Theodor Hellbrügge: 85 years of age – Ad multos transannos, sanos, fortunatos et beatos

We honor Theo Hellbrügge's acclaimed endeavors in the rehabilitation, or rather the prehabilitation of handicapped children. So far, he has focused on obvious handicaps, and we trust that he will include concern for everybody's silent handicaps in the future by screening for abnormal variability inside the physiological range. Therein, we introduce cis- and trans-years, components of transdisciplinary spectra that are novel for biology and also in part for physics. These components have periods, respectively, shorter and longer than the calendar year, with a counterpart in magnetoperiodism. Transyears characterize indices of geomagnetic activity and the solar wind's speed and proton density. They are detected, alone or together with circannuals, in physiology as well as in pathology, as illustrated for sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction, a finding calling for similar studies in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). As transyears can beat with circannuals, and depend on local factors, their systematic mapping in space and time by transdisciplinary chronomics may serve a better understanding of their putative influence upon the circadian system. Longitudinal monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate detects chronome alterations underlying cardiovascular disease risk, such as that of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. The challenge is to intervene in a timely fashion, preferably at birth, an opportunity for pediatricians in Theo Hellbrügge's footsteps.     

振源胶囊对急性心肌梗死犬心肌氧代谢的影响

目的研究振源胶囊对急性心肌梗死犬心肌氧代谢的影响。方法采用犬结扎左冠状动脉前降支6小时造成急性心肌梗死模型,同时十二指肠给药进行治疗,以CORNIHG 178型血气分析仪测定动、静脉血氧含量,观察心肌氧代谢变化。结果振源胶囊10、20mg/kg可使急性心肌梗死6小时犬心肌氧利用率及心肌耗氧量明显降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),对心肌耗氧指数无明显影响(P>0.05)。结论振源胶囊可通过降低心肌耗氧及降低心肌氧利用率发挥抗急性心肌缺血作用。     

Doing what with whom? Stakeholder analysis in a large transdisciplinary research project in South-East Asia

The transdisciplinary research project LEGATO analysed the combined generation of provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services in wet rice agriculture in South-East Asia and applied ecological engineering to future-proof it against global change and environmental pollution challenges. Due to its transdisciplinary character and the sheer size, a systematic stakeholder involvement was inevitable. Starting with stakeholder identification by snowballing from a limited number of contacts, we derived a multi-level stakeholder analysis and tried to involve those identified as relevant. Applying different means and aiming at different depth of involvement, the effort can be judged successful. The paper describes the methods used to identify and classify stakeholders, and key elements of the stakeholder management, guided by the BiodivERsA Stakeholder Activation Handbook. While on the local level, farmers and extension workers turned out to be influential and interested stakeholders in both countries, as well as local (PH) or provincial authorities (VN), differences were manifest on higher levels due to the divergent institutional setting. National-level agents were hard to get interested in both countries, and influential agents along the production chain, including middle men, were not really interested in collaboration.     

茶叶主要特征性化合物抗心血管炎症研究进展

慢性炎症是诱发动脉粥样硬化、高血压、心肌梗死等心血管疾病的重要原因之一。炎症因子如IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β等均能导致心肌肥大、心肌纤维化和血管平滑肌细胞异常增殖。茶叶中富含的多种特征性化合物如茶多酚、茶氨酸、茶黄素、咖啡碱等,它们通过抑制重要炎症介质的产生和调控NF-κB、MAPK、Tolls样受体等信号通路,抑制心血管炎症的发生及发展,对心血管疾病具有预防和治疗作用。本文综述了近几年茶叶中的茶多酚、茶氨酸、茶黄素等特征成分通过抑制心血管炎症预防心血管疾病的作用及其机制的研究进展。     

生脉注射液对大鼠实验性心肌梗死的保护作用

采用大鼠结扎左冠状动脉前降支制备急性心肌梗死模型,观察生脉注射液对实验性心肌梗死的保护作用。结果表明,生脉注射液中、大剂量组可使急性心肌梗死24小时大鼠的心肌梗死面积明显缩小,血清AST、LDH、CK活性及MDA含量明显降低,SOD及GSH-Px活性明显升高,血液粘度及血浆粘度明显下降。表明生脉注射液对大鼠实验性心肌梗死具有明显保护作用,可能与其增强抗氧化酶活性,减少自由基对心肌的氧化损伤以及降低血液粘度等机制有关。     

Resolvin D1, a Metabolite of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,Decreases Post-Myocardial Infarct Depression

We hypothesized that inflammation induced by myocardial ischemia plays a central role in depression-like behavior after myocardial infarction (MI). Several experimental approaches that reduce inflammation also result in attenuation of depressive symptoms. We have demonstrated that Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a metabolite of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from docosahexaenoic acid, diminishes infarct size and neutrophil accumulation in the ischemic myocardium. The aim of this study is to determine if a single RvD1 injection could alleviate depressive symptoms in a rat model of MI. MI was induced in rats by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min. Five minutes before ischemia or after reperfusion, 0.1 μg of RvD1 or vehicle was injected in the left ventricle cavity. Fourteen days after MI, behavioral tests (forced swim test and socialization) were conducted to evaluate depression-like symptoms. RvD1 reduced infarct size in the treated vs. the vehicle group. Animals receiving RvD1 also showed better performance in the forced swim and social interaction tests vs. vehicle controls. These results indicate that a single RvD1 dose, given 5 min before occlusion or 5 min after the onset of reperfusion, decreases infarct size and attenuates depression-like symptoms.     

Trabectedin and Plitidepsin: Drugs from the Sea that Strike the Tumor Microenvironment

The prevailing paradigm states that cancer cells acquire multiple genetic mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes whose respective activation/up-regulation or loss of function serve to impart aberrant properties, such as hyperproliferation or inhibition of cell death. However, a tumor is now considered as an organ-like structure, a complex system composed of multiple cell types (e.g., tumor cells, inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, etc.) all embedded in an inflammatory stroma. All these components influence each other in a complex and dynamic cross-talk, leading to tumor cell survival and progression. As the microenvironment has such a crucial role in tumor pathophysiology, it represents an attractive target for cancer therapy. In this review, we describe the mechanism of action of trabectedin and plitidepsin as an example of how these specific drugs of marine origin elicit their antitumor activity not only by targeting tumor cells but also the tumor microenvironment.     

Effect of L-arginine Oral Supplementation on Response to Myocardial Infarction in Hypercholesterolemic and Hypertensive Rats

The well known metabolic functions of L-arginine have been recently increased with the discovery of its role as the substrate for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which has emerged as an endogenous signaling molecule with potential therapeutic implications for cardiovascular disease. Steady-state levels of NO are derived in part from dietary sources. It has been reported that supplementation of L-arginine reduces atherosclerosis in rabbits and reduces the arterial pressure in hypertensive rats. Therefore, we investigated the effect of L-arginine supplementation using a group of induced hypercholesterolemic rats and a group of spontaneously hypertensive rats; the infarcted area in cardiac tissue of both groups was measured during the response to myocardial infarction in the ischemia-reperfusion model. Hypercholesterolemic rats supplemented with 170 mg kg⁻¹ of L-arginine showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in total cholesterol (25.2%) and LDL (27.8%). Spontaneously hypertensive rats supplemented with L-arginine presented a significant reduction (20.3%) in mean blood pressure (P ≤ 0.05). The index infarcted area / total heart area, in both: hypercholesterolemic and hypertensive rats supplemented with L-arginine, showed a significant 36% and 29% of cardio protection (P ≤ 0.05) effect, respectively. Dietary supplementation with L-arginine may represent a potentially novel nutritional strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.     

猝死型胰腺炎20例临床分析

将海口市人民医院2009年12月-2011年12月收治的20例猝死型胰腺炎患者随机分为对照组和观察组，每组10例。对照组采用早期手术治疗，观察组采用早起血液透析加适时手术进行治疗，通过观察比较，探讨猝死型胰腺炎的治疗方法及相应的临床效果。结果表明，所有患者中存活11例，存活率为55 %，其中对照组存活4例，存活率为30 %，观察组存活7例，存活率为70 %，两组间的存活率比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。因此认为，采用血液透析加适时手术治疗猝死型胰腺炎，能明显提高患者生存率，值得在临床广泛推广。     

人参皂苷Rb3及Rb2组合物对大鼠实验性心肌梗死的保护作用

目的研究人参皂苷Rb,及Rb,组合物对大鼠急性心肌梗死的保护作用。方法采用大鼠结扎左冠状动脉前降支制备急性心肌梗死模型,计算急性心肌梗死24h后的心肌梗死面积（MIS）,测定血清肌酸磷酸激酶（CK）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、天门冬氨酸氨基转换酶（AST）、超氧物歧化酶（SOD）及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—Px）活力,丙二醛（MAD）及一氧化氮（NO）含量。结果人参皂苷Rb,及Rb：组合物5、10、20mg／kg均可明显缩小急性心肌梗死大鼠的MIS,降低血清CK、LDH、AST活性及MAD含量,提高血清SOD、GSH—Px活性及NO含量。结论人参皂苷Rb,及Rb：组合物对大鼠急性心肌梗死具有明显保护作用,可能与其增强抗氧化酶活性,减少氧自由基对心肌的损伤等机制有关。     

Echinochrome A Protects Mitochondrial Function in Cardiomyocytes against Cardiotoxic Drugs

Echinochrome A (Ech A) is a naphthoquinoid pigment from sea urchins that possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and chelating abilities. Although Ech A is the active substance in the ophthalmic and cardiac drug Histochrome^®, its underlying cardioprotective mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the protective role of Ech A against toxic agents that induce death of rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 cells and isolated rat cardiomyocytes. We found that the cardiotoxic agents tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, organic reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; anti-hypertension drug), and doxorubicin (anti-cancer drug) caused mitochondrial dysfunction such as increased ROS level and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Co-treatment with Ech A, however, prevented this decrease in membrane potential and increase in ROS level. Co-treatment of Ech A also reduced the effects of these cardiotoxic agents on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphate level. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of Ech A for reducing cardiotoxic agent-induced damage.     

Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Effects of Diterpenes Isolated from the Marine Alga,Dictyota menstrualis

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Therapeutics are available, but they often have unsatisfactory results and may produce side effects. Alternative treatments based on the use of natural products have been extensively investigated, because of their low toxicity and side effects. Marine organisms are prime candidates for such products, as they are sources of numerous and complex substances with ecological and pharmacological effects. In this work, we investigated, through in vitro experiments, the effects of three diterpenes (pachydictyol A, isopachydictyol A and dichotomanol) from the Brazilian marine alga, Dictyota menstrualis, on platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation. Results showed that dichotomanol inhibited ADP- or collagen-induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but failed to inhibit washed platelets (WP). In contrast, pachydictyol A and isopachydictyol A failed to inhibit the aggregation of PRP, but inhibited WP aggregation induced by collagen or thrombin. These diterpenes also inhibited coagulation analyzed by the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and on commercial fibrinogen. Moreover, diterpenes inhibited the catalytic activity of thrombin. Theoretical studies using the Osiris Property Explorer software showed that diterpenes have low theoretical toxicity profiles and a drug-score similar to commercial anticoagulant drugs. In conclusion, these diterpenes are promising candidates for use in anticoagulant therapy, and this study also highlights the biotechnological potential of oceans and the importance of bioprospecting to develop medicines.     

水稻抗性基因Pi对福建省稻瘟病菌优势菌群的抗性分析

【目的】抗病品种的合理利用和布局是实现水稻抗瘟持久化的关键因子之一。为明确水稻24个抗性基因在福建省的抗病性及其应用前景,【方法】首先分别采用全国稻瘟病菌生理小种鉴别品种和CO39近等基因系来鉴定2012-2015年间从福建省各稻区种植的普感品种丽江新团黑谷上采集的347株稻瘟病菌单孢菌株的生理小种类型和致病型,再测定24个抗性基因对福建省稻瘟病菌的抗性。【结果】根据全国稻瘟病菌生理小种鉴别品种对菌株的抗感反应,可将供试稻瘟病菌的生理小种划分为6个群36个生理小种,其中ZA、ZB和ZC为主要种群,ZC15、ZD7和ZB15为优势生理小种。根据CO39近等基因系的接种结果,将供试稻瘟病菌划分为17个致病类型,其中I34.1为优势致病型。供试的24个抗性基因对347株福建省稻瘟病菌菌株的抗性频率不同,抗谱为9.80%~89.91%。其中,Pi-k~m、Pi-7(t)、Pi-9(t)、Pi-k~p、Pi-k、Pi-k~h、Pi-z~5和Pi-ta(1)等8个抗性基因的抗病性较强,抗谱均高于70.00%。【结论】说明这8个抗性基因在福建省具有较好的应用前景,育种时可以考虑联合利用这些抗性基因。同时,实验结果表明,这8个抗性基因对主要生理小种的抗谱和主要致病型的抗谱均值高于69.00%,与其对所有测试菌株的抗谱吻合。说明利用稻瘟病菌的优势种群或优势致病型来鉴定水稻品种的抗病性是可靠的。     

Cardiac involvement of major thalassemia and evaluation of total serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase-mB isoenzyme and cardiac troponinI in these patients

The goal of this study was the evaluation of specific markers of myocardial injury that includes CK-MB and troponin I in major thalassemic patients. Regular blood transfusion is the main treatment in major thalassemia. One of the most important complications of regular blood transfusion is iron overload that eventually involves many organs like heart and cause myocardial injury. Sixty patients with transfusion-dependent major thalassemia, at the age range of 8 to 15 years in Tabriz Pediatric Medical Center were chosen. Measurement of Hb, Hct and serum ferritin were performed in hospital laboratory, but total serum Creatine Kinase (CK) by photometric and isoenzyme of CK-MB by immunologic DGKC and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were tested by ELISA methods in Shaheed Madani heart center laboratory before blood transfusion. For all patients echocardiography and ECG assessment of cardiac function were done by a pediatric cardiologist and results were statistically analyzed. Forty nine patients (group A) had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF = 50-70%) and 11 patients (group B) had reduced LVEF (20-45%). There was no statistical difference between two groups in average volume of blood transfusion (p = 0.074). Although total CK and CK-MB isoenzyme were higher in group B but there was no statistically meaningful difference between two groups (p = 0.123, p = 0.111). Troponin I also was higher in group B but statistically analysis showed no correlation between cardiac function and troponin I level in these groups (p = 0.827). This study showed that cardiac markers are not helpful for recognition of cardiac involvement in major thalassemia.     

The low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits of wheat gluten

Low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) are polymeric protein components of wheat endosperm and like all seed storage proteins, are digested to provide nutrients for the embryo during seed germination and seedling growth. Due to their structural characteristics, they exhibit features important for the technological properties of wheat flour. Their ability to form inter-molecular disulphide bonds with each other and/or with high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), is important for the formation of the glutenin polymers, which are among the biggest macromolecules present in nature, and determine the processing properties of wheat dough. Explanation of the structural basis for these correlations continues to intrigue researchers and, while earlier emphasis had been on HMW-GS, considerable attention is now being focused on the LMW-GS.LMW-GS are a highly polymorphic protein complex, including proteins with gliadin-type sequences. Difficulty in separating single components, arising from the complexity of the group, has limited the characterisation of the individual proteins and the establishment of clear-cut relationships with quality parameters.Here we review results concerning different aspects of LMW-GS, including their structural characteristics, genetic control, and relationships with quality parameters. In addition, we emphasise the distinction between the components with sequences unique to the LMW-GS fraction and those behaving like glutenin subunits (incorporated into polymers), but with sequences corresponding to gliadins.     

小麦株高及其构成因素的遗传及相关性分析

为了给小麦抗倒伏育种提供依据,以7个株高差异较大的冬小麦品种为亲本,按Griffing双列杂交法Ⅱ配制21个杂交组合,研究了小麦株高及其构成因素的遗传和相关性。结果表明,株高及其构成因素的遗传均符合加性显性模型,以加性效应为主,显性程度为部分显性,遗传力高,早代选择有效。控制株高、穗长、倒一、倒二、倒三、倒四节间长的增效等位基因为显性,而控制倒五节间长的减效等位基因为显性。宁麦8号、宁麦9号、扬麦9号和扬麦11具有控制株高、倒一、倒二、倒三和倒四节间长较多的隐性基因;望水白具有控制穗长最多的显性基因;扬麦9号具有控制穗长和倒五节间长较多的显性基因。株高可能受3~4对主效基因控制,而其构成因素可能受1~3对主效基因控制。相关分析表明,株高与其构成因素呈极显著遗传正相关。株高构成因素对株高的作用大小依次为倒一节＞倒二节＞倒三节＞倒五节＞倒四节＞穗长。     

Effects of Presprouting, Planting Date, Plant Population and Configuration on Late Blight and Yield of Organic Potato Crops Grown with Different Cultivars

In organic systems of agriculture, integrated control strategies are necessary for the management of late blight. Agronomic treatments such as presprouting of seed tubers, planting early and in different populations and spacings should be considered for inclusion. They may delay and/or decrease infection and help to ensure that acceptable marketable yields are achieved before the disease prevails. Individually, their efficacy may be limited, but in combination with other components the integrated strategy may be more successful. Experiments in the UK and the Netherlands tested some potential components of such a strategy: presprouting (chitting) and early planting of seed tubers, which should encourage early bulking and evasion of the disease; choice of plant population and configuration to make the crops’ microclimate less favourable for infection. Both early planting and presprouting (chitting) gave higher yields earlier in the season, before late blight put an end to crop growth, and were most effective in years with a short growing season (e.g., when the disease started early). Plant population and spacings within commercially acceptable limits had marked effects on canopy architecture but no effects on late blight infection. However, the effects on tuber size grading were large. At lower densities, tubers were larger on average. This was an advantage when blight infection was early, but could result in the production of too many oversized tubers if it was delayed or absent, unless the crop was defoliated.     

Study on the aging and yellowing properties of sebum-soiled cotton fabrics

The accumulation and autoxidation of residual oily soil from human sebum is regarded as a major reason for the aging and yellowing of clothing and household textiles. In this study, the yellowing degree of cotton fabrics soiled with human sebum components and aged under various environmental conditions (various temperatures, humidities and light intensities etc.) were investigated. The representative sebum components including olive oil, squalene, oleic acid and cottonseed oil were selected and their chemical changes were studied by FTIR analysis. The results showed that, olive oil, squalene, oleic acid and cottonseed oil could caused more significant fabric-yellowing than other components in human sebum, and the yellowing degree could become higher with increasing temperatures, humidities and/or light intensities of aging environments. The chemical structures of olive oil, squalene and oleic acid changed remarkably after aging treatment. The aging products contained hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups, and the conjugated C=O group was considered to be the chemical species leading to the yellowing of sebum-soiled fabrics.