Search

Background Danhong huayu koufuye (DHK) has traditionally been used clinically for a long time in China. This study was to evaluate the effect of DHK in treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods Forty-eight Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups, performed with incomplete inferior vena cava ligation to induce DVT, and orally administered with DHK (3.20 mg/kg/d), warfarin (2.00 mg/kg/d), or vehicle for 7 days. The involved inferior vena cava and thrombi were collected and measured in size. The tissue specimens were performed for routine histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining with tissue factor and matrix metalloproteinases-9. Blood samples were collected for detecting coagulation function, blood cell count, and the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Results The treatment of DHK markedly reduced the size of thrombi by 49.26%, and the vein wall thickness by 47.86%. The recanalization rate was significant higher in the DHK-treated group than the vehicle-treated group (26.34 ± 6.53% versus 15.91 ± 3.93%, P < 0.01). Comparing to vehicle control, DHK significantly reduced neutrophils ( P < 0.05) and lymphocytes ( P < 0.05), serum tumor necrosis factor-α level (4.90 ± 1.14 pg/mL versus 6.60 ± 1.62 pg/mL, P < 0.01), and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and tissue factor ( P < 0.05) in thrombi. Conclusions DHK effectively prevented DVT through anti-inflammatory action in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a class of highly conserved proteins that play an important role in biological responses to various environmental stresses. The mariculture of Thamnaconus septentrionalis, a burgeoning aquaculture species in China, frequently encounters stressors such as extreme temperatures, salinity variations, and elevated ammonia levels. However, systematic identification and analysis of the HSP70 and HSP90 gene families in T. septentrionalis remain unexplored. This study conducted the first genome-wide identification of 12 HSP70 and 4 HSP90 genes in T. septentrionalis, followed by a comprehensive analysis including phylogenetics, gene structure, conserved domains, chromosomal localization, and expression profiling. Expression analysis from RNA-seq data across various tissues and developmental stages revealed predominant expression in muscle, spleen, and liver, with the highest expression found during the tailbud stage, followed by the gastrula, neurula, and juvenile stages. Under abiotic stress, most HSP70 and HSP90 genes were upregulated in response to high temperature, high salinity, and low salinity, notably hspa5 during thermal stress, hspa14 in high salinity, and hsp90ab1 under low salinity conditions. Ammonia stress led to a predominance of downregulated HSP genes in the liver, particularly hspa2, while upregulation was observed in the gills, especially for hsp90b1. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis corroborated the expression levels under environmental stresses, validating their involvement in stress responses. This investigation provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of HSP70 and HSP90 in T. septentrionalis under stress, offering valuable information for future functional studies of HSPs in teleost evolution, optimizing aquaculture techniques, and developing stress-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis) in the genus Brassica of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) originates from China and is one of the most consumed leafy vegetables in East Asian countries. The leaf color is tightly linked with its growth, development, and yield. By screening an EMS mutagenized population of Chinese cabbage inbred line A03, we identified a yellowgreen leaf mutant ygl. This mutant developed abnormal ultrastructure in chloroplasts. Transcriptome and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses unveiled that abiotic stress response and glucan metabolism pathways were enriched in ygl compared to A03. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis reveals that differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with plant hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism. In ygl, the expression of some photosynthetic pathway genes was significantly up-regulated, while the transcription of key genes related to carbon fixation, starch syntheses, and sugar metabolism pathways, such as RBCS1A, APS1, APL3, and SUS1, was markedly down-regulated. We also found a similar reduction trend in mRNA levels of IAA19, IAA29, and ARR4 associated with auxin and cytokinin pathways. Taken together, we uncovered transcriptional profiles for some important genes that may be responsible for leaf color development, and such gene expression repertoire may be useful for further investigation into the phenotype-to-genotype link in the ygl mutant Chinese cabbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the association between board centrality and corporate environmental disclosure using hand-collected data from Chinese-listed firms in heavily polluting industries. We find that board centrality has a positive effect on corporate environmental disclosure. We also show that this positive effect emanates from the critical role of the board in monitoring and resource distribution, and its incentive to promote information transparency. Our results, which are robust to a set of robustness checks, have important implications for both regulators and investors. • We provide evidence that board centrality influences corporate environmental disclosure. • We find a positive association between board centrality and environmental disclosure using a sample of Chinese firms. • The effect is more pronounced for firms with CEO duality, and those with no directors' and officers' liability insurance. • Our results are robust to alternative estimation methods and proxies for board centrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shield tunnel lining damage induced by soil-water inrush is studied. • Numerical simulation matches with field results reasonably. • Strength reduction method have been applied for the consideration of soil loss. • Lessons learned from this incident have been presented. This paper reports a case study on shield tunnel lining damage induced by soil-water inrush occurred in Tianjin Metro Line 1, China through both field monitoring and numerical simulation. This incident was triggered by the non-watertight boring work of thru holes adjacent to the cross passage between the twin tunnels. Under high hydraulic gradient, the seepage-prone weak zone was formed and extended, then the outburst of soil-water slurry was occurred. Measures including plugging engineering cotton, injecting quick-setting cement and welding partition plate of steel segments, had been taken but in vain. The outburst of soil-water slurry induced soil movement around the cross passage, thus leading to the damage of tunnel lining and ground surface settlement. After sealing the water ingress holes, stabilization methods including surface grouting and inside tunnel back grouting were applied. The mechanisms of segment lining damage and the effectiveness of stabilization are investigated through both numerical simulation and field monitoring data analysis. Lessons learned from this incident have been discussed, thus providing reference for potential shield tunnelling under similar engineering conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]