Sediments are important in regulating the algae-derived off-flavor (ß-cyclocitral) in eutrophic lakes.

In recent years, due to global warming and water eutrophication, cyanobacterial blooms have occurred frequently worldwide, resulting in a series of water quality problems, among which the odor problem in lakes is one of the focuses of attention. In the late stage of the bloom, a large amount of algae accumulated on the surface sediment, which will be a great hidden danger to cause odor pollution in lakes. ß-Cyclocitral is one of the typical algae-derived odor compounds that cause odor in lakes. In this study, an annual survey of 13 eutrophic lakes in the Taihu Lake basin was investigated to assess the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on ß-cyclocitral in water. Our results showed that high concentrations of ß-cyclocitral in the pore water (pore-ß-cyclocitral) were detected in the sediment and far exceeded that in the water column, with an average of about 100.37 times. Structural equation modeling indicated that algal biomass and pore-ß-cyclocitral can directly regulate the concentrations of ß-cyclocitral in the water column, and total phosphorus (TP) and temperature (Temp) promoted the algal biomass which further enhanced the production of ß-cyclocitral both in the water column and pore water. It was worth noting that when Chla ≥30 µg/L, the effects of algae on pore-ß-cyclocitral were significantly enhanced, and pore-ß-cyclocitral played a major role in the regulation of ß-cyclocitral concentrations in water column. Overall, our study facilitated a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the effects of algae on odorants and the dynamic regulatory processes in complex aquatic ecosystems, and revealed a long-neglected process, that was, the important contribution of sediments to ß-cyclocitral in the water column in eutrophic lakes, which would conduce to a more accurate understanding of the evolution of off flavors in lakes and also useful for the management of odors in lakes in the future.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Blood-brain Barrier of Focal Crebral Ischemia ;Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on blood-brain barrier of focal cerebral ischemia rats, and explore the mechanism of the decoction. Methods The model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by thread embolism method. SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group, model group and Buyang Huanwu Decoction group. Buyang Huanwu Decoction group was given Buyang Huanwu Decoction by gavage, the sham-operated group and model group were given normal saline of the same quantity 24 h after modeling. The nervous function deficit scores was evaluated, brain tissues and serum were taken from the rats after treating for seven days, infarct volume was detected by TTC staining, and pathological changes of microvessel were observed microscopically in HE stained sections. And the protein level of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF in brain tissue and the serum levels of vWF in serum of every groups were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction significantly improved the neurological behavior performance, decreased the cerebral infarct volume, alleviated the pathological changes and decreased the protein level of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF, vWF. Conclusion Buyang Huanwu Decoction has the protective effect on blood-brain barrier in the model rats of focal cerebral ischemia. The mechanism may be related with restrainning the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, VEGF, vWF.

Decreased and inactivated nuclear factor kappa B 1 (p50) in human degenerative calcified aortic valve.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative aortic valve calcification is an important factor in aortic stenosis and incompetence, but the pathogenesis is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to observe the expression of p50 in degenerative calcified aortic valves, which may provide a potential therapeutic target. METHODS: Fifteen cases of degenerative calcified aortic valve constituted the experimental group, and 10 aortic valves from patients who had undergone the Bentall operation constituted the control group. RESULTS: Immunostaining demonstrated that α-smooth muscle actin was highly expressed in valvular interstitial cells in the experimental group and that the percentage of CD68-positive cells was significantly higher in degenerative calcified aortic valves. Using bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein as a marker of calcification showed that osteoblasts were significantly increased in the experimental valves. Western blot showed that p50 was more highly expressed and activated in the control group compared with the experimental group. Immunohistochemistry confirmed this finding and showed that p50 was principally localized to the endothelial cells of uncalcified valves, suggesting that it might play an important role in maintaining valve function. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of p50 activity in endothelial cells might lead to calcification in degenerative calcified aortic valves.

[Protective role of endogenous carbon monoxide to lung and kidney tissues during septic shock].

AIM: To study the protective role of endogenous carbon monoxide to lung and kidney tissues during septic shock and its mechanism. METHODS: A rat model of CLP was built by using the method of CLP. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dematase (SOD) in blood, lung and kidney were detected by immunohistochemical technique and light microscope. RESULTS: Pathological changes of lung and kidney in CLP + Hemin group were lighter than CLP group, inflammatory reaction and lipid peroxidation were also lighter. CONCLUSION: Endogenous CO can protect lung and kidney from the oxidative injury. It can suppress in flammation and the oxidative injury caused by activated inflammatory cells, it is probably an important mechanism of its protective effects.

Protective role of endogenous carbon monoxide to lung and kidney tissues during septic shock / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the protective role of endogenous carbon monoxide to lung and kidney tissues during septic shock and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of CLP was built by using the method of CLP. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dematase (SOD) in blood, lung and kidney were detected by immunohistochemical technique and light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pathological changes of lung and kidney in CLP + Hemin group were lighter than CLP group, inflammatory reaction and lipid peroxidation were also lighter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Endogenous CO can protect lung and kidney from the oxidative injury. It can suppress in flammation and the oxidative injury caused by activated inflammatory cells, it is probably an important mechanism of its protective effects.</p>