TAT-GluA2CT interferes with the protective effect of GluA2/TARPγ-8 coupling on nerve injury in status epilepticus model of rats / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of interfering peptide TAT-GluA2CT on hippocampal neurons in the Lithium chlorine-Pilocarpine status epilepticus model and the optimal time of administration.Methods:Male SD rats (72 cases) were induced to status epilepticus by using Lithium chlorine-Pilocarpine, while a control group ( n=12) was established.The 72 rats were divided into epilepsy group ( n=12), TAT-sham peptide group ( n=12), TAT-GluA2CT peptide group ( n=48) according to the random number table method, and the TAT-GluA2CT peptide group were further divided into the pre-1 h group ( n=12), the post-2 h group ( n=12), the post-4 h group( n=12), and the post-6 h group ( n=12) according to the administration time of the TAT-GluA2CT peptide.Nissl staining and terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed on 6 rats each from control group, epilepsy group, TAT-shampeptide group, pre-1 h group, post-2 h group, post-4 h group, and post-6 h group to observe the morphological changes and apoptosis of neurons in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus.Western blot and co-immunopercipitation test were used to detect the expression of GluA2[second subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) recepter] and the coupling of GluA2/transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein (TARP γ-8) complex in control group, epilepsy group, pre-1 h group, post-2 h group, post-4 h group and post-6 h group.The t-test was used to compare the data differences between 2 groups, and one-way ANOVA was adopted to compare the differences between the groups. Results:Compared with the epilepsy group, the number of neurons in each TAT-GluA2CT peptide group increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant( epilepsy group 20.07±3.51, pre-1 h group 39.40±2.39, post-2 h group 38.43±2.42, post-4 h group 30.30±2.55, and post-6 h group 27.93±3.20, F=235.28, P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy group, the number of apoptotic cells in each TAT-GluA2CT peptide group was significantly reduced, and the difference was statistically significant(epilepsy group 31.47±3.19, pre-1 h group 7.30±3.45, post-2 h group 9.27±3.81, post-4 h group 12.86±3.08, and post-6 h group 14.43±3.13, F=248.60, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of hippocampal GluA2 decreased after epilepsy induction, and the difference was statistically significant(control group 21 626.53±2 700.58, epilepsy group 14 578.16±2 917.02, pre-1 h group 13 375.47±3 180.54, post-2 h group 15 244.10±1 390.41, post-4 h group 15 799.16±4 559.49, post-6 h group 15 722.95±1 756.01, F=3.83, P<0.05). No statistical difference was observed in the expression of GluA2 between the TAT-GluA2CT peptide group and the epilepsy group( F=0.45, P=0.77). Compared with the epilepsy group, GluA2/TARPγ-8 complex coupling was decreased in each TAT-GluA2CT peptide group, and the difference was statistically significant(epilepsy group 24 509.80±3 718.54, pre-1 h group 12 055.18±5 847.11, post-2 h group 9 630.51±5 805.17, post-4 h group 12 749.35±7 108.45, post-6 h group 11 092.98±7 330.08, F=10.68, P<0.05). Compared with the epilepsy group, the incubation period of seizures in the pre-1 h group was prolonged and the seizure rating was decreased, with statistically significant differences[epilepsy group (18.58±3.99) min, pre-1 h group (103.25±9.21) min, t=29.23, P<0.05]. Conclusions:TAT-GluA2CT peptide can attenuate the neuronal damage in hippocampus of epileptic rats.The neuroprotective effect of TAT-GluA2CT peptide was most obvious at 1 h before or 2 h after administration of Pilocarpine.

Recent developments on PET radiotracers for TSPO and their applications in neuroimaging

The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is predominately localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane in steroidogenic cells. Brain TSPO expression is relatively low under physiological conditions, but is upregulated in response to glial cell activation. As the primary index of neuroinflammation, TSPO is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this context, numerous TSPO-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed. Among them, several radioligands have advanced to clinical research studies. In this review, we will overview the recent development of TSPO PET tracers, focusing on the radioligand design, radioisotope labeling, pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging evaluation. Additionally, we will consider current limitations, as well as translational potential for future application of TSPO radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to not only present the challenges in current TSPO PET imaging, but to also provide a new perspective on TSPO targeted PET tracer discovery efforts. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the translation of TSPO in clinical studies of neuroinflammation associated with central nervous system diseases.

Short-chain fatty acids production by Bifidobacterium species in the presence of salep

BACKGROUND: Salep is obtained by grinding dried orchid tubers and used as a valuable ingredient in the food industry. Because of the glucomannan content of salep, it is thought to have prebiotic potential. However, there is little information in studies concerning the fermentation characteristics and potential prebiotic properties of salep. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salep on bifidobacterial growth by measuring the highest optical density (OD), calculating the specific growth rates, and determining the production of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric acid) as a result of bacterial fermentation. RESULT: The OD and pH values obtained in this study showed that salep was utilized as a source of assimilable carbon and energy by the Bifidobacterium species (BS). All Bifidobacterium strains produced lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid, indicating that salep is readily fermented by these bacteria. Salep at 1% (w/v) showed a similar effect on bifidobacterial growth as that promoted by 1% (w/v) glucose used as a traditional carbon source. CONCLUSIONS: Bifidobacterium species can develop in media containing salep as well as in glucose and exhibit the potential to be used as new sources of prebiotics.

Regulatory effects of Cannabis Fructus oil on gut microecology in D-galactose- induced aging mice / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effects of Cannabis Fructus oil on the regulation of gut microecology in D-galactose-induced aging mice. Methods: The Kunming mice were divided into control group, model group, positive control group (Jin Shuangqi group), Cannabis Fructus oil (12.0, 6.0, 3.0 mL/kg) group with six males and six females in each group. In the control group, normal saline was injected subcutaneously into the back of the neck every day. The other five groups were injected subcutaneously with 1% D-galactose aqueous solution, and the volume was 10 mL/kg. After 1 h, the control group was given normal saline by intragastric administration. The other groups were intragastrically administered with different doses of Cannabis Fructus oil for 42 d, and the dosage volume was 20 mL/kg. After the end of the administration, the change in body weight was analyzed; The proximal intestinal tissue of the ileocecal area and the feces in the cecum and colon were retained. Gram staining was used for the detection of Gram-positive bacilli (G+b), Gram-negative bacilli (G-b), Gram-positive cocci (G+c) and Gram-negative cocci (G-c); The ileal mucosa changes were observed by HE staining; The pH value of the colon feces was determined by pH meter; And the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces was determined by gas chromatography. Results: The results showed that Cannabis Fructus oil increased the ratio of bacillus, reduced the ratio of cocci and the cecal coefficient, decreased the pH value of the colon, significantly improved the colon pathological changes of the model animals with unbroken membrane skin, regular glands and rich cup cells and fluff rich, increased the content of SCFAs in the intestine of mice, and significantly increased (P < 0.01) the content of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, and significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the content of isovaleric acid. Conclusion: It could conclude that Cannabis Fructus oil can up-regulate the ratio of D-galactose-induced mice intestinal bacteria structure, improve the intestinal microecology, so as to provide theoretical support for clinical application and product development of Cannabis Fructus oil.

Effect of several human metabolic compounds for trapping Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the indoor effect of six human metabolic compounds for trapping adult Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. Methods The effects of six human metabolic compounds alone (acetic acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, lactic acid, 1-octene-3-alcohol and urea alone), liquid lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, lactic acid or 1-octene-3-alcohol in combination with urea at an equal mass ratio, and lactic acid-urea combinations at various mass ratios, for trapping Cx. p. quinquefasciatus were examined using the trapping method, while the dechlorinated water served as a control. Results The indoor mosquito-trapping efficacy of the six human metabolic compounds was all superior to the dechlorinated water. Acetic acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, or 1-octene-3-alcohol combined with urea at a mass ratio of 1∶1 had a comparable mosquito-trapping efficacy with acetic acid, propionic acid, octanoic acid, or 1-octene-3-alcohol alone (all P values > 0.05). The lactic acidurea combination at a mass ratio of 1∶1 had a significantly higher mean cumulative trapping capacity [(35.60 ± 8.11) mosquitoes] than lactic acid [(20.80 ± 8.53) mosquitoes], urea [(17.00 ± 7.18) mosquitoes] or dechlorinated water alone (7.20 ± 2.68) (all P values < 0.05). In addition, the lactic acid-urea combinations at mass ratios of 1∶1, 1∶2, 1∶3, 1∶4 or 1∶5 all had significantly greater mosquito-trapping efficacies than lactic acid, urea or dechlorinated water alone (all P values < 0.05), and the optimal combination (lactic acid-urea at a 1∶4 mass ratio) had a mean cumulative trapping capacity of (56.20 ± 9.88) mosquitoes, which was significantly superior to lactic acid [(17.00 ± 3.94) mosquitoes], urea [(16.40 ± 3.78) mosquitoes] or dechlorinated water alone [(7.40 ± 3.44) mosquitoes] (all P values < 0.05). Conclusions The lactic acid-urea combination remarkably increases the indoor trapping capability of Cx. p. quinquefasciatus, and this combination has a weak smell, which is suitable to be used at home and office environments.

Adverse Events During Perampanel Adjunctive Therapy in Intractable Epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perampanel is the first α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA)-receptor antagonist developed to treat epilepsy. The effects of either rapid or slow dose titration on adverse events remain to be elucidated. METHODS: Eighty-five patients received perampanel between March 2016 and August 2016. Patients were divided into two groups according to their dosing schedule: rapid dose titration (2-mg increments at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks) and slow dose titration (2-mg increments at intervals of at least 3 weeks). Seizure frequency and adverse events were analyzed over 3 months. RESULTS: Adverse events were reported by 47 (58%) of the 81 patients analyzed, with 12 (15%) patients discontinuing perampanel due to adverse events. Common adverse events included dizziness (n=30, 37%), aggressive mood and behavior (n=19, 24%), gait disturbance (n=16, 20%), and sleep problems (n=10, 12.4%). The overall adverse events were similar in the slow-titration group (38 of 61 patients) and the rapid-titration group (8 of 20 patients, p=0.081). However, none of the 20 patients in the slow-titration group experienced gait disturbance, compared with 16 of the 61 patients in the rapid-titration group (p=0.009), while appetite change was experienced by 4 patients in the slow-titration group but only 1 in the rapid-titration group (p=0.003). No relationship was noted between adverse events and the maximum dose of perampanel (p=0.116). Sex differences were observed, with the response to perampanel being better and the rate of adverse events being higher in females (p=0.015 and p=0.046, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Slow titration of perampanel may reduce perampanel-related adverse events.

Evaluation of the ability to metabolize 1, 2-propanediol by heterofermentative bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus

Background: New directions of research on lactic acid bacteria include investigation of metabolic pathways for the synthesis and/or metabolism of 1,2-propanediol, commonly used in the food and chemical industry, medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology as well as agriculture. The objective of this study was to compare the capacity of strains representing three diverse heterofermentative species belonging to the genus Lactobacillus to synthesize and/or transform 1,2-PD as well as to suggest new directions of research aimed at commercial use of this metabolite. Results: The novel strain of Lactobacillus buchneri A KKP 2047p, characterized as exhibiting an unusual trait for that species in the form of capacity to metabolize 1,2-PD, grew poorly in a medium containing 1,2-PD as a sole carbon source. The supplementation with glucose facilitated rapid growth of bacteria and use of 1,2-PD for the synthesis of propionic acid. A similar observation was noted for Lactobacillus reuteri. On the other hand, Lactobacillus diolivorans effectively metabolized 1,2-PD which was the sole carbon source in the medium, and the addition of glucose inhibited the synthesis of propionic acid. The experiments also investigated the effect of cobalamin as a diol dehydratase coenzyme involved in the propionic acid synthesis from 1,2-PD whose addition promoted the yield of the reaction in the case of all tested strains. Conclusions: All tested isolates showed the ability to effectively metabolize 1,2-PD (in the presence of cobalamin) and its conversion to propionic acid, which reveals that investigated bacteria meet the essential requirements of microorganisms with a potential application.

Possibility of using apple pomaces in the process of propionic-acetic fermentation

Background: In 2014, apple production in EU countries amounted to 11.8 million tonnes. A constant increase in the production of these fruits will lead to the accumulation of thousands of tonnes of apple pomace (production waste). The amount of industrial apples is the highest - their proportiononthe market is estimated at 50-60%, of which over 95% is processed into juice. The proportion of pomace in the traditional pressing method accounts for 20% offruits used. Results: Analysis of the growth dynamics of wild strain Propionibacterium freudenreichii T82 in micro-cultures using different carbon sources showed that the highest bacterial growth occurs in an environment with fructose and the most intense biosynthesis of metabolites was found in medium containing only saccharose. It has been found that P. freudenreichii T82 used apple pomaces as a source of carbon. Propionic acid biosynthesis reached its maximum value in the 120th hour of cultivation (1.771 g/L). At this time, the content of the acetic acid produced reached the level of 7.049 g/L. Conclusions: Utilization of by-products is a significant challenge for manufacturing sites and the natural environment. The solution to this problem may involve the use of pomace as a medium component for microorganism cultivation, which is a source of industrially useful metabolites. This study examined the possibility of using apple pomace as a carbon source in the process of propionic-acetic fermentation via wild strain Propionibacterium freudenreichii T82 bacteria.

Study on phenylpropanoids and lignans from Selaginella involven / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of phenylpropanoids and lignans in Selaginella involven and to explore their roles in the plants evolution of Selaginella P. Beauv. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by polyamide, macroporous resin, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Results: Fifteen compounds were identified as 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (1), 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-methyl propionate (2), cinnamic acid (3), 3-hydroxy-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) propan-1-one (4), 3-hydroxy-1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) propan-1-one (5), (+)-wikstromol (6), (-)-nortrachelogenin (7), (+)-matrairesinol (8), (5H)-2-furanone-3,4-bis[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) methyl] (9), acutissimalignan B (10), detetrahydroconidendrin (11), syringaresinol (12), 3,3',5-trimethoxy-4',7-epoxy-8,5'-neolignan-7-ene-4,9,9'-triol-9-aldehyde (13), ciwujiatone (14), and tarennone (15), respectively. Conclusion: Compounds 1-15 are isolated from this plant for the first time. Among them 1-3, 9-11, and 13-15 are isolated from the plants of Selaginella P. Beauv. for the first time. The discovery of a series of mustards, coniferyl alcohols, and their derivatives, which is the representative of phenypropanoids and lignans from S. involven, plays an important role in the development of plants in Selaginella P. Beauv..

Initial pH of medium affects organic acids production but do not affect phosphate solubilization

The pH of the culture medium directly influences the growth of microorganisms and the chemical processes that they perform. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the initial pH of the culture medium on the production of 11 low-molecular-weight organic acids and on the solubilization of calcium phosphate by bacteria in growth medium (NBRIP). The following strains isolated from cowpea nodules were studied: UFLA03-08 (Rhizobium tropici), UFLA03-09 (Acinetobacter sp.), UFLA03-10 (Paenibacillus kribbensis), UFLA03-106 (Paenibacillus kribbensis) and UFLA03-116 (Paenibacillus sp.). The strains UFLA03-08, UFLA03-09, UFLA03-10 and UFLA03-106 solubilized Ca3(PO4)2 in liquid medium regardless of the initial pH, although without a significant difference between the treatments. The production of organic acids by these strains was assessed for all of the initial pH values investigated, and differences between the treatments were observed. Strains UFLA03-09 and UFLA03-10 produced the same acids at different initial pH values in the culture medium. There was no correlation between phosphorus solubilized from Ca3(PO4)2 in NBRIP liquid medium and the concentration of total organic acids at the different initial pH values. Therefore, the initial pH of the culture medium influences the production of organic acids by the strains UFLA03-08, UFLA03-09, UFLA03-10 and UFLA03-106 but it does not affect calcium phosphate solubilization.

Hippocampal neuronal damage and its possible mechanism in status epilepticus / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate hippocampal neuronal damage and dynamic change of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluR2 in status epilepticus, to find out whether GluR2/glyceral dehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) interaction has any change.Methods Male Wistar rats (62 cases) were induced to status epilepticus by using LiC1-pilocarpine.The 62 rats were divided into 1 h (6 cases),6 h (12 cases), 24 h (12 cases),72 h (12 cases)and 7 d (20 cases)after status epilepticus.At the same time, the healthy control group (12 cases) was established.Morphologic changes of hippocampus and the amount of apoptotic cells in healthy control and SE model groups at different time points (6 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 d) (6 cases each group) after status epilepticus were quantified by adopting Nissl staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling staining respectively.Expressions of GluR2 in healthy control and SE model groups at 1 h,6 h,24 h,72 h and 7 d (6 cases each group) after status epilepticus were detected by using Western blot.Co-precipitation and Western blot techniques were used to investigate whether the GluR2/GAPDH interaction in the hippocampus was increased.Results Compared with the healthy control group, the number of nerve cells in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions was significantly reduced at all studied time points(F =30.866,24.043, all P ＜0.05).Apoptotic cells in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions were significantly increased at 24 h,72 h and 7 d after status epilepticus (F =84.762,52.574, all P ＜ 0.01).GluR2 at 1 h,6 h after status epilepticus was equal to that of the control group (P ＞ 0.05), but it was shown to be significantly down-regulated at other studied time points (F =76.506,P ＜ 0.01);when compared with the healthy control group,the GluR2/GAPDH interaction was significantly up-regulated in the hippocampus at 72 h after status epilepticus (t =7.029, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Status epilepticus can lead to neuronal damage in the hippocampus.Down-regulation of GluR2 and increase of the GluR2/GAPDH complex formation might be one of the mechanisms involved in hippocampal neuronal damage.

Identification of the related substances in etimicin sulfate detected under the condition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 by LC/MSn with propionic acid enhanced electrospray ionization / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish an LC/MSn method for identification of the related substances in etimicn sulfate detected under the chromatographic condition described in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010. METHODS: The HPLC separation was carried out on a Welch Ultimate LP-C18 column (4.6 mm × 300 mm, 5 μm) with mobile phase consisting of 0.2 mol · L-1 trifluoroacetic acid (containing 0.1% propionic acid ) -methanol (84: 16) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min-1. Thirty percent of the eluent was detected by ion trap mass spectrometry, and the parent ions and the corresponding product spectra of all the related substances in etimicin sulfate were determined and elucidated. RESULTS: Addition of 0.1% propionic acid into the mobile phase significantly enhanced the sensitivity of MS detector without altering the chromatographic behavior such as retention time and elution order of the related substances. Twenty-eight related substances were separated and detected by the LC/MSn method in a typical sample. Nine of them were identified with the help of corresponding impurity reference substances and 14 of them were elucidated by MS fragment information, while the other five were not identified due to limitated information. CONCLUSION: The established method can be applied to the identification of the related substances in etimicn sulfate detected under the chromatographic condition described in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010, which is helpful to the quality improvement and process optimization of etmicin sulfate.

Competitiveα-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor antagonists:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

α-Amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors widely distributed in the central nervous system, mediates the fast excitatory neurotransmission. Meanwhile more and more evidence indicates that AMPA receptor plays an important role in synaptic plasticity as well as central sensitization, and it also has close relationships with nervous system diseases. Over stimulation of AMPA receptor would produce excitotoxicity, leading to neuronal damage and finally resulting in a multitude of nervous system diseases, such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral scelerosis,Parkinson′s dis-ease. Competitive AMPA receptor antagonists that downregulate AMPA receptor′s function are of great importance in the prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases. This article reviews the research advances of competitive AMPA receptor antagonists.

Competitive α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor antagonists: Research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

α-Amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, a subtype of ionotropie glutamate receptors widely distributed in the central nervous system，mediates the fast excitatory neurotransmission. Meanwhile more and more evidence indicates that AMPA receptor plays an important role in synaptic plasticity as well as central sensitization, and it also has close relationships with nervous system diseases. Over stimulation of AMPA receptor would produce excitotoxicity, leading to neuronal damage and finally resulting in a multitude of nervous system diseases，such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral scelerosis, Parkinson's dis-ease. Competitive AMPA receptor antagonists that downregulate AMPA receptor's function are of great importance in the prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases. This article reviews the research advances of competitive AMPA receptor antagonists.

Ácidos orgânicos na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de arroz / Effect of organic acids in physiological quality of rice

O alagamento do solo para o cultivo do arroz irrigado promove condições anaeróbias que favorecem a produção de ácidos orgânicos de cadeia curta, os quais podem ser tóxicos para a cultura. No presente trabalho, o objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de arroz irrigado cultivar 'IRGA 424', submetidas ao estresse por diferentes ácidos orgânicos, sendo selecionados aqueles formados no solo: acético, propiônico e butírico, utilizando-se as doses de 0, 4, 8, 12 e 16mM, nas quais as sementes foram embebidas por um período de 90 minutos e em seguida submetidas a testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem da germinação, comprimento e massa seca da parte aérea e raízes). Na avaliação da qualidade das sementes frente ao estresse por ácidos orgânicos, o comprimento das raízes foi mais eficiente para diferenciar a toxicidade nas doses de ácido acético, butírico e propiônico. O ácido butírico foi o mais prejudicial para sementes de arroz, afetando o desenvolvimento inicial das plântulas da cultivar 'IRGA 424'.

Flooding the soil for rice cultivation promotes anaerobic conditions that favor the production of short-chain organic acids, which can be toxic to the culture. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of rice cultivar 'IRGA 424' subjected to stress by different organic acids. We studied three organic acids formed in the ground and five levels, namely: acetic, propionic, and butyric acid in doses 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16mM. The seeds were soaked in solutions and in the doses above, for a period of 90 minutes, after, were tested for germination and vigor (first count germination, shoot length and root and shoot dry mass and root). In evaluating the quality of the seed facing the stress by organic acids, the variable length of the roots was the most efficient to differentiate the toxicity by different doses of acetic acid, propionic and butyric. The butyric acid was the most damaging to rice seeds, affecting early development of seedlings of the cultivar 'IRGA 424'.

Short chain fatty acids affect colon cancer cells proliferation and differentiation / 肠外与肠内营养

Short chain fatty acids(SCFA) are produced in the large bowel of humans by anaerobic bacterial fermentation.The main fermentative substrates are undigested dietary carbohydrates,including nonstarch polysaccharides and resistant starch(RS).SCFA are major organic acids in the lumen of the large intestine.They are preferred energy source for colonocytes.Their effects include enhancement of electrolyte uptake,stimulation of colon epithelial cell proliferation and mucosa growth,modulation of colonic immune function,nutritional support and protection of colon mucosa.Butyric acid can suppress colon neoplasm cell proliferation,induce its apoptosis and differentiation,affect proto-onc genes expression,which suggest that butyrate may be an important agent in cancer treatment.

Heat Shock Protein 72 Expression Following Odor Exposure in Olfactory System of Rat

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are group of evolutionary conserved proteins whose synthesis are greatly enhanced in cells following exposure to various stressors and play an important role in cellular protection and survival. The purpose of this study was to determine whether olfactory stimulation induces the synthesis of HSP72 in olfactory system of the rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were exposed to odorant stimuli using 2% propionic acid odorant stimuli and expression pattern of HSP72 in the olfactory system were detected by immunohistochemistry using anti-HSP72 antibody according to time course and by Western blotting. RESULTS: HSP72 immunopositive cells were expressed in the olfactory epithelium and in the olfactory bulb neurons and a 72 kD band was detected by Western blotting. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expression of HSP72 in olfactory system of the rat following exposure to odor may serve as a marker for cellular stress and potential damage and may be involved in cellular protection against injuries.

Distribution and Expression of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid(AMPA) Receptor Subunits in Moderate Hypoxic Newborn Piglet Brain

PURPOSE: The mechanism of hypoxic damage is mainly intracellular influx of calcium ions through the glutamate ionotropic receptor(NMDA, AMPA/kainate). This study was performed to determine alterations in distribution and expression of AMPA receptor subunits after 1-hour of moderate hypoxia in the newborn piglet brain, in a state of mild to moderate perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. METHODS: Ten newborn piglets were mechanically ventilated with a mixture of 21% oxygen and 79% nitrous oxide at PaO2 over 80mmHg for 30min. Thereafter, control group(n=5) was ventilated with 21% oxygen for 1-hour, and hypoxic group(n=5) was ventilated with 6% oxygen at PaO2 below 25mmHg for 1-hour. Concentrations of protein, adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and phosphocreatine were determined. The proteins were immunostained with anti-rat glutamate receptor 1(GluR1), anti-rat GluR2/3 and anti-rat GluR4 antibody. RESULTS: Hypoxia(PaO2 20+/-1mmHg) and acidosis(pH 7.06+/-0.09) developed significantly in the hypoxic group compared to the control group(PaO2 104+/-4mmHg, pH 7.44+/-0.03, respectively, P cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, hypothalamus > white matter, cerebellum, and the protein contents of GluR4 subunits were observed in the cerebellum only. The distribution of GluR1, GluR2/3, and GluR4 subunits between the hypoxic group and control group were similar. CONCLUSION: GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits were highly distributed in the hippocampus and cere bral cortex, and GluR4 subunits in the cerebellum. These regions may be the most vulnerable to excitotoxic injury. In addition, AMPA receptor subunits did not change after 1-hour of moderate hypoxia.

Studies on chemical constituents of bamboo root(Ⅱ) / 中草药

Objective To study the chemical constituents of bamboo root.Methods The chemical constituents were isolated by chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectral data and physicochemical properties.Results Nine compounds were isolated and identified as 3- (p-hydroxyphenyl)-(2,3) oxirane-1-propionic acid(Ⅰ),2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl) -1-propanone(Ⅱ),(+)-lirioresinol B(Ⅲ),protocatechuic aldehyde(Ⅳ),protocatechuic acid (Ⅴ),orientin(Ⅵ),vitexin(Ⅶ),homoorientin(Ⅷ),and isovitexin(Ⅸ).Conclusion CompoundⅠis a new compound named epoxy coumaric acid.

Study on A New Method of Propionic Acid Flocculated Fermentation / 微生物学通报

This paper reports the flocculated fermentation as a new method of propionic acid production.Propionibacterium shermanii W125 were used,29.0g/L propionic acid was accumulated in batch fermentation.In the subsequently established fed batch semicontinous fermentation,35.4g/L propionic acid was accumulated,raised to 122% and the conversion rate of glucose to propionic acid reached 51.56%,the volumetric productivity reached 0.37g/(L/h)during the 250 hours running cycle.