Potent antiviral activity of Agrimonia pilosa, Galla rhois, and their components against SARS-CoV-2.

Agrimonia pilosa (AP), Galla rhois (RG), and their mixture (APRG64) strongly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 by interfering with multiple steps of the viral life cycle including viral entry and replication. Furthermore, among 12 components identified in APRG64, three displayed strong antiviral activity, ursolic acid (1), quercetin (7), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (12). Molecular docking analysis showed these components to bind potently to the spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 and its variant B.

The Effect of Ulinastatin to the Learning and Memory in Zebrafish.

Previous study indicated that Ulinastatin (UTI) increased glutamine uptake by upregulation of glutamate transporters in astrocytes. These glutamate transporters have important role to improve cognitive function in hippocampus. In this study, we wanted to demonstrate whether UTI could improve learning and memory by using zebrafish behavior model and bio-markers.

Neuroprotective effects of magnesium L-threonate in a hypoxic zebrafish model.

Background: Hypoxia inhibits the uptake of glutamate (a major neurotransmitter in the brain closely related to cognitive function) into brain cells, and the initial response of cells to cortical hypoxia depends on glutamate. Previous studies have suggested that magnesium may have protective effects against hypoxic injuries. In particular, magnesium L-threonate (MgT) may increase magnesium ion concentrations in the brain better than MgSO and improve cognitive function.

Evaluation of the Toxicity of Sugammadex in Zebrafish Larvae.

Background: Sugammadex is a new neuromuscular blockade reversal agent. Recently, it has been used in patients under general anesthesia. However, sugammadex could be toxic to fetuses and pediatric patients under 3 years of age.

Effects of hypoxic preconditioning on memory evaluated using the T-maze behavior test.

Perioperative brain ischemia and stroke are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Brief hypoxic preconditioning is known to have protective effects against hypoxic-ischemic insult in the brain. Current studies on the neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning are based on histologic findings and biomarker changes.

The protective effect of hydromorphone to ischemia in rat glial cells.

Background: Ischemic insults during operation can cause ischemic-reperfusion injuries in brain as well as memory impairments. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is the preferred anesthetic method in brain surgery, as it utilizes motor evoked potential monitoring. And the use of opioids is common in TIVA.

Effects of dietary corticosterone on yolk colors and eggshell quality in laying hens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary corticosterone on egg quality. For 2 weeks hens received either control or experimental diet containing corticosterone at 30 mg/kg diet. Feed intake and egg production were monitored daily, and body weight measured weekly.

Hydrogen Peroxide- and Nitric Oxide-mediated Disease Control of Bacterial Wilt in Tomato Plants.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in tomato plants by Ralstonia solanacearum infection and the role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide in tomato bacterial wilt control were demonstrated. During disease development of tomato bacterial wilt, accumulation of superoxide anion (O2 (-)) and H2O2 was observed and lipid peroxidation also occurred in the tomato leaf tissues. High doses of H2O2and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) nitric oxide donor showed phytotoxicity to detached tomato leaves 1 day after petiole feeding showing reduced fresh weight.

β-Amino-n-butyric Acid Regulates Seedling Growth and Disease Resistance of Kimchi Cabbage.

Non-protein amino acid, β-amino-n-butyric acid (BABA), has been involved in diverse physiological processes including seedling growth, stress tolerance and disease resistance of many plant species. In the current study, treatment of kimchi cabbage seedlings with BABA significantly reduced primary root elongation and cotyledon development in a dose-dependent manner, which adverse effects were similar to the plant response to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) application. BABA was synergistically contributing ABA-induced growth arrest during the early seedling development.

Valproic acid decreases the proliferation of telencephalic cells in zebrafish larvae.

Valproic acid (VPA) is used as an antiepileptic drug (AED) or mood stabilizer. Recent studies have shown that exposure to VPA during embryonic development alters neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation, and can also lead to behavioral impairment in adult animals. The main goal of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of treatment with 2 mM VPA for 3h on cell proliferation in the telencephalic area of zebrafish larvae of 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) using immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking in chronic total occlusion of right coronary artery.

Passage failure of guidewire is still remained most common reason for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) failure in chronic total occlusion (CTO). Intravascular ultrasound study (IVUS) and cardiac CT angiography can help identify features that most influence current success rates of PCI. We report our experience using the reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking technique under the aid of IVUS, cardiac CT angiography for an ambiguous CTO of proximal right coronary artery.

Clinical outcome of veterans with acute coronary syndrome who had been exposed to agent orange.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the components of Agent Orange, has been reported to be a deadly poison despite its presence at extremely small doses. TCDD is reported to cause various kinds of cancers and other harmful effects on humans. However, a correlation between exposure to TCDD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not yet proven.

Below the knee intervention using multidisciplinary methods including an antegrade, retrograde approach without the use of a sheath but with a plaque excision device.

Below the knee (BTK) interventions are increasing in patients with rest pain or critical limb ischemia, and these interventions are frequently successful in facilitating limb salvage. New intervention techniques and devices allow successful recanalization of occluded BTK arteries. Here, we report a case of successful recanalization of BTK arteries using multidisciplinary methods, including an antegrade approach and retrograde approach without the use of a sheath, but with simple balloon angioplasty, and plaque excision using Silverhawk atherectomy device.

Hypertensive heart failure associated with middle aortic syndrome reversed dramatically by endovascular management.

A 42-year-old male patient presented with refractory hypertension and congestive heart failure. He had taken hydrochlorthiazide 50 mg, carvedilol 25 mg, diltiazem 180 mg, and losartan 100 mg per day. Aortogram revealed a severe luminal narrowing in the distal thoracic aorta with a peak systolic pressure gradient of 60 mmHg across the lesion.

Improvement of pentylenetetrazol-induced learning deficits by valproic acid in the adult zebrafish.

Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) has been shown to induce seizure-like behavior, learning deficits in passive avoidance response test, and an increase in hsp70 (heat shock protein 70) mRNA expression in the adult zebrafish; PTZ has been increasingly appreciated as an excellent model system for the study of seizures. In this study, we demonstrate that valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, suppresses seizure-like behavior and improves learning ability in adult zebrafish treated with PTZ. Pretreatment with VPA significantly reduces rapid involuntary movement and abrupt changes in moving direction in the PTZ-treated zebrafish.

Reduced neuronal proliferation by proconvulsant drugs in the developing zebrafish brain.

Seizures have been reported to modify neural development in the immature brain. In this study, we attempted to determine whether pentylenetetrazol (a GABAergic receptor antagonist, PTZ)-induced seizures influence cell proliferation in zebrafish larvae (5 and 15 days of post-fertilization), using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label dividing cells. In the brains of 5 dpf larvae, PTZ treatment significantly reduced the number of BrdU-labeled cells in the telencephalic area (pallium and subpallium), diencephalic area (thalamus and preoptic area), medial tectal proliferation zone, and medial cerebellar proliferation zone to 52.

Scopolamine-induced learning impairment reversed by physostigmine in zebrafish.

In this study, the effects of scopolamine, an acetylcholine muscarinic receptor antagonist, and physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on the learning ability and memory of zebrafish were evaluated using a passive avoidance response test. The zebrafish were trained to stay in a dark compartment to avoid a weight dropping into an acryl shuttle chamber with a central sliding door. The crossing time was increased significantly, from 30.

Continuous electrolytic decarbonation and recovery of a carbonate salt solution from a metal-contaminated carbonate solution.

This work studied the characteristic changes of a continuous electrolytic decarbonation and recovery of a carbonate salt solution from a metal-contaminated carbonate solution with changes of operational variables in an electrolytic system which consisted of a cell-stacked electrolyzer equipped with a cation exchange membrane and a gas absorber. The system could completely recover the carbonate salt solution from a uranyl carbonato complex solution in a continuous operation. The cathodic feed rate could control the carbonate concentration of the recovered solution and it affected the most transient pH drop phenomenon of a well type within the gas absorber before a steady state was reached, which caused the possibility of a CO(2) gas slip from the gas absorber.

Precipitation characteristics of uranyl ions at different pHs depending on the presence of carbonate ions and hydrogen peroxide.

This work studied the dissolution of uranium dioxide and precipitation characteristics of uranyl ions in alkaline and acidic solutions depending on the presence of carbonate ions and H2O2 in the solutions at different pHs controlled by adding HNO3 or NaOH in the solution. The chemical structures of the precipitates generated in different conditions were evaluated and compared by using XRD, SEM, TG-DT, and IR analyses together. The sizes and forms of the precipitates in the solutions were evaluated, as well.

Rehmannia glutinosa activates intracellular antioxidant enzyme systems in mouse auditory cells.

Steamed roots of Rehmannia glutinosa (R. glutinosa) have been traditionally used in Oriental medicine for the treatment of auditory diseases such as tinnitus and hearing loss. To investigate whether the ethanol extract of steamed roots of R.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds treated with epidermal growth factor by quantitative real-time PCR.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates the re-epithelialization of damaged epidermal cell layers in a wound, so it especially shortens the duration of wound healing. The effect of EGF on pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), levels during wound healing has not been reported. We investigated the relationship between exogenous EGF treatment and the expression of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds by real-time PCR.

Protective effect of Rehmannia glutinosa on the cisplatin-induced damage of HEI-OC1 auditory cells through scavenging free radicals.

The steamed root of Rehmannia glutinosa has been used in traditional Oriental Medicine for treatment of inner ear diseases, such as tinnitus and hearing loss. In the present study, we showed that the ethanol extract of steamed roots of Rehmannia glutinosa (SRG) protected HEI-OC1 auditory cells from cisplatin cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, to investigate the protection mechanism of SRG on cisplatin cytotoxicity towards HEI-OC1, we measured the effects of SRG on lipid peroxidation of cisplatin treated cells as well as scavenging activities against superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and DPPH radical.