Construction of ecological network based on habitat risks identifying by points of interest: A case study of Wuhan Metropolitan Area.

Ecological network construction plays a key role in ecological restoration, which can effectively mitigate negative effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Here, we proposed an improved analytical framework for ecological network identification. Specifically, ecological sources were identified using a three-dimension indicator system in terms of form, quality and functions of habitats.

Genotoxic properties of materials used for endoprostheses: Experimental and human data.

Approximately 2 million endoprostheses are implanted annually and metal ions as well as particles are released into the body from the materials which are used. This review describes the results of studies concerning genotoxic damage caused by artificial joints. DNA damage leads to various adverse long-term health effects in humans including cancer.

Vanillin Protects Dopaminergic Neurons against Inflammation-Mediated Cell Death by Inhibiting ERK1/2, P38 and the NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Neuroinflammation plays a very important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). After activation, microglia produce pro-inflammatory mediators that damage surrounding neurons. Consequently, the inhibition of microglial activation might represent a new therapeutic approach of PD.

GLP-2 Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation in BV-2 Cells by Inhibiting ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) often involves the over-activation of microglia. Over-activated microglia could produce several inflammatory mediators, which trigger excessive inflammation and ultimately cause dopaminergic neuron damage. Anti-inflammatory effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in the periphery have been shown.

Mycophenolate Mofetil Modulates Differentiation of Th1/Th2 and the Secretion of Cytokines in an Active Crohn's Disease Mouse Model.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an alternative immunosuppressive agent that has been reported to be effective and well tolerated for the treatment of refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of MMF on intestinal injury and tissue inflammation, which were caused by Crohn's disease (CD). Here, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-relapsing (TNBS) colitis was induced in mice; then, we measured the differentiation of Th1/Th2 cells in mouse splenocytes by flow cytometry and the secretion of cytokines in mice with TNBS-induced colitis by real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (RT-PCR/ELISA).

[Study on anti-aging effect of ginsenoside Rg1 in serial transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells].

Objective: To investigate the anti-aging effect of ginsenoside R1 in serial transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells.

Method: HSC/HPC aging model in vivo was established through the Sca-1 (+) HSC/HPC serial transplantation of male donor mice that had been separated and purified by the magnetic-activated cell sorting method. The female recipient mice that had been radiated with lethal dose of 60Co gamma ray were divided into four groups: the control group, the aging group, the Rg1-treated aging group and the Rg1 anti-aging group.

[Optimization of magnetic activated cell sorting and the biological characteristics of isolated cells].

Aim: To optimize the traditional magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) so as to enhance the purification and keep the viability of cells after separation.

Methods: Take stem cell antigen-1 labeled hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells (Sca-1(+);HSC/HPC) for example. The traditional MACS and the optimized MACS were applied to obtain the Sca-1(+); HSC/HPC from mouse bone marrow respectively.

Senescence as a consequence of ginsenoside rg1 response on k562 human leukemia cell line.

Aims And Background: Traditional chemotherapy strategies for human leukemia commonly use drugs based on cytotoxicity to eradicate cancer cells. One predicament is that substantial damage to normal tissues is likely to occur in the course of standard treatments. Obviously, it is urgent to explore therapies that can effectively eliminate malignant cells without affecting normal cells.

The mitochondrial genome of the butterfly Papilio xuthus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) and related phylogenetic analyses.

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the butterfly Papilio xuthus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) was sequenced for its nucleotide sequence of 13,964 bp. The genome has a typical gene order identical to other lepidopteran species. All tRNAs showed same stable canonical clover-leaf structure as those of other insects, except for tRNA(Ser) (AGN), in which the dihydrouracil arm (DHU arm) could not form stable stem-loop structure.