Protective Effects of the King Oyster Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii (Agaricomycetes), Polysaccharides on ß-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity in PC12 Cells and Aging Rats, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Pleurotus eryngii (PE) contains polysaccharides and vitamins, and has been reported to have antidepression properties. P. eryngii polysaccharides (PEP) are one of the main components. Modulation of ß-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity has emerged as a possible therapeutic approach to ameliorate the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of PEP on ß-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and aging rats. After 28 weeks' treatment, exposure of PC12 cells to P. eryngii polysaccharides significantly elevated cell viability, decreased the levels of intracellular calcium, and attenuated the ß-amyloid-mediated cell apoptosis. In aging rats, P. eryngii polysaccharides could decrease the production of APP in the brain by an action that is associated with a lowering of the iNOS, and COX-2 level. Our findings indicated that P. eryngii polysaccharides had potential neuroprotective actions against ß-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity, which might be through modulating calcium channels, or downstream molecules involved in inflammation.

Spatial structure and anti-fatigue of polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial structure and potential antifatigue activity of polysaccharide fractions which was extracted from Inonotus obliquus. The first polysaccharide fractions of Inonotus obliquus (PIO-1) were obtained after hot-water extraction and purification by DEAE cellulose-52 chromatography. Results of the forced swimming test showed that the doses (50 mg/kg) of PIO-1 could increase the climbing duration and swimming time as well as reduced the immobility time in the PIO treated mice. The fatigue related metabolic parameters showed that PIO-1 decreased the level of blood lactic acid (BLA), urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Additionally, PIO-1 significantly decreased the 5-HT concentrations in the mice brain. The results of monosaccharide analysis showed that the molar ratio of mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose with the molar ratio of 1.0:1.9:3.5:18.5:5.7. The molecular morphology of the PIO-1 observed under atomic force microscopy (AFM). There were many spherical and heterogeneous clumps existed in the images. Therefore, current study indicated polysaccharide PIO-1 not only has great potential to postpone physical fatigue but also shown potential to improve mental fatigue.

Usefulness of bevacizumab-induced hypertension in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: an updated meta-analysis.

We tested the hypothesis that bevacizumab-induced hypertension may be a useful predictor for objective response rate, progression-free and overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer via a comprehensive meta-analysis. Search process, article selection and data extraction were independently performed by two investigators. Statistical analyses were conducted using the STATA/SE software. Fourteen independent studies and 2292 study subjects were synthesized. Overall relative risk of objective response rate for bevacizumab-induced hypertension was 2.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-3.48, p=0.01), with significant heterogeneity and publication bias, whereas unbiased estimate was nonsignificant after considering potentially missing studies. Overall hazard ratio for progression-free survival was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.43-0.77, p<0.001), with significant heterogeneity and publication bias, and unbiased estimate was significant (hazard ratio: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.41-0.66, p<0.001). Overall hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.39-0.65, p<0.001), and this estimate was not likely confounded by heterogeneity or publication bias. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses suggested that hypertension grade of controls, sample size, age and gender were possible causes of heterogeneity. Taken together, our findings indicate that bevacizumab-induced hypertension can predict progress-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, whereas its prediction for objective response rate was nonsignificant.

A high-performance nonenzymatic piezoelectric sensor based on molecularly imprinted transparent TiO2 film for detection of urea.

Transparent photocatalytic surfaces are of ever increasing importance for the enhancement of the photocatalytic efficiency. Here, the highly ordered transparent TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by the anodization and thermal annealing of titanium layer deposited onto the glass substrate, and a novel nonenzymatic piezoelectric sensor was developed for urea detection based on the modification of molecularly imprinted TiO2 thin film onto transparent TiO2 nanotube arrays. The performance of the fabricated sensor was evaluated and the results indicated that the sensor exhibited high sensitivity in urea detection, with a linear range from 0.04 to 120 µM and a limit of detection of 0.01 µM. Moreover, the sensor presented outstanding selectivity while used in coexisting systems containing various interferents with high concentration. The analytical application of the urea sensor confirmed the feasibility of urea detection in urine sample.

[The development of Clonorchis sinensis in mice].

Freshwater fish were caught from Nenjiang River in Qiqihaer City, and examined for metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis by the artificial digestion (pepsin-HCl) method. The metacercariae (35-40) were given orally into stomach to each Kunming mouse of infection group (50 mice). The mice in control group were given the same amount of normal saline. The mice were sacrificed on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th day after infection. Worms were collected, fixed and stained with carmine acetate, and observed under microscope. The egg-laying capacity of C. sinensis was observed in mice. 96%(48/50) mice were infected with metacercariae of C. sinensis. The recovery rate of adult worms on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 30th day post-infection was 42.1%, 52.6%, 63.2%, 62.2%, 63.3%, and 63.2%, respectively. The first appearance of eggs in utero and feces was on the 15th and 20th day after infection, respectively. The branch of testis in worms was observed after 20 days of infection.

A feasible route to approach 3D POM-based hybrids: utilizing substituted or reduced Keggin anions with high charge density.

Five new hybrid compounds based on Keggin polyanions, Ag(+)/Cu(+) ions and 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane (btp) molecules have been hydrothermally synthesized. In [Ag(5)(btp)(4)(H(2)O)(2)][PCuW(11)O(39)]·2H(2)O (1), [Ag(4.33)Na(0.67)(btp)(4)(H(2)O)(2)][PMnMo(11)O(39)]·H(2)O (2) and [Cu(4)(btp)(4)Na(H(2)O)(2)][PMnMo(11)O(39)]·2H(2)O (3), the neighboring mono-substituted Keggin clusters are alternately connected via sharing oxygen atoms to form an unusual Keggin-based transition-metal monosubstituted chain, in which the Keggin cluster serves as a decadentate ligand and grafts ten metal atoms representing the highest connected number for Keggin cluster and forming a 3D framework. In [Ag(5)(btp)(4)][PW(VI)(10)W(V)(2)O(40)] (4) and [Ag(5)(btp)(4)][PMo(VI)(10)Mo(V)(2)O(40)] (5), two-electron reduced Keggin clusters as hexadentate linkages are inserted in the rhomboid-like tunnels of the Ag-btp framework and connect with the framework via six Ag-O bonds to achieve 3D motifs, which are new and rare examples of heteropoly blue based hybrid compounds. The successful synthesis of the five high-dimensional structures may provide a feasible route for us to approach 3D polyoxometalate-based hybrids by using substituted Keggin anions and heteropoly blues with high charge density. Furthermore, photocatalytic experiments indicate that both 1 and 4 have good activities for photocatalytic degradation of RhB under UV irradiation. The luminescent properties of compounds 1-5 in the solid state were also investigated.

Enhanced removal of bilirubin on molecularly imprinted titania film.

Titania film imprinted by bilirubin molecule at the surface of quartz crystal was prepared using molecular imprinting and surface sol-gel process. The molecularly imprinted titania film was characterized by FTIR spectra, and the interaction between bilirubin and imprinted film was investigated using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. Compared with pure titania film, the molecularly imprinted titania film exhibits a much higher adsorption capacity for the target molecule, and the adsorption kinetic parameter estimated from the in situ frequency measurement is about 1.6×10(8) M(-1), which is ten times higher than that obtained on pure titania film. The photocatalytic measurements indicate that the bilirubin adsorbed on molecularly imprinted titania film can be completely removed under UV illumination. Moreover, our study indicates that the molecularly imprinted titania film possesses a better stability and reusability.

[Antagonism of baicalin on cell cyclical distribution and cell apoptosis in A549 cells infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus].

To observe the inhibitive effect of Baicalin against influenza A H1N1 virus infection in epithelial cell line A549, the cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were assayed by MTT, the cell cycle and the apoptosis were analyzed by flowcytometer using PI staining, the morphology of cellular nucleolus was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and the effects of activation on caspase 3 and caspase 8/9 were also detected by immunofluorescent staining with a fluorescence microscope. The results showed that Baicalin exerted an inhibitive effect on CPE after influenza A H1N1 virus infection. The FACS with PI staining showed that the cell cycle of the infected cell was arrested at S phase, the Baicalin-treated group decreased S phase cell ratio and subG0 phase peak in comparison with the control (P < 0.05) and significantly promoted cell proliferation (# P < 0.05). Hoechst33258 staining suggested that Baicalin protected the cellular nucleolus against the influenza virus-induced apoptosis. Observation under the immunofluorescent microscope suggested that the activities of caspase-8 and caspase-3 were enhanced at 36 h post the influenza virus infection, but 100 microg/mL Baicalin suppressing the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 rather than that of caspase-9. In summary, this research confirmed that Baicalin inhibited the influenza A H1N1 virus strain infection in vitro, the drug obviously protected cells from apoptosis damages through regulating cell cycle and suppressed the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3. The down-regulation was significant and showed a dose-dependent relationship.

Tailoring microstructures of isopolymolybdates: regular tuning of the ligand spacer length and metal coordination preferences.

Four new isopolymolybdate compounds based on two kinds of isomers, [Cu(I)(2)bte][a-Mo(3)O(10)] (1), [Cu(I)(2)btp][b-Mo(3)O(10)].H(2)O (2), [Cu(II)(bte)(1.5)(H(2)O)][gamma-Mo(8)O(26)](0.5) (3) and [Cu(II)(btp)(2)(H(2)O)][beta-Mo(8)O(26)](0.5).2H(2)O (4) [bte = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane, btp = 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane], were obtained under hydrothermal conditions, indicating that isopolymolybdate clusters can be tailored by regular tuning of the spacer length of the flexible ligands and the metal coordination preferences. In compound 1, wave-like a-[Mo(3)O(10)](2-) chains intersect with [Cu(I)(2)bte](2+) chains by sharing Cu(I) cations, forming a 3D framework. Compound 2, with a similar 3D structure but different ligand (btp) to 1, is based on linear b-[Mo(3)O(10)](2-) chains. In compound 3, gamma-[Mo(8)O(26)](4-) chains insert into the rectangular windows of parallel [Cu(II)(2)bte](4+) sheets and connect them via four Cu(II)-O bonds, leading to a 3D framework. Compound 4 is an unusual 2D-->3D polycatenated array of a [Cu(II)(btp)(2)(H(2)O)][beta-Mo(8)O(26)] pillar-layered framework. The thermal stability and luminescent properties of compounds 1-4 were investigated in the solid state.

A polyoxometalate-encapsulated 3D porous metal-organic pseudo-rotaxane framework.

A novel compound, [Cu(bimb)](2)(HPW(12)O(40)) x 3 H(2)O (bimb = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl) with a polyoxometalate-encapsulated 3D metal-organic pseudo-rotaxane framework that can be described as a 2-fold dianet topology showing well-defined 1D nano-scale tunnels, has been synthesized hydrothermally, and its de-/rehydration behavior has been investigated.

Mechanism and kinetics of Pb(II) adsorption on ultrathin nanocrystalline titania coatings.

Pb(II) is a highly toxic substance, exposure to which can cause various diseases. To better understand the application of titania as an adsorbent for removing Pb(II) from wastewater, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique was employed to investigate the adsorption behavior of Pb(II) on ultrathin nanocrystalline titania coatings. The present study focused on the mechanism and kinetics of Pb(II) adsorption. The obtained results show that the driving force of Pb(II) adsorption on titania coatings is electrostatic interaction, and that Pb(II) is adsorbed onto titania coatings by Pb(II) ions coordinating with hydroxyl groups of titania surface. In terms of the in situ frequency measurements of QCM, the adsorption kinetic parameter is estimated to be 4.12x10(5)L/mol. QCM measurement provides a useful method for monitoring the adsorption process of Pb(II) on titania coatings.