Network Pharmacology-Based Identification of Key Mechanisms of Xihuang Pill in the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells.

Xihuang pill, an approved Chinese medicine formula (state medical permit number. Z11020073), is a commonly used adjuvant drug for cancer patients in China. Xihuang pill has a satisfactory effect in treating breast cancer in clinics, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, and finite effective therapies. However, the mechanism of Xihuang pill in treating TNBC remains unclear. The present study aims to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Xihuang pill in treating advanced TNBC. We identified the main chemical components of Xihuang pill by using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis shows that serum containing Xihuang pill (XS) had no obvious killing effect on any subtype of breast cancer cells, but it inhibited mammosphere colony formation of two TNBC cell lines (4T1 and HCC1806 cells) and could enhance the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel (PTX) on the proliferation of 4T1 and HCC1806 cells when combined with PTX. Seventy-six active compounds in Xihuang pill, their 300 protein targets, and 16667 TNBC stem cell-related genes were identified. The drug-herb-active compound-target gene-disease network and enrichment analyses were constructed with 190 overlapping candidate targets. Through text mining and molecular docking, the target gene NR3C2 and its active compound naringenin were selected for further validation. According to the TCGA database, we observed that a high expression of NR3C2 promoted a higher survival probability regarding overall survival (OS). In vitro experiments indicated that naringenin presented an identical effect to XS, possibly by regulating the NR3C2 expression. Overall, this study explored the effect of Xihuang pill in treating advanced TNBC cells and showed that naringenin, which is the key active compound of Xihuang pill, could lessen the stemness of TNBC cells to produce a synergistic effect on PTX by regulating the NR3C2 gene.

In vivo and in vitro induction of the apoptotic effects of oxysophoridine on colorectal cancer cells via the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Oxysophoridine (OSR) is a major active alkaloid extracted from Sophoraalopecuroides L. The aim of the present study was to investigate the induction of the apoptotic effects of OSR on colorectal cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. The results of the MTT and colony formation assays demonstrated that the proliferation of HCT116 cells was inhibited by OSR in vitro. The characteristics of cellular apoptosis in OSR-treated HCT116 cells were analyzed by Hoechst 33258 staining. It was also observed that the expression of caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) associated X protein (Bax) and cytochrome c increased significantly upon OSR treatment. However, the expression of Bcl-2 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) was downregulated in OSR-treated cells compared with untreated cells. The in vivo experiments identified that OSR significantly inhibited the growth of the transplanted mouse CT26 tumor tissue, upregulated the expression of caspase-3, Bax and cytochrome c and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and PARP-1, as detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. It may be concluded that OSR significantly induced apoptotic effects on colorectal cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, and that its mechanism may be associated with the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Comparison of active dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and yeast culture for growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and blood indexes in finishing bulls.

This study was conducted to compare the effect of active dry yeasts (ADY) and yeast cultures (YC), two typical products of yeast preparations, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and blood indexes in finishing bulls fed a high-concentrate diet. Forty-five finishing bulls (mean body weight (BW) ± standard deviation: 505 ± 29 kg BW) were allocated to three groups of 15 bulls and assigned randomly to one of three diets which were CON diet (basal diet), ADY diet (basal diet + Levucell SC) and YC diet (basal diet + Diamond V XP), respectively. After 98 days of trial, all bulls were slaughtered. The result showed that ADY rather than YC improved growth performance and carcass traits of bulls compared to CON. Moreover, both ADY and YC improved beef tenderness and changed blood indexes related to fat metabolism. In conclusion, ADY had more pronounced effect on growth performance of bulls fed high-concentrate diet, and both ADY and YC improved the beef quality by intensive fat metabolism.

Sero-survey of polio antibodies during wild poliovirus outbreak in southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

BACKGROUND: After being polio free for more than 10 years, an outbreak following importation of wild poliovirus (WPV) was confirmed in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, in 2011. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted prior to supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), immediately after the confirmation of the WPV outbreak. In selected prefectures, participants aged ≤ 60 years old who visited hospitals at county-level or above to have their blood drawn for reasons not related to the study, were invited to participate in our study. Antibody titers ≥ 8 were considered positive. RESULTS: Among the 2,611 participants enrolled, 2,253 (86.3%), 2,283 (87.4%), and 1,989 (76.2%) were seropositive to P1, P2 and P3 respectively, and 1744 (66.8%) participants were seropositive to all the three serotypes. Lower antibody seropositivities and geometric mean titers were observed in children <1 year of age and in adults aged 15-39 years. CONCLUSION: Serosurveys to estimate population immunity in districts at high risk of polio importation might be useful to gauge underlying population immunity gaps to polio and possibly to guide preparedness and response planning. Consideration should be given to older children and adults during polio risk assessment planning and outbreak response.

[Community structure of phycophyta and evaluation of water quality in Sichuan section of Jialing River].

In order to understand the characteristics of the phycophyta community structure and water quality in Sichuan section of Jialing River, water samples were collected from 12 sites along the section in dry season (January) and rainy season (September), with the phycophyta species composition, Shannon diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (E), and Margalef richness index (d) analyzed. A total of 171 phycophyta species (including variety) were collected, belonging to 8 phyla, 42 families, and 95 genera, among which, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanophyta were the dominant groups. In dry season, the mean cell density of the phycophyta was 14.71 x 10(4) ind x L(-1), being the highest at sites JX (28.33.4 x 10(4) ind x L(-1)) and HYZ (25.40 x 10(4) ind x L(-1)), and diatom species had a higher richness than the others. In rainy season, the mean cell density was only 10.78 x 10(4) ind x L(-1), being the lowest (3.31 x 10(4) ind x L(-1)) at site QJ, and the species richness of chlorophyta and cyanobateria had somewhat increase. In the whole section, the mean d, H', and E of the phycophyta were 2.35, 1.60, and 0.31 in dry season, and 2.57, 2.09, and 0.39 in rainy season, respectively. Our results indicated that there were significant differences in the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of the community structure, cell density, diversity index, and evenness index of phycophyta in Sichuan section of Jialing River. The water quality of this section was overall belonged to mesosaprobic, being better at sites JX and SX (belonged to oligosaprobic or beta-mesosaprobic), but worse at sites CX, HYZ, XZ, and QJ (belonged to alpha-mesosaprobic).

[Research on using near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for rapid prediction of compositions of steamed-flaking corn].

Near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIDRS) calibrations of chemical composition in 62 kinds of steamed-flaking corn were developed by partial least squares (PLS) regression. The calibration models were constructed by the mean centre + first deviation + multivariate scattering calibration in the square regions (950-1 650 nm). Results showed that the R2(VaL) are 0.951 1, 0.903 2, 0.714 3 and 0.908 2 for CP, NDF, ADF and EE respectively. The SECV are 1.53, 1.89, 2.45 and 0.50 for CP, NDF, ADF and EE respectively. Therefore, the models could be used to predict the content of CP, NDF and EE in steamed-flaking corn and provide a fast and economical method for quality control of steamed-flaking corn.

[Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and its application in the determination for the quality of animal feed and products].

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been the most rapidly developing and noticeable spectrographic analytical technique in recent years. The determining principle and progresses of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy are presented briefly. It mainly includes the progresses in pre-processing technique and analyzing model of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Two pre-processing techniques, including differential coefficient-dealt with technique, the signal-smoothing technique, and four analyzing models of near-infrared spectroscopy, including the multiplied lined regression (MLR), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares (PLS), and artificial nerve network (ANN). The application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to the first time. The investigation of reviewed papers shows that the near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy is widely applied in feed analysis and animal products analysis because of its rapidness, non-destruction and non-pollution. The near infrared reflectance spectroscopy has been used to determine the feed common ingredient, such as dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and so on, micro-components including amino acid, vitamin, and noxious components, and to determine the physical and chemical properties of animal products which including egg, mutton, beef and pork. Details of the analytical characteristics of feed and animal products described in the reviewed papers are given. New trends and limits to the application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy in these fields are also discussed.

[Rapid evaluation of beef quality by NIRS technology].

The aim of the present study was to develop a near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy rapid method for evaluation of beef quality. Partial least squares (PLS) prediction model for the physic-chemical characteristics such as moisture, fat, protein, pH, color and WBSF in beef was established with good veracity. One hundred fourteen samples from five different parts of beef carcass (tenderloin, ribeye, topside, shin, striploin) were collected from meat packer after 48 h aging. Spectra were obtained by scanning sample from 950 to 1 650 nm and pretreated the model by MSC, SNV and first derivative. Predictive correlation coefficients of physic-chemical parameters in beef were 0.947 2 (moisture), 0.924 5 (fat), 0.934 6 (protein), 0.620 2 (pH), 0.820 3 (L), 0.864 6 (a*), 0.753 0 (b*) and 0.475 9 (WBSF) respectively. Root mean square errors of calibration (RMSEC) were 0.313 3 (moisture), 0.221 0 (fat), 1.243 2 (protein), 0.744 6 (pH), 1.778 3 (L*), 1.394 2 (a*), 1.763 9 (b*) and 1.0743 (WBSF). They were externally validated with additional 30 beef samples. Statistics showed that there was no significant difference between predicted value and those obtained with conventional laboratory methods. The results showed that NIRS is a rapid, effective technique for evaluating beef quality. The predictions for chemical characteristics gave higher accuracy than prediction for physical characteristics.

[Study of the interaction of atrazine and ct-DNA by fluorescence probe technique].

The interaction atrazine and ct-DNA was studied using fluorescence probe and UV absorption spectroscopy technique. Ethidium bromide (EB) was used as a probe. The effects of atrazine, phosphate, concentration of ions, and potassium iodide on the fluorescence of ct-DNA-EB system were investigated. The results showed that the fluorescence quenching process of atrazine to ct-DNA-EB system was proved to be the simultaneous dynamic and static quenching model. The phenomena of fluorescence quenching of ct-DNA-atrazine system by KI and hyperchromicity and the red shift of DNA UV-absorption caused by atrazine indicated the existence of intercalation between atrazine and ct-DNA. The experiments of phosphate and ionic strength showed that atrazine could combine with the phosphate group of ct-DNA by non-characteristic static force, and this action could be inhibited by high ionic strength.

[Study on determination of acetamiprid and interaction between acetamiprid and deoxyribonucleic acid by resonance light scattering].

The interaction between acetamiprid and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was used to determine acetamiprid by resonance light scattering (RLS). The RLS signals of DNA were greatly enhanced by acetamiprid in the spectrum region of 300-600 nm. The spectrum peak is around 316.0 nm. The optimum conditions: pH is 1.73; the concentration of DNA is 2.0 microg x mL(-1)bration curve is 0-2. 25 pg * mLU , with the detection2limit of 0. 2 ig * mL '. The acetamiprid in river water sample was determined. The results were satisfactory, and the recovery rates were in the range of 98%-106%. The interaction mechanism of acetamiprid and DNA was discussed: the interactions between acetamiprid and nucleic acid base include electrostatic effect and Tr-r cumulate effect.

[Profile distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in soils under livestock feces composts].

This paper studied the profile distribution of heavy metals in soils under different kind livestock feces composts. The results showed that in the process of livestock feces composting, the pH value and organic matter content of soil under feces compost increased significantly, and had a decreased distribution with soil depth. The contents of soil Zn and Cd also had an obvious increase, and decreased with increasing soil depth. Under the composts of chicken and pig feces, soil Cu content decreased with soil depth, while under cattle feces compost, it had little change. Soil Cd and Zn had a stronger mobility than soil Cu, and the Zn, Cd and Cu contents in some soil layers exceeded the first level of the environmental quality standard for soils in China. The geo-accumulation indices showed that only the 0-10 cm soil layer under chicken feces compost and the 0-40 cm soil layer under egg chicken feces compost were lightly polluted by Zn, while the soil profiles under other kinds of livestock feces compost were not polluted by Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd.

[Growth responses of Rorippa globosa and its accumulation characteristics of Cd and as under the Cd-As combined pollution].

Rorippa globosa has been identified as a new Cd-hyperaccumulating plant species. In the present study, growth responses of Rorippa globosa and its accumulation characteristics of Cd and As were examined under the condition of Cd-As combined pollution. The results showed that Cd and As had an antagonistic effect on enhancing the growth of the plants and Cd uptake and accumulation under the low concentration Cd and As treatments. When Cd and As concentrations were 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, the highest height of the plants and the dry weight of shoots were up to 35.9 cm and 2.2 g/pot, respectively; and the accumulation of Cd in the leaves under the combined pollution was higher than that at the same level under single Cd pollution. However, there were synergic adverse effects on plant growth and Cd uptake under the high concentration Cd and As combined pollution. Meanwhile the accumulation of As in the roots was higher than that in the shoots, the translocation factor < or = 0.3 and the bioaccumulation factor < or = 0.6, which showed that Rorippa globosa had an excluding effect on As uptake. These results confirmed that Rorippa globosa had the strong tolerance ability to the Cd-As combined pollution, and the potential applied to phytoremediation of contaminated soil by Cd and As.

[Interaction of ctDNA and EGCG-Cu(II) complex].

The fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra and resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of EGCG-Cu((II) complex with nucleic acid were studied. Compared with the spectrum of EGCG-Cu(II), the spectrum of EGCG-Cu(II)-DNA system showed the following features: (1) in the fluorescence spectra, the peak did not shift, but the fluorescence intensity was enhanced and was proportional to the concentration of DNA. Under suitable conditions, EGCG-Cu(II) promised to be a probe for detecting DNA; (2) Absorption spectra of EGCG-Cu(II)-DNA system showed hyperchromicity; and (3) RLS of EGCG-Cu(II)-DNA system was enhanced also. A mechanism was suggested that the combination of nucleic acid and EGCG-Cu(II) complex was caused by intercalation and electrostatic force. An intercalation interaction between EGCG-Cu(II) and DNA enhanced the fluorescence intensity. Hyperchromicity of absorption spectra and RLS occurred because of electrostatic force. The effects of acid and ionic strength on fluorescence intensity were also discussed.

Effects of exogenous chelators on phytoavailability and toxicity of Pb in Zinnia elegans Jacq.

Chelate-enhanced phytoremediation is considered as an effective method for the extraction of lead (Pb) by plants. However, more detailed studies are needed to evaluate the effect of exogenous chelators on phytoavailability and toxicity of Pb in plants, then to find out the proper applied concentration of chelators to minimize the combined toxicity to the plants and maximize phytoavailable Pb. To clarify these questions, the seed germination test of Zinnia elegans Jacq. exposed to solutions containing Pb and four types of chelators including sodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (Na2EDTA), oxalic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid was observed. The results showed that the roots and shoots treated with equimolar chelators and Pb were longer than those treated with half and two folds of the molar concentrations of Pb. The growth of seedlings was inhibited by surplus addition of chelators, and the toxicity of complexes was less than that of Pb and chelators. In particular, 2.4 mM EDTA and 1.2 mM oxalic acid significantly (P<0.05) increased Pb uptake when the seeds were treated with 2.4 mM Pb. In the 4.8 mM Pb solution, Pb accumulation in the seedlings was markedly (P<0.05) increased by 4.8 mM EDTA, 2.4 mM tartaric acid, 4.8 mM tartaric acid and 2.4 mM citric acid, and amounted to 6752.4, 6453.8, 6541.4 and 6598.3 microg g(-1), respectively. With the superfluous addition of chelators, Pb accumulation in the seedlings decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. When Pb was used at 2.4 mM, an equimolar concentration of EDTA not only increased Pb uptake but also stimulated the seedling growth. Thus, chelating agents in their appropriately concentrations could counteract Pb toxicity, but superfluous chelators resulted in less Pb uptake and growth inhibition of the seedlings.

[Reaction of atrazine with protein and its application to detection of protein].

The resonance light scattering (RLS) technique and UV-Vis absorption spectra were applied to the investigation of the interaction between atrazine and bovine serum albumin(BSA). Under acidic conditions, the formation of atrazine-BSA supermolecule by Van der Waals force and N/O--H...pi hydrogen bonds leads to a red shift of absorption band and strong RLS enhancement of atrazine. The characteristics and intensity of RLS were related to the pH, the concentration of atrazine, and temperature. Under the optimum conditions, the enhanced RLS intensities are in proportion to the concentration of BSA in the range of 0.05-100 microg x mL(-1). Based on the enhancement of the RLS, a simple and sensitive method for the determination of BSA was established. The detection limit (3sigma) is 12 ng x mL(-1). Synthesis samples were determined with satisfactory results.

[Study on the spectra of Cal-Red-Cu(II) complex with bovine serum albumin and its analytical application].

The Resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra, fluorescence spectra, and absorption spectra of Cal-Red-Cu(II) metal complex with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied. As the Cal-Red-Cu(II)-BSA complex formed, the RLS spectra and fluorescence spectra enhanced, but the absorption spectra weakened and the absorption peak at 594 nm disappeared. At pH 5.65-5.75, the enhanced RLS of Cal-Red-Cu(II) metal complex with BSA system was characterized by the maximum scattering at 317 nm, and the RLS intensity is proportional to the concentration of BSA. Under optimal conditions, the linear range of calibration was 0.75-10 microg x mL(-1), the linear regression equation was I=150. 88+201.48c(BSA, microg x mL(-1))with r=0.9973, and the limit of detection was 5.62 x 10(-2) microg x mL(-1). The method was applied to the determination of BSA in synthetic samples satisfactorily. A mechanism of electrostatic force was suggested for the interaction between BSA and Cal-Red-Cu(II).

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on the functional diversity of soil microorganisms in three weed rhizospheres.

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on weed rhizospheres are still vague. The quantitative and diversity changes and metabolic responses of soil-bacterial communities in common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), jerusalem artichoke (Silphium perfoliatum L.) and evening primrose (Acalypha australis L.) rhizospheric soils were thus examined using the method of carbon source utilization. The results indicated that there were various toxic effects of crude oil residues on the growth and reproduction of soil bacteria, but the weed rhizospheres could mitigate the toxic effects. Total heterotrophic counting colony-forming units (CFUs) in the rhizospheric soils were significantly higher than those in the non-rhizospheric soils. The culturable soil-bacterial CFUs in the jerusalem artichoke (S. perfoliatum) rhizosphere polluted with 0.50 kg/pot of crude oil residues were almost twice as much as those with 0.25 kg/pot and without the addition of crude oil residues. The addition of crude oil residues increased the difference in substrate evenness, substrate richness, and substrate diversity between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of T. officinale and A. australis, but there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the Shannon's diversity index between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of S. perfoliatum. The rhizospheric response of weed species to crude oil residues suggested that S. perfoliatum may be a potential weed species for the effective plant-microorganism bioremediation of contaminated soils by crude oil residues.

[Effects of Runing Recipe II on expressions of p53 and ras oncogene proteins and cell cycle of the transplanted Ca761 breast cancer in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of Runing Recipe II (a recipe composed of traditional Chinese herbs) in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer by observing its effects on the expressions of p53 and ras oncogene proteins and cell cycle of the transplanted Ca761 breast cancer in mice. METHODS: We established the breast cancer model by transplanting Ca761 cells in mice. The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal saline control group, CTX-treated group, Runing Recipe II-treated group, and Runing Recipe II and CTX-treated group, with 12 mice in each group. We detected the cell cycle of the cancer cells in the mice's transplanted tumor with flow cytometry and measured the expressions of p53 and ras oncogene proteins in the transplanted tumor with immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The percentages of tumor cells in S-phase of the Runing Recipe II treated group, CTX-treated group and Runing Recipe II and CTX-treated group were significantly lower than that of the normal saline control group respectively (P<0.05). The percentage of tumor cells in G(0)-G(1) phase of the Runing Recipe II treated group was lower than that of the CTX-treated group (P<0.05), while the percentage of tumor cells in G(2)-M phase was higher than that of the CTX-treated group. The immunoreactive scores (IRSs) of p53 in the Runing Recipe II treated group and Runing Recipe II and CTX-treated group were significantly lower than that in the normal saline control group respectively (P<0.05). The effect of CTX on the expression of p53 was not significant. The IRSs of ras oncogene protein in the Recipe II-treated group, CTX-treated group and Runing Recipe II and CTX-treated group were lower than that in the normal saline control group respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Runing Recipe II can inhibit the growth of Ca761 breast cancer in mice by controlling the cell cycle of the transplanted tumor. This may be related to its effect on the gene expressions of p53 and ras in the tumor tissue.

Potential of weed species applied to remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.

To screen out a series of ideal plants that can effectively remedy contaminated soils by heavy metals is the main groundwork of phytoremediation engineering and the first step of its commercial application on a large scale. In this study, accumulation and endurance of 45 weed species in 16 families from an agricultural site were in situ examined by using the pot-culture field experiment, and the remediation potential of some weed species with high accumulation of heavy metals was assayed. The results showed that Solanum nigrum and Conyza canadensis can not only accumulate high concentration of Cd, but also strongly endure to single Cd and Cd-Pb-Cu-Zn combined pollution. Thus 2 weed species can be regarded as good hyperaccumulators for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Although there were high Cd-accumulation in Artemigia selengensis, Znula britannica and Cephalanoplos setosum, their biomass was adversely affected due to action of heavy metals in the soils. If the problem of low endurance to heavy metals can be solved by a reinforcer, 3 weed species can be perhaps applied commercially.

[Determination of deoxyribonuceic acids by resonance light scattering technique with benzidine in the presence of the sensitizing sodium dodecyl sulfate].

The resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of benzidine with deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) in the presence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate had been studied. RLS intensity of SDS-benzidine system was enhanced by trace ctDNA and was proportional to the concentrationof ctDNA. Under optima conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration were 0.3-4 mg x L(-1), the linear regression equation was I = 37.17c (ctDNA, mg x L(-1)) + 208.9, r = 0.9992. The limit of detection were 0.17 mg x L(-1) (3delta), RSD% = 3.5%. The method had been applied to the determination of DNA in synthetic samples and gene tobacco sample, and the results were satisfactory.