Amino Acid Composition of a Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Skin Gelatin Hydrolysate and Its Antiapoptotic Effects on Etoposide-Induced Osteoblasts.

A gelatin hydrolysate with a hydrolysis degree of 13.7% was generated using the skin gelatin of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) and papain-catalyzed enzymatic hydrolysis. The results of analysis demonstrated that four amino acids, namely Ala, Gly, Pro, and 4-Hyp, were the most abundant in the obtained gelatin hydrolysate with measured molar percentages ranging from 7.2% to 35.4%; more importantly, the four amino acids accounted for 2/3 of the total measured amino acids. However, two amino acids, Cys and Tyr, were not detected in the generated gelatin hydrolysate. The experimental results indicated that the gelatin hydrolysate at a dose of 50 µg/mL could combat etoposide-induced apoptosis in human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19 cells), causing a decrease in the total apoptotic cells from 31.6% to 13.6% (via apoptotic prevention) or 13.3% to 11.8% (via apoptotic reversal). Meanwhile, the osteoblasts exposed to the gelatin hydrolysate showed expression changes for 157 genes (expression folds > 1.5-fold), among which JNKK, JNK1, and JNK3 were from the JNK family with a 1.5-2.7-fold downregulated expression. Furthermore, the protein expressions of JNKK, JNK1, JNK3, and Bax in the treated osteoblasts showed a 1.25-1.41 fold down-regulation, whereas JNK2 expression was not detected in the osteoblasts. It is thus suggested that gelatin hydrolysate is rich in the four amino acids and has an in vitro antiapoptotic effect on etoposide-stimulated osteoblasts via mitochondrial-mediated JNKK/JNK(1,3)/Bax downregulation.

Sewage sludge derived biochar for environmental improvement: Advances, challenges, and solutions.

With the rapid growth yield of global sewage sludge, rational and effective treatment and disposal methods are becoming increasingly needed. Biochar preparation is an attractive option for sewage sludge treatment, the excellent physical and chemical properties of sludge derived biochar make it an attractive option for environmental improvement. Here, the current application state of sludge derived biochar was comprehensively reviewed, and the advances in the mechanism and capacity of sludge biochar in water contaminant removal, soil remediation, and carbon emission reduction were described, with particular attention to the key challenges involved, e.g., possible environmental risks and low efficiency. Several new strategies for overcoming sludge biochar application barriers to realize highly efficient environmental improvement were highlighted, including biochar modification, co-pyrolysis, feedstock selection and pretreatment. The insights offered in this review will facilitate further development of sewage sludge derived biochar, towards addressing the obstacles in its application in environmental improvement and global environmental crisis.

In Vitro Proliferation and Anti-Apoptosis of the Papain-Generated Casein and Soy Protein Hydrolysates towards Osteoblastic Cells (hFOB1.19).

Casein and soy protein were digested by papain to three degrees of hydrolysis (DH) 7.3%-13.3%, to obtain respective six casein and soy protein hydrolysates, aiming to clarify their in vitro proliferation and anti-apoptosis towards a human osteoblastic cell line (hFOB1.19 cells). Six casein and soy protein hydrolysates at five levels (0.01-0.2 mg/mL) mostly showed proliferation as positive 17ß-estradiol did, because they conferred the osteoblasts with cell viability of 100%-114% and 104%-123%, respectively. The hydrolysates of higher DH values had stronger proliferation. Casein and soy protein hydrolysates of the highest DH values altered cell cycle progression, and enhanced cell proportion of S-phase from 50.5% to 56.5% and 60.5%. The two also antagonized etoposide- and NaF-induced osteoblast apoptosis. In apoptotic prevention, apoptotic cells were decreased from 31.6% to 22.6% and 15.6% (etoposide treatment), or from 19.5% to 17.7% and 12.4% (NaF treatment), respectively. In apoptotic reversal, soy protein hydrolysate decreased apoptotic cells from 13.3% to 11.7% (etoposide treatment), or from 14.5% to 11.0% (NaF treatment), but casein hydrolysate showed no reversal effect. It is concluded that the hydrolysates of two kinds had estradiol-like action on the osteoblasts, and soy protein hydrolysates had stronger proliferation and anti-apoptosis on the osteoblasts than casein hydrolysates.

Effects of simulated heliox diving at high altitudes on blood cells, liver functions and renal functions.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of simulated heliox diving at high altitudes on divers' blood cells, liver functions and renal functions. In this experiment, four divers lived for nine consecutive days in a dual-function high-low pressure chamber, which simulated air pressure at an altitude of 3,000 meters and at a 30-meter depth; an altitude of 4,000 meters and 30-meter depth; and at an altitude of 5,200 meters and 30 meters and 50 meters in depth. Total time underwater was 60 minutes. The subjects breathed heliox (with oxygen at 40% and helium at 60%) during the simulated 30-meter dive from zero altitude to 30 meters and while remaining underwater; they breathed air while ascending from 30 meters to 18. They breathed heliox (with oxygen at 26.7% and helium at 73.3%) in the simulated dive from zero altitude to 50 meters underwater, in remaining underwater and in ascending from 50 meters to 29; air while ascending from 29 meters to 18. Pure oxygen was breathed while ascending from 18 meters to the surface; then air. Results indicated: (1) the correlating indices of routine blood, liver and renal functions, and urine routine were all within normal reference ranges; and (2) the indices tested at other periods of time were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the results at zero-meter level and 3,000-meter level. The study suggests that the heliox diving processes at different high altitudes simulated in this experiment have no significant impact upon divers' blood routine, liver functions and renal functions.

[Clinical significance of D-dimer activity in thrombosis of patients with return of spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of D-dimer contents in peripheral blood for monitoring the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with sudden cardiac arrest received CPR according to 2005 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC). At the early stage of ROSC, those patients underwent head and breast CT scan if they were in a state of unconsciousness and had unstable vital signs. If intracranial hemorrhage, dissection of aorta and pneumothorax were rule out, and those patients who maintained blood circulation for over 24 hours were included. The expression of D-dimer contents in peripheral blood was determined at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 h after CPR in all patients. And the patients were randomly divided into control and experiment groups. Prior to thrombolysis, the patients whose D-dimer more than 512 µg/L were classified as Group A (n = 17); those whose D-dimer below 512 µg/L Group B (n = 14); and the remaining control group whose family members refused thrombolytic therapy Group C (n = 16). The general data, Glasgow coma scale, survival rate and the change of D-dimer in peripheral blood were analyzed. RESULTS: In Group A, D-dimer level began to increase significantly at CPR 1 hour. It peaked at CPR 2 hours then decreased gradually. The final survival rate was 67%. The survival rate and GCS were higher than those of Groups B and C. In Group B, the D-dimer concentrations began to increase gradually at CPR1 hour, peaked at CPR 12 hours and then decreased. The survival rate and GCS was lower than those of Group A and similar to those of Group C. Group C was control group with no thrombolysis. CONCLUSION: For those ROSC patients with D-dimer concentrations significantly higher than usual, the pathogenesis of cardiac arrest may be concerned with thromboembolism, thrombosis in circulatory system and hyperviscosity. After an initiation of thrombolytic therapy, blocked blood vessels are recanalized, blood circulation improves and the cause of cardiac arrest is removed. Thus their survival rate becomes better. For those with D-dimer concentrations no higher than usual, the cause of cardiac arrest is not concerned with thromboembolism, thrombolytic therapy can not improve the patient outcome. And the final survival rate remains unchanged. The significance of thrombolytic therapy is none.

[Identification and diagnosis of myocardial damage and acute myocardial infarction during cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change in contents of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in peripheral blood, the elevation of ST in electrocardiogram, and the result of coronary arteriography, to identify myocardial damage and acute myocardial infarction during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with sudden cardiac arrest received CPR, and those patients who had blood circulation maintained for over 24 hours were included. The expression of CK-MB and cTnI activation in peripheral blood were determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 hours after CPR in all patients. Electrocardiogram was checked every 2 hours in all patients. If CK-MB, cTnI and ST segment of electrocardiogram was higher than usual, or myocardial infarct with suspicious elevation of ST (STEMI), coronary arteriography and interventional therapy were carried out immediately. Patients were divided into three groups. The patients who were not found to have coronary artery block were classified as group A (15 cases), those who were found to have coronary artery block were group B (6 cases), and the remaining patients in whom ST segment of electrocardiogram did not elevate, and coronary arteriography and interventional therapy were not consider were classified as group C (5 cases). Control group consisted of 15 healthy people (group D). The change in CK-MB and cTnI in peripheral blood and the elevation of electrocardiogram ST segment were analyzed. RESULTS: In group A, CK-MB level began to elevate at CPR 4 hours, and it peaked at CPR 12 hours. cTnI began to raise at CPR 4 hours, peaking at CPR 16 hours, then decreased gradually. Elevation of ST was seen in more than two leads in electrocardiogram at the beginning of restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), then lowered quickly, and the decrease exceeded 50% of the elevation at ROSC 2 hours. In group B, the levels of CK-MB and cTnI began to increase at CPR 4 hours, and remained elevated at CPR 20 hours. ST segment was elevated in more than two leads in electrocardiogram at the beginning of ROSC, and remained elevated after ROSC 2 hours. In group C, the CK-MB and cTnI concentrations were increased 4 hours after successful CPR, and reached peak at CPR 12, 16 hours respectively, then they decreased. ST segment of electrocardiogram was not elevated. In group D, the CK-MB and cTnI concentration was in the normal range. ST segment of electrocardiogram was not elevated. CONCLUSION: All patients manifested myocardial damage after CPR. Some patients showed STEMI after CPR. CK-MB and cTnI concentrations increased gradually after successful CPR without specificity for earlier identification of myocardial damage and STEMI. It is necessary to find a new reliable marker to check for myocardial damage. Relatively speaking, elevation of the ST segment in electrocardiogram has more predictive value. A decrease exceeds 50% of the elevation of ST segment in electrocardiogram at ROSC 2 hours, or the peak of contents of CK-MB and cTnI appear at CPR 12 hours or 16 hours indicates myocardial damage. If the elevation of ST segment does not descend after ROSC 2 hours, or the levels of CK-MB and cTnI remain elevated at CPR 20 hours, STEMI should be suspected, and it is necessary to undertake interventional therapy or thrombolysis therapy.

[The relationship between the protection of ginsenoside for spinal cell and nitric oxide].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the protection of Ginsenoside(GS) for spinal cells and nitric oxide (NO). METHOD: Spinal cells were cultured in vitro, the model of peripheral nerve was established by scarifying the cells, and NO was measured by Griess method. RESULT: NO in injury group was high than that in noninjury group and NO in group cultured by GS was less than that in group cultured by common medium. CONCLUSION: NO increases when peripheral nerve is injuried, and the protective effect of GS on spinal cells may be through inhibiting NO release.