Effect of 3,3'-diselenodipropionic Acid on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

3,3'-Diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA), a synthetic organoselenium compound, has received considerable attention because of its antioxidant properties and safety. Its protective effect against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse ulcerative colitis (UC) and the role of T helper 17 (Th17) cell proliferation were investigated. Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to one of five groups: control (Con), DSePA, DSS, low-dose DSePA (LSe), and high-dose DSePA (HSe).

Protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate combined with organic selenium against transforming growth factor-beta 1-induced fibrosis in LX-2 cells.

In this study, we investigated the protective effects and possible mechanism of epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate (EGCG) combined with organic selenium in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-activated LX-2 cells. After 12 h of starvation, LX-2 cells were treated with 10 ng/ml of recombinant TGF-β1 and different concentrations of EGCG, L-selenomethionine (L-SeMet), or L-selenomethylcysteine (L-SeMC) for 24 h. We found that 100 and 200 μM EGCG combined with 1 mM L-SeMet or L-SeMC showed a synergistic effect in decreasing the survival rate of activated LX-2 cells.

Chronic leucine supplementation improves lipid metabolism in C57BL/6J mice fed with a high-fat/cholesterol diet.

Background: Leucine supplementation has been reported to improve lipid metabolism. However, lipid metabolism in adipose tissues and liver has not been extensively studied for leucine supplementation in mice fed with a high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD).

Design: C57BL/6J mice were fed a chow diet, HFCD, HFCD supplemented with 1.

Inhibitory effect of selenium against Penicillium expansum and its possible mechanisms of action.

Some organic and inorganic salts could inhibit the growth of many pathogens. Selenium (Se), as an essential micronutrient, was effective in improving the plant resistance and antioxidant capacity at a low concentration. Penicillium expansum is one of the most important postharvest fungal pathogens, which can cause blue mold rot in various fruits and vegetables.

Identification of nitrate sources in Taihu Lake and its major inflow rivers in China, using δ(15)N-NO(3)(-) and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values.

In the present study, δ(15)N and δ(18)O-NO(3)(-) values, as well as concentrations of some major ion tracers were determined in seasonal water samples from Taihu Lake and major watersheds to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of nitrate sources and assess the underlying nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry process. The results lead to the conclusion that the nitrate concentrations in Taihu Lake are lower in summer than that in winter due to the dilution effect of wet deposition. In winter, sewage and manure were the primary nitrate sources in major inflow rivers and North Taihu Lake (NTL), while nitrate sources in East Taihu Lake (ETL) probably derived from soil organic N.

[A study on decreasing the instrument detection limit of atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS-930) for Hg].

In the present study, the detection limit of atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS-930) was decreased to 2 ng x L(-1) (n=6) based on several optimizing modifications, including that the sub-high voltage of photomultiplier tube and the current of hollow-cathode lamp were elevated to 280 V and to 30 mA, respectively, and the height of atomization cell was set as 10 mm; In addition, the concentration of KBH4 was decreased to 0.5% (KOH 0.2%).

[Arsenic contents in soil, water, and crops in an e-waste disposal area].

In order to study whether disposing electronic wastes and secondary metal smelting could cause an arsenic pollution in the environment or not, Luqiao town, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province was selected as a study area. The main purpose of this paper was to characterize arsenic contents in the local environment, including waters, sediments, soils and rice, and to assess the potential risk to humans. Additionally, the arsenic spatial distribution property and arsenic uptake-translocation rule in soil-rice system were also studied.

[Characteristics of six elements contents in human hairs in the vicinity of metal smelting factories].

To assess the impact of secondary smelting activities to the local resident's well beings, the contents of six elements-Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se-in human scalp hairs of residents in suburb Fuyang, Zhejiang Province, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and by atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS-930), respectively. The results showed that hair elemental contents were markedly higher than those in unpolluted area. The highest hair contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd reached 312, 513, 700 and 7.

A 50-years record of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes and hexachlorocyclohexanes in lake sediments and penguin droppings on King George Island, Maritime Antarctic.

Since the ban on the use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane(HCH) in agriculture, their levels have generally dropped. In a number of cases, however, the levels of these OCPs were found to be unchanging or even increasing after the ban. With the aim to unveil the possible causes of these exceptions, we collected two lake cores from King George Island, West Antarctica, and determined their accumulation flux profiles and temporal trends of these OCPs.

Preliminary studies on methane flux from the ornithogenic soils on Xi-sha atoll, South China Sea.

Methane flux from the ornithogenic soils was preliminarily measured by closed chamber method on Xi-sha atoll, South China Sea during March 10 to April 11, 2003 for the first time. The CH4 flux ranged from -4226.7 microg/(m2 x h) to 226.

Preliminary studies on nitrous oxide emissions from the ornithogenic soils on Xi-sha atoll, South China Sea.

The preliminary measurements of nitrous oxide fluxes from the ornithogenic soils on tropical Xi-sha atoll were made using a closed chamber technique for the first time. N2O fluxes from the ornithogenic soils ranged from 1.8 to 40.