Public purchases and private preferences: Challenges for analyzing public open space acquisitions

The traditional hedonic model uses market purchases to estimate implicit prices. Hedonic models composed of only public land purchases violate key assumptions of hedonic model theory. The resulting implicit prices cannot be interpreted as the purchasing agency's maximum willingness to pay. The problems are illustrated using a hedonic model of public land purchases in the Town of Brookhaven, on Long Island, New York, USA. The model reveals negative elasticities for attributes for which the agency has stated positive preferences. For example, the presence of unique glacial landforms (a positive attribute) was associated with a 97% increase in property cost. However, if purchasing the open space property prevented development that is incompatible with existing land uses (also a positive attribute), the property cost decreased by 69%. The results confirm that elasticities and implicit prices derived from open space “public hedonic models” should be interpreted in the context of the broader market for land, not as the agency's willingness to pay. The work has implications for open space preservation policies in urbanizing regions.     

Monoterpene pyridine alkaloids and phenolics from Scrophularia ningpoensis and their cardioprotective effect

Scrophularianines A–C (1–3), three new unusual monoterpene pyridine alkaloids with cyclopenta [c] pyridine skeleton reported from the genus Scrophularia for the first time, together with 15 known compounds (4–18), were isolated from the extract of Scrophularia ningpoensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive analyses of spectroscopic evidences. The biogenetic relationship between monoterpene pyridine alkaloids and iridoids was proposed preliminarily. The myocardial protective bioassay indicated that compounds 13 and 14 with a concentration of 10^− 4 M exhibited significantly protective effect against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.     

Phenylethanoid glycosides with anti-inflammatory activities from the stems of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert

Five new phenylethanoid glycosides, cistanosides J–N (1–5), together with 15 known ones (6–20) were isolated from the stems of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, China. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (IR, HR-ESIMS, 1D- and 2D-NMR) and chemical degradation. All the compounds obtained were examined for their inhibitory effect on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse microglial cells (BV-2 cells), and compounds 2 and 8 showed potent inhibition on the NO production with IC₅₀ values of 14.94 μM and 14.32 μM, respectively.     

Comparison of functional and structural properties of native and industrial process-modified proteins from long-grain indica rice

Rice proteins, as a cheap plant protein source from the by-products of rice dreg processing, could potentially replace commonly used proteins such as soy and whey proteins in selected food products. In this study, the functional properties, surface hydrophobicity (H₀), sulfhydryl and disulfide bond contents, thermal properties, as well as secondary structures of native rice endosperm protein (REP) and processed rice dreg protein (RDP) extracted from long-grain indica rice, were compared. RDP was found to have a higher solubility associated with its relatively higher emulsifying and foaming properties than REP, as well as its water/oil holding capacity, although it was a denatured protein. The emulsifying properties were dependent on the solubility and H₀, while solubility was also related to the disulfide bond contents. Distinct differences in H₀, thermal properties, and disulfide bond contents between REP and RDP could be due to the conformational changes, as the industrial processing steps in the production of rice syrups caused an increase in β-turns at the expense of β-sheets and random coils of REP, leading to the unfolding of β-sheets into higher-ordered supramolecular structures for RDP, which could be responsible for its better functional properties.     

A randomised,blinded, crossover study to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in 32 horses

Reasons for performing study: Feed supplements are commonly used by owners to alleviate headshaking; however, randomised, controlled trials are required to assess their efficacy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of a feed supplement for alleviation of the clinical signs of headshaking using a randomised, blinded, placebo‐controlled trial. Methods: Using a crossover design, 44 horses previously diagnosed with chronic idiopathic headshaking received both the supplement and a matching placebo per os for 28 days with a washout period between of 14 days. Video recordings were taken at rest and exercise prior to the study and at the end of both periods of treatment. The degree of headshaking was assessed in a blinded, randomised manner by 2 veterinary surgeons. At the same time points, owners completed a questionnaire to assess the severity of headshaking signs. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the scores while on supplement and placebo. Results: Using the video assessments, there was no significant difference between scores while on supplement compared with placebo (P = 0.7). Using the questionnaire responses, there was no significant difference between scores for any activity when the placebo and the supplement were compared with each other. However, owners reported significant improvement during all activities for both placebo and supplement compared with pretreatment scores. Conclusions and potential relevance: The supplement offered no benefit over a placebo in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking. There appeared to be a significant proxy placebo effect when the outcome was based on subjective owner perception of clinical signs. This study demonstrated no beneficial effect of this supplement on the clinical signs of headshaking. The study did show a significant placebo effect, thereby highlighting the necessity of properly conducted, randomised controlled trials, with blinding, to assess true treatment effects in trials in animals.     

Dithiolopyrrolone Natural Products: Isolation,Synthesis and Biosynthesis

Dithiolopyrrolones are a class of antibiotics that possess the unique pyrrolinonodithiole (4H-[1,2] dithiolo [4,3-b] pyrrol-5-one) skeleton linked to two variable acyl groups. To date, there are approximately 30 naturally occurring dithiolopyrrolone compounds, including holomycin, thiolutin, and aureothricin, and more recently thiomarinols, a unique class of hybrid marine bacterial natural products containing a dithiolopyrrolone framework linked by an amide bridge with an 8-hydroxyoctanoyl chain linked to a monic acid. Generally, dithiolopyrrolone antibiotics have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against various microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and even parasites. Holomycin appeared to be active against rifamycin-resistant bacteria and also inhibit the growth of the clinical pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus N315. Its mode of action is believed to inhibit RNA synthesis although the exact mechanism has yet to be established in vitro. A recent work demonstrated that the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri employs an RNA methyltransferase for self-resistance during the holomycin production. Moreover, some dithiolopyrrolone derivatives have demonstrated promising antitumor activities. The biosynthetic gene clusters of holomycin have recently been identified in S. clavuligerus and characterized biochemically and genetically. The biosynthetic gene cluster of thiomarinol was also identified from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SANK 73390, which was uniquely encoded by two independent pathways for pseudomonic acid and pyrrothine in a novel plasmid. The aim of this review is to give an overview about the isolations, characterizations, synthesis, biosynthesis, bioactivities and mode of action of this unique family of dithiolopyrrolone natural products, focusing on the period from 1940s until now.     

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。     

Development and Characterization of Calcium-Alginate Beads of Apigenin: In Vitro Antitumor,Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activities

The objective of this work was to develop sustained-release Ca-alginate beads of apigenin using sodium alginate, a natural polysaccharide. Six batches were prepared by applying the ionotropic gelation technique, wherein calcium chloride was used as a crosslinking agent. The beads were evaluated for particle size, drug loading, percentage yield, and in vitro drug release. Particle size was found to decrease, and drug entrapment efficiency was enhanced with an increase in the polymer concentration. The dissolution study showed sustained drug release from the apigenin-loaded alginate beads with an increase in the polymer proportion. Based on the dissolution profiles, BD6 formulation was optimized and characterized for FTIR, DSC, XRD, and SEM, results of which indicated successful development of apigenin-loaded Ca alginate beads. MTT assay demonstrated a potential anticancer effect against the breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines. The antimicrobial activity exhibited effective inhibition in the bacterial and fungal growth rate. The DPPH measurement revealed that the formulation had substantial antioxidant activity, with EC50 value slightly lowered compared to pure apigenin. A stability study demonstrated that the BD6 was stable with similar (f2) drug release profiles in harsh condition. In conclusion, alginate-based beads could be used for sustaining the drug release of poorly water-soluble apigenin while also improving in vitro antitumor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity.     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒Core蛋白的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

为制备牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)的Core蛋白及其多克隆抗体,根据Core蛋白的编码基因序列,设计合成一对特异性引物,利用RT-PCR扩增BVDV Core基因并定向插入Pet30a载体中,构建重组质粒Pet30a-Core,经酶切鉴定后转化大肠埃希菌TOP 10感受态细胞,筛选获得阳性重组菌,以IPTG进行诱导后成功表达出分子质量为20 ku的重组Core蛋白。将诱导表达的蛋白产物经融合蛋白的Ni柱亲和法进行纯化,利用纯化的重组蛋白免疫新西兰白兔制备多克隆抗体,并利用间接ELISA法测出多克隆抗体效价达到1∶512 000。蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)和间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)证实,多克隆抗体可与细胞中的BVDV抗原发生反应,具有良好的免疫原性和特异性。本实验成功制备了BVDV重组Core蛋白的兔源多克隆抗体,为BVDV的检测及其Core蛋白功能研究奠定了基础。     

柚皮素的提取及其抗癌作用研究进展

指出了柚皮素属于二氢黄酮类天然化合物,是柚皮苷的苷元,具有重要的抗炎、抗菌、抗氧化、抗癌等生物学效应。柚皮素的提取方法有酸水解法、酶提取法、超临界CO_2提取法。柚皮素能作用于多种癌细胞,抑制其生长、增殖、迁移,并促进其凋亡,表现出抗癌活性。综述了柚皮素的提取和作用于不同类型的癌细胞的抗癌分子机制,并展望了量子化学技术在柚皮素抗癌作用靶向点的相互作用理论计算研究的应用前景。