A Facilely Synthesized NiCo2S4 with Two Mutually Reinforcing Active Sites for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The shuttle effect and slow conversion kinetics of soluble polysulfides hinder the commercial application of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). In this context, we propose a three-dimensional lamellar-stacked nanostructure of nickel cobalt sulfide (D-NiCo2S4) enriched with lattice defects by manipulating the cations in spinel sulfides. It has an obvious synergistic promotion mechanism for the adsorption and catalysis of lithium sulfides. Specifically, Ni3+ on tetrahedral (Td) sites with strong Ni-S covalency anchors LiPSs, whereas Co3+ on octahedral (Oh) sites promotes a highly efficient catalytic conversion of LiPSs, which is confirmed by experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Besides, the crystal defects and distortions in the lamellar region could expose more active sites and enhance the redox reaction kinetics of polysulfides. Hence, Li-S batteries with D-NiCo2S4@S as the cathode show outstanding cycle stability; upon cycling at 1 A/g, the battery achieves a high initial specific capacity of 1001.12 and 655.31 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles (decay rate as low as 0.05% per cycle), as well as a high initial areal capacity of 3.15 mAh cm-2 under high S loading (4.2 mg cm-2). This work provides a viable scheme for designing efficient bimetal sulfide catalysts and furnishes a rational strategy for constructing LSB cathodes with high specific capacity and high area capacity.

Jianpi Decoction Combined with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Alleviates Cancer Cachexia and Prevents Muscle Atrophy by Directly Inhibiting E3 Ubiquitin Ligase.

OBJECTIVE: To provide comprehensive evidence for the anti-cancer cachexia effect of Jianpi Decoction (JP) and to explore its mechanism of anti-cancer cachexia. METHODS: A mouse model of colon cancer (CT26)-induced cancer cachexia (CC) was used to investigate the anti-CC effect of JP combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Thirty-six mice were equally divided into 6 groups: normal control, CC, MPA (100 mg•kg-1•d-1), MPA + low-dose (20 mg•kg-1•d-1) JP (L-JP), MPA + medium-dose (30 mg•kg-1•d-1) JP (M-JP), and MPA + high-dose (40 mg•kg-1•d-1) JP (H-JP) groups. After successful modeling, the mice were administered by gavage for 11 d. The body weight and tumor volume were measured and recorded every 2 d starting on the 8th day after implantation. The liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney, tumor and gastrocnemius muscle of mice were collected and weighed. The pathological changes of the tumor was observed, and the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle was calculated. The protein expressions of STAT3 and E3 ubiquitinase in the gastrocnemius muscle were measured by Western blot. In addition, an in vitro C2C12 myotube formation model was established to investigate the role of JP in hindering dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. In vitro experiments were divided into control, model, and JP serum groups. After 2-d administration, microscopic photographs were taken and myotube diameters were calculated. Western blot was performed to measure the protein expressions of STAT3 and E3 ubiquitinase. RESULTS: JP combined with MPA restored tumor-induced weight loss (P<0.05, vs. CC) and muscle fiber size (P<0.01, vs. CC). Mechanistically, JP reduced the expression of atrophy-related proteins MuRF1 and MAFbx in tumor-induced muscle atrophy in vivo (P<0.05, vs. CC). In addition, JP reduced the expression of atrophy-related proteins MuRF1 and MAFbx and p-STAT3 phosphorylation (P<0.05 or P<0.01 vs. model group) in C2C12 myotubes treated with dexamethasone in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of JP combined with MPA restores tumor-induced cachexia conditions. In addition, the profound effect of JP combined with MPA on tumor-induced cachexia may be due to its inhibition of muscle proteolysis (E3 ubiquitinase system).

Cobalt nanoparticles & nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes@hollow carbon with high catalytic ability for high-performance lithium sulfur batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery has been considered as a potential next-era energy storage device. However, its practical application is limited by the volume change of sulfur and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides. To effectively overcome these issues, a hollow carbon decorated with cobalt nanoparticles and interconnected by nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (Co-NCNT@HC) is developed for high-performance Li-S battery. The uniformly distributed nitrogen and cobalt nanoparticles in Co-NCNT@HC are able to enhance the chemical adsorption capability and fasten the transformation speed of the intermediates, thus effectively inhibit the loss of lithium polysulfides. Moreover, the hollow carbon spheres interconnected by carbon nanotubes are structurally stable and electrically conductive. Due to the unique structure, the Li-S battery enhanced by Co-NCNT@HC shows a high initial capacity of 1550 mAh/g at 0.1 A g-1. Even at a high current density of 2.0 A g-1, after 1000 cycles, it still maintains a capacity of 750 mAh/g with a capacity retention of 76.4% (the capacity decay rate is only 0.037% per cycle). This study provides a promising strategy for the development of high-performance Li-S batteries.

An Energy Dissipative Binder for Self-Tuning Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The volume change of the silicon anode seriously affects the electrode integrity and cycle stability. Herein, a binder, GCA13, with energy dissipation function and surface stability effect is proposed to enhance the cycle life and specific capacity. Unlike traditional binders that protect silicon electrodes through long-chain networks, GCA13 introduces citric acid molecules with short-range functions on the long-chain guar gum through weak interconnection. This short-range action is similar to the function of a spring, which can effectively buffer the silicon particle pulverization caused by the volume change. Therefore, the electrode can effectively maintain structural integration with ignorable cracks and alleviated thickness swelling. Thus, the Si@GCA13 anode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1184 mAh g-1 under 2 A g-1 after 740 cycles with a latter coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. Extraordinarily, benefiting from the superior properties of the GCA13 binder, the electrode shows remarkable cycling stability under low (-15 and 0 °C) and high temperatures (60 °C). The work demonstrates the great potential of this binder design strategy to achieve the overall property promotion of Si anodes for practical application even under harsh service conditions.

A semi-fluid multi-functional binder for a high-performance silicon anode of lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, a variety of binders are developed to inhibit the rapid capacity fading of Si. The Si anodes are mainly enhanced by the chemical bonding effect on the surface of conventional solid-state binders. However, with a huge volume change of silicon, solid binders are easily deactivated. Herein, a semi-fluid binder termed GPC is designed based on a viscoelastic crosslinking network with abundant active sites and self-healing performance. The backbone of the binder network is in situ synthesized using guar gum (GG), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and citric acid (CA). Serving as the flexible joints and the plasticizer of the network, CA small molecules remarkably improve the viscoelasticity of the binder to tolerate the volume change of Si via rearranging particles in the network during cycling. Moreover, CA can form a layer of surface coating on Si to stabilize the SEI for long-term electrochemical performance. As a result, the Si@GPC electrode shows excellent cycling stability and exhibits a superb capacity of 1292 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1. This work illustrates the advantages and prospects of designing semi-fluid binders for high-performance batteries.

Quantitative relationship between modern surface pollen and plant community at quadrat scale.

Establishing a precise relationship between modern vegetation and surface pollen is the basis and key to quantitatively reconstruct paleovegetation and paleoclimate based on pollen records. The record of plant community plots has been less considered in the statistical analysis of modern vegetation and surface pollen, which limits the quantitative estimation of its precise relationship. In this study, the quantitative relationships of compositions and quantities between modern surface pollen and plant community were analyzed, based on the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, through the analysis of 33 surface soil samples and corresponding vegetation plots from forest, meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe on the Northeast China Transect. Results showed that, in a single plot, the relationships between vegetation and pollen in compositions and quantities were different across all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera, and less common and rare families and genera, respectively, due to the differences in pollen dispersal and pollen productivity. There were significant differences among different vegetation types. The compositions of meadow steppe differed greatly, while all families and genera, dominant and common families and genera differed greatly in the quantitative relationship in forest. Less common and rare families and genera differed greatly in the compositions in meadow steppe. The vegetation-pollen relationship of different families and genera was basically the same in terms of composition and quantities. According to the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, pollen taxa could be divided into three types: over-representative, under-representative and representative types. This dissimilarity index represented both the species composition and quantity relationship between vegetation and pollen both at quadrat scale and at specie level, which could be used as an indicator to quantitatively describe the modern vegetation-pollen relationship.

Changes in vegetation and environment in the Betula microphylla wetland of Ebinur Lake in Xinjiang, China since 3900 cal. aBP.

Based on the high resolution record of fossil pollen data from a 190 cm sediment profile collected in a Betula microphylla-dominated wetland of Ebinur Lake in Xinjiang, we aimed to reveal the changes of vegetation and environment in this wetland over the past 3900 years. Results showed that, in the period between 3420 cal. aBP and 3940 cal. aBP, this area was a desert landscape dominated by plants from Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia. During the period of 2830-3420 cal. aBP, this area became a desert steppe dominated by Thelypteris palustris, surrounded by desert plants mainly composed of Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia. In the period between 2640 and 2830 cal. aBP, Typha pollen increased and occupied a dominant position. The area thus became a typical desert intrazonal wetland mainly composed of Typha. In the period between 1200 and 2640 cal. aBP, Phragmites australis began to grow vigorously and became the dominant species. In the period between 660 and 1200 cal. aBP, the population of Betula expanded rapidly, and P. australis plants continued to grow. During the period of 340-660 cal. aBP, the population of B. microphylla became the dominant species, and the abundance of P. australis decreased. However, there was still some P. australis wetlands in the area. Over the past 340 years, as the area of wetlands decreased and the surface water gradually declined, B. microphylla had grown on swampy meadow soils with suitable moisture conditions. In the past 200 years especially, the sharp increases of Chenopodiaceae pollen in palynological assemblage was closely related to the enhancement of human activities and climate change, resulting in the degradation of wetlands and endangerment of B. microphylla. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the protection of wetlands and endangered species in this area.

Tritiated Water Induces Toxicity in Human Umbilical Vein Vascular Endothelial Cells via IL8.

We aimed to determine the toxic effects of tritiated water (HTO) on 12 generations (T1-T12) of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We evaluated cellular senescence, interleukin (IL) 8 concentrations, and angiogenesis using ß-galactosidase staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and in vitro assays, respectively. The adhesion properties of contaminated cells and differentially expressed genes were assessed using the xCELLigence RTCA SP system and gene chip analysis, respectively. We found that long-term exposure to low levels of HTO can reduce the adhesion of HUVECs to the cellular matrix as well as their angiogenic capacity, while increasing their permeability, senescence, and adhesion to monocytes. Interleukin 8 activated the p38 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pathways in HTO-treated cells and hence was identified as a key candidate of biomarker. The present study clarified the toxicity of HTO in vascular endothelial cells and identified IL8 as a novel protective target with important theoretical and practical values.

Insights into non-symbiotic plant growth promotion bacteria associated with nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula growing in northwestern China.

In addition to rhizobia, other non-symbiotic endophytic bacteria also have been simultaneously isolated from the same root nodules. The existence of non-symbiotic endophytic bacteria in leguminous root nodules is a universal phenomenon. The vast majority of studies have detected endophytic bacteria in other plant tissues. In contrast, little systemic observation has been made on the non-symbiotic endophytic bacteria within leguminous root nodules. The present investigation was carried out to isolate plant growth-promoting endophytic non-symbiotic bacteria from indigenous leguminous Sphaerophysa salsula and their influence on plant growth. A total of 65 endophytic root nodule-associated bacteria were isolated from indigenous legume S. salsula growing in the northwestern arid regions of China. When combining our previous work with the current study, sequence analysis of the nifH gene revealed that the strain belonging to non-nodulating Bacillus pumilus Qtx-10 had genes similar to those of Rhizobium leguminosarum Qtx-10-1. The results indicated that horizontal gene transfer could have occurred between rhizobia and non-symbiotic endophyties. Under pot culture conditions, out of the 20 representative endophytic isolates, 15 with plant growth-promoting traits, such as IAA production, ACC deaminase, phosphate solubilization, chitinase, siderophore, and fungal inhibition activity showed plant growth-promoting activity with respect to various plant parameters such as chlorophyll content, fresh weight of plant, shoot length, nodule number per plant and average nodule weight per plant when co-inoculated with rhizobial bioinoculant Mesorhizobium sp. Zw-19 under N-free culture conditions. Among them, Bacillus pumilus Qtx-10 and Streptomyces bottropensis Gt-10 were excellent plant growth-promoting bacteria, which enhanced the seeding fresh weight by 87.5% and the shoot length by 89.4%, respectively. The number of nodules grew more than 31.89% under field conditions. Our findings indicate the frequent presence of these non-symbiotic endophytic bacteria within root nodules, and that they help to improve nodulation and nitrogen fixation in legume plants through synergistic interactions with rhizobia.

Monitoring of Tritium Internal Exposure Doses of Heavy-Water Reactor Workers in Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant.

To analyze the tritium internal exposure dose of workers in the Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant over the past 15 years. Urine samples provided by workers are tested directly to analyze the tritium concentrations and estimate internal exposure dose. Since 2004, an average of approximately 1600 workers have been monitored annually, with an average annual monitoring frequency of approximately 11 000. Since 2004, the average annual collective dose of tritium internal exposure was 149.62 person·mSv, accounting for 19.07% of the total annual collective dose. A total of 18 workers' annual individual internal tritium radiation doses exceeded 2 mSv, of which 5 workers' internal tritium radiation doses in a single intake exceeded 2 mSv. The occupational population with the largest total internal tritium radiation doses consists of maintenance personnel, fuel operators, and radiation protection personnel, whose collective doses of internal exposure account for 75.51% of the total collective doses within the plant. Over 15 years of operation, the internal tritium radiation doses of workers in the Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant have been strictly controlled within the national regulatory limit and power plant management target, ensuring the health and safety of the workers.

Phylogenetic diversity on housekeeping and symbiotic genes of rhizobial from Sphaerophysa in China.

This study explored the diversity and phylogeny of rhizobia collected from nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula in different geographical regions of Northwest China. The 16S rRNA gene sequences divided the strains into the following distinct groups: Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium and Shinella. The phylogenies of recA and atpD genes showed low correlation with nifH and nodA gene in most species, which indicated that, the gene recombination between species and genera might have been exist. To our knowledge, this is the first study using the multilocus sequencing analysis Sphaerophysa rhizobia in order to understand the relation between genetic diversity and ecology.

Downregulation of DAB2IP results in cell proliferation and invasion and contributes to unfavorable outcomes in bladder cancer.

The DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein (DAB2IP) is a member of the Ras GTPase-activating protein family. It has been shown to be often downregulated and a poor prognostic factor in several human malignancies. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological features and outcomes of DAB2IP expression in 135 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) treated by radical cystectomy plus bilateral lymph node dissection, and evaluated the effect of DAB2IP knockdown in vitro using the MTT method, colony formation assay, cell cycle assay, and cell migration and invasive assay. We found low expression of DAB2IP was significantly associated with high pathological stage (P = 0.002), high pathological grade (P = 0.02), tumor size more than 3 cm (P = 0.04), and presence of histological variants (P = 0.01). DAB2IP was an independent prognostic factor of disease recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.67; P = 0.034) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 2.79; P = 0.038). Knockdown of DAB2IP could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Downregulation of DAB2IP could activate the ERK and Akt pathways and was correlated with the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, such as E-cadherin and vimentin. In conclusion, downregulation of DAB2IP is associated with features of biologically aggressive UCB and results in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer. DAB2IP may serve as a promising biomarker in patients with UCB treated by radical cystectomy and bilateral lymph node dissection.

The dual functions of WLIM1a in cell elongation and secondary wall formation in developing cotton fibers.

LIN-11, Isl1 and MEC-3 (LIM)-domain proteins play pivotal roles in a variety of cellular processes in animals, but plant LIM functions remain largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate dual roles of the WLIM1a gene in fiber development in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). WLIM1a is preferentially expressed during the elongation and secondary wall synthesis stages in developing fibers. Overexpression of WLIM1a in cotton led to significant changes in fiber length and secondary wall structure. Compared with the wild type, fibers of WLIM1a-overexpressing plants grew longer and formed a thinner and more compact secondary cell wall, which contributed to improved fiber strength and fineness. Functional studies demonstrated that (1) WLIM1a acts as an actin bundler to facilitate elongation of fiber cells and (2) WLIM1a also functions as a transcription factor to activate expression of Phe ammonia lyase-box genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to build up the secondary cell wall. WLIM1a localizes in the cytosol and nucleus and moves into the nucleus in response to hydrogen peroxide. Taken together, these results demonstrate that WLIM1a has dual roles in cotton fiber development, elongation, and secondary wall formation. Moreover, our study shows that lignin/lignin-like phenolics may substantially affect cotton fiber quality; this finding may guide cotton breeding for improved fiber traits.

Photophysical studies of europium coordination polymers based on a tetracarboxylate ligand.

Reaction of europium sulfate octahydrate with p-terphenyl-3,3″,5,5″-tetracarboxylic acid (H4ptptc) in a mixed solvent system has afforded three new coordination polymers formulated as {[Eu(ptptc)0.75(H2O)2]·0.5DMF·1.5H2O}n (1), {[Me2H2N]2 [Eu2(ptptc)2(H2O)(DMF)]·1.5DMF·7H2O}n (2), and {[Eu(Hptptc)(H2O)4]·0.5DMF·H2O}n (3). Complex 1 exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic framework based on {Eu2(µ2-COO)2(COO)4}n chains, complex 2 shows a 3D metal-organic framework constructed by [Eu2(µ2-COO)2(COO)6](2-) dimetallic subunits, and complex 3 features a 2D layer architecture assembling to 3D framework through π···π interactions. All complexes exhibit the characteristic red luminescence of Eu(III) ion. The triplet state of ligand H4ptptc matches well with the emission level of Eu(III) ion, which allows the preparation of new optical materials with enhanced luminescence properties. The luminescence properties of these complexes are further studied in terms of their emission quantum yields, emission lifetimes, and the radiative/nonradiative rates.

Wogonin ameliorates lipotoxicity-induced apoptosis of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells via interfering with DAG-PKC pathway.

AIM: To investigate the effects of wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (S baicalensis) on lipotoxicity-induced apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Cultured VSMCs were used. Apoptosis of VSMCs was induced by palmitate (0.75 mmol/L), and detected using TUNEL assay. The expression levels of protein and phosphorylated protein were measured using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Treatment of VSMCs with wogonin (10, 25 and 50 µmol/L) significantly attenuated the apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by palmitate in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Wogonin (50 µmol/L) decreased palmitate-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The ER stress inhibitor 4-phenyl butyric acid (5 mmol/L) significantly decreased palmitate-induced apoptotic cells, and occluded the anti-apoptotic effect of wogonin (25 µmol/L). Wogonin (10, 25 and 50 µmol/L) significantly reduced the intracellular diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation and expression levels of phosphorylated PKCs in palmitate-treated VSMCs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that wogonin inhibits lipotoxicity-induced apoptosis of VSMCs via suppressing the intracellular DAG accumulation and subsequent inhibition of PKC phosphorylation. Wogonin has therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression by the alteration of redox status in HepG2 cells.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has been considered as a critical transcriptional factor in response to hypoxia. It can increase P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) thus generating the resistant effect to chemotherapy. At present, the mechanism regulating HIF-1α is still not fully clear in hypoxic tumor cells. Intracellular redox status is closely correlated with hypoxic micro-environment, so we investigate whether alterations in the cellular redox status lead to the changes of HIF-1α expression. HepG2 cells were exposed to Buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) for 12 h prior to hypoxia treatment. The level of HIF-1α expression was measured by Western blot and immunocytochemistry assays. Reduce glutathione (GSH) concentrations in hypoxic cells were determined using glutathione reductase/5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrob-enzoic acid) (DTNB) recycling assay. To further confirm the effect of intracellular redox status on HIF-1α expression, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was added to culture cells for 8 h before the hypoxia treatment. The levels of multidrug resistance gene-1 (MDR-1) and erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA targeted by HIF-1α in hypoxic cells were further determined with RT-PCR, and then the expression of P-Gp protein was observed by Western blotting. The results showed that BSO pretreatment down-regulated HIF-1α and the effect was concentration-dependent, on the other hand, the increases of intracellular GSH contents by NAC could partly elevate the levels of HIF-1α expression. The levels of P-Gp (MDR-1) and EPO were concomitant with the trend of HIF-1α expression. Therefore, our data indicate that the changes of redox status in hypoxic cells may regulate HIF-1α expression and provide valuable information on tumor chemotherapy.

Diversity of endophytic bacteria within nodules of the Sphaerophysa salsula in different regions of Loess Plateau in China.

A total of 115 endophytic bacteria were isolated from root nodules of the wild legume Sphaerophysa salsula grown in two ecological regions of Loess Plateau in China. The genetic diversity and phylogeny of the strains were revealed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR. Their symbiotic capacity was checked by nodulation tests and analysis of nifH gene sequence. This is the first systematic study on endophytic bacteria associated with S. salsula root nodules. Fifty of the strains found were symbiotic bacteria belonging to eight putative species in the genera Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium and Sinorhizobium, harboring similar nifH genes; Mesorhizobium gobiense was the main group and 65 strains were nonsymbiotic bacteria related to 17 species in the genera Paracoccus, Sphingomonas, Inquilinus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Streptomyces, Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus, Staphylococcus, Lysinibacillus and Bacillus, which were universally coexistent with symbiotic bacteria in the nodules. Differing from other similar studies, the present study is the first time that symbiotic and nonsymbiotic bacteria have been simultaneously isolated from the same root nodules, offering the possibility to accurately reveal the correlation between these two kinds of bacteria. These results provide valuable information about the interactions among the symbiotic bacteria, nonsymbiotic bacteria and their habitats.

Paracoccus sphaerophysae sp. nov., a siderophore-producing, endophytic bacterium isolated from root nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula.

An aerobic, brown-pigmented, non-spore-forming, endophytic bacterium, designated strain Zy-3(T), was isolated from root nodules of Sphaerophysa salsula, a native leguminous herb belonging to the family Leguminosae growing in north-western China. Cells of strain Zy-3(T) were non-motile, Gram-negative rods. Strain Zy-3(T) produced siderophores and showed antifungal activity. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the closest relative of this organism was Paracoccus halophilus HN-182(T) (96.6 % sequence similarity). On the basis of genotype, fatty acid patterns and physiological characteristics, a novel species Paracoccus sphaerophysae sp. nov. is proposed, with Zy-3(T) (=ACCC 05413(T) =HAMBI 3106(T)) as the type strain.

[Immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line Bend.3 displays the comparative barrier characteristics as the primary brain microvascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess weather the immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line Bend.3 displays the comparative barrier characteristics as the primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BEMC). METHODS: Immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line, Bend.3 cells were cultured in transwell inserts and their restrictive characteristics were assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability assays. Western blot and direct fluorescent staining methods were used to detect the tight junction protein expression and F-actin distribution. RESULTS: The TEER in Bend.3 cells increased with the prolonged culture time and increased to 82.3+/-6.0 Omega cm2 10 days after culture, which was significantly higher than that 3 days after culture (37.3+/-3.1 Omega cm2; P<0.05). There were significant differences in the permeability rates for HRP 3 and 10 days after culture (4.3+/-0.20)% vs (2.2+/-0.05)% (P<0.05). Western blot indicated high level expression of tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in Bend.3 cells 10 days after culture. F-actin was visualized around the cell membrane and presented scrobiculate linear fluorescence 10 days after culture. CONCLUSIONS: Bend.3 cells have similar barrier characteristics to BEMC, and their barrier function may reach to the best effect 10 days after culture.