Near-future levels of ocean temperature weaken the byssus production and performance of the mussel Mytilus coruscus.

Marine mussels are key ecological engineers that form dense aggregations to maintain the vital habitat in benthic systems. It is essential to understand the consequences of mussel byssus attachment in elevated temperatures associated with ocean warming. We evaluated byssus production and the mechanical performance of threads in the mussel Mytilus coruscus at 21° (control), 27 °C (average temperature in the M. coruscus habitat during the summer season) and 31 °C (4 °C raised) for 72 h. We quantified byssus secretion and shedding number, measured byssal breaking force, byssal polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, byssal thread length and diameter. Expression of byssus foot protein genes was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR in foot tissue. High seawater temperature decreased the number of newly secreted byssus and the diameter of byssal threads, leading to the reduction of byssal breaking force and the alteration of the weakest part of the thread. Increased breakpoints in the upper part of the thread (proximal region) were higher at 27 °C than at 21 °C. High-temperature stress significantly reduced the PPO activity in byssus at 31 °C in comparison to 21 °C. The expression of mussel foot protein genes was affected by elevated temperature. The increased gene expression of byssus collagen-like protein 2 (Mccol2) at 31 °C conflicted with the number of byssuses produced. Suggesting the reduction of mussel foot protein abundance is not the cause of decreased byssus production at 31 °C. These results show that byssus, as an extracellular structure of mussels, may be highly susceptible to the adverse effects of ocean warming.

Thyroid hormone receptor: A new player in epinephrine-induced larval metamorphosis of the hard-shelled mussel.

Many marine invertebrate larvae undergo a dramatic morphological and physiological transition from a planktonic larva to a benthic juvenile. The mechanisms of this metamorphosis in bivalves are mainly unknown. The recent identification in bivalves of a thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene raises the possibility that as occurs in vertebrate metamorphosis, TRs regulate this developmental process. An evolutionary study of TR receptors revealed they are ubiquitous in the molluscs. Knock-down of the TR gene in pediveliger larvae of the hard-shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus (Mc), using electroporation of siRNA significantly (p < 0.01) reduced TR gene expression. TR gene knock-down decreased pediveliger larval metamorphosis by 54% and was associated with a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in viability compared to control larvae. The TR in the hard-shelled mussel appears to be an essential regulatory factor for the successful epinephrine-induced metamorphosis of the pediveliger larvae to post-larvae. It is hypothesised that the knock-down of TR by siRNA transfection affects the "competence" of pediveliger larvae for the metamorphic transition by reducing their ability to respond to the inducer. The involvement of TR in the epinephrine-induced metamorphosis of a mollusc, the hard-shelled mussel, suggests the role of TR in this process probably emerged early during evolution.

Clinical study on a randomized, double-blind control of Shenwu gelatin capsule in treatment of mild cognitive impairment / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of Shenwu gelatin capsule (compound Chinese ginseng and fleeceflower root etc) in the treatment on senile mild cognitive impairment.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>166 patients meeting criteria for mild cognitive impairment were selected from patients in Dongzhimen Hospital and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 83 cases), given 5 capsules of Shenwu gelatin capsule, and a positive control group (n = 83 cases) , given 2 capsules of aniracetam with 3 placebo capsules. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 3 months, double-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and end (three months later), all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and clinical memory scale (CMS).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both Shenwu gelatin capsule and aniracetam can remarkably increase the score of memory quotient (MQ), P < 0. 01. They have the similarly effectiveness, there are no statistical difference between the two groups in effectiveness of increasing memory scores.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shenwu gelatin capsule has certain effects on mild cognitive impairment.</p>

A clinical study on a randomized, double-blind control of Chinese medicine granules in treatment of vascular dementia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese medicine granules (Compound Chinese extract from herbs) in the treatment on senile vascular dementia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One hundred and twenty patients meeting criteria for vascular dementia were selected from patients in Dongzhimen Hospital and were randomly assigned into a treatment group (n = 70 cases), given 1 package of Chinese medicine granules with 1 placebo tablets, and a positive control group (n = 50 cases), given 1 tablets of Duxil with 1 package of placebo. All subjects took this medication 3 times a day for 2 months. Double-blind and double-moulding control were used in this study. At a baseline and end (two months later), all subjects were assessed using a battery consisting of MMSE and Blessed behavior measuring scale.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Both Chinese medicine granules and Duxil could remarkably increase the score of cognition and activity (P < 0.01). They had Similarly effectiveness and there was no statistical difference between the two groups in effectiveness of increasing memory scores. Chinese medicine granules was better than Duxil in increasing the scores of behavior (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese medicine granules has certain effects on vascular dementia. And it has remarkable effectiveness in ameliorating the status of total body. And it can relieve the symptoms in vascular dementia.</p>