Individual and cellular responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to endosulfan at environmentally related concentrations.

The presence of endosulfan at high levels in soils poses a potential risk for terrestrial ecosystems and human health via the food chain. Therefore, the effects of endosulfan at environmentally related doses on the terrestrial biota are of great concern. The present study measured the mortality, growth inhibition and ultrastructure of the stomach and skin of earthworms exposed to endosulfan at environmentally related concentrations to identify the individual and cellular effects of endosulfan on terrestrial biota.

Prediction and Analysis of the Residual Capacity of Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Stub Columns under Axial Compression Subjected to Combined Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Acid Rain Corrosion.

This paper presents a theoretical investigation on the safety evaluation, stability evaluation, and service life prediction of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) structures in a Northern China area with acid rain. The finite element software ABAQUS was used to establish a numerical model, which was used to simulate the axial compression behavior of CFST columns subjected to the combined actions of freeze-thaw cycles and acid rain corrosion. The model performance was validated using the experimental results of the evaluation of mechanical properties, including the failure mode and load-displacement curve.

A Non-innocent Magnesium Organoclay-Based Drug Vehicle for Improving the Cancer Therapy Effect of Methotrexate.

A synthetic, dispersible magnesium aminoclay (MgAC) was synthesized in the present study. Besides, structural and spectroscopic detections were conducted to investigate the MgAC nanoclay. With a poor aqueous solubility, methotrexate (MTX) has been applied as a valid antitumor agent in recent years.

The dietary freeze-dried fruit powder of Actinidia arguta ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting the activation of MAPKs.

In this study, we aimed at investigating the antiinflammatory activity of the freeze-dried fruit powder of Actinidia arguta (FAA) on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and the effect of its extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. For pharmacodynamic studies, the oral administration of FAA (300 or 600 mg kg) could decrease the disease activity index (DAI), reduce the incidence of colon and spleen edemas (caused by inflammation), and alleviate the pathological changes in UC.

Phenylboronic acid-tethered chondroitin sulfate-based mucoadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is a common eye disease that affects many people worldwide. It is usually treated with eye drops, which has low bioavailability owing to rapid clearance from the ocular surface and leads to poor patient compliance and side effects. For the purpose of improving the therapeutic efficacy, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-loaded dexamethasone (DEX) was prepared and functionalized with (3-aminomethylphenyl)boronic acid-conjugated chondroitin sulfate (APBA-ChS).

Effect of Ce Doping on the Structure and Chemical Stability of Nano-α-FeO.

Ce-doped nano-α-FeO was successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The properties of the prepared particles were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical methods. It was found that the Ce element can be doped into the α-FeO lattice resulting in lattice distortion, which can refine the grain and improve the crystal surface's integrity significantly.

Two New Cucurbitane Glycosides from the Fruits of Siraitia grosvenori.

Two novel cucurbitane glycosides, named as 11-oxomogroside III A and 7β-methoxy-mogroside V, along with sixteen known ones were isolated from the fruits of Siraitia grosvenori SWINGLE. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by chemical and extensive spectral methods.

Catalytic synthesis of chloroacetates with thermoregulated ionic liquids based on vanadium-substituted polyoxometalate.

A series of polyoxometalate-based ionic liquid (POM-IL) catalysts with functional sulfonic acid groups, [TEAPS] PW V O ( = 1, 2, 3) were synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV), potentiometric titration and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The catalytic ability and reusability of the POM-IL catalysts were evaluated on esterification of chloroacetic acid and -amyl alcohol. The optimum reaction conditions, 0.

Preparative Separation of Phenylethanoid and Secoiridoid Glycosides from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus by High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography Coupled with Ultrahigh Pressure Extraction.

Three phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside (), salidroside (), and acteoside (), and three secoiridoid glycosides, isonuezhenide (), nuezhenoside G13 (), and specnuezhenide (), have been extracted and separated by a combined method of ultrahigh pressure extraction (UPE) and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. For the UPE, the optimal extraction was developed with conditions including solvent of 90% ethanol, sample to solvent ratio of 1:20 g/mL, pressure of 200 MPa, and time of 2 min, which rendered the yields of compounds and were 15.0 and 78.

Separation of Halloysite Nano Tubes (HNTs) by Homogenization of Quartz Contaminated Kaolins.

Natural halloysite kaolin contains a lot of impurities such as quartz phases and varies in morphology and size during their formation in the earth. So to utilize as a new type of natural nano material, removing quartz impurities from kaolin clays without scathe the tube morphologies are necessary. So to remove quartz impurities from kaolin by forming a well deflocculated aqueous slip without fracturing the morphology of tubes, the slip of homogenized halloysite clay was recovered by adding polyvalent metallic cations and anionic polyelectrolyte flocculants simultaneously to selectively flocculate the mixture of quartz and halloysite, whereby the halloysite particles form floes and the tubular halloysite remains in suspensions.

Synthesis and conductive performance of polyoxometalate acid salt gel electrolytes.

Two vanadium-substituted polyoxometalate acid salt gel electrolytes, [PyPS]HSiWVO and [PyPS]HSiWVO have been synthesized using a 1-(3-sulfonic group) propylpyridine (PyPS) and a Keggin vanadium-substituted heteropoly acid HSiWVO through an ionic self-assembly method, and adjusting the ratio of cation and anion. A substitution effect of the acid salt gel electrolytes has been investigated. Interestingly, when protons of the polyoxometalate acid salt gel electrolytes are substituted, both the conductivity and the phase transformation temperature increase.

Trichosanthis Pericarpium Aqueous Extract Protects H9c2 Cardiomyocytes from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury by Regulating PI3K/Akt/NO Pathway.

Trichosanthis Pericarpium (TP) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of TP aqueous extract (TPAE) on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and explored the underlying mechanisms. H9c2 cells were cultured under the hypoxia condition induced by sodium hydrosulfite for 30 min and reoxygenated for 4 h.

Investigations on the interactions between curcumin loaded vitamin E TPGS coated nanodiamond and Caco-2 cell monolayer.

This study aimed at investigating the potential mechanism of improved transportation of the curcumin loaded D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate coated nanodiamonds system (NDs/CUR/TPGS complexes) using an in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The core-shell structured NDs/CUR/TPGS nanocomplexes were 196.32 ± 5.

The Response Patterns of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Ectomycorrhizal Symbionts Under Elevated CO: A Meta-Analysis.

Elevated carbon dioxide (eCO), a much-discussed topic in global warming, influences development and functions of mycorrhizal fungi and plants. However, due to the inconsistent results reported in various publications, the response patterns of symbionts associated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi to eCO remains still unclear. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to identify how eCO affected mycorrhizal fungi and if there is a significant different response between AM and ECM symbionts.

N-Cadherin Upregulation Promotes the Neurogenic Differentiation of Menstrual Blood-Derived Endometrial Stem Cells.

Peripheral nerve injuries are typically caused by either trauma or medical disorders, and recently, stem cell-based therapies have provided a promising treatment approach. Menstrual blood-derived endometrial stem cells (MenSCs) are considered an ideal therapeutic option for peripheral nerve repair due to a noninvasive collection procedure and their high proliferation rate and immunological tolerance. Here, we successfully isolated MenSCs and examined their biological characteristics including their morphology, multipotency, and immunophenotype.

Synthesis and performance of solid proton conductor molybdovanadosilicic acid.

A molybdovanadosilicic acid HSiMoVO·8HO was synthesized and investigated in this work. The structure features and hydration degree of this acid were characterized by IR, UV, XRD and TG-DTA. Its proton conductivity was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

3D hollow porous CdFeO microspheres as viable materials for magnetic solid-phase extraction of azo colorants.

3D magnetic hollow porous CdFeO microspheres (3D MHPS-CdFe2O4) were prepared by a one-step and template-free hydrothermal method. The material was applied for magnetic solid phase extraction of three azo colorants (Acid Red, Congo Red, Sunset Yellow). Compared to conventional CdFeO nanoparticles, the new 3D material exhibits superior extraction capability because of its unique hollow porous structure, high specific surface area, and the strong interaction between 3D microspheres and the colorants.

Functionalization of nanodiamond with vitamin E TPGS to facilitate oral absorption of curcumin.

The purpose of this work was to develop a d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) decorated nanodiamond (ND) system loading water-insoluble curcumin (ND/CUR/TPGS) to improve the colloidal dispersity and oral bioavailability of the preparation. CUR was physically loaded into ND clusters, then TPGS was coated to the ND/CUR complex forming amorphous nanostructure on the interparticle nanocage of the ND substrate. The formulation of the nanocomplexes was optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimal ND/CUR/TPGS showed small particle size (196.

In vitro and In vivo Studies on a Novel Bioadhesive Colloidal System: Cationic Liposomes of Ibuprofen.

The objective of this study was to develop an ocular drug delivery system built on the cationic liposomes, a novel bioadhesive colloidal system, which could enhance the precorneal residence time, ocular permeation, and bioavailability of ibuprofen. The optimal formulation of cationic liposomes prepared by ethanol injection method was ultimately confirmed by an orthogonal L (3) test design. In addition, γ-scintigraphic technology and the microdialysis technique were utilized in the assessment of in vivo precorneal retention capability and ocular bioavailability individually.

Antioxidant gene expression and metabolic responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) after exposure to various concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a ubiquitous suspected contaminant, is one of the world's most prominent brominated flame retardants (BFRs). In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to HBCD. The expression of selected antioxidant enzyme genes was measured, and the metabolic responses were assessed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to identify the molecular mechanism of the antioxidant stress reaction and the metabolic reactions of earthworms to HBCD.

Transport mechanism of chitosan-N-acetylcysteine, chitosan oligosaccharides or carboxymethyl chitosan decorated coumarin-6 loaded nanostructured lipid carriers across the rabbit ocular.

To facilitate the hydrophobic drugs modeled by coumarin-6 (Cou-6) acrossing the cornea to the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye, chitosan (CS) derivatives including chitosan-N-acetyl-l-cysteine (CS-NAC), chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) modified nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were designed and characterized. We found that, with similar size distribution and positivecharges, different CS derivatives based on NLCs led to distinctive delivery performance. In vivo precorneal retention study on rabbits revealed that these CS derivatives coating exhibited a stronger resistant effect than Cou-6 eye drops and Cou-6-NLC (P<0.

Comprehensive assessment of regional selenium resources in soils based on the analytic hierarchy process: Assessment system construction and case demonstration.

The redundancy or deficiency of selenium in soils can cause adverse effects on crops and even threaten human health. It was necessary to assess selenium resources with a rigorous scientific appraisal. Previous studies of selenium resource assessment were usually carried out using a single index evaluation.

Ex Vivo and in Vivo Evaluation of the Effect of Coating a Coumarin-6-Labeled Nanostructured Lipid Carrier with Chitosan-N-acetylcysteine on Rabbit Ocular Distribution.

This study is focused on further understanding the characteristics of chitosan-N-acetylcysteine surface-modified nanostructured lipid carriers (CS-NAC-NLCs) in their interaction with ocular mucosa. Coumarin-6 (C6)-labeled NLCs, including uncoated NLCs, chitosan hydrochloride (CH)-, and CS-NAC-coated NLCs, were developed using a melt-emulsification technique and subsequently decorated with different types or portions of chitosan derivatives. Mucoadhesion was evaluated ex vivo using a flow-through process with fluorescence detection.

Hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced acute liver damage in mice and High-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometric method for analysis of the constituents of extract of Rubus crataegifolius.

This study is an attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Rubus Crataegifolius against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. 70% ethanolic, ethyl acetate and n-BuOH extract of R. crataegifolius were administered daily for 14 days in experimental animals before they were treated with CCl.

Surface density of polyarginine influence the size, zeta potential, cellular uptake and tissue distribution of the nanostructured lipid carrier.

Poly-arginines are strong tools to elevate the cellular uptake of nanopreparations. To learn the influence of poly-arginine (RRRRRRRR, R8) density on a series of properties of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), we build six R8 modified NLCs with different R8 densities (nR-NLC, where n represents the R8 ratio) by fusion-emulsion method with the aid of stearyl-R8. The pharmaceutical characteristics like size, zeta potential and in vitro drug release, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity to A549 cells and tissue distribution in S180 tumor-bearing mice of the six nR-NLCs are all investigated.