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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with multiple complications, patients who receive metformin may have a simultaneous intake of herbal medicine containing rutaecarpine due to cardiovascular protection and hypolipidemic effects of rutaecarpine. There might be drug interactions between metformin and rutaecarpine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rutaecarpine on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of metformin in diabetic rats. The diabetic rat model was induced with high-fat diet and low dose streptozotocin. Metformin with or without rutaecarpine was administered by oral gavage for 42 days. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics parameters were evaluated. The pharmacodynamics results revealed that co-administration of rutaecarpine with metformin resulted in a remarkable reduction of serum glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic rats compared to metformin treated alone. The pharmacokinetics results showed that co-treatments of rutaecarpine with metformin did not affect the systemic exposure and renal distribution of metformin, but increased metformin concentration in liver. Furthermore, rutaecarpine increased Oct1-mediated metformin uptake into hepatocytes by upregulation of Oct1 expression in the liver. The above data indicate that rutaecarpine enhanced the anti-diabetic effect of metformin, which may be associated with the increased hepatic distribution of metformin through up-regulation of Oct1 in response to rutaecarpine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the sources of water under four modes, namely, normal fields, Raised Fields, single agriculture in Raised Fields, and agroforest system in Raised Fields, by using a combination of δ18O, δ2H and δ13C and their effects on crop yield and water use efficiency. The results show that the soil electrical conductivity of Raised Fields during summer maize seasons was lower than that during winter wheat seasons, and that in the marginal regions was higher than in the central regions, because of the Water Sources. Under agroforest conditions in Raised Fields, Soil Salinity can be reduced because approximately 10% of the water originates from tree trunks. The biomass yield and intrinsic water use efficiency of winter crops under agroforest was 15.1% and 5.5% higher than that under single agriculture, respectively. Thus, soil salinization can be reduced and productivity can be increased by controlling the Water Sources in ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ru-Co/CNTs catalysts are prepared by microwave-assisted heating electroless plating using Carbon nanotubes as Carrier. The structure of the catalyst was analyzed by TEM, XRD, EDS and TGA, and the performance of the catalytic alcoholysis of sodium borohydride was tested. At 25 oC, the carbon nanotube diameter is 10-20 nm, the catalyst dosage is 20 mg, the sodium borohydride concentration is 5 wt.%, and the sodium hydroxide concentration is 7 wt.%, the maximum rate of catalytic hydrogen production reaches the maximum value. At the same time, the activation energy is calculated to be 34.35 kJ · mol-1, which is much lower than the activation energy of spontaneous alcoholysis of sodium borohydride (63.0 kJ/mol). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatrorrhizine possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. However, the mechanism underlying hepatic uptake of jatrorrhizine remains unclear. Rat liver slices, isolated rat hepatocytes and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells stably expressing human organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) and organic cation transporter (OCT) were used to evaluate the hepatic uptake of jatrorrhizine in this study. Uptake of jatrorrhizine in rat liver slices and isolated rat hepatocytes was significantly inhibited by glycyrrhizic acid (Oatp1b2 inhibitor) and prazosin (Oct1 inhibitor), but not by ibuprofen (Oatp1a1 inhibitor) or digoxin (Oatp1a4 inhibitor). Uptake of jatrorrhizine in OATP1B3 and OCT1-HEK293 cells indicated a saturable process with the Km of 8.20 ± 1.28 and 4.94 ± 0.55 μM, respectively. However, the transcellular transport of jatrorrhizine in OATP1B1-HEK293 cells was not observed. Rifampicin (OATP inhibitor) for OATP1B3-HEK293 cells and prazosin for OCT1-HEK293 cells could inhibit the uptake of jatrorrhizine with the IC50 of 5.49 ± 1.05 and 2.77 ± 0.72 μM, respectively. The above data indicate that hepatic uptake of jatrorrhizine is involved in both OATP and OCT, which may have important roles in jatrorrhizine liver disposition and potential drug–drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3(PIK3R3) is overexpressed in different types of human cancer. We previously reported the important role of PIK3R3 in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognosis effect of PIK3R3 in CRC is still remaining unclear. In this study, we explored online clinical databases to analyze the prognosis differences between higher and lower expression of PIK3R3 in CRC patients. Interestingly, we found that better disease-free survival (DFS) were occurred in patients with higher expression of PIK3R3, but there is no significant difference in overall survival (OS). For further, we showed that PIK3R3 could enhance 5-FU induced apoptosis by regulating the expression of thymmidine phosphorylase (TP). In conclusion, PIK3R3 could be considered as a predictor of 5-FU sensitivity for personalized treatment, and a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ContextThe roots ofIlex asprella(Hook. et Arn.) Champ. ex Benth. (Aquifoliaceae) are widely used in Chinese medicine to treat influenza, amygdalitis, pertussis, etc. Their mechanism of action is still unknown, which raises the need to identify new bioactive compounds in this plant. ObjectiveIn this study, we isolated a novel saponin containing sulphonic groups, namely, asprellcoside A (1) and a known phenolic glycoside compound (2) from the roots ofIlex asprellaand evaluated their bioactivities. Materials and methodsMolecular structures were elucidated by analysing their spectral and chemical properties. The viability of A549 cells was tested using a MTT assay. Ability of the compounds to inhibit viruses was determined using the neuraminidase activity assay. Their anti-inflammatory effects were tested using the IP-10 activity assay using various concentrations (compound1: 0.6, 0.2, 0.6, 1.70, 5.00 and 15.00 μM; compound2: 0.4, 1.2, 3.6, 11.0, 33.0 and 100 μM). Their inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in rabbit plasma was determined at 60 and 80 μM. ResultsBoth compounds inhibit influenza virus strain A/PuertoRico/8/1934 (H1N1) strongly with EC50values of 4.1 and 1.7 μM, respectively. Both compounds inhibit the secretion of IP-10 with EC50values of 6.6 and 2.5 μM, respectively. Compound1alone inhibited platelet aggregation significantly, with the rate of suppression being 47 ± 8 and 38 ± 3%, at 60 and 80 μM, respectively. ConclusionsThe results suggest that both compounds may be valid therapeutics against influenza virus infection and that compound1may be a novel agent for treating thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One new coumarin, 3,5-dihydroxy-7-O-α-L-rhamno pyranosyl-2H-chromen-2-one (1), was isolated from the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Our results indicated that 1 significantly inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. RT-PCR analysis indicated it inhibited iNOS mRNA expression. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that 1 attenuated LPS-induced synthesis of iNOS protein in the macrophages. These results suggest that 1 could be potential anti-inflammatory agent by down-regulating iNOS expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wrestling with the precariousness of their legitimacy and reputation, diviners in China have developed their own approaches to legitimating and professionalising their business and occupation. This paper discusses the strategy of incorporating the occupation of divination into modern knowledge production and expert systems by forming academic associations and purchasing professional certificates. Diviners’ imitation of professionalism is interpreted as a struggle towards gaining membership of modern society. The efforts of diviners to seek legitimacy also provide an opportunity to observe how a marginalised social group whose behaviour is generally stigmatised justifies their role in society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) was first employed to establish the chromatographic fingerprint and thereby identify the major components of Yuanhu Zhitong tablet (YZT), a traditional Chinese medicine. Fingerprint was established by analyzing 15 different batches of YZT, in which we obtained 17 common peaks with 18 constituents. Fifteen components were identified in the fingerprint with reference to the standards and literature data, including protopine, α-allocryptopine, coptisine, tetrahydropalmatine, tetrahydroberberine, corydaline, palmatine, berberine, byakangelicol, dehydrocorydaline, oxypeucedanin, imperatorin, phelloptorin, isoimperatorin, and osthole. Each of these was separated by using a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18(2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 µm) column with linear gradient elution of 0.2% formic acid water-acetonitrile. Meanwhile, the hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to evaluate the variation of the YZTs based on the characteristics of the common peaks in the UPLC/Q-TOF-MS profiles. This established method with high sensitivity and high speed may become a powerful tool for quality evaluation of YZT and related preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a complex multicomponent complex system that interacts with multiple targets and functions via multiple pathways based on the whole human system. Therefore, identification of key constituents of Chinese herbals (CH) not only plays a critical role in the quality control of CHM, but also paves a basis for redevelopment of them. Objective: Identification of key constituents in volatile oil (VO) of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (Umbelliferae) (LCH), which is a CHM clinically used in China thousands of years ago. Materials and methods: The VO of LCH was pharmacologically demonstrated to have blood vessel activity (BVA) in vitro and chemically investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Data mining approaches were used to bridge the gap between chemical constituents (CCS) and bioactivities as well as contribute to select key constituents of LCH automatically. Results: Thirteen effective constituents of LCH with significant association with BVA were identified. Conclusion: The combination of 13 key constituents would accurately predict the bioactivities of blood vessel of LCH. Furthermore, the strategy presented here paves a strong basis for identification of key constituents of CH and elucidation of material basis of CHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To analyze the fixation strength of cannulated screws fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fracture with posterior tilt due to insufficient reduction. Two sets of digital models of anatomical reduction and 15° tilting reduction were established by CT data. Each group of models was modeled with two different fixation methods. One fixation method was fixed according to the standard cannulated screws recommended by AO. Another fixation method is to tilt the screw posterior tilt 15°. The final four groups of models were obtained: AO principle nailing posterior tilt model (Group A), posterior direction nailing posterior tilt model (Group B), AO principle nailing anatomic reduction model (Group C) and posterior direction nailing anatomic reduction model (Group D). The maximum displacement of the fracture end, the maximum Von-Mises stress and the stress distribution of the internal fixation were compared among the four groups. Four groups of models were established on artificial bone by 3D printing guide plate technology. The 600 N pressure test and yield test were performed on a biomechanical machine. The finite element and biomechanical models showed that groups B and C were more stable than groups A and D. The stability of group B was not worse than that of group C. When the femoral neck fracture produces a posterior tilt, a posterior reduction is allowed. The change of AO screw to posterior tilting screw fixation has more powerful advantages. No posterior tilt or posterior reduction, AO screw placement is still required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In autonomous vehicles (AVs), especially in fully AVs, “drivers” perceive vehicle operation from a passenger’s perspective. This study focuses on the perspective change of drivers especially in fully AVs. To investigate the effect of change in perspective on drivers’ assessment of AVs, this study conducted a driving simulator experiment and a survey using different samples. The driving simulator experiment was a within-subjects design including 40 participants. The experimental results indicated that although AVs drive exactly the same as the drivers, 85% of these drivers had different assessments for AVs compared to driving themselves (self-AV bias). Among these biased drivers, 80% changed the direction of their assessments (e.g., satisfied with their own driving behaviors but dissatisfied with the same behaviors from the AVs). Additionally, self-AV bias increased with the level of self-evaluation of their own driving skills. The higher the level of self-evaluation, the higher the optimism bias (drivers think they drive better than AVs) of drivers. Thereafter, to show whether and how self-AV bias affects drivers’ intuitive acceptance of AVs, a survey was conducted, which included 381 valid questionnaires. The survey results showed that self-AV bias was a critical factor promoting perceived usefulness of AVs; particularly, highly self-AV-biased drivers responded more to the perceived usefulness of AVs. Moreover, drivers who could accept more risky driving behaviors of AVs compared to themselves also perceived AVs to be more useful. The findings from this study provide insights for understanding drivers’ assessment and acceptance of AVs’ driving behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]