Abstract Aiming to provide a new way that preserves more active components in Eucommia ulmoides (EU) leaves, this paper utilizes 4 methods, i.e., microwave, steam, air heating, and frying, to process EU leaves before drying, and their respective effects on the leaves were evaluated. The antioxidant activity of EU leaves in vitro was measured by the DPPH free radical method; the contents of total flavonoids (TFC) and total phenols (TPC) were analyzed by spectrophotometry; and the contents of main active components were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed the pre-process improved the quality of the EU leaves. As a simple and fast process, the microwave process is the most effective technique in the retention of flavonoids and four active ingredients except aucubin. High power (800 W) and short time (2.5 min) are more conducive to the retention of active ingredients, with high antioxidant activity. Appropriate steam and frying processes also exhibited benefits for the active components. In particular, the samples treated with steam for 10 minutes showed great potential for industrial application with the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Therefore, proper pre-processing before drying should be conducted to effectively protect the active components of EU leaves.

Abstract The woody oil industry generates a large amount of seed shell waste during its production. Therefore, this paper employs a central composite design (CCD) methodology to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction process, thus utilizing the byproduct. The infrared spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis is adopted to explore the chemical structure and thermal stability of tannin. Besides, the tannin resin (TF) is prepared to elaborate its adsorbing performance for dyes in water. The results verify the role of ultrasonic-assisted extraction method in increasing yield rate. The optimal conditions are as follows: 60% ethanol as extraction solvent, the solid-liquid ratio of 1:25 (g/mL), ultrasonic power of 160 W, and extracted at 80oC for 60min. The yield rate of tannin under such conditions stands at 32.04% (w/w). Temperature is vital for the extraction rate. Acer truncatum tannin as a condensed tannin, performs favorable thermal stability, and TF effectively absorbs cationic dye in water. The maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue peaks at 176.13 mg/g. Acer truncatum shell serves as a resource of condensed tannin, and Acer truncatum tannin resin can be potentially developed into a new biomass adsorbent.

Abstract The purpose of this work was to systematically evaluate the intervention effects of video games training (VGT) on the gross motor skills (GMS) development of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Seven Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, EBSCO) were searched. Data were retrieved from randomized controlled trials on the GMS among individuals with CP. The retrieval was from the inception of each database to March 16, 2021. The included studies were evaluated quantitatively using the PEDro Scale. Then, relevant data were inputted and analyzed in Review Manager 5.4. Thirteen papers were included: seven written in English and six in Chinese. In the three subordinate concept of GMS, VGT could significantly improve locomotor skills (LS) (standardized mean difference = 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.55-105, P<0.00001), and non-locomotor skills (NLS) (standardized mean difference = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.28, P=0.0003) in CP. However, there was no significant difference in object control skills (OCS), when compared with the control group (standardized mean difference = 0.55, 95% confidence interval -0.01-0.72, P=0.05). VGT can improve LS and NLS in CP, but the effect on OCS is uncertain; therefore, it is recommended that additional high-quality literature be included in the future. In general, VGT has been proven an effective intervention tool on the GMS development in CP.

Resumen Este artículo intentó evaluar sistemáticamente el efecto de la intervención del entrenamiento con videojuegos (VGT) en el desarrollo de las habilidades motoras gruesas (GMS) de niños con parálisis cerebral (CP), basándose en un cuerpo de datos logrado de las conclusiones de pruebas controladas aleatorias sobre las habilidades motoras gruesas de niños con CP, obtenidos de la búsqueda sistemática en siete bases de datos chinos y extranjeros, tales como PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang y EBSCO. El lapso de búsqueda fue desde la fecha de establecimiento de cada base de datos hasta el 16 de marzo del 2021. Se aplicó la escala PEDro para realizar un estudio cuantitativo y después, se analizaron los datos relevantes con Review Manager 5.4. Se incluyeron 13 publicaciones, 7 artículos escritos en inglés y 6 en chino. En el marco del concepto de los tres subordinados de GMS, la VGT podría mejorar significativamente la habilidad locomotora (LS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.80, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.55-105, P<0.00001), y las habilidades no locomotoras (NLS) (diferencia de medias estandarizada = 0.83, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0.38-1.28, P= 0,0003) en PC; pero no hubo una diferencia significativa en las habilidades de control de objetos (OCS), cuando se compararon con el grupo control (diferencia de medias estandarizada= 0,55, intervalo de confianza del 95% -0,01-0,72, P= 0,05). En conclusión, el VGT puede mejorar las LS y NLS en CP, pero el efecto sobre OCS es incierto; por lo que se recomienda la inclusión de literatura adicional de alta calidad en el futuro. De este modo se pudo demostrar que el VGT es una herramienta de intervención eficaz en el desarrollo de las GMS en niños con CP.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. However, the therapies to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma are still limited and the emergence of drug resistance leads to the development of new anti-cancer drugs and combinational chemotherapy regimens. Our study was aimed to explore the anticancer effects of the essential oil extract (EEEO) from Euphorbia esula which has been widely used in traditional Chinese folk medicine and possessed potential cytotoxic effects in several human tumor cells. However, the mechanisms of EEEO-induced anti-proliferation and apoptosis have not been completely elucidated. In this study, EEEO was prepared by hydro-distillation and the main chemical component of EEEO was identified by GC-MS. HepG2 cells were treated with EEEO in vitro and then evaluated with respect to proliferation, apoptosis, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic proteins. Our studies showed that EEEO decreased cell viability, elevated ROS levels, and induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bcl-2 was down-regulated, while Bax was up-regulated in HepG2 after EEEO treatment. These results suggest that EEEO induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells and indicate that this apoptosis might be mediated by the mitochondrial pathway.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignancy in the biliary tract. Without effective treatment, its prognosis is notoriously poor. Tea polyphenols (TPs) have many pharmacological and health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-thrombotic, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties. However, the anti-cancer effect of TPs in human gallbladder cancer has not yet been determined. Cell viability and colony formation assay were used to investigate the cell growth. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis. Human tumor xenografts were used to examine the effect of TPs on gallbladder cancer cells in vivo. TPs significantly inhibited cell growth of gallbladder cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle progression in GBC cells was blocked at the S phase by TPs. TPs also induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis in GBC cells by upregulating Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP expressions and downregulating Bcl-2, cyclin A, and Cdk2 expressions. The effects of TPs on GBC were further proven in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. Our study is the first to report that TPs inhibit GBC cell growth and these compounds may have potential as novel therapeutic agents for treating gallbladder cancer.

Abstract In order to reduce the structural vibrations of a mechanical system used in aerospace, a new sketch of eddy current damper (ECD), consisting of one cylindrical permanent magnet, two ring-shape copper plates, one axial transmission shaft and electromagnetic shield, is proposed. Three dimensional (3D) electromagnetic transient analysis on damping performance of the proposed damper is conducted by ANSYS to determine the dimensions of the designed damper. And a series of damping tests for the damper subjected to sinusoid excitations with amplitudes of around 0.1 and 1 mm are respectively carried out under frequencies ranging from 1 to 50 Hz. The experimental results validate that the 3D transient analysis method with ANSYS is effective to guide the design of ECDs. Moreover, it is found that the proposed ECD has high damping, which is significantly superior to the one-plate ECD with the same structure and dimensions.

BACKGROUND: Glycoproteins play a critical role in the cellular activities of eukaryotes. Sialic acid is typically the outermost monosaccharide of glycolipids and glycoproteins, and is necessary for normal development. RESULTS: A strategy based on avidin-biotin affinity was established to enrich sialylated glycoproteins from HeLa cervical carcinoma, SW1990 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Using HPLC-MS/MS, western blot, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gp96 was identified in all three cell lines. No significant difference in the protein expression of gp96 was detected at the whole cell level, but the amount of bioti-nylated gp96 in SW1990 cells was 30-40 % lower than that in A549 and HeLa cells, and the amount of sialylated gp96 in SW1990 cells was 30 % lower than that in A549 and HeLa cells. Immunoblotting results showed that the expression of sialyltransferase proteins in the total cell lysates from HeLa and A549 cells were higher than that in SW1990 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We established a new method for investigating the expression and sialylation of glycoproteins using metabolic labeling, click chemistry, and avidin-biotin affinity. We successfully used this method to purify sialylated glycoproteins from cancer cell lines. Our results showed that the levels of gp96 sialylation varied across different cancer cell lines, and this may be because of differences in sialyltransferase expression.

Purpose Evidence shows that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in the transmission of multiple chronic pain via P2X7 receptor. This study was to investigate the P2X7 and microglial cells in the chronic prostatitis pain. Materials and Methods Rats were divided into control group and chronic prostatitis group (n = 24 per group). A chronic prostatitis animal model was established by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to the prostate of rats, and the thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) was detected on days 0, 4, 12 and 24 (n = 6 at each time point in each group). Animals were sacrificed and the pathological examination of the prostate, detection of mRNA expression of P2X7 and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1) and measurement of content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the dorsal horn of L5-S2 spinal cord were performed on days 0, 4, 12 and 24. In addition, the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in the dorsal horn of L5-S2 spinal cord was measured after intrathecal injection of inhibitors of microglial cells and/or P2X7 for 5 days. Results The chronic prostatitis was confirmed by pathological examination. The expression of P2X7 and IBA-1 and the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in rats with chronic prostatitis were significantly higher than those in the control group. On day 4, the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines became to increase, reaching a maximal level on day 12 and started to reduce on day 24, but remained higher than that in the control group. Following suppression of microglial cells and P2X7 receptor, the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β was markedly reduced. Conclusion In chronic prostatitis pain, the microglial cells and P2X7 receptor are activated resulting in the increased expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the L5-S2 spinal cord, which might attribute to the maintenance and intensification of pain in chronic prostatitis.