Primary tissues may affect estimates of cavitation resistance in ferns.

Different methods of measuring cavitation resistance in fern petioles lead to variable results, particularly with respect to the P metric. We hypothesised that the fern dictyostele structure affects air entry into the xylem, and therefore impacts the shape of the vulnerability curve. Our study examined this variation by comparing vulnerability curves constructed on petioles collected from evergreen and deciduous ferns in the field, with curves generated using the standard centrifuge, air-injection and bench-top dehydration methods.

Exogenous succinic acid mediates responses of A. Henry to cadmium stress.

Trace metal contamination of soil is an increasing problem. Organic acid application can restore trace metal elements such as cadmium (Cd) in contaminated soil. Changbai larch ( A.

Procyanidin B2 mitigates behavioral impairment and protects myelin integrity in cuprizone-induced schizophrenia in mice.

Numerous studies have suggested that neuropathological changes in schizophrenia may be related to damage to white matter or demyelination. Procyanidin B2, which is a constituent of many fruits such as grapes and strawberries, has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity, as has been reported. This study aimed to estimate the effects of procyanidin B2 on behavioral impairment and the protection of myelin integrity in a cuprizone-induced schizophrenia model.

Effects of exogenous organic acids on the resistance of Changbai larch () seedlings to mixed Pb and Cd stress.

Mixed Pb and Cd soil contamination is an issue in Northeast China. We examined the effects of exogenous organic acids on the resilience of Changbai larch () seedlings, a pioneering forestry species in afforestation and vegetation restoration in Northeast China, under such stress. Mixed Pb and Cd stress led to significantly higher Pb and Cd content in the leaves and fine roots, malondialdehyde content in the leaves, superoxide dismutase activity, and soluble protein content in the leaves.

Apigenin exhibits protective effects in a mouse model of d-galactose-induced aging via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

The aim of the present research was to study the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of apigenin on d-galactose-induced aging mice. Firstly, apigenin exhibited a potent antioxidant activity in vitro. Secondly, d-galactose was administered by subcutaneous injection once daily for 8 weeks to establish an aging mouse model to investigate the protective effect of apigenin.

Myricetin alleviates cuprizone-induced behavioral dysfunction and demyelination in mice by Nrf2 pathway.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease occurring in the central nervous system. In the present study, we evaluated the function of myricetin on the alleviation of behavioral dysfunction and myelin protection in the cuprizone-induced demyelination model. Mice were daily fed with fodder including 0.

Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida prevents vascular dysfunction through PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent mechanisms in the l-NAME-induced hypertensive rat model.

Despite major scientific advances in its prevention, treatment and care, hypertension remains a serious condition that might lead to long-term complications such as heart disease and stroke. The great majority of forms of hypertension eventually result from an increased vasomotor tone activity that is regulated by endothelial NOS (eNOS) in vascular endothelium. Here, we examined the effect of fucoidan on eNOS activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

[Roles of PYK2 and caveolin-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy and the effect of drug intervention].

Objective: To explore the protein expressions of PYK2 (protein-rich tyrosine kinase-2) and caveolin-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) dog model and the effect of early drug intervention.

Methods: A total of 28 adult dogs were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i): alcohol-fed; (ii): alcohol plus valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB); (iii): alcohol plus carnitine; (iv): control group. At Month 6, the cardiac functions of all animals were evaluated by echocardiography.

Chronic alcohol intake-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis: role of CYP2E1 and calpain-1 in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Cytochrome P-450 2E1 CYP2E1 induction has been linked to oxidative stress in a number of experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CYP2E1 activity and markers of oxidative stress and cardiac cell apoptosis during the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Changes in left ventricular morphology were evaluated in 4 groups of chronically instrumented dogs (control; alcohol-receiving; and alcohol-receiving plus treatment with either valsartan or carnitine) after 6 months of treatment.

[Effect of valsartan and carnitine on cardiomyocyte Calpain-1 and Bcl-xl expressions of dogs with chronic alcohol intake-induced cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of valsartan and carnitine on cardiomyocyte Calpain-1 and Bcl-xl expressions of dogs with chronic alcohol intake-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Dogs were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 7 each): (1) alcohol fed (free access to 5%, 1(st) week; 10% 2(nd) week; 500 ml 25% bolus plus free access to 5% from 3 to 24 weeks, A); (2) alcohol + valsartan (5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), B); (3) alcohol + carnitine (300 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), C); (4) Control (D). After six months, all animals were assessed for left ventricular (LV) function by echocardiography.

Tenascin-x facilitates myocardial fibrosis and cardiac remodeling through transforming growth factor-β1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Tenascin-x, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein exclusively expressed in fibroblasts, can mediate fibrosis in the presence of collagen. Therefore, we have investigated its potential role in facilitating myocardial fibrosis and cardiac remodeling via the transforming growth factor-β1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (TGFβ(1)-PPARγ) pathway in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM).

Methods: Experimental animals were divided into control (group A) and tenascin-x knock-out groups (group B) receiving alcohol.

Carnitine regulates myocardial metabolism by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Chronic alcohol intake exerts myocardial damage en route to the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), although the precise pathogenesis of ACM is unknown. Carnitine is known to participate in the regulation of metabolism in a number of heart diseases. This study was designed to examine the interplay between myocardial metabolism and carnitine in the development of ACM.

[Residual of exogenous iodine in forest soils and its effect on some wild-vegetable plants].

To cultivate iodine-enriched forest vegetables in the mountainous regions of northeast China, a series of iodine application experiments were conducted. Iodine fertilizer (potassium iodide, KI) was added to the forest soils supporting a variety of wild-vegetable plants, with a dosage gradient of 1.00, 3.