A new configuration integrated ion exchange effect system with both electro-migration and electrochemical reaction in a single cell was developed to effectively retrieve metal ions from simulated wastewater using ion exchange resins without additive chemicals. By simply assembling cation exchange resins and anion exchange resins separated by homogeneous membranes, we found that the system will always be acidic in the concentrate compartment so that ion exchange resins could be in-situ regenerated without hydroxide precipitation. Such a realizable design will be really suitable for wastewater purification.
Absorption ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; methods ; Electrochemistry ; methods ; Ion Exchange Resins ; chemistry ; Membranes, Artificial ; Nickel ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ultrafiltration ; methods ; Water Pollutants ; isolation & purification ; Water Purification ; methods

Aim To investigate the effect of polydatin on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose (25.5 mmol·L -1 )and insulin (0.1 μmol ·L -1 ) (HGI)and its possible influence on peroxisome prolif-erator-activated receptor-β (PPARβ)/nuclear tran-scription factor-κB (NF-κB)/nitric oxide (NO)signa-ling pathway.Methods The cardiomyocyte hypertro-phy was characterized in rat primary cardiomyocytes by measuring the cell surface area,protein content,and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)mRNA expression.The mRNA and protein expressions were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The activity of NO synthase (NOS)and NO content were measured by reagent kit through ultraviolet spectroscopy.Results HGI significantly induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy which increased the cell surface area,protein content and ANF mRNA expression (P <0.01 ).Meanwhile, the expressions of PPARβmRNA and protein reduced while the NF-κB p65 and iNOS expressions increased significantly which occurred in parallel with rising NOS activity and NO concentration (P <0.01 ).Polydatin (0.1,1,10 μmol·L -1 )inhibited the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by HGI (P <0.01 ),and re-versed the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARβ, NF-κB p65 and iNOS,and NOS activity,as well as NO content.These effects of polydatin were abolished by GSK0660 (1 μmol·L -1 ),a selective PPARβan-tagonist (P <0.05 ).Conclusion Polydatin resists HGI-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,which may be mediated by PPARβup-regulation,and then NF-κB-iNOS-NO pathway inactivation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different strength of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on gastrointestinal motility and Ras homolog gene family member (RhoA)/Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to reveal the underlying mechanisms of EA for improving DGP. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into blank control, DGP model, weak EA, medium EA, and strong EA groups (n＝12 rats in each). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mmol/kg, 2%) and high-sugar and high-fat fodder feeding for 8 weeks. EA (0.12, 0.24, 0.36 mA, 20 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Liangmen" (ST 21) for 20 min, once daily for 15 successive days. Blood glucose levels were measured weekly with blood glucose meter and blood glucose test paper. Fecal phenol red excretion method was used to display gastric emptying and small intestinal propulsion function. The expression of RhoA protein in the gastric antral smooth muscle tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot (WB), separately, and that of ROCK, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT 1) and phosphorylated (p)-MYPT 1 proteins in gastric antrum detected by WB. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate of the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the blood glucose level was remarkably increased (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins in the gastric antrum were significantly down-regulated relevant to the control group (P<0.05). After administration of EA, the decreased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, and the down-regulated expression of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins were significantly increased in the strong, medium and weak EA stimulation groups (P<0.05). Comparison among the 3 EA groups showed that the strong stimulation was significantly superior to weak stimulation in up-regulating the expression of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins, and obviously superior to the medium stimulation in up-regulating RhoA and MYPT 1 protein levels (P<0.05), while the medium stimulation was significantly stronger than the weak stimulation in up-regulating the expression of ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins (P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the 3 EA groups in up-regulating the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, and between the strong stimulation and medium stimulation in the expression levels of ROCK and p-MYPT 1 proteins (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture stimulation of ST 36-SP 6-ST 21 at 0.12, 0.24 and 0.36 mA can promote the gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats, which may be associated with its effects in enhancing RhoA/ROCK signaling in the gastric antral smooth muscle at different degrees.

A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of multi-indicators in corni fructus by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) based least squares support vector machine was investigated to increase the levels of quality control. The calibration models of moisture, extractum, morroniside and loganin were established using the PSO-LS-SVM algorithm. The performance of PSO-LS-SVM models was compared with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). The calibration and validation results of PSO-LS-SVM were superior to both PLS and BP-ANN. For PSO-LS-SVM models, the correlation coefficients (r) of calibrations were all above 0.942. The optimal prediction results were also achieved by PSO-LS-SVM models with the RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) and RSEP (relative standard errors of prediction) less than 1.176 and 15.5% respectively. The results suggest that PSO-LS-SVM algorithm has a good model performance and high prediction accuracy. NIR has a potential value for rapid determination of multi-indicators in Corni Fructus.
Algorithms ; Calibration ; Cornus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Models, Theoretical ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Support Vector Machine

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture treatment on the levels of HPA axis related hormones and acupoint compatibility in insomnia rats; To discuss the mechanism of action for acupuncture treatment. Methods Chlorophenylalanine suspension was under intraperitoneal injection to establish insomnia model rats. Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Baihui+Shenmen group, Baihui+Sanyinjiao group, Baihui+non-acupoint group, with 12 rats in each group. Each treatment group received acupuncture in relevant acupoints, 30 min each time, for 7 d. ELISA was used to measure the levels of CRH, ACTH and CORT. Results Compared with the model group, the levels of CRH, ACTH and CORT of the acupuncture groups decreased to some extent. In the three acupuncture groups, the efficacy of Baihui+Shenmen group was better than that of Baihui+Sanyinjiao group and Baihui+non-non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment may calm and soothe the nerves to release the insomnia through regulating HPA axis related hormones. Acupuncture acupoints at different meridians may be one of the factors that cause the difference of acupoints compatibility effect.

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture in acupoints at different meridians on 5-HT, DA, NE in the peripheral serum of insomnia rats; To explore the mechanism of action of acupuncture for the treatment of insomnia. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Baihui+Shenmen group, Baihui+Sanyinjiao group, and Baihui+non-acupoint group, with 12 rats in each group. Injection of PCPA suspension of rats was used to establish insomnia model. Each acupuncture group received corresponding acupoints, 30 min each time, for 7 days. The levels of 5-HT, DA and NE in serum were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with the blank group, the levels of 5-HT, DA and NE in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of DA and NE in the acupuncture groups were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the 5-HT in Baihui+Sanyinjiao group was significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). Among all acupuncture groups, overall efficacy of Baihui+Shenmen group was better than Baihui+Sanyinjiao group and Baihui+non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture can improve sleep structure in rats may be related to serum monoamine neurotransmitters. Acupuncture in acupoints at different meridians may be one of the influencing factors of acupoint compatibility effects.

BACKGROUNDMost of the studies on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) 'spleen' deficiency syndrome in the recent 30 years were conducted only on the basis of single functional index, neglecting the study on the pathophysiologic internal relationship between spleen deficiency syndrome and gastric diseases in modern medicine. But it was at the subcellular molecular biological level that we explored the pathophysiologic basis of classification of spleen deficiency in chronic gastritis by detecting the bioactive substances in gastric mucosa nuclei and mitochondria.

METHODSBy means of optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and histochemical staining, we conducted histopathological, subcellular ultrastructural analysis and nuclei and mitochondrial ultrastructural analysis of gastric mucosa of 188 spleen deficiency patients and of 42 voluntary blood donors. At the same time, bioactive substances were measured by means of X-ray energy dispersive analysis system (EDAX) image analysis system, radioimmunoassay method and chemiluminescence method.

RESULTSThe content of cAMP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Zn and Cu in gastric mucosa, and the content of Zn and Cu in mitochondria decreased progressively in order of groups: healthy control (HC), spleen Qi deficiency without organic lesion (F-SQD), spleen Yang deficiency without organic lesion (F-SyangD), disease without symptoms group, spleen Qi deficiency with organic lesion (G-SQD), spleen Yang deficiency with organic lesion (G-SyangD), spleen Yin deficiency (SyinD) and spleen deficiency with Qi stagnation (SDQS), chronic spleen deficiency gastritis (CSG) and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG); decreased in order of HC, intestinal metaplasia (IM)Ia, IMIb, IMIIa and IMIIb, P < 0.05. The content of DNA, Zn and Cu in nuclei progressively increased in order mentioned above, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSThe quantitative changes of gastric mucosal cAMP, SOD, Zn, Cu, of mitochondrial Zn, Cu and of nuclear DNA, Zn and Cu are not only the substance base on which the lesion of gastric mucosa tissue structure occurs, but also the substance base on which spleen deficiency is classified. G-SQD and G-SyangD were more likely to be found in low-grade or middle-grade CSG and CAG, while SyinD and SDQS in middle-grade or high-grade CSG, CAG and IMIIb.

Adult ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclic AMP ; analysis ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Gastritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxides ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Splenic Diseases ; classification ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis

OBJECTIVEMeasure the thermal stability and the forming constant of inclusion complex for paeonol with beta-CD, and investigate interaction between beta-CD and paeonol,

METHODThe thermal stability investigated by using different thermal analysis. The forming constant was determined by using phase method.

RESULTComparing with melt temperature of paeonol, that of its inclusion complex increase about 220 degrees C. The solubility of paeonol increases with the increased concentration of beta-CD, the composing ratio and the inclusion constant of beta-CD-paeonol is respectively 1/1 and 27.42 mL x mg(-1).

CONCLUSIONInclusion constant is applied to research the stability of included drug in physiological condition.

Acetophenones ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Stability ; Hot Temperature ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solubility ; beta-Cyclodextrins

To prepare the derivatives of salicylic acid-g-chitosan and study their synergistic and complementary actions, the synergism of anti-inflammatory action of the derivatives was investigated with the experiments of xylene-induces mice ear edema, the analgesic activities by the tartaric emetic-induced mice twist test and the hot-plate test, and the complementary effects between salicylic acid and chitosan through morphological changes of stomach mucous membrane of rat, separately. The anti-inflammatory activities of salicylic acid-g-chitosan derivatives for anti-inflammatory activities were more potent than that of salicylic acid and chitosan and dexamethasone cream in external use, and more potent than that of aspirin orally. However, immediate analgesic activity of the derivatives was lower than that of aspirin and persistent activity was similar as that of aspirin. And the stomach mucous membrane morphology change of the derivatives was much milder than that of aspirin. The salicylic acid grafted chitosan derivatives showed synergistic and complementary effect on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and so on.
Analgesics ; adverse effects ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; adverse effects ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Chitosan ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Pain Measurement ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylates ; adverse effects ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

Adult ; Femur Head Necrosis ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult