ß-acetoxyisovalerylalkannin suppresses proliferation and induces ROS-based mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human melanoma cells.

ß-acetoxyisovalerylalkannin (ß-AIVA) is one of shikonin/alkannin derivative, which were mainly extracted from Boraginaceae family. The effects of ß-AIVA on human melanoma A375 cells and U918 cells were investigated in vitro. The CCK-8 assay showed that ß-AIVA inhibited proliferation of cells. Results from flow cytometry, ROS assay and JC-1 assay showed that ß-AIVA increased late apoptosis rate, induced the production of ROS and promoted mitochondrial depolarization in cells. ß-AIVA regulated expressions of BAX and Bcl-2 proteins, and increased the expression of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3. These findings suggest that ß-AIVA may be a potential therapeutic drug for treating melanoma.

[Effect of acetylalkannin from Arnebia euchroma on proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells].

This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of acetylalkannin from Arnebia euchroma on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells. A375 cells were divided into a blank group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose acetylalkannin groups(0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 µmol·L~(-1)). The MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Cell scratch and transwell migration assays were used to detect cell migration ability, and the transwell invasion assay was used to detect cell invasion ability. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of migration and invasion-related N-cadherin, vimentin, matrix metalloproteina-se-9(MMP-9), and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related Wnt1, Axin2, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß(GSK-3ß), phosphorylated GSK-3ß(p-GSK-3ß), ß-catenin, cell cycle protein D_1(cyclin D_1), and p21. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of E-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), N-cadherin, vimentin, ß-catenin, snail-1, and CD44. MTT results showed that the cell inhibition rates in the acetylalkannin groups significantly increased as compared with that in the blank group(P<0.01). The results of cell scratch and transwell assays showed that compared with the blank group, the acetylalkannin groups showed reduced cell migration and invasion, and migration and invasion rates(P<0.05, P<0.01) and weakened horizontal and vertical migration and invasion abilities. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the high-dose acetylalkannin group showed increased expression of Axin2 protein(P<0.05), and decreased expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-9, Wnt1, p-GSK-3ß, ß-catenin, cyclin D_1, and p21 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of GSK-3ß protein did not change significantly. PCR results showed that the overall trend of MMP-2, N-cadherin, vimentin, ß-catenin, snail-1, and CD44 mRNA expression was down-regulated(P<0.01), and the expression of E-cadherin mRNA increased(P<0.01). Acetylalkannin can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human melanoma A375 cells, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

[Advances in cardiovascular protection effects and mechanisms of allicin].

Cardiovascular diseases(CVD) with high morbidity and mortality pose severe threats to human life. Allicin, a main active ingredient of garlic, possesses multiple pharmaceutical activities. It not only exerts cardioprotective effects but also prevents the risk factors for CVD. Allicin exerts cardioprotective effects via a variety of mechanisms, including inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammatory responses, regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota, inducing hydrogen sulfide production, and dilating vessels. Despite the valuable cardioprotective effects, the instability of allicin has hindered the basic research and clinical application. This paper reviews the progress in the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of allicin in the last decade and summarizes the methods to improve the stability of allicin. In addition, this review provides a reference for further research and development of allicin in cardiovascular protection.

[Mechanism of Berberis atrocarpa anthocyanin against Alzheimer's disease based on network pharmacology and experimental verification].

This study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of Berberis atrocarpa Schneid. anthocyanin against Alzheimer's disease(AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and in vitro experiments. Databases were used to screen out the potential targets of the active components of B. atrocarpa and the targets related to AD. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 were adopted to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and carry out topological analysis of the common targets. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the target using the DAVID 6.8 database. Molecular docking was conducted to the active components and targets related to the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) pathway. Finally, lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to induce BV2 cells to establish the model of AD neuroinflammation for in vitro experimental validation. In this study, 426 potential targets of active components of B. atrocarpa and 329 drug-disease common targets were obtained, and 14 key targets were screened out by PPI network. A total of 623 items and 112 items were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, respectively. Molecular docking results showed that NF-κB, NF-κB inhibitor(IκB), TLR4, and myeloid differentiation primary response 88(MyD88) had good binding abilities to the active components, and malvidin-3-O-glucoside had the strongest binding ability. Compared with the model group, the concentration of nitric oxide(NO) decreased at different doses of malvidin-3-O-glucoside without affecting the cell survival rate. Meanwhile, malvidin-3-O-glucoside down-regulated the protein expressions of NF-κB, IκB, TLR4, and MyD88. This study uses network pharmacology and experimental verification to preliminarily reveal that B. atrocarpa anthocyanin can inhibit LPS-induced neuroinflammation by regulating the NF-κB/TLR4 signaling pathway, thereby achieving the effect against AD, which provides a theoretical basis for the study of its pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism.

Hyperacmosins H-J, three new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum acmosepalum.

Three new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives, hyperacmosins H-J (1-3), with four known compounds (4-7), were isolated from the air-dried aerial parts of Hypericum acmosepalum. Especially, compounds 1 and 2 were identified as methylated polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivatives (mPPAPs). Their structures were established by NMR, HRESIMS and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The hepatoprotective activity of seven compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell damage.[Formula: see text].

The complete mitochondrial genome of the seed-borer weevil, Bruchidius uberatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae).

In this study, the complete 15,892 bp mitochondrial genome of Bruchidius uberatus (Fåhraeus) was sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform. The mitogenome is a double-stranded circular molecule of 15,892 bp in length with 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and two ribosomal RNA genes as in other insects. Twenty-five species from 8 subfamilies of Chrysomelidae were selected as ingroups and 3 species of Lamiinae as outgroups for phylogenetic analysis based on mitogenome. The results showed that the subfamily Bruchinae was monophyly. Genus Bruchidius had more closed relationship with Acanthoscelides than Callosobruchus in Bruchinae with high support values.

Design and fabrication of a low-loss and asymmetric 1 × 5 arbitrary optical power splitter.

In this paper, a low-loss and wavelength-insensitive asymmetric 1×5 arbitrary optical power splitter is designed and optimized, which is composed of a three-branch and two Y-branch elements. A low-loss and wavelength-independent arbitrary 1×5 optical power splitter can be obtained. Asymmetric 1×5 optical power splitters of different output ratios are fabricated using silica-based planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology on a 6-inch quartz substrate. The measured results show that the ILoutput1, ILoutput2∼5, UNIFoutput2∼5, PDL, and WDL of the output ratio 33%:67%, 50%:50%, and 95%:5% are less than (5.302 dB, 8.483 dB, 0.422 dB, 0.191 dB, 0.345 dB), (3.46 dB, 9.71 dB, 0.28 dB, 0.119 dB, 0.231 dB), and (1.52 dB, 14.15 dB, 0.44 dB, 0.366 dB, 0.561 dB), respectively, in the wavelength of 1.27 µm, 1.31 µm, 1.49 µm, 1.55 µm, and 1.625 µm.

Total Alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides Inhibit Growth and Induce Apoptosis in Human Cervical Tumor HeLa Cells In vitro.

BACKGROUND: Uygur females of Xinjiang have the higher incidence of cervical tumor in the country. Alkaloids are the major active ingredients in Sophora alopecuroides, and its antitumor effect was recognized by the medical profession. Xinjiang is the main site of S. alopecuroides production in China so these plants are abundant in the region. Studies on the antitumor properties of total alkaloids of S. alopecuroides (TASA) can take full use of the traditional folk medicine in antitumor unique utility. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of TASA on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical tumor HeLa cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TASA was extracted, purified, and each monomer component was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of TASA at different concentrations on the survival of HeLa cells was determined after 24 h using the Cell Counting Kit-8. In addition, cells were photographed using an inverted microscope to document morphological changes. The effect of TASA on apoptotic rate of HeLa cells was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Monomers of TASA were found to be sophoridine, matrine, and sophocarpine. On treatment with 8.75 mg/ml of TASA, more than 50% of HeLa cells died, and cell death rate increased further with longer incubation. The apoptotic rates of HeLa cells in the experimental groups were 16.0% and 33.3% at concentrations of 6.25 mg/ml and 12.50 mg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: TASA can induce apoptosis in cervical tumor HeLa cells, and it has obvious inhibitory effects on cell growth. SUMMARY: Total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides (TASA) exhibits anti-human cervical tumor propertiesMonomer component of TASA was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and its main effect component are sophoridine, matrine, and sophocarpineTASA inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in HeLa cells. Abbreviations used: TASA: Total alkaloids of S. alopecuroides, CCK-8: Cell Counting Kit-8, FBS: Fetal bovine serum, PBS: Phosphate buffered saline, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium.

Transfer-Free Growth of Atomically Thin Transition Metal Disulfides Using a Solution Precursor by a Laser Irradiation Process and Their Application in Low-Power Photodetectors.

Although chemical vapor deposition is the most common method to synthesize transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), several obstacles, such as the high annealing temperature restricting the substrates used in the process and the required transfer causing the formation of wrinkles and defects, must be resolved. Here, we present a novel method to grow patternable two-dimensional (2D) transition metal disulfides (MS2) directly underneath a protective coating layer by spin-coating a liquid chalcogen precursor onto the transition metal oxide layer, followed by a laser irradiation annealing process. Two metal sulfides, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2), are investigated in this work. Material characterization reveals the diffusion of sulfur into the oxide layer prior to the formation of the MS2. By controlling the sulfur diffusion, we are able to synthesize continuous MS2 layers beneath the top oxide layer, creating a protective coating layer for the newly formed TMD. Air-stable and low-power photosensing devices fabricated on the synthesized 2D WS2 without the need for a further transfer process demonstrate the potential applicability of TMDs generated via a laser irradiation process.

The status of Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White (Diptera: tephritidae) inferred from complete mitochondrial genome analysis.

In this study, the complete 15,911 bp mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Bactrocera invadens was sequenced. To estimate the status of B. invadens, all available mitogenomes of Bactrocera were downloaded from GenBank for phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analyses showed that B. invadens, B. philippinensis, B. papayae, and three B. dorsalis sequences formed a well-supported clade with very short terminal branch lengths, indicting the relatively close evolutionary relationships of these taxa. The results further supported that B. invadens, the same as B. philippinensis and B. papayae, belongs to the same species as B. dorsalis.

Ultrafast and low temperature synthesis of highly crystalline and patternable few-layers tungsten diselenide by laser irradiation assisted selenization process.

Recently, a few attempts to synthesize monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process had been demonstrated. However, the development of alternative processes to synthesize TMDs is an important step because of the time-consuming, required transfer and low thermal efficiency of the CVD process. Here, we demonstrate a method to achieve few-layers WSe2 on an insulator via laser irradiation assisted selenization (LIAS) process directly, for which the amorphous WO3 film undergoes a reduction process in the presence of selenium gaseous vapors to form WSe2, utilizing laser annealing as a heating source. Detailed growth parameters such as laser power and laser irradiation time were investigated. In addition, microstructures, optical and electrical properties were investigated. Furthermore, a patternable WSe2 concept was demonstrated by patterning the WO3 film followed by the laser irradiation. By combining the patternable process, the transfer-free WSe2 back gate field effect transistor (FET) devices are realized on 300 nm-thick SiO2/P(+)Si substrate with extracted field effect mobility of ∼0.2 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). Similarly, the reduction process by the laser irradiation can be also applied for the synthesis of other TMDs such as MoSe2 from other metal oxides such as MO3 film, suggesting that the process can be further extended to other TMDs. The method ensures one-step process to fabricate patternable TMDs, highlighting the uniqueness of the laser irradiation for the synthesis of different TMDs.

Simultaneous combined anterior and posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical results of simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery for severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations, and to clarify the surgical indications for these high-energy injuries. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations were managed with simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery. The injured segments included the following: T11 (2 patients), T12 (5), L1 (1), L2 (8), L3 (5), L4 (2) and L4 and L5 (1). When classified according to the Magerl Classification, the breakdown was as follows: 12 A3 injuries, 2 B1, 2 B2, 12 C1 injuries, 4 C2, and 2 C3. Clinical data, including operative procedures, neurological changes, postoperative CT scans and sequential radiographs, was collected and analyzed. Thirty-two patients were followed up for an average of 13 months (range, 6-60). RESULTS: Operative time ranged from 180 to 320 min with a mean of 230 min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 900 to 2400 ml with a mean of 1200 ml. According to the classification of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), neurological status improved at least 1 grade in all of the 24 patients who had an incomplete paralysis preoperatively. Satisfactory decompressions, reductions and reconstructions were obtained and well maintained in all patients at all intervals of follow-up. CONCLUSION: For severe thoracolumbar fracture dislocations that cannot be effectively treated with either an anterior or posterior approach alone, simultaneously combined anterior and posterior surgery is a reliable method that can achieve a sufficient decompression, reduction and reconstruction.

[An epidemiological study on domestic violence in Hunan, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in Hunan. METHODS: Using a multi-stage sampling strategy, 9451 households involving 32 720 persons in urban, rural and industrial areas in Hunan, China were studied. Multiform clue investigation and face-to-face interviews were combined to investigate the prevalence of DV. RESULTS: A lifetime prevalence of DV was reported by 1533 households (16.2%). A total of 1098 households (11.6%) reported at least one incident of DV in the previous year. Both lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DV varied significantly by geographic setting (P < 0.01). The lifetime prevalence abuse rates were: spousal 10.2%, child abuse 7.8%, and elder 1.5%. With regard to household structure, the lifetime prevalence of DV was highest among those remarried families (21.0%), followed by married couples with one child and extended families with several generations living together (20.1% and 20.0%, respectively). The highest rate of spousal abuse was found among remarried families (14.7%), while child and elder abuse was most prevalent among extended families (12.4% and 4.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that although the prevalence of DV in Hunan was modest compared to Western countries, it remained a serious public health problem affecting over 1 in 10 households. Furthermore, the prevalence of various types of DV varied by geographic setting and family structure, suggesting that diverse geographic setting and family constellations carried different risk and protective features.