Acanthopanax senticosus Protects Structure and Function of Mesencephalic Mitochondria in A Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuro-protective effects of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (EAS) on mesencephalic mitochondria and the mechanism of action, using a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chemical fingerprint analysis of the extract of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (EAS) was performed using the ultra performance liquid chromatograph and time of flight mass spectrometry. Thirty mice were randomly divided into the control group, the MPTP model group, and the EAS treated group with MPTP (MPTP+EAS group, 10 in each group). The MPTP model group and the MPTP+EAS group received MPTP-HCl (30 mg/kg i.p) once a day for 5 days. The control group received an equal volume of saline (20 mL/kg i.p) once a day for 5 days. Induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride daily (MPTP-HCl, 30 mg/kg) for 5 days, the PD mice were treated with EAS at 45.5 mg/kg daily for 20 days. The behavioral testing of mice was carried out using the pole-climbing test. The integrity and functions of neurons were examined in mesencephalic mitochondria in a PD mouse model, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase ubiquinone flavoprotein 2 (NDUFV2), mitochondrially encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase 1 (MT-ND1), succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA), and succinate dehydrogenase cytochrome b560 subunit (SDHC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment with EAS, the behavioral changes induced by MPTP were attenuated significantly (P<0.05). EAS protected the mesencephalic mitochondria from swelling and attenuated the decreases in their membrane potential (both P<0.05), which was supported by an ultra-structural level analysis. The changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonic dialdehyde (MDA), oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system 4 subunits levels and PD-related proteins expressions (parkin, Pink1, DJ-1, α-synuclein, and Lrrk2) reverted to near normal levels (all P<0.05), based on the results of immune-histological and Western blotting observations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The neuro-protective effects of EAS are linked to protecting mice against MPTP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and structural damage. Therefore, EAS is a promising candidate for the prevention or treatment of mitochondrial neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD.</p>

[The Study of the Spectral Model for Estimating Pigment Contents of Tobacco Leaves in Field].

Fast and non-destructive measurements of tobacco leaf pigment contents by spectroscopy in situ in the field has great significance in production guidance for nutrient diagnosis and growth monitoring of tobacco in vegetative growth stage, and it is also very important for the quality evaluation of tobacco leaves in mature stage. The purpose of this study is to estimate the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of tobacco leaves using tobacco leaf spectrum collected in the field. Reflectance spectrum of tobacco leaves in vegetative growth stage and mature stage were collected in situ in the field and the pigment contents of tobacco leaf samples were measured in this study, taking the tobacco leaf samples collected in each and both stages as modeling sets respectively, and using the methods of support vector machine (SVM) and spectral indice to establish the pigment content estimation models, and then compare the prediction performance of the models built by different methods. The study results indicated that the difference of estimation performance by each stage or mixed stages is not significant. For chlorophyll content, SVM and spectral indice modeling methods can both have a well estimation performance, while for carotenoid content, SVM modeling method has a better estimation performance than spectral indice. The coefficient of determination and the root mean square error of SVM model for estimating tobacco leaf chlorophyll content by each stage were 0.867 6 and 0.014 7, while the coefficient of determination and the root mean square error of SVM model for estimating tobacco leaf chlorophyll content by mixed stages were 0.898 6 and 0.012 3; The coefficient of determination and the root mean square error for estimating tobacco leaf carotenoid content by each stage were 0.861 4 and 0.002 5, while the coefficient of determination and the root mean square error of SVM model for estimating tobacco leaf carotenoid content by mixed stages were 0.839 9 and 0.002 5. The innovation point of this study is that on the basis of support vector machine and spectral indice, models established by each stage and mixed stages for estimating the pigment contents of tobacco leaf samples can provide scientific basis and technical support for quality control of tobacco leaf production in field and the ensurance of tobacco leaf recovery quality.

[Zooplankton community structure in relation to influencing factors in different parts of Hangzhou Bay in autumn].

Based on the data collected from three oceanographic surveys in the east area of north (30.68°-30.83° N,121.67°-121.87° E), the east area of south (29.95°-30.24° N,121.60°- 121.85° E), and the west area of north (30.58°--30.77° N,121.31°--121.56° E) Hangzhou Bay during the autumn of 2009, 2011 and 2012, we analyzed the species composition, ecological groups and the similarity of zooplankton community, as well as influencing factors. The results indicated that a total of 14 species belonging to 6 groups were identified in the west area of north Hangzhou Bay. Tortanus vermiculus was the predominant species. The zooplankton assembles were mainly influenced by the runoff strength of the Qiantang River. The zooplankton fauna was mainly composed of the subtropical estuarine brackish-water species, accounting for 79.8% in the total abundance. A total of 19 species belonging to 6 groups were identified in the east area of north Hangzhou Bay. The composition of zooplankton community was mainly influenced by the Changjiang diluted water and offshore water of the East China Sea. It was mainly composed of warm-temperature and subtropical nearshore low-salinity species, accounting for 43.5% and 31.1% in the total abundance, respectively. In the east area of south Hangzhou Bay, a total of 25 species belonging to 7 groups were identified. The composition of zooplankton community was mainly influenced by the offshore water of the East China Sea. The dominate eco-group types were subtropical nearshore low-salinity and subtropical nearshore species, accounting for 72.3% and 18.3% in the total abundance, respectively. And the ecological groups of species with the highest abundance was Labidocera sinilobata, accounting for 65.3% in the total abundance. By hierarchical cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) method, it was found that the zooplankton communities in the three parts of Hangzhou Bay were significantly different, which were closely associated with the impacts of different water masses from these parts.

Study on potential effect of Dioscorea nipponica in intervening peripheral system of rats based on metabonomic analysis / 中国中药杂志

To study the potential effect of Dioscorea nipponica(DN) in intervening peripheral system of rats based on metabolomic analysis. The identification of the potential intervention targets of DN in peripheral system may facilitate its safe application and therapeutic potential exploitation. Totally 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group and the DN-treated groups, with 10 rates in each group. The DN-treated group was orally administrated with DN extracts once a day for 5 days, with the dose of 80 mg x kg(-1) (equivalent to 15 g crude drug in human), and the blank group was given equal volume of saline once a day for 5 days. Heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney tissues and serum samples were collected from each rat 24 h later after the last administration. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry based metabolomics was used to investigate the effect of DN in intervening peripheral system of rats. After the treatment with DN, 5 modulated metabolites in heart tissue, 6 in liver tissue, 5 in spleen tissue, 3 in lung tissue, 5 in kidney tissue and 6 in serum sample were identified and considered as the potential intervention targets of DN. Effect of DN in regulating some endogenous metabolites was beneficial for protecting peripheral system, while that in other endogenous metabolites produced potential toxicity to peripheral system. The metabolomic analysis revealed the coexistence of protective and toxic effects of DN on peripheral system, which may be a practical guidance for its safe application and beneficial to the expansion of its application scope.

Research Review on TCM Preventing and Treating Parkinson's Disease by Repairing Brain / 中国中医药信息杂志

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common degenerative disease of central nervous system. Brain mitochondrial dysfunction and structural damage are the important pathogeny of PD. At present, many of Chinese herbal compounds, herbal medicines, and TCM active ingredients are used to prevent and treat PD. The main mechanisms of these medicines are involved in the protection of mitochondrial structure, anti-oxidative stress, anti-calcium dysregulation, mitigation of excitotoxicity, and anti-apoptosis, etc., which also play a comprehensive role through multi-link, multi-level, and multi-target. Through looking up the recent representative literature, the experimental results of Chinese herbal compounds and TCM active ingredients preventing and treating PD through repairing brain mitochondrial structure and function were analyzed and inducted. Many of Chinese herbal compounds and TCM active ingredients were proved to have good effects on PD.

[Applying local neural network and visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to estimating available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil].

To establish the quantitative relationship between soil spectrum and the concentration of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil, the critical procedures of a new analysis method were examined, involving spectral preprocessing, wavebands selection and adoption of regression methods. As a result, a soil spectral analysis model was built using VIS/NIRS bands, with multiplicative scatter correction and first-derivative for spectral preprocessing, and local nonlinear regression method (Local regression method of BP neural network). The coefficients of correlation between the chemically determined and the modeled available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for predicted samples were 0.90, 0.82 and 0.94, respectively. It is proved that the prediction of local regression method of BP neural network has better accuracy and stability than that of global regression methods. In addition, the estimation accuracy of soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was increased by 40.63%, 28.64% and 28.64%, respectively. Thus, the quantitative analysis model established by the local regression method of BP neural network could be used to estimate the concentration of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium rapidly. It is innovative for using local nonlinear method to improve the stability and reliability of the soil spectrum model for nutrient diagnosis, which provides technical support for dynamic monitoring and process control for the soil nutrient under different growth stages of field-growing crops.

[Fish assembles in the coastal water of Lüsi fishing ground during spring and summer].

Based on data from bottom trawl surveys during spring and summer of 2010, the species composition and community structure of fish community in Lüsi fishing ground were investigated and compared with those at different latitudes. A total of 21 were identified in spring and 28 identified in summer. In spring, it was mainly composed of warm-temperate fish (9 species), accounting for 45.2% and 72.9% in the individual density and biomass density, respectively. Warm-temperate species Larimichthys polyactis, Cynoglossus joyneri and Cynoglossus semilaevis were dominant in spring. In summer, warm water species appeared in large numbers by 21, accounting for 75.2% and 71.7% in the individual density and biomass density, respectively. Collichthys lucidus and Coilia mystus were the predominant species in summer. One way-ANOVA indicated that the temperature and salinity between spring and summer in Lüsi fishing ground were significantly different, which resulted in the succession of fish community, i. e. the gradual decrease of the warm-temperate, neritic and nearshore species and the concomitant gradual increase of warm-water and estuarine species.

Dramatic declines in Euphausia pacifica abundance in the East China Sea: response to recent regional climate change.

As with other marine ecosystems around the world, water temperature has been anomalously warm in recent years in the East China Sea. We analyzed historical data to explore the effects of climatic change on the abundance and distribution variation of Euphausia pacifica in the East China Sea (the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent areas). In 1959, the highest abundance occurred in the spring and autumn, and this krill species was still abundant in May 1974; however, its abundance was significantly reduced in 2002, markedly in spring. Euphausia pacifica was the numerically dominant euphausiid in the East China Sea in 1959. Its mean abundance was up to 1.91 ind m(-3) and 1.64 ind/m(3) in 1959 and 1974, respectively; however, this figure decreased to 0.36 ind m(-3) in 2002. Since 2003, the abundances have been near zero in the most years. Both inter-annual (between November 1959 and 2002) and inter-monthly (between May and June 1959) comparisons suggest that E. pacifica has had a temperature-driven northward movement in response to rising sea surface temperature, especially the positive anomalies since 1997. However, E. pacifica did not come back to the previous habitat when temperature became relative cold. Hence additional factors affecting the E. pacifica distribution and abundance need to be investigated in the future study.

[Shrimp community structure and its influential factors in the Jiaojiang River estuary during spring and autumn].

Based on the data from two oceanographic surveys during April and October 2010, the spatial and seasonal variations in composition, dominance, and diversity of shrimp communities, as well as the influential factors in the Jiaojiang River estuary were analyzed. A total of 16 species of shrimp were found, which belonged to 12 families under 8 genera. 14 species of shrimp were found in spring (April) and 12 species in autumn (October). With the employment of index of relative importance (IRI), in spring 6 dominant species were identified, as Acetes chinensis, Alpheus distinguendus, Parapenaeopsis hardwickii, Leptochela gracilis, Alpheus juponicus and Palaemon gravieri, and in autumn 3 dominant species were found as Solenocera crassicornis, Parapenaeopsis hardwickii and Metapenaeus joyneri. Eurythermal and eurysaline shrimp community prevailed in the Jiaojiang River estuary, followed by eurythermal and hyposaline shrimp community. Margalef index (D), Shannon index (H) and Pielou's evenness index were used to evaluate the diversity of shrimp community in the studied area. The stations with higher value of D and H were mainly located in the west of the Dachen Island, whereas the Pielou's evenness index was stable all across the Jiaojiang River estuary. By hierarchical cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) method, the results indicated that shrimp communities had significant seasonal and spatial variations. Depth was the most important factor that affected variations in the shrimp community structure in the Jiaojiang River estuary.

[Population division of Larimichthys polyactis in China Sea].

Previous approaches prevalently believed that there were three populations of Larimichthy spolyactis existed in China Sea. To clarify the number of the populations, an improved approach was adopted in this paper, based on the suite of methodologies including geographical isolation, population dynamics, morphology, anatomy, and molecular genetics. In our finding, there were two instead of three L. polyactis populations in the China Sea, one in Northern Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, and the other in Southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Three evidences were against traditional approaches. Firstly, the traditional division was not supported by morphology, anatomy, and molecular genetics evidences. Secondly, in accordance with our study by referring the 1971-1982 fishing yield statistics from 14 major fishery companies in China, the geographical isolation for L. polvactis between Southern Yellow Sea group and East China Sea group was insignificant. In fact, the two L. polyactis groups inhabited at the same overwintering ground in offshore during winter, and the spawning fishes migrated towards to the nearshore of Zhoushan, Yushan, and Liisi fishing grounds in the following spring. At the same time, another L. polyactis group originally inhabited at the southern nearshore of mid East China Sea during winter migrated northwards and amalgamated with the fishes in the waters of Zhoushan. After spawning, these fishes aggregated into a large feeding group outside the prohibited fishing zone line from May to August. In contrast, the population from the northern Yellrw Sea and Bohai Sea had significant geographic isolation with the population from the southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Last but not least, no evidences could support that there were two populations existed at Southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, because the productivity of these two areas increased synchronously in recent years while the resource density at northern Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea was still much lower.

[Labidocera euchaeta: its distribution in Yangtze River Estuary and responses to global warming].

Based on the investigation data from eight oceanographic censuses in Yangtze River Estuary (28 degrees 00'-32 degrees 00' N, 122 degrees 00'-123 degrees 30' E) in four seasons of 1959 and 2002, the seasonal distribution pattern of Labidocera euchaeta in the Estuary and the responses of this zooplankton to global warming were analyzed. In the study area, L. euchaeta had a higher average abundance in winter and spring than in summer and autumn, with the highest occurrence frequency in winter and an obvious aggregation in spring and summer. Water salinity was the key factor determining the horizontal distribution of L. euchaeta. The optimal water temperature and salinity for L. euchaeta were 16 degrees C and 12-20, respectively, indicating that this zooplankton belonged to a warm temperate brackish water species. Comparing with that in 1959, the abundance of L. euchaeta in 2002 decreased obviously, which could be related to global warming and suggested that L. euchaeta could be used as an important indictor species of ocean warming in Yangtze River Estuary. The high abundance of L. euchaeta in spring appeared in the most turbid zone of Yangtze River Estuary, being of significance in maintaining the functions of fishing grounds in the waters.

[Water environment adaptability and ecological groups of hydroidomedusae in East China Sea].

Based on the data of four seasonal oceanographic censuses in East China Sea (23 degrees 30' - 33 degrees 00' N, 118 degrees 30' - 128 degrees 00' E) in 1997-2000, the optimal water temperature and salinity and the ecological groups of Hydroidomedusae were studied by curve fitting, mathematical model forming, and geographic distribution analyzing. The results showed that Hydroidomedusae could live in the waters with different temperature and salinity. 15 species of Hydroidomedusae had an optimal water temperature of <20 degrees C, 8 species at 20 degrees C - 25 degrees C, 12 species at 22.5 degrees C - 25 degrees C, and 17 species at > or =25 degrees C. 32 species of Hydroidomedusae had an optimal salinity of 32-34, 13 species at 34, 6 species at 30-32, and only 2 species at <30. The weak adaptability of most Hydroidomedusae species to the variation of water salinity made them have low density and limited distribution in East China Sea. Sugiura chengshanense and Clytia hemisphaerica were of nearshore warm temperate water species, Cunina octonaria and other 12 species were of offshore warm temperate water species, 8 species represented by Ectopleura latitaeniata were of nearshore subtropical water species, 5 species represented by Aglaura hemistoma showed some oceanic tropical features, while 25 species represented by Liriope tetraphylla were of offshore subtropical species. Some Hydroidomedusae species could be used as an important bio-indicator of water mass in East China Sea.

[Ecological character of pelagic mysids in Yangtze Estuary of China].

Based on the four seasonal oceanographic cruises investigation data in the Yangtze Estuary (122 degrees 00'-123 degrees 30' E, 29 degrees 00'-32 degrees 00' N) in 2002-2003, the diversity and abundance dynamics of pelagic mysids as well as their relationships with fishing ground were studied. A total of 14 species were identified, among which, 10 species occurred in autumn, 8 species in spring and summer, and 2 species in winter. Clear seasonal alterations were observed, among which the highest alteration ratio (90.9%) occurred from autumn to winter. Shannon diversity index (H') in spring, summer and autumn was above 2, and that in winter was 1. Mean abundance was the highest in summer [234.70 ind x (100 m3)(-1)], followed by in autumn [103.34 ind x (100 m3)(-1)], spring [80.36 ind x (100 m3)(-1)], and winter [12.40 ind x (100 m3)(-1)]. The changes in mean abundance were in accordance with the fluctuation of seasonal temperature. Due to the adaptation to a wide range of temperature and salinity, Gastrosaccus pelagicus was dominant in spring, autumn and winter. Acanthomysis brevirostris was dominant in summer and autumn, and A. longirostrisas in winter. The dominant species in each season all made a significant contribution to total abundance. A. brevirostris was observed in large agglomerates in summer. As a kind of fish diet, mysids were of importance in the formation of fishing grounds in the Yangtze Estuary and Zhoushan Islands.

[Comparison of mesozooplankton communities in North Channel and North Branch of Yangtze River Estuary].

According to the four cruises investigations in the Yangtze River Estuary from May, August and November 2004 and February 2005, and by using species diversity indices, K-dominance curves, and similarity analysis (ANOSIM), the features of mesozooplantkon communities and their dominant species in the North Channel (NC) and North Branch (NB) were analyzed, with the effects of ecological factors, especially water salinity and temperature, on the dominant species and communities in these two waters discussed. The results indicated that the NC was composed of tidal water and oligo-haline water, while the NB was featured by meso-haline or poly-haline water. Consequently, the zooplankton communities in these two waters were significantly different. In spring, the abundance and diversity of the communities were larger in NB than in NC. In NC, Sinocalanus sinicus was the only dominant species; while in NB, there were several dominate species, among which, Labidocera euchaeta was most important. In summer, the diversity of the communities in NC and NB was quite similar, but the species richness and total abundance of zooplankton were less in NC than in NB. The zooplankton in NC was made up of olio-haline communities, and that in NB was composed of brackish species, e.g., Schmackeria poplesia and Tortanus vermiculus. In autumn, similar to those in spring, the abundance and diversity of the communities were larger in NB than in NC. As usual, in NC, S. sinicus was the most important species; while in NB, the zooplankton was composed of neritic community (Paracalanus parvus, P. aculeatus, L. euchaeta, and Calanus sinicus, etc. ). In winter, the species richness and diversity were the lowest, and there were no obvious difference between the zooplankton communities in NC and NB. It was concluded that water salinity, water temperature, and their combination were the key factors determining the characters of the mesozooplanktonic communities. Water temperature mainly affected the seasonal alteration of the dominant species, while water salinity, which was influenced by the interaction between runoff and ocean mass, determined the local mesozooplantkon communities in NC and NB.

[Pelagic Mysidacea in East China Sea and its significance as the indicator of water mass].

Based on the investigation data of four seasonal oceanographic censuses in the area 23 degrees 30' - 33 degrees N and 118 degrees 30' - 128 degrees E of East China Sea in 1997-2000, this paper studied the ecotypes and geographic and seasonal distribution of pelagic Mysidacea in this sea area, with its significance as the indicator of water mass approached. The results showed that among the species of pelagic Mysidacea, Acanthomysis latiscauda, Gastrosaccus pelagicus, Siriella sinensis and Hemisiriella pulchra were the coastal subtropical species with some features of warm temperate species, while Pseudanchialina pusilla, Promysis orientalis, Erythrops minuta and Anisomysis bipartoculata were the offshore subtropical species with some features of tropical species. Different from other zooplanktons, most of the pelagic Mysidacea species had lower optimal temperature and salinity and distributed more at near-shore in spring and winter, showing the features of warm temperate near-shore species. The areas with high abundance of A. latiscauda, S. sinensis and H. pulchra were just the converging areas of the Changjiang dilute waters and warm current masses and of coastal waters and offshore high salinity waters. Erythrops minuta and Anisomysis bipartoculata could be used as the indicators of warm current, P. orientalis and Doxomysis quadrispinosa were the indicators of the Taiwan warm current, while the rest were not good enough to be the indicators of water masses.