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Background: Several studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of gastrodin. However, its specific role and mechanism in the context of osteoarthritis (OA) remain unclear. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the function and mechanism of gastrodin in both in vivo and in vitro OA models. Materials and Methods: In this study, the targets of gastrodin against osteoarthritis were analyzed using bioinformatics methods. The effect of gastrodin on neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokines in OA synovial tissue was evaluated using H&E staining. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA and Q-PCR. The extracellular matrix degradation-related proteins and PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 signaling pathway were tested using western blotting. Results: Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the target of gastrodin against OA might act on the FoxO pathway. The use of gastrodin resulted in a significant reduction in the infiltration of neutrophils in the synovial tissue of rats, as observed through H&E staining. Additionally, gastrodin was found to attenuate IL-1β-induced inhibition of chondrocyte viability, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and extracellular matrix degradation. This effect can be attributed to the suppression of PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 by gastrodin. Conclusion: These findings indicate that gastrodin is a treatment for OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new polyacetylenic alcohols, pellynols M−O ( 1 – 3 ), along with two known ones, melyne A ( 4 ) and melyne B ( 5 ), were isolated from a Niphates sp. marine sponge collected off the South China Sea. The structures of new compounds were determined based on a combination of 1D and 2D NMR analysis, ESI-MS n fragmentation, and chemical (ozonolysis) method. Their absolute configurations were assigned by modified Mosher's method. All the isolates showed potent cytotoxic activity against PC9 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines with IC 50 values of 2.9–7.6 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mine power network, about 70 % of total failures are resulted by the leakage fault, because the non neutral grounding is widely used in our country. This directly influences normal production and economic benefit of mine enterprises. By analyzing the leakage fault of mine low voltage power network and using the principle of additional DC source leakage protection, zero sequence voltage, zero sequence current and phase comparison leakage protection, a practical detection circuit is designed and its working principle is analyzed, Experiment verifies its effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the involvement of blood-born factors and extracellular proteases in axonal degeneration and regeneration in both PNS and CNS, we directly compared the differences of blood–nerve barrier (BNB) disruption and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) induction between the sciatic nerve and optic nerve after crush injury in the same animal. In sciatic nerve, BNB disruption, fibrin(ogen) deposition and MMP-9 expression were observed only in the first week following injury. Neurofilament (NF) immunoreactivity dramatically decreased in the first 2 days, gradually recovered to the normal levels by day 28. In contrast, the immunoglobulin G deposits spanned from 4h to 28 days in crushed optic nerves. Fibrin(ogen) deposition was only observed in the first 2 days, while MMP-9 induction did not occur until a week after injury but lasted for 3 weeks in the crushed optic nerves. The NF immunoreactivity did not change much until day 7 and almost completely disappeared on day 28. The decrease of NF immunoreactivity coincided with the induction of MMP-9 after optic nerve crush. These results show that BNB disruption and MMP-9 induction are differentially regulated in the PNS and CNS after injuries, and they may contribute to the different regeneration capacities of the two systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Atopy may be associated with disease severity and a poor prognosis of human adenovirus (HAdV) pneumonia in children. Our aim was to observe the clinical characteristics and pulmonary radiological changes in children with atopy and HAdV pneumonia in China.Methods: Children hospitalised with HAdV pneumonia from June 2018 to December 2019 were analysed. All children were divided into atopic with HAdV, non-atopic with HAdV, and atopic without HAdV infection group. Each group was further divided into the mild and severe pneumonia groups according to disease severity. Standard treatment was initiated after admission, and regular follow-up evaluations were conducted at 1 month after discharge. Baseline and clinical characteristics and pulmonary radiological changes in children with and without atopy were evaluated. Risk factors associated with small airway lesions in patients with HAdV pneumonia were analysed.Results: The eosinophil count in the atopic group was significantly higher than that in the non-atopic group (P < 0.05). Severe coughing, wheezing, and small airway lesions on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) upon admission, after discharge and 1 month after discharge were significantly higher in the atopic group (with or without HAdV infection) than in the non-atopic group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the number of patients with wheezing and small airway lesions during hospitalisation and after discharge among the three groups (P < 0.05). The risks of small airway lesions in children with a family or personal history of asthma, severe infection, atopy, and HAdV infection were 2.1-, 2.7-, 1.9-, 2.1-, and 1.4-times higher than those in children without these characteristics, respectively.Conclusions: Children with atopy and HAdV pneumonia may experience severe coughing in mild cases and wheezing in mild and severe cases. Children with atopy are more susceptible to the development of small airway lesions, recurrent wheezing after discharge and slower recovery of small airway lesions as observed on pulmonary imaging than non-atopic children after HAdV infection. A family or personal history of asthma, atopy, severe infection, and HAdV infection are independent risk factors associated with the development of small airway lesion as observed on chest HRCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rare 6(D)/5(E) ring-fused meroterpenoids, eupeniacetal A (1) and eupeniacetal B (2), and three new meroterpenoids, 1-methoxy-hydropreaustinoid A1 (3), hydroberkeleyone B (4), and 22-deoxy-10-oxominiolutelide B (5), as well as five known meroterpenoids, 22-deoxyminiolutelide B (6), preaustinoid A1 (7), berkeleyone C (8), berkeleyacetal A (9), and preaustinoid A3 (10), have been isolated, through the aid of LC-MS, from the sponge-derived fungus Eupenicillium sp. 6A-9. The structures of these meroterpenoids were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, comparison with literature data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The absolute configurations were assigned by means of TDDFT/ECD and [a]D calculations as well as by X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds showed inhibitory activity towards TNF-a production in the induced THP-1 cell line but were inactive against normal tumor cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine sponges are well known as prolific producers of structurally diverse molecules with valuable pharmacological potential. As part of our ongoing program to discover bioactive compounds from marine sponges collected from the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, a chemical study on the specimens of Hippospongia lachne was conducted. As a result, eight undescribed compounds, including four zwitterionic alkylpyridinium salts, hippospondines A−D (1 − 4), and four 3-alkylpyridine alkaloids, hippospondines E (5), F (6), and (±)-hippospondine G (7), were isolated from the marine sponge H. lachne , together with one known 3-alkylpyridine alkaloid (8). The undescribed structures were elucidated by HRESIMS, NMR, DP4+ and CP3 probability analysis, and the Snatzke's method. Hippospondines A−D (1 − 4) represent the rare example of inner salt type alkylpyridinium alkaloid with a farnesyl moiety. Compounds 1 − 3 and 8 were subjected to cytotoxic and lymphocyte proliferation assays. Compound 3 exhibited a weak promotion effect on the ConA-induced T lymphocyte proliferation. Nine alkylpyridine alkaloids including eight undescribed ones were isolated from the marine sponge Hippospongia lachne. And four of them represent the rare example of zwitterionic alkylpyridinium alkaloid with a farnesyl moiety. [Display omitted] • Eight undescribed compounds were isolated from Hippospongia lachne. • Compounds 1 − 4 represent the rare example of inner salt type alkylpyridinium alkaloid. • Compounds 1 and 3 have a sulfonate group, which is uncommon. • Compound 3 exhibited a promotion effect on the ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Two new fatty acid esters, hippobutenolides A (1) and B (2), featuring a long linear aliphatic chain attached to a butanolide residue, together with two known related ones (3 and 4), were isolated from the marine sponge Hippospongia lachne. The structures of all compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and modified Mosher's method. All isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity against three non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells (A549, PC9, and HCC827) as well as one cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cell (A549-DDP) and two gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells (PC9-GR and HCC827-GR). Compound 3 displayed cytotoxicity against all cell lines with IC 50 values ranging from 18.86 to 33.24 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The electrochemical stability is well improved upon the immobilization of DES in polymer matrix and introduction of Al 2 O 3 filler. • The battery performance is greatly improved by the synergistic effect exerted by the combination of immobilizing DES and incorporating Al 2 O 3 filler. • Al 2 O 3 filler is introduced into the system to further enhance the electrochemical properties of the electrolytes. • The electrolyte with 5 wt% Al 2 O 3 possess the highest ionic conductivity and the best cyclic performance. Deep-eutectic-solvent (DES), which is formed by mixing LiTFSI and N -methylacetamide in a molar ratio of 1:4, can be seen as a promising additive in electrolyte composition. In this study, DES is immobilized in the ultraviolet-cured poly(butyl acrylate- co -acrylonitrile) (PBA- co -PAN) cross-linked by 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) to serve as novel polymer electrolytes (PEs) for lithium batteries. Moreover, aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) filler is introduced into the system to further enhance the electrochemical properties of the electrolytes. The results indicate that the conductivity value reaches 6.8 × 10-4 S cm−1 and an improved electrochemical stability up to 4.6 V can be achieved by the sample with 5 wt% Al 2 O 3 addition (CPE5), which are much better than those of the system with DES as the electrolyte. By virtue of above superiority, the assembled Li//CPE5//LFP cell can deliver a discharge capacity of 155 mAh/g with a 95.3 % retention after 400 cycles at 0.2C rate at room temperature. Our study demonstrated that the battery performance is greatly improved by the synergistic effect exerted by the combination of immobilizing DES and incorporating Al 2 O 3 filler in PBA- co -PAN polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the cytoprotective effects of two sesquiterpene aminoquinones isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea fragilis , Dysidaminone H (DA8) and 3′-methylamino-avarone (DA14), we examined their effects against hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced oxidative injury in human keratinocyte cell line and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Main methods Cell viability was detected using a CCK-8 assay kit. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by fluorescence of 2, 7-Dichlorodi-hydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Messenger RNA and protein expression were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting analysis. Immunocytochemistry was performed to determine the intracellular location of nuclear factorerythroid 2 p45 related factor 2 (Nrf2). The antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA interference were used to establish the role of ARE and Nrf2. Key findings DA8 and DA14 (DAs) resisted H 2 O 2 induced decline of cell viability by inhibiting the accumulation of ROS. Meanwhile, DAs increased HO-1 expression and ARE activity and induced Nrf2 expression, as well as the accumulation of Nrf2 in the cell nucleus. However, silencing of Nrf2 abolished DAs-induced HO-1 expression and ARE luciferase activation. In addition, DAs induced the phosphorylation of both cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), while specific inhibitors of AMPKα and ERK abrogated HO1 upregulation and Nrf2 activation. Significance DAs provided cytoprotective effects against H 2 O 2 -induced cytotoxicity by activation of the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathway via phosphorylation of AMPKα and ERK. The findings suggested that DA8 and DA14 might be the candidate therapeutic agents for skin diseases caused by oxidative injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome characterized by airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness and remodeling. Airway remodeling is irreversible by current antiasthmatic drugs, and it is the main cause of severe asthma. Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) act as the main effector cells for airway remodeling; the proliferation and hypertrophy of which are involved in airway remodeling. Caveolin (Cav)− 1 is present on the surface of ASMCs, which is involved in cell cycle and signal transduction regulation, allowing ASMCs to change from proliferation to apoptosis. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway is a common pathway regulated by various proliferative factors, which demonstrates a regulatory role in airway remodeling of asthma. There have been many studies on the correlation between vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and airway reactivity and inflammation in asthma, but the functions and related mechanisms of ASMCs remain unclear. In this study, we established an airway remodeling model in asthmatic mice, and concluded that VIP inhibits airway remodeling in vivo. The in vitro effect of VIP on interleukin-13-induced proliferation of ASMCs was studied by examining the effects of VIP on expression of ERK1/2, phospho-ERK1/2 and Cav-1 in ASMCs, as well as changes in cell cycle distribution. VIP inhibited phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and expression of Cav-1 on ASMCs and decreased the proportion of S phase cells in the cell cycle, thus inhibiting the proliferation of ASMCs. This study provides a novel therapeutic mechanism for the treatment of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astaxanthin extracted from Pomacea canaliculata eggs was made into free-form astaxanthin powder (FFAP) and its effects on lipid metabolism, liver function, antioxidants activities and astaxanthin absorption rate were investigated. 45 hamsters were split into 5 groups and fed with normal diet, high-cholesterol control (0.2% cholesterol), 1.6FFAP (control+1.6% FFAP), 3.2FFAP (control+3.2% FFAP) and 8.0FFAP (control+8.0% FFAP), respectively, for 6 weeks. FFAP diets significantly decreased the liver total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and increased liver fatty acids (C20:5n3; C22:6n3) compositions. It decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In terms of anti-oxidative activities, we found 8.0 FFAP diet significantly decreased plasma and liver malonaldehyde (4.96±1.96 μg TEP eq./mL and 1.56±0.38 μg TEP eq./g liver) and liver 8-isoprostane levels (41.48±13.69 μg 8-ISOP/g liver). On the other hand, it significantly increased liver catalase activity (149.10±10.76 μmol/min/g liver), Vitamin C (2082.97±142.23 μg/g liver), Vitamin E (411.32±81.67 μg/g liver) contents, and glutathione levels (2.13±0.42 mg GSH eq./g liver). Furthermore, 80% of astaxanthin absorption rates in all FFAP diet groups suggest FFAP is an effective form in astaxanthin absorption. Finally, astaxanthin was found to re-distribute to the liver and eyes in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggested that the appropriate addition of FFAP into high cholesterol diets increases liver anti-oxidative activity and reduces the concentration of lipid peroxidase and therefore, it may be beneficial as a material in developing healthy food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the world. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) was not only found to play a key role in the development of tumor angiogenesis, but has also been located in tumor cells of a variety of tumors. This study investigated the expression pattern of VEGFR-2 in breast cancer tissue specimens in order to evaluate the role of VEGFR-2 in the prognosis of breast cancer. Expression and localization of VEGFR-2 in tumor cells of breast cancer specimens from 98 invasive breast cancer patients were determined by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between VEGFR-2 expression and clinicopathological features were also analyzed. The results showed that VEGFR-2 expression correlated positively with lymph node (LN) metastasis of breast cancer. Patients with high expression of VEGFR-2 had a significantly worse OS. It was also observed that the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker, including Twist1 and Vimentin, was higher in the tumors with higher VEGFR-2 expression, while the E-cadherin expression was lower in the same tumors, suggesting that VEGFR-2 may serve as a possible mediator of EMT in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Five new scalarane-type sesterterpenoids were isolated. • The absolute configurations of new structures were assigned by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. • Compounds 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 showed inhibitory activities with respective IC 50 values of 16.4, 18.5, 2.6, and 3.7 μ M, on the production of nitric oxide (NO) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages. Dysiscalarones A-E (1 – 5), five new scalarane-type bishomoscalarane sesterterpenoids, were isolated from marine sponge Dysidea granulosa collected from the South China Sea, together with two known ones, honulactone A (6) and phyllofolactone I (7). The new structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis including HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR data, and their absolute configurations were assigned by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The inhibitory activity of all the seven isolates on the production of nitric oxide (NO) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated. Of these metabolites, dysiscalarones A-B (1 – 2), honulactone A (6), and phyllofolactone I (7) showed inhibitory activities with respective IC 50 values of 16.4, 18.5, 2.6, and 3.7 μ M, which suggested that the γ -methylated α , β -unsaturated γ -lactone might be the functional group. In addition, all the seven metabolites showed no significant cytotoxicity against lung cancer PC9 cell line at the concentration of 20 μ M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]