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To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the pyrolysis of dopaminergic neurons in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD), so as to explore its underlying molecular mechanism.Male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation, model, EA, MCC950 and EA+MCC950 groups, with 12 rats in each group. The PD rat model was established by two-point injection of 6-OHDA. Rats in the MCC950 group were injected with MCC950 at the dose of 10 mg/kg, once a day; for rats of EA group, EA was applied to "Taichong" (LR3) and "Fengfu"(GV16) for 30 min, once a day; rats in the EA+ MCC950 group were given MCC950 injection and EA once a day. All above interventions were performed for 2 weeks. After the intervention, the behavioral changes of rats were observed using rotating induction experiment, rotating rod experiment and open field experiment; the positive expressions of dopaminergic neuronal markers tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-Synuclein (α-Syn) in substantia nigra striatum were detected by immunohistochemistry; the damage of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra striatum was observed after HE staining; immunopositive coexpression of brain nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1 and ionized calcium binding adapter1 (Iba-1) were detected by immunofluorescence double staining; the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in brain tissues were detected by ELISA; the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Cleaved Caspase-1 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) in the substantia nigra striatum were detected by Western blot.Compared with the sham operation group, the number of rotations of rotating induction experiment, the residence time in the central area of open field experiment, the positive expression of α-Syn, the positive co-expressions of NLRP3/Iba-1 and Caspase-1/Iba-1, the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissues, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC and Cleaved Caspase-1 in substantia nigra striatum were significantly increased (The ameliorative effect of EA on dopaminergic neuron damage in PD rats may be related to its effects in inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 mediated neuronal pyrosis.

The concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in some rivers in the western Sichuan Plateau is extremely high. Due to the unique optical properties of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), a thorough understanding of the photodegradation characteristics of CDOM helps in revealing regional DOC dynamics and carbon cycle at the water-land interface in alpine natural waters. Surface water samples were collected from three rivers (the upper reaches of the Minjiang, Zagunao, and Fubian rivers) in the alpine-gorge region, and the Baihe and Heihe rivers in the plateau planation surface distributed among the watersheds in the western Sichuan plateau, southwest China. Ultraviolet-visible spectra(UV-vis) absorbance and excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy with two-dimensional correlation spectrum (2D-COS) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to characterize the environmental behavior responses to light irradiation. The first-order decay constants and photodegradation rates of the Baihe and Heihe rivers are 0.167 d

The forming performance of sheet metals in the deep-drawing process with ultrasonic vibrations can be improved by the surface effect between the sheet metal and the die. A sheet metal friction test with ultrasonic vibrations is performed to explore the cause of the surface effect. The frictional characteristics are investigated, and the corresponding friction expressions are established based on the contact mechanics and the elastic—plastic contact model for rough surfaces. Friction is caused by the elastic—plastic deformation of contacting asperities under normal loads. The actual contacting region between two surfaces increases with normal loads, whereas the normal distance decreases. The normal distance between the contacting surfaces is changed, asperities generate a tangential deformation with ultrasonic vibrations, and the friction coefficient is eventually altered. Ultrasonic vibrations are applied on a 40Cr steel punch at the frequency of 20 kHz and the amplitude of 4.2 μm. In the friction tests, the punch is perpendicular to the surface of the magnesium alloy AZ31B sheet metals and is sliding with a relative velocity of 1 mm/s. The test results show that the friction coefficient is decreased by approximately 40% and the theoretical values are in accordance with the test values; Ultrasonic vibrations can clearly reduce wear and improve the surface quality of parts.

Yanyang Liu,1,* Li Tu,1,* Li Wang,1,* Jianlin Long,1 Jiantao Wang,1 Yuyi Wang,1 Feng Luo,1 Dan Cao2 1Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, 2Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Although anti-angiogenic therapy is widely applied clinically, its efficacy has been less than expected. Screening for regulatory factors and sensitive indicators to define the effectiveness of these drugs is required. Through a retrospective study of clinical data, we found that patients with a higher peripheral monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) obtained less benefit from recombinant human endostatin (rhES, Endostar®), an anti-angiogenic drug, in lung cancer. Because MLR is positively correlated with macrophage count in tumors, this result suggests that macrophages may influence the effectiveness of rhES therapy in lung cancer.Methods: Clinical data from 72 lung cancer patients treated with rhES were collected. Animal study, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, and transwell migration assays were carried on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells, bone marrow-derived macrophages, macrophage cell line RAW264.7, and ANA-1 cells.Results: Clinical data showed that compared with the baseline MLR before rhES treatment, patients with progressive disease had higher MLRs than those of patients with partial response. Experimental results showed that more macrophages were recruited in the LLC tumors after rhES treatment and the majority of them displayed an M2-like phenotype. rhES aggravated hypoxia and the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment. Hypoxia promoted the expression of CCL2 by endothelial and fibroblast cells, which could induce macrophages recruitment, and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-6, and IL-10) skewed macrophage polarization toward the M2-like phenotype. Hypoxia or inflammation cytokine-treated macrophages enhanced the progression of LLC in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion: We found rhES could aggravate hypoxia and the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment. These changes were favorable for macrophage accumulation, and skewed their polarization toward the M2-like phenotype which could help LLC to escape from the anti-angiogenic therapy. Thus, these data indicate the accumulation of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment may adversely affect the efficacy of rhES on lung cancer. Keywords: macrophage, anti-angiogenic therapy, recombinant human endostatin, lung cancer, tumor microenvironment

Alpine wetlands and valleys of northwestern Sichuan are the main catchment areas of Minjiang River, where dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surface waters comes mainly from the natural background environment. Sources and structure parameters of DOM are important for calibrating the flux and pattern of organic carbon exports from plateau wetlands and alpine rivers. In this study, surface water samples along the upstream Minjiang River were collected at the end of dry season (April) and rainy season (October). Excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was used to characterize seasonal variations of DOM along Minjiang River. Results showed fluorescence peaks (humic-like peaks A and C, protein-like peaks B and T) were different along the river. Peak A and peak C were more obvious at the end of dry season, while peak B and peak T were more obvious at the end of rainy season. PARAFAC produced a three-component model including two humic-like components[C1 (250-260/380-480 nm) and C2 (300-330/380-480 nm)] and one protein-like component[C3 (270-280/300-350 nm)], accounting relative intensity 48.68%-65.02% for C1, 23.17%-29.83% for C2, and 11.83%-21.53% for C3. Fluorescence components showed variations along the river more prominently in April than October, in which the most significant one was C1. Average fluorescence index (FI) values ranged from 1.4 to 1.9, indicating that DOM consisted of both autochthonous and allochthonous components. Moreover, higher degrees of humification, aromaticity and hydrophobicity were found in April than those in October, suggesting more terrigenous sources at the end of dry season and more biological sources at the end of rainy season. Additionally, chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM)[

Alpine meadows and wetlands of western Sichuan plateau are essential organic carbon pools for Tibetan plateau; thus, a thorough understanding of the characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its association with soil carbon storage pool helps to reveal the flux and intensity of DOC export in the area. Surface water samples were collected from three rivers (the upper reaches of Min River, Zagunao River, and Fubian River) in the alpine-gorge region and Bai River in the plateau planation surface distributed among the watersheds in western Sichuan plateau, Southwest China. UV absorbance and EEM fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was used to characterize chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). PARAFAC produced a three-component model:C

For multi-channel synthetic aperture radar of ground moving target imaging (SAR GMTIm), the moving targets in SAR image domain are sparse after clutter suppression, which provides the possibility of using sparse approach. In this paper, a reweighted sparse algorithm of SAR GMTIm is proposed to improve the imaging performance. Intuitively, both the magnitude and interferometric phase can exhibit the moving target signatures by applying displaced phase center antenna (DPCA) technique and along-track interferometry (ATI), respectively. So a hybrid metric of magnitude and interferometric phase is constructed to be as the weights of the reweighted sparse approach. Compared with the unweighted approach, the proposed reweighed approach can effectively improve the sparse imaging performance. Finally, experiments using measured data are performed to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

The decomposition dynamics of organic components in fresh litter of Larix potaninii were monitored by in situ litter-bag incubation under four treatments, i.e., field condition (CK), nitrogen addition (AN, 2 g N·m对川西高山树线红杉新鲜凋落物中有机组分于11月进行自然条件(对照)、加氮(2 g N·m

To investigate the mechanism of Sini Powder () decoction (SND) in the treatment of insomnia.The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, model, SND-treated, and Estazolamtreated groups (n=15 in each group). Sleep deprivation (SD) rat model was established using the modifified multiple platform method for 14 h per day for 14 days, and the behavior of the rats were observed. Na-K-Cl-cotransporter (NKCC1) and KSD rats displayed anxiety-like behavior, which was alleviated by SND. The protein expressions of NKCC1 and KCC2 in the hippocampus were signifificantly decreased in SD rats compared with those in control rats (P0.05); these proteins were signifificantly increased by SND (P0.05). The mRNA expression of KCC2 was signifificantly decreased in SD rats (0.62±0.35 vs. 2.29±0.56; P=0.044), while SND showed a tendency to increase the mRNA of KCC2 in SD rats (P0.05). By contrast, the mRNA expression of NKCC1 was signifificantly increased in the hippocampus of SD rats (6.58±1.54 vs. 2.82±0.32; P=0.011), while SND decreased the mRNA expression of NKCC1 (6.58±1.54 vs. 2.79±0.81; P=0.016).Chinese medicine SND could alleviate mood disorder of SD rats by regulating cation-chloride cotransporters, such as NKCC1 and KCC2. These fifindings would have major implications in the mechanism of SND to relieve insomnia.

This study focused on the soils of sofataric region and acid mine drainage from a copper mine. Based on cultivation, 8 and 6 strains that grow on Fe(II) and sulfur compounds, respectively, were obtained from samples from these two environments. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes of the 14 strains indicated that they were affiliated to Acidithiobacillus, Alicyclobacillus, Sulfobacillus and Leptospirillum. Physiological and phylogenetic studies indicated that three strains (TC-34, TC-71 and ZJ-6) might represent three novel members of Alicyclobacillus. These strains showed 94.8-97.1% 16S rRNA gene identity to other species of Alicyclobacillus. Otherwise, strain TC-34, TC-71 and ZJ-6 showed a range of phenotypic characteristics that differentiated them from previously recognized Alicyclobacillus species, including the growth temperature, assimilation of carbon sources and production of acids from a range of compounds. Chemoautotrophic growth using Fe2+, elemental sulfur and tetrathionate as sole energy source was observed. Especially strain TC-71 was obligately dependent on Fe(II) for growth and quickly oxidized Fe2+. It is concluded that the Fe(II)-oxidizers are metabolically diverse and represent novel Alicyclobacillus species. These are proposed to take part in biogeochemical cycling of iron and sulfur in the solfataric region and could be relevant for biomining.

Aims and background A major challenge in developing antiangiogenic therapies is tumor intrinsic refractoriness and the emergence of treatment-induced resistance. Recently, such resistance is considered to be associated with inflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment. However, no information has been acquired about the effect of endostatin on tumor microenvironment in this field. We established two tumor models refractory to endostatin treatment and sought to determine the role of inflammatory changes in the development of tumor refractoriness to antiangiogenic therapy. Methods Three xenograft tumor murine models were treated with low-dose endostatin or high-dose endostatin for 10 days. The effect of endostatin on tumor growth was observed, and tumors refractory to endostatin treatment were defined. Flow cytometry were carried out to assess the presence of CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells in the peripheral blood and in the tumor. Inflammatory cytokine levels in peripheral blood were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of NF-κB, versican and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the tumor was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Results LLC and B16F1 tumors were defined as animal models of refractoriness to endostatin treatment. CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells were inherently recruited into the peripheral blood and the tumor microenvironment in the LLC tumor-bearing mice, and levels of serum G-CSF and TNF-α were increased along with the progression of tumor growth. In the B16F1 tumor-bearing mice, CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells were acquiredly recruited by endostatin into the peripheral blood and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, high levels of G-CSF and TNF-α in serum and high expression of NF-κB, versican and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in tumor tissue were found in B16F1 tumor-bearing mice after endostatin administration. Conclusions A tumor can grow inherently or acquiredly with refractoriness to endostatin treatment in vivo. Recruitment of CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells and inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the development of tumor refractoriness to endostatin anti-angiogenesis.

To explore the effects of adrenergic beta-1 antagonists on hemodynamics of severe septic patients.A total of 16 severe septic patients underwent mechanical ventilation from June 2012 to December 2012 at Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. There were 14 males and 2 females with a mean age of (58 ± 6) years (range: 48 - 67 years). Among them, there were multiple trauma (n = 4), acute severe pancreatitis (n = 6) and recent tumorectomy for gastrointestinal cancer (n = 6). The adrenergic beta-1 antagonist esmolol was injected through central venous catheter to reduce heart rate by 20% from baseline. Various indices (heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index, systemic vascular resistance index and stroke volume index) were monitored by a multifunctional and hemodynamic monitor connected to pulmonary artery catheter. And other indices of arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), lactate (Lac) concentration, superior vena cava oxygen saturation (ScvO2), superior vena cava carbon dioxide pressure (PcvO2) and central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide tension difference (Pcv-aCO2) were measured by a blood-gas-analyzer before 10 minutes and after 3 hours of dosing.Heart rate and cardiac index decreased significantly at 3 hours post-dosing compared with that at pre-dosing ((91 ± 13) vs (114 ± 15) beats per minute, (3.4 ± 0.7) vs (4.2 ± 0.8) L×min(-1)×m(-2), P0.05), but systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index, systemic vascular resistance index and stroke index showed no significant changes ((100 ± 13) vs (108 ± 14) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), (62 ± 7) vs (64 ± 6) mm Hg, (11.8 ± 2.5) vs (12.1 ± 2.4) mm Hg, (13 ± 5) vs (14 ± 4) mm Hg, (201 ± 72) vs (179 ± 95) dyn×s/(cm(5)×m(2)), (1360 ± 520) vs (1366 ± 538) dyn×s/(cm(5)×m(2)), (40 ± 9) vs (38 ± 6) ml/(beat×m(2)), all P0.05). ScvO2, Lac and Pcv-aCO2 also showed no significant change ((72.8 ± 5.3)% vs (70.1 ± 4.0)%, (2.11 ± 0.13) vs (2.31 ± 0.23) mmol/L, (3.9 ± 1.0) vs (4.5 ± 0.8) mm Hg, all P0.05).Adrenergic beta-1 antagonist may reduce cardiac output in proportion to the percentage decreases in heart rate in severe septic patients without adverse effects upon cardiac function and systemic perfusion.

Vascular normalization is an emerging concept in cancer treatment, but its precise mechanisms are not completely understood. The polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is important in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. However, little is known about the effect of anti-angiogenic agents on the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Therefore, we explore the changes of TAMs polarization in the development of tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin.A murine xenograft model of lung cancer was treated with endostatin for 10 days. The morphology and function of tumor vasculature was examined using various techniques. Flow cytometry was carried out to assess the TAMs, and immunofluorescence was used to examine Tie-2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) in tumors. Levels of the histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) in tumors were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Tumor vessels became more normal and mature on day six in the endostatin-treated mice. During vascular normalization, the number of M2-like TAMs and TEMs in the tumors was significantly reduced, whereas the number of M1-like TAMs showed an increase on day six after endostatin treatment, although the latter was not statistically significant. The HRG in the tumors accumulated at an early stage after endostatin administration.The polarization of TAMs is associated with tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin. These observations may be useful in the exploration of new strategies for anti-angiogenic treatment.

A novel mesophilic and acidophilic Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain TC-34(T), was isolated from solfataric soil. Strain TC-34(T) grew aerobically at 17-40 degrees C and pH 2.0-6.0, and optimally at 28 degrees C and pH 3.0. Analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TC-34(T) was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Alicyclobacillus, with the highest similarity (94.8 %) to Alicyclobacillus pomorum. Strain TC-34(T) showed a range of phenotypic characteristics that differentiated it from recognized Alicyclobacillus species, including growth temperature, assimilation of carbon sources and production of acids from a range of compounds. Strain TC-34(T) was able to oxidize ferrous iron and its growth was correlated with the oxidation of Fe(2+) in culture medium. omega-Alicyclic fatty acids were not detected. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that strain TC-34(T) represents a novel species of the genus Alicyclobacillus, for which the name Alicyclobacillus ferrooxydans (type strain TC-34(T)=JCM 15090(T)=CGMCC 1.6357(T)) is proposed.

An acidophilic, aerobic and chemoheterotrophic bacterial strain Teng-A was isolated from acidic environmental samples collected at sulfidic hot springs of Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, China. Cells of strain Teng-A was rod-shaped (0.6-0.8 microm x 1.0 - 1.5 microm), Gram-negative, motile with flagella. Strain Teng-A grew well at temperature of 29-33 degrees C and at pH of 3.0-4.0. It used a wide variety of organic compounds for growth, but did not use ferrous iron, elemental sulfur, thiosulfate and tetrathionate as the sole energy source. Its G + C content was determined to be 69.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that it was closely related to species of Acidiphilium. Under anoxic conditions, the strain Teng-A reduced Fe(III) to Fe(II) with glucose or hy drogen as electron donor (reduction rate is 11.56 mg/L day and 15.34 mg/L x day, respectively). Metabolisms/Oxidation of ferrous iron by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans LJ-1 and Leptospirilum ferriphilum LJ-2, in the presence and absence of strain Teng-A were studied. When incubated with strain Teng-A, the oxidation rates of Fe(II) was slightly decreased at the first 3 days (0.44 g/L x day and 0.4 g/L x day respectively) compared to pure culture of At ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum, but all Fe(II) was completely oxidized after 5 days. It was found that the morphologies of precipitates of Fe (III) produced during pure and mixed cultivation were different. The potential application of Acidiphilium in bioleaching and its potential role during formation of precipitated ores were discussed.