Storage and redistribution of anthropogenic CO2 in the western North Pacific: The role of subtropical mode water transportation.

Oceanic uptake and storage of anthropogenic CO2 (CANT) are regulated by ocean circulation and ventilation. To decipher the storage and redistribution of CANT in the western North Pacific, where a major CANT sink develops, we investigated the water column carbonate system, dissolved inorganic radiocarbon and ancillary parameters in May and August 2018, spanning the Kuroshio Extension (KE, 35-39 °N), Kuroshio Recirculation (KR, 27-35 °N) and subtropical (21-27 °N) zones. Water column CANT inventories were estimated to be 40.5 ± 1.1 mol m-2 in the KR zone and 37.2 ± 0.9 mol m-2 in the subtropical zone. In comparison with historical data obtained in 2005, relatively high rates of increase of the CANT inventory of 1.05 ± 0.20 and 1.03 ± 0.12 mol m-2 yr-1 in the recent decade were obtained in the KR and subtropical zones, respectively. Our water-mass-based analyses suggest that formation and transport of subtropical mode water dominate the deep penetration, storage, and redistribution of CANT in those two regions. In the KE zone, however, both the water column CANT inventory and the decadal CANT accumulation rate were small and uncertain owing to the dynamic hydrology, where the naturally uplifting isopycnal surfaces make CANT penetration relatively shallow. The findings of this study improve the understanding of the spatiotemporal variations of CANT distribution, storage, and transport in the western North Pacific.

Retinal Nerve and Vascular Changes in Prediabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe vascular and neuroretinal alterations in people with prediabetes [impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)] and normal glucose metabolism. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with prediabetes (42 eyes) and 20 healthy controls (40 eyes) participated in our study. All patients underwent a complete eye examination [including fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT)] and a related general examination (complete biochemical analysis, routine blood tests, and glycosylated hemoglobin). RESULTS: On FFA, no patients in either group showed any microvascular alterations. The total peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) in the prediabetic group was significantly thinner than that in the healthy control group (p < 0.0001). Only the temporal pRNFL thickness was significantly less in patients with prediabetes compared to the normal people. There was no significant difference in the thickness of retina in the range of 1 mm diameter of macular fovea (p = 0.286), but in the prediabetic group, the macular retinal thickness within the diameter of 6 mm in nasal side (p < 0.0001), superior side (p < 0.0001), temporal side (p = 0.008), and inferior side (p = 0.001) were lower than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: In the prediabetic group, there was no microvascular alterations, but the total pRNFL and the temporal pRNFL was significantly thinner, and the macular retinal thickness within the diameter of 6 mm in the nasal, temporal, and inferior side were lower than that in the healthy control group. These data confirm neuroretinal alterations in prediabetes prior to microvascular injury.

Panax quinquefolius Polysaccharides Ameliorate Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea Induced by Lincomycin Hydrochloride in Rats via the MAPK Signaling Pathways.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is an herbal medicine with polysaccharides as its important active ingredient. The purpose of this research was to identify the effects of the polysaccharides of P. quinquefolius (WQP) on rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) induced by lincomycin hydrochloride. WQP was primarily composed of galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. The yield, total sugar content, uronic acid content, and protein content were 6.71%, 85.2%, 31.9%, and 2.1%, respectively. WQP reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the ileum and colon, reduced the IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α levels, increased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in colon tissues, improved the production of acetate and propionate, regulated the gut microbiota diversity and composition, improved the relative richness of Lactobacillus and Bacteroides, and reduced the relative richness of Blautia and Coprococcus. The results indicated that WQP can enhance the recovery of the intestinal structure in rats, reduce inflammatory cytokine levels, improve short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, promote recovery of the gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal barrier, and alleviate antibiotic-related side effects such as diarrhoea and microbiota dysbiosis caused by lincomycin hydrochloride. We found that WQP can protect the intestinal barrier by increasing Occludin and Claudin-1 expression. In addition, WQP inhibited the MAPK inflammatory signaling pathway to improve the inflammatory status. This study provides a foundation for the treatment of natural polysaccharides to reduce antibiotic-related side effects.

[Research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines based on new regulations].

In recent years, only a small number of new Chinese medicines have been approved for marketing, which has embodied the bottleneck in the development of the Chinese medicine industry. To tackle this problem, the National Medical Products Administration has issued a series of regulations and technical requirements. In the context of new regulations, this study deeply explored the research and development strategies of new Chinese medicines under the guidance of the new classification of drug registration, and discussed the key technical issues in the research and development.

Topical Delivery of Four Neuroprotective Ingredients by Ethosome-Gel: Synergistic Combination for Treatment of Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathy is a common and painful side effect that occurs in patients with cancer induced by Oxaliplatin (OXL). The neurotoxicity correlates with the damage of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells (SCs). Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), icariin, epimedin B and 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DA) are the main neuroprotective ingredients identified in Wen-Luo-Tong (WLT), a traditional Chinese medicinal topical compound. The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate the efficacy of an ethosomes gel formulation loaded with a combination of HSYA, icariin, epimedin B and DA. However, the low LogP value, poor solubility and macromolecule are several challenges for topical delivery of these drugs. METHODS: Ethosomes were prepared by the single-step injection technique. Particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug deposition studies were determined to select the optimum ethosomes. The optimized ethosomes were further incorporated into carbopol to obtain a gel. The rheological properties, morphology, in vitro drug release, in vitro gel application and skin distribution of the ethosomes gels were studied. A rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy was established to assess the therapeutic efficacy of the ethosomes gel. RESULTS: Seventy percent (v/v) ethanol, cinnamaldehyde and Phospholipon 90G were employed to develop ethosomes a carrier system. This system had a high entrapment efficiency, carried large amounts of HSYA, epimedin B, DA and icarrin, and penetrated deep into the epidermis and dermis. The optimized ethosomes had the maximum deposition of icariin, HSYA, epimedin B and relative higher amount of DA in epidermis (2.00±0.13 µg/cm2, 5.72±0.75 µg/cm2, 1.97±0.27 µg/cm2 and 9.25±1.21 µg/cm2, respectively). 0.5% carbopol 980 was selected to develop the ethosomes gel with desirable viscoelasticity and spreadability, which was suitable for topical application. The mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by OXL in rats were significantly reduced after the new ethosomes gel was applied to rats compared to model group. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, the ethosomes gel delivery system provided a new formulation for the topical delivery of HSYA, icariin, epimedin B and DA to counteract OXL-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Neuroprotective effects and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based active components identification of external applied a novel Wen-Luo-Tong microemulsion.

Chemotherapy induced neuropathy causes excruciating pain to cancer patients. Wen-Luo-Tong (WLT), a traditional Chinese medicinal compound, has been used to alleviate anti-cancer drug such as oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain for many years. However, the current route of administration of WLT is inconvenient and the active ingredients and mechanism of action of WLT are still unclear. To address these issues, we developed a novel formulation of WLT (W/O microemulsion) for the ease of application. New ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) methods were employed for analysis of the ingredients. We identified seven ingredients that penetrated through the skin into the Franz cell receptor solution and four of those ingredients were retained in skin tissue when WLT microemulsion was applied. We tested the microemulsion formulation on an oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy rat model and showed that this formulation significantly decreased oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia responses. Schwann cells (SCs) viability experiment in vitro was studied to test the protective effect of the identified seven ingredients. The result showed that Hydroxysafflor Yellow A, icariin, epimedin B and 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid significantly increased the viability of SCs after injured by Oxaliplatin. Our report presents the first novel formulation of WLT with neuroprotective effect and ease of use, which has potential for clinical applications.

[Matrix formulation of chaizhi cataplasma optimized by D-optimal mixture design combined with multiple mechanical indicators and its in vitro evaluation].

To optimize the matrix formulation of Chaizhi cataplasma (CC) and investigate its release and transdermal absorption properties in vitro. The optimized matrix formulation of cataplasma containing liquid herbal extract is determined by using D-optimal mixture design, with initial bonding strength, endurance bonding strength and gel strength as the evaluating indicators. Modified Franz diffusion cells were used to study the in vitro release and transdermal absorption of geniposide in CC. The optimized matrix formulation of CC contained NP700, aluminum glycinate, tartaric acid, glycerin, PVPK90 and water (9∶0.7∶0.8∶30∶5∶30.5). Cumulative release rate of geniposide in CC was (77.02±3.73)% in 24 h. The percutaneous penetration rate of geniposide was 7.25 µg•cm⁻²â€¢h⁻¹ and the 24 h permeated amount was (156.22±4.90) µg•cm⁻². The optimized CC prepared by the D-optimal mixture design showed a good adhesion and formability. The in vitro release of the geniposide in CC was in accordance with the first order equation, while its in vitro transdermal absorption was close to the zero order equation.

[Construction of prokaryotic expression vector, expression and purification of ginseng Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase].

The total RNA was extracted from ginseng leaves of Panax ginseng. The Cu/Zn-SOD gene was amplified via RT-PCR and the pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD expression vector was constructed. The pET-28 (a)-Cu/Zn-SOD recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells and was induced by IPTG in order to select optimal induction of expression conditions. The target protein was purified by the nickel ions (Ni ) affinity chromatography and the target protein enzyme activity was determinated by the xanthine oxidase method. The similarity of the Cu/Zn-SOD gene sequences and the Cu/Zn-SOD gene sequences of Korean ginseng in NCBI was 99. 00%. The target protein expression level was about 44.42%, and the molecular weight was 16.30 kDa after the pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD recombinants were induced by IPTG. The purified Cu/Zn-SOD protease activity reached 10,596.69 U x mg(-1). The P. ginseng pET-28(a)-Cu/Zn-SOD prokaryotic expression vector was built by the method of molecular biology, which provided the foundation for studying the Cu/Zn-SOD biology function.

[Correlation study on lignin contents of Schisandra chinensis and ecological factors].

The contents of schisandrin, schizandrin A, B and C were determined by HPLC, and the effects of the climate factors and altitude on lignin contents were analyzed in order to select the optimal cultivation area of S. chinensis. The lignin contents were analyzed by HPLC using a ZORBAX SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The column temperature and detection wave length were set at 35 degrees C and 254 nm, respectively. Methanol-water was used as the mobile phase in gradient elution mode and the flow-rate was 1.0 mL min(-1). The method had a good repeatability, stability and accuracy. The correlation of climate factors and lignins contents was analyzed by SPSS software. The results showed that the schizandrin A content in S. chinensis fruits were higher than 0.4% in Ji'an, Liuhe, Antu and Fusong in Jilin province, which met the quality requirement. It had significant linear negative correlation relationship between schisandrin, schizandrin A, B and altitude, the contents decreased with the increase of altitude. The significant negative linear fitting coefficient was 0.844 1 between schisandrin and altitude; but it had not significant correlation between schizandrin C and altitude. A significant positive correlation of climate factors and the contents of S. chinensis lignins were mainly the temperature factors (the average annual temperature, the highest temperature in July, the average temperature in July, the highest temperature in January, the average temperature in January) and precipitation factor (average annual precipitation), which reveals that higher temperature and precipitation were helpful to the formation and accumulation of lignins of S. chinensis. So the cultivation area of S. chinensis should be in the low elevations region with warm and rainy climate.