[Distribution of Bacterial Concentration and Viability in Atmospheric Bioaerosols Under Different Weather Conditions in the Coastal Region of Qingdao].

Bacteria are the most abundant microorganisms in atmospheric bioaerosols, widely distributed in the environment. Bioaerosol samples were collected using the FA-1 impact sampler from October 2013 to January 2021 in the coastal city of Qingdao, and samples stained with a BacLight bacterial viability kit were used to measure the concentrations of viable and non-viable bacteria with an epifluorescence microscope. The viable and non-viable bacteria in bioaerosols were characterized during different seasons, with particular attention paid to the distribution characteristics of bacteria on foggy, hazy, and dust days.

Deglycosylation Increases the Aggregation and Angiogenic Properties of Mutant Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 Protein: Implications for Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy.

Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) is an autosomal dominant macular disorder caused by mutations in tissue Inhibitor of the metalloproteinase-3 ( gene with the onset of symptoms including choroidal neovascularization as early as the second decade of life. We have previously reported that wild-type TIMP3 is an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor that inhibits Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-mediated signaling in endothelial cells. In contrast, SFD-related S179C-TIMP3 when expressed in endothelial cells, does not have angiogenesis-inhibitory properties.

Extracellular matrix dysfunction in Sorsby patient-derived retinal pigment epithelium.

Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy (SFD) is a rare form of macular degeneration that is clinically similar to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and a histologic hallmark of SFD is a thick layer of extracellular deposits beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Previous studies of SFD patient-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived RPE differ as to whether these cultures recapitulate this key clinical feature by forming increased drusenoid deposits. The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether SFD patient-derived iPSC-RPE form basal deposits similar to what is found in affected family member SFD globes and to determine whether SFD iPSC RPE may be more oxidatively stressed.

[Concentrations and Patterns of Atmospheric Particulate Nitrogen and Phosphorus During Different Weather Conditions in Qingdao Coastal Region].

Total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were continuously collected in the Qingdao coastal region from March 2018 to October 2019. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the samples were (7.13±6.

Cardiac apoptosis caused by elevated cholesterol level in experimental autoimmune myocarditis.

It has been reported that cholesterol-lowing agents can ameliorate severity of myocarditis. However, the beneficial effect of the agents has been claimed to be independent of cholesterol reduction as there is no significant change in the plasma cholesterol level in myocarditis. In the present study, using experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) rats as an animal model, we demonstrated that EAM induced elevation of cholesterol level and impaired cholesterol efflux capacity in the cardiac tissue.

Role of FGF and Hyaluronan in Choroidal Neovascularization in Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy.

Sorsby's fundus dystrophy (SFD) is an inherited blinding disorder caused by mutations in the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 () gene. The SFD pathology of macular degeneration with subretinal deposits and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) closely resembles that of the more common age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the molecular mechanism(s) by which mutant TIMP3 induces CNV.

[Distribution of Total Microbes in Atmospheric Bioaerosols in the Coastal Region of Qingdao].

In order to determine the concentrations and size distributions of total airborne microbes in atmospheric bioaerosols, bioaerosol samples were collected in the coastal region of Qingdao, China, from Sep. 2016 to Jul. 2017 using size-fractionated bioaerosol samplers.

Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy Mutation in Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) promotes Choroidal Neovascularization via a Fibroblast Growth Factor-dependent Mechanism.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) leads to loss of vision in patients with Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy (SFD), an inherited, macular degenerative disorder, caused by mutations in the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) gene. SFD closely resembles age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population of the Western hemisphere. Variants in TIMP3 gene have recently been identified in patients with AMD.

[Impact of a Dust Event on the Size Distribution of Metal Elements in Atmospheric Aerosols at a Coastal Region and over the Ocean].

Size-segregated aerosol samples were collected in the Qingdao coastal region and over the East Sea and the Pacific Northwest from March to April in 2016, and the concentration of metal elements (Al, Na, Fe, Mg, K, Cu, Pb, and Cd) were analyzed. The characteristics and the variation in the size distribution of the metal elements in the samples during dusty weather were discussed, as well as the sources and factors that influence the metals. The results indicated that the concentration of Al, Fe, K, Na, Cu, and Pb in the aerosols in the Qingdao coastal samples increased significantly by 85%-1400%, while the concentration of Cd decreased by 8%; the concentrations of Al, Fe, K, Cu, Pb, and Cd in the samples over the ocean increased by 163%-4580%, while the concentration of Na decreased by 62% during dusty weather.

Pleiocarpumlignan A, a new dineolignan from Chang ex Tseng.

The investigation of chemical constituents from the whole plants Chang ex Tseng resulted in the isolation of one new dineolignan, pleiocarpumlignan A (), along with one known benzoate derivative, -2,3-diacetoxy-1-[(benzoy1oxy)methyl]-cyclohexa-4,6-diene (), and two known neolignans (-) as (±)--dehydrodiisoeugenol (), (7,8,3')-△-3',6'-dihydro-3'-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-6'-oxo-8,3',7,,4'-lignan (). Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and by comparison with the literature. All compounds (-) were firstly isolated from Chang ex Tseng.

Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of Cu(II) biosorption on Chinese chestnut shell pretreated with steam explosion.

The shells of Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) are an agricultural residue. This work aimed to evaluate this feasibility of using steam explosion to modify this residue for Cu(II) biosorption from aqueous solutions. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated.

[Concentrations and Compositions of Different Forms of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Atmospheric Aerosols in the Qingdao Coastal Region and over the Yellow and Bohai Sea].

The total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected in the Qingdao coastal region and over the Yellow and Bohai Sea from June to July in 2016. The diurnal and nightly TSP samples were also continuously collected in the Qingdao coastal region from August 6 to 15. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the TSP samples were analyzed.

[Influence of Dust Events on the Concentration and Size Distribution of Microorganisms in Bioaerosols].

In order to study the influence of dust events on the airborne microbes in atmospheric bioaerosols, bioaerosol samples were continuously collected from March to April 2015 during two dust events using size-fractionated bioaerosol samplers in Lanzhou and Qingdao. The concentration of airborne microbes were measured using an epifluorescence microscope after staining with DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). The results showed that the concentration of airborne microbes increased significantly during the period of dust (<0.

[Formation and Size Distribution of the Secondary Aerosol Inorganic Ions in Different Intensity of Haze in Qingdao, China].

Size-segregated atmospheric aerosol samples were collected from September 2015 to February 2016 at a coastal site in Qingdao, and the concentrations of major water-soluble inorganic ions were analyzed by ion chromatography. Characteristics and variation of size distribution of secondary inorganic components in aerosol were discussed, as well as the formation process and influencing factors of SNA(sulfate, nitrate and ammonium). The results indicated that the concentrations of NO, SO, NH, NO, Cl in the aerosols were in the range of 10.

[Microbial Activity in Bioaerosols in Winter at the Coastal Region of Qingdao].

In order to study the level and size distribution of microbial activity of atmospheric bioaerosols, bioaerosol samples were collected from November 2015 to January 2016 using size-fractionated bioaerosol samplers at the coastal region of Qingdao, and the microbial activity was measured using the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis method. The results showed that the level of microbial activity was in the range of 21.89-108.

Mixture of Peanut Skin Extract and Fish Oil Improves Memory in Mice via Modulation of Anti-Oxidative Stress and Regulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB Signaling Pathways.

Long-term use of fish oil (FO) is known to induce oxidative stress and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in humans. In the present study, peanut skin extract (PSE), which has strong antioxidant capacity, was mixed with FO to reduce its side effects while maintaining its beneficial properties. Twelve-week Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used to conduct animal behavior tests in order to evaluate the memory-enhancing ability of the mixture of peanut skin extract and fish oil (MPF).

Comparison of Antioxidant Activities of Melanin Fractions from Chestnut Shell.

Chestnut shell melanin can be used as a colorant and antioxidant, and fractionated into three fractions (Fr. 1, Fr. 2, and Fr.

Insolubilization of Chestnut Shell Pigment for Cu(II) Adsorption from Water.

Chestnut shell pigment (CSP) is melanin from an agricultural waste. It has potential as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment but cannot be used in its original state because of its solubility in water. We developed a new method to convert CSP to insolubilized chestnut shell pigment (ICSP) by heating, and the Cu(II) adsorption performance of ICSP was evaluated.

[Concentration distribution of metal elements in atmospheric aerosol under different weather conditions in Qingdao Coastal Region].

To know the influence of different weather conditions on the concentration of metal elements in aerosols in the coastal region, total suspended particles (TSP) samples were collected from April to May 2012, and August 2012 to March 2013 in the Qingdao coastal region, and common trace metals were analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showed that Al, Ca, Fe, Na, K and Mg were the dominant metal elements in TSP, and the sum of the six elements accounted for 94.2% of the sum of all metals.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) promotes endothelial apoptosis via a caspase-independent mechanism.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP3) is a tumor suppressor and a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. TIMP3 exerts its anti-angiogenic effect via a direct interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (KDR) and inhibition of proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells (ECs). TIMP3 has also been shown to induce apoptosis in some cancer cells and vascular smooth muscle cells via MMP inhibition and caspase-dependent mechanisms.

[Concentration and community diversity of microbes in bioaerosols in the Qingdao coastal region].

Bioaerosol samples were collected in Qingdao coastal region during July 2009 - June 2010 to investigate the concentration and community diversity of microbes in bioaerosols. Microbe concentrations (bacteria and fungi) in marine and terrestrial bioaerosols were determined and diversity indices including Shannon-Weiner index, Simpson's index and Pielou index were calculated in this study. Monthly average concentrations of terrestrial bacteria, marine bacteria, terrestrial fungi and marine fungi were in the ranges of 12-436 CFU x m(-3), 25-561 CFU x m(-3), 0-817 CFU x m(-3) and 11-1346 CFU x m(-3), respectively.

Structure-activity relationship of Baifuzi-cerebrosides on BKCa channel activation.

Our previous study reported that a mixture of cerebrosides from traditional Chinese medicine Baifuzi could activate BKCa channel. It is curious to know the effect of each single cerebroside on the channel. Here we isolated 5 pure cerebrosides from the mixture and determined their chemical structures.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 peptides inhibit angiogenesis and choroidal neovascularization in mice.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) while originally characterized as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have recently been shown to have a wide range of functions that are independent of their MMP inhibitory properties. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) is a potent inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and neovascularization through its ability to block the binding of VEGF to its receptor VEGFR-2. To identify and characterize the anti-angiogenic domain of TIMP-3, structure function analyses and synthetic peptide studies were performed using VEGF-mediated receptor binding, signaling, migration and proliferation.

[Seasonal distribution of water-soluble inorganic ions in the atmospheric aerosol in Qingdao].

To collect comprehensive information on the characteristics and sources of water-soluble ions in the atmospheric aerosol in Qingdao, samples of total suspended particles (TSP) were collected from January to December 2008, and the concentrations of the major water-soluble inorganic ions were analyzed using ion chromatography. The results showed that SO4(2-), NO3-, NH4+ and Cl- were the dominant water-soluble ions in TSP, the sum of the four accounting for 86.9% of water-soluble ions in mass concentration.