.24)and ACE-inhibiting capacity(IC50=0.19 mg/mL)compared to other fractions.Moreover,RSP-4 was identified as PFDSYFVC(977 D)by electrospray ionization(ESI)mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry(MS/MS).©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,digestive enzyme activity,and body composition of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

An 8-week feeding experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary genistein on growth performance,body composition,and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated containing four graded supplements of genistein:0,30,300,and 3 000 μg/g.Each diet was randomly assigned in triplicate to tanks stocked with 15 juvenile tilapia(10.47±1.24 g).The results show that 30 and 300 μg/gdietary genistein had no significant effect on growth performance of Nile tilapia,but the higher level of genistein(3 000 μg/g)significantly depressed the final body weight and specific growth rate.There was no significant difference in survival rate,feed intake,feed efficiency ratio or whole body composition among all dietary treatments.An assay of digestive enzymes showed that the diet containing 3 000 μg/ggenistein decreased stomach and hepatopancreas protease activity,and amylase activity in the liver and intestine,while a dietary level of300 μg/g genistein depressed stomach protease and intestine amylase activities.However,no significant difference in stomach amylase activity was found among dietary treatments.Overall,the results of the present study indicate that a high level of dietary genistein(3 000 μg/g,or above) would significantly reduce the growth of Nile tilapia,partly because of its inhibitory effect on the activity of major digestive enzymes.Accordingly,the detrimental effects of genistein,as found in soybean products,should not be ignored when applied as an alternative ingredient source in aquaculture.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Gongronema latifolium

Chemical composition of Gongronema latifolium leaves was determined using standard methods. Aqueous and methanol G. latifolium extracts were tested against thirteen pathogenic bacterial isolates. Crude protein, lipid extract, ash, crude fibre and nitrogen flee extractives obtained are： 27.2%, 6.07%, 11.6%, 10.8% and 44.3% dry matter respectively. Potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and cobalt contents are 332, 110, 115, 125 and 116 mg/kg respectively. Dominant essential amino acids are leucine, valine and phenylalanine. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid and glycine are 13.8%, 11,9% and 10.3% respectively of total amino acid. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are 50.2% and 39.4% of the oil respectively. Palmitic acid makes up 36% of the total fatty acid. Extracts show no activity against E. faecalis, Y. enterolytica, E. aerogenes, B. cereus and E. agglomerans. Methanol extracts were active against S, enteritidis, S. cholerasius ser typhimurium and P. aeruginosa （minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） 1 mg; zone of growth inhibition 7, 6.5 and 7 mm respectively）. Aqueous extracts show activity against E. coli （MIC 5 mg） and P. aeruginosa （MIC 1 mg） while methanol extracts are active against P. aeruginosa and L. monocytogenes. G. lafifolium has potential food and antibacterial uses.

Leisure-time physical activity,anthropometrics,and body composition as predictors of quality of life domains after spinal cord injury:an exploratory cross-sectional study

The objective of the current work was to examine the relationships between quality of life(QOL)domains in persons with spinal cord injury(SCI)and their levels of weekly leisure-time physical activity(LTPA),anthropometric variables,and body composition variables.This exploratory cross-sectional study consisted of baseline data collected as part of a randomized clinical trial at a VA Medical Center and SCI center.A convenience sample of 36 community-dwelling persons with SCI participated in the current study.Outcome measures included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Form(WHOQOL-BREF),Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Spinal Cord Injury(LTPAQ-SCI),anthropomorphic measures(waist,hip,and abdominal circumference),and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(DXA)to quantify regional and total body composition.Multiple regression models suggested that engagement in LTPA accounted for 35.7%of the variance in physical health QOL,33.5%in psychological QOL,14.2%in social relationships QOL,and 38.2%in environmental QOL.Anthropometric measures accounted for 11.3%,3.1%,12.0%,and 6.7%of the variance in these QOL indices,respectively,and DXA indices accounted for 18.7%,17.5%,27.4%,and 21.9%.Within these models,the number of minutes of heavy LTPA per day uniquely predicted physical health QOL,the number of mild LTPA days per week uniquely predicted psychological QOL,and the amount of mild LTPA per day uniquely predicted environmental QOL.Bivariate analyses also suggested that android and trunk fat,as well as supine waist and abdominal circumferences,were positively associated with social relationships QOL.Encouraging individuals with SCI to engage in LTPA may robustly enhance multiple aspects of QOL while reducing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic morbidities associated with SCI.Moreover,this may lead to a further understanding of how QOL may impact longitudinal intervention trials.The study protocol and procedures were reviewed and approved by the McGuire VA Research Institutional Review Board(IRB#02152,approval date August 9,2015;IRB#02375,approval date May 2,2018).

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils of Ocimum basilicum var. album （L.） Benth, Lavandula angustifolia subsp. Angustifolia,Melissa officinalis Belonging to Lamiaceae Family

The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils ofOcimum basilicum var. album （L.） Benth, Lavandula angustifolia subsp, angustifolia, Melissa officinalis. The chemical compositionof a hydrodistilled essential oils of Ocimum basilicum var. album （L.） Benth., Lavandula angustifolia subsp, angustifolia, Melissaofficinalis was analyzed by a GC/MS system. Ocimum basilicum var. album （L.） Benth essential oil contains1,6-octadien-3-ol,3,7-dimethyl （53.79%）, Lavandula angustifolia subsp, angustifolia essential oil 1,6-octadien-3-ol,3,7-dimethyl（42.07%）, Melissa officinalis essential oil d-limonene （26%）. Antimicrobial screening of the essential oils was made by disc diffusion.The antimicrobial test results showed that the Ocimum basilicum var. album （L.） Benth, Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifoliasubsp, angustifolia essential oils have great potential of antimicrobial activity against all three （Staphylococcus aureus （ATCC 6338）Gram positive, Escherichia coli （ATCC 10536）, Pseudomonas aeruginosa （ATCC 15442） Gram negative bacteria）, one fungi（Aspergillus niger）, one yeast （Candida albicans） species tested.

Composition analysis and hpyerglycemic activity of the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the hpyerglycemic activity and elucidate the active composition of the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L.,an edible and medicinal plant used for traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine to cure the blood disease,bacon disease,liver disease,heart disease and hypertension.METHODS The LO2 normal liver cell lines were used to investigate the hpyerglycemic activity,The LO2 cells were treated with 100,200 and 400μg·mL-1 extracts of P.emblica L.;real-Time PCR was used to detect the expression of glucose transporter type 2(GLUT-2)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ)mRNA.The PPRE(peroxisome proliferator response element)and NF-κB activities were detected by luciferase method.The chemical compositions were analyzed by HPLC-MS.RESULTS The expression of GLUT-2 and PPARγmRNA were significantly increased treated with 400μg·mL-1 extracts of P.emblica L.(P<0.05)and in a dose-dependant manner;PPRE activity was significantly increased in a dosedependant manner(P<0.05);however,NF-κB activity induced by LPS was inhibited also in a dose-dependant manner(P<0.05).The chemical composition analyzed by HPLC-MS showed that the gallic acid was the major component in P.emblica L.CONCLUSION P.emblica L.showed promising hpyerglycemic activity and the gallic acid was the main constituent.

Bioactivity profile of dissolved organic matter and its relation to molecular composition

Dissolved organic matter(DOM)occupies a huge and uncharted molecular space.Given its properties,DOM can be presented as a promising biotechnological resource.However,research into bioactivities of DOM is still in early stages.In this study,the biotechnological potential of terrestrial and marine DOM,its molecular composition and their relationships are investigated.Samples were screened for their in vitro antibacterial,antifungal,anticancer and antioxidant activities.Antibacterial activity was detected against Staphylococcus aureus in almost all DOM samples,with freshwater DOM showing the lowest IC50 values.Most samples also inhibited Staphylococcus epidermidis,and four DOM extracts showed up to fourfold higher potency than the reference drug.Antifungal activity was limited to only porewater DOM towards human dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum.No significant in vitro anticancer activity was observed.Low antioxidant potential was exerted.The molecular characterization by FT-ICR MS allowed a broad compositional overview.Three main distinguished groups have been identified by PCoA analyses.Antibacterial activities are related to high aromaticity content and highly-unsaturated molecular formulae(O-poor).Antifungal effect is correlated with highly-unsaturated molecular formulae(O-rich).Antioxidant activity is positively related to the presence of double bonds and polyphenols.This study evidenced for the first time antibacterial and antifungal activity in DOM with potential applications in cosmeceutical,pharmaceutical and aquaculture industry.The lack of cytotoxicity and the almost unlimited presence of this organic material may open new avenues in future marine bioprospect-ing efforts.

Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antibacterial Activity of the Leaf Essential Oil of Mentha officinalis from Rwanda

The search for new prototype drugs to combat infection is an absolute necessity and in this regard plant essential oils may offer great potential and hope. In this investigation, the essential oil of the leaves ofMentha officinalis grown in Rwanda was extracted by hydrodistillation method and analyzed by gas chromatography （GC） and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. The disc diffusion method was used to evaluate in vitro the zone of bacterial growth inhibition at various concentrations of the oil for five bacterial strains： Escherichia coli, Bacillus aureus, Streptococcus lactis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. The results of this study revealed many components among which the major components were menthol （80.79%）, menthone （4.906%）, isomenthone （3.5%）, piperitone （2.56%）, and methyl acetate （2.2%）. After 7 days of incubation on PCA medium, the growth of Escherichia coli, Bacillus aureus, Streptococcus lactis and Staphylococcus aureus was totally inhibited at an average diameter of 19 mm, 32 mm, 50 mm and 30 mm respectively by a medium concentration of 30 μm/disc ofM. officinalis oil. Quite the reverse, this investigation by a bioassay showed that the essential oil ofM. officinalis has no effect on Salmonella typhimurium. The obtained results in the present study indicate the possibility of exploiting the essential oil ofM. officinalis to combat so many infectious human diseases in Rwanda. However, further investigations are required to make the medical exploitation of this plant successful.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Date Seeds from Different Tunisian Date Palm Cultivars

Chemical composition,polyphenolic and flavonoid contents,and antioxidant activity were determined in date seeds derived from four Tunisian date palm(Phoenix dactylifera)cultivars namely:Goundi,Chekena,Mnekher and Remtha.Sodium and potassium contents in date seeds were determined by flame photometry,phenolic compounds by the Folin-Ciocalteu method,flavonoids by colorimetric quantification,and the antioxidant activity by the DPPH free radical scavenging method.Crude protein content varied widely(p<0.001)between date seed varieties and ranged from 3.95(Goundi)to 7.51%DM(Chekena).No significant differences(p>0.001)were detected between seed varieties for their dry matter(DM)and ash contents.However,sodium,potassium and phosphorus varied widely(p<0.001)between varieties.The highest phenolic content(p<0.001)was observed in Goundi(39.4 mg gallic acid equivalent(GAE)/g DM)and Remtha(36.6 mg GAE/g DM)seed varieties.Likewise,Goundi had the highest(p<0.001)flavonoid content(16.4 mg quercetin equivalent(QE)/g DM)and antioxidant activity(1,807μM Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity(TEAC)/g DM);however the lowest values(p<0.001)of phenolic(19.2 mg GAE/g DM),flavonoid(8.8 mg QE/g DM)and antioxidant activity(682μM TEAC/g DM)were observed for Chekena seeds.Further studies are needed to verify the potential of date seeds as alternative for animal nutrition.

Influence of age,menopause status,body mass index and physical activity on body composition and body fat distribution in midlife women

Objective:To investigate the influence of age,menopause status,body mass index(BMI) and physical activity on body composition and body fat distribution in Chinese midlife women. Methods:The healthy women who underwent anniversary health checkup in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were recruited cross-sectionally.The level of physical activity was determined via International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short in Chinese Version.The body composition and fat distribution were measured by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry. Results:A total of 162 women with average age 52 years(40-62 years) were recruited.Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to test the relationship between age,menopause status,BMI and physical activity and parameters of body composition and body fat distribution.The total fat tissue percentage was positively associated with BMI(standardized partial regression coefficient;b = 0.70),menopause status(b = 0.19.grading variables 1,2,3 were assigned to represent for reproductive group,menopausal transition group and postmenopausal group,respectively),and negatively associated with physical activity energy expenditure (b=—0.17) with model determination coefficient 0.55.Total body fat-free-tissue mass was positively associated with BMI(b = 0.61),negatively associated with menopause status(b=—0.14) with model determination coefficient 0.39.The ratio of trunk fat-tissue mass/total body fat-tissue mass(Tr/T) was positively associated with BMI(b=0.32) and menopause status(b = 0.30) with model determination coefficient 0.20.After adjusted the effects of BMI,menopause status and physical activity,age was not significantly related with total fat tissue percentage,body fat-free-tissue mass,nor ratio of(Tr/T). Conclusion:Menopause impacts body composition and body fat distribution independently.During the process of female reproductive aging,body fat tissue mass and centrally distributed fat tissue mass increase,while body fatfree -tissue mass decreases.Age itself has no significant relation with body composition and body fat distribution.It is recommended that midlife women should engage in more physical activity and keep proper body weight to reduce the negative effect of menopause on body fat tissue.

Photocatalytic activity and kinetics for acid yellow degradation over surface composites of TiO_2-coated activated carbon under different photocatalytic conditions

TiO2-coated activated carbon surface （TAs） composites were prepared by a sol-gel method with supercritical pretreatment. The photocatalytic degradation of acid yellow （AY） was investigated under UV radiation to estimate activity of catalysts and determine the kinetics. And the effects of parameters including the initial concentration of AY, light intensity and TiO2 content in catalysts were examined. The results indicate that TAs has a higher efficiency in decomposition of AY than P25, pure TiO2 particles as well as the mixture of TiO2 powder and active carbon. The photocatalytic degradation rate is found to follow the pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to the AY concentration. The new kinetic model fairly resembles the classic Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation, and the rate constant is proportional to the square root of the light intensity in a wide range. However, its absorption performance depends on the surface areas of catalysts. The model fits quite well with the experimental data and elucidates phenomena about the effects of the TiO2 content in TAs on the degradation rate.

Characterization of V_2O_5/MoO_3 composite photocatalysts prepared via electrospinning and their photodegradation activity for dimethyl phthalate

Vanadium pentoxide（V2O5）/molybdenum trioxide（MoO 3） composites with different molar ratios of vanadium（V） to molybdenum（Mo） were synthesized via a simple electrospinning technique. The photocatalytic activity of the composites were evaluated by their ability to photodegrade methylene blue and dimethyl phthalate（DMP） under visible-light irradiation. Compared with pure V2O5 and MoO 3,the V2O5/MoO 3 composites showed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity because of a V 3d impurity energy level and the formation of heterostructures at the interface between V2O5 and MoO 3. The optimal molar ratio of V to Mo in the V2O5/MoO 3 composites was found to be around 1/2. Furthermore,high-performance liquid chromatographic monitoring revealed that phthalic acid was the main intermediate in the photocatalytic degradation process of DMP.

Bridging the gap:Unveiling the crisis of physical inactivity in inflammatory bowel diseases

In this editorial we comment on the article titled“Inflammatory bowel diseases patients suffer from significant low levels and barriers to physical activity:The BE-FIT-IBD study”published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroen-terology 2023;29(41):5668-5682.Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)are emerging as a significant global health concern as their incidence continues to rise on a global scale,with detrimental impacts on quality of life.While many advances have been made regarding the management of the disease,physical inactivity in these patients represents an underexplored issue that may hold the key for further and better understanding the ramifications of IBD.Chronic pain,fatigue,and fear of exacerbating symptoms promotes physical inactivity among IBD patients,while the lack of clear guidelines on safe exercise regimens contributes to a norm of physical inactivity.Physical activity(PA)is accepted to have a positive effect on disease outcomes and quality of life,while inactivity exacerbates comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders.The“BE-FIT-IBD”study,focusing on PA levels and barriers in IBD patients of Southern Italy,revealed that a significant proportion(42.9%)were physically inactive.This lack of PA is attributed to barriers such as fear of flare-ups and misconceptions about exercise exacerbating the disease.The study also highlighted the need for better communication between healthcare providers and patients regarding the benefits of PA and safe incorporation into lifestyles.Moreover,physical inactivity may also contribute to disability in IBD patients,having a great impact on employment status.Of note is the fact that IBD also comes with an important psychological burden with relevant evidence suggesting that regular PA can improve mood,reduce anxiety,and enhance mental health.The“BE-FIT-IBD”study advocated for the integration of PA into IBD management,emphasizing the bidirectional link between PA and IBD.Regular exercise can influence the course of IBD,potentially reducing symptom severity and prolonging remission periods.As such,it is mandatory that healthcare providers actively educate patients,dispel misconceptions,and tailor exercise recommendations to improve the quality of life and reduce IBD-related complications.

The competition between Bidens pilosa and Setaria viridis alters soil microbial composition and soil ecological function

Bidens pilosa is recognized as one of the major invasive plants in China.Its invasion has been associated with significant losses in agriculture,forestry,husbandry,and biodiversity.Soil ecosystems play an important role in alien plant invasion.Microorganisms within the soil act as intermediaries between plants and soil ecological functions,playing a role in regulating soil enzyme activities and nutrient dynamics.Understanding the interactions between invasive plants,soil microorganisms,and soil ecological processes is vital for managing and mitigating the impacts of invasive species on the environment.In this study,we conducted a systematic analysis focusing on B.pilosa and Setaria viridis,a common native companion plant in the invaded area.To simulate the invasion process of B.pilosa,we constructed homogeneous plots consisting of B.pilosa and S.viridis grown separately as monocultures,as well as in mixtures.The rhizosphere and bulk soils were collected from the alien plant B.pilosa and the native plant S.viridis.In order to focus on the soil ecological functional mechanisms that contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa,we analyzed the effects of B.pilosa on the composition of soil microbial communities and soil ecological functions.The results showed that the biomass of B.pilosa increased by 27.51% and that of S.viridis was significantly reduced by 66.56%.The organic matter contents in the bulk and rhizosphere soils of B.pilosa were approximately 1.30 times those in the native plant soils.The TN and NO_(3)^(-)contents in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.30 to 2.71 times those in the native plant soils.The activities of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase,and urease in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.98-2.25 times higher than in the native plant soils.Using high-throughput sequencing of the16S rRNA gene,we found that B.pilosa altered the composition of the soil microbial community.Specifically,many genera in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were enriched in B.pilosa soils.Further correlation analyses verified that these genera had significantly positive relationships with soil nutrients and enzyme activities.Plant biomass,soil p H,and the contents of organic matter,TN,NO_(3)^(-),TP,AP,TK,and AK were the main factors affecting soil microbial communities.This study showed that the invasion of B.pilosa led to significant alterations in the composition of the soil microbial communities.These changes were closely linked to modifications in plant traits as well as soil physical and chemical properties.Some microbial species related to C,N and P cycling were enriched in the soil invaded by B.pilosa.These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis of soil-microbe feedback in the successful invasion of alien plants.They also offer insights into the ecological mechanism by which soil microbes contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa.Overall,our research contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between invasive plants,soil microbial communities,and ecosystem dynamics.

High-Resolution Records of the Holocene Paleoenvironmental Variation Reflected by Carbonate and Its Isotopic Compositions in Bosten Lake and Response to Glacial Activities

The Early Holocene paleoclimate in Bosten Lake on the northern margin of the Tarim Basin, southern Xinjiang, is reconstructed through an analysis of a 953 cm long core （BSTC2000） taken from Bosten Lake. Multiple proxies of this core, including the mineral components of carbonate, carbonate content, stable isotopic compositions of carbonate, Ca/Sr, TOC and C/N and C/S of organic matter, are used to reconstruct the climatic change since 8500 a B.P. The chronology model is made by nine AMS 14C ages of leaves, seeds and organic matter contained in two parallel cores. The climate was cold and wet during 8500 to 8100 a B.P. Temperature increased from 8100 to 6400 a B.P., the climate was warm and humid, and the lake expanded. The lake level was highest during this stage. Then from 6400 to 5100 a B.P., the climate became cold and the lake level decreased slightly. During the late mid-Holocene, the climate was hot and dry from 5100 to 3100 a B.P., but there was a short cold period during 4400 to 3800 a B.P. At this temporal interval, a mass of ice and snow melting water supplied the lake at the early time and made the lake level rise. The second highest lake level stage occurred during 5200 to 3800 a B.P. The climate was cool and wet during 3100 to 2200 a B.P., when the lake expanded with decreasing evaporation. The lake had the last short-term high level during 3100 to 2800 a B.P. After this short high lake level period, the lake shrank because of the long-term lower temperature and reduced water supply. From 2200 to 1200 a B.P., the climate was hot and dry, and the lake shrank greatly. Although the temperature decreased somewhat from 1200 a B.P. to the present, the climate was warm and dry. The lake level began to rise a little again, but it did not reach the river bed altitude of the Konqi River, an outflow river of the Bosten Lake.

Composition analysis and antioxidant activities of the Rhus typhina L.stem

The present investigation reports the chemical composition of the Rhus typhina L. stem identified via mass spectrometry and NMR as gallic acid, 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, tryptophan, scopolin, methyl gallate, fustin, quercetin, rutin, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose. The antioxidant properties and the chemical composition contents of the R. typhina L. stem grown in different regions in China were determined. To determine the antioxidant activity, a total phenolic content analysis, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and β-carotene linoleic acid model system were conducted. The results showed that the Rhus typhina L. stem possessed high antioxidant capacities due to its high phenolic content. The contents of the nine isolated compounds were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The calibration curves of the nine isolated compounds were linear within the concentration range and the average recoveries were high. The result showed that 1-Ogalloyl-β-D-glucose, gallic acid, methyl gallate, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose could be the compounds mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of the R. typhina L. stem. This reveals that the R. typhina L. stem is a good source of antioxidants.