Triazine-cored covalent organic framework for ultrasensitive detection of polybrominated diphenyl ethers from real samples: Experimental and DFT study.

Food and environmental safety issues attributable to the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are gaining increasing attention, and these urge us to establish a high-performance sample-handling technique. In this study, an outstanding adsorption performance with short adsorption time (10 min) was achieved for PBDEs using a novel synthesized dispersive solid-phase extraction adsorbent, a reticulated covalent organic framework with N/O functional groups (i.e., imine linkage, triazine, and methoxy) (TAPT-DMTA-COF). By conducting sufficient experimentation and theoretical simulation on adsorption mechanism, the halogen bond between electronegative N/O atoms of TAPT-DMTA-COF and the electropositive Br atoms of PBDEs were observed to play a more pivotal role than π-π, C-H…π interactions, and hydrophobic effects. Furthermore, the positive linear relation between calculated adsorption energy and Br content directly clarified that enrichment behavior of PBDEs can be attributed to halogen bonding. These data implied that integrated nanostructure (i.e., N/O functional groups and reticulated architecture) effectively enhanced adsorption capacity. In case of PBDE analysis, this approach achieved excellent results with low limits of detection (0.03-0.13 ng L-1). Finally, the promising potential applications of aforementioned method were verified by spiking water, fish, and milk samples with PBDEs; good PBDEs recoveries were obtained.

[HPLC using capillary monolithic column molecularly imprinted with composite metal organic frame for enrichment and detection of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with capillary monolithic column molecularly imprinted with metal organic frame (UiO-66-NH2@MIPs capillary monolithic column) for enrichment, purification and detection of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos. METHODS: UiO-66-NH2@MIPs monolithic columns were prepared via in situ polymerization, and the adsorption properties and morphology of the columns were characterized by HPLC, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared (IR) spectral analysis. HPLC with the prepared columns was performed for detecting the content of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos samples. RESULTS: The UiO-66-NH2@MIPs system showed a good linearity for detecting Ponceau 4R over the concentration range of 0.1-10.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient > 0.9999 and a detection limit (S/N=3) of 2.7×10-4 µg/mL. The mean recovery of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos samples ranged from 82.60% to 105.56%, and the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranged from 2.4% to 3.4%. The recycling experiment showed that the system could be reused for sensitive detection of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos. The capacity of UiO-66-NH2@MIPs column was 0.178 µg/mg, which was superior to that of other monolithic columns (0.089, 0.080, and 0.111 µg/ mg), demonstrating that the addition of UiO-66-NH2 increased the adsorption capacity of the system. Under the optimized conditions, the UiO-66-NH2@MIPs-HPLC system had an enrichment factor of over 73 folds with obviously reduced interference by the impurity peaks. CONCLUSIONS: The UiO-66-NH2@MIPs column-HPLC system has much better performance for enrichment, purification and detection of Ponceau 4R in Carthami flos than direct HPLC.

[Anti-tumor and immune-modulating effect of Jiawei Sijunzi decoction in mice bearing hepatoma H22 tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antitumor activity of Jiawei Sijunzi decoction and study its liver and kidney toxicity and its effect on the immune system in a tumor-bearing mouse model. METHODS: Hepatoma H22 tumor-bearing mouse models were randomized into model group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group, and low-, moderate-, and high-dose Jiawei Sijunzi decoction groups (JW-L, JW-M, and JW-H groups, respectively). The antitumor activity of Jiawei Sijunzi decoction was assessed by calculating the tumor inhibition rate and pathological observation of the tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the tumors. The liver and kidney toxicity of Jiawei Sijunzi decoction was analyzed by evaluating the biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions. The immune function of the tumor-bearing mice were assessed by calculating the immune organ index, testing peripheral blood routines, and detection of serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with that in the model group, the tumor mass in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups were all significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with cell rupture and necrosis in the tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed obviously up-regulated expressions of Bax and caspase-3 and down- regulated expression of Bcl-2 protein with an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups. Treatment with Jiawei Sijunzi decoction significantly reduced Cr, BUN, AST and ALT levels, improved the immune organ index, increased peripheral blood leukocytes, erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels, and up-regulated the levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in the tumor-bearing mice. These changes were especially significant in JW-H group when compared with the parameters in the model group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Jiawei Sijunzi decoction has a strong anti-tumor activity and can improve the liver and kidney functions of tumor-bearing mice. Its anti-tumor effect may be attributed to the up-regulation of Bax, caspase-3, TNF-α and IL-2 levels and the down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression as well as the enhancement of the non-specific immune function.

Dangguishaoyao-San attenuates LPS-induced neuroinflammation via the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Dangguishaoyao-San (DSS) is composed of six traditional Chinese medicines, including Angelica sinensis, Paeoniae radix, Rhizoma Ligusticum, Poria cocos, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Rhizoma Alismatis. DSS has been reported to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of DSS in vitro using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BV-2 cells were pretreated with 0.58-1.16 mg/mL of DSS for 2 h and then treated with 1 µg/mL LPS for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The protein expression levels were measured by Western blots. Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: DSS treatment at concentrations of 0.58-1.16 mg/mL resulted in no significant cytotoxicity. DSS attenuated the release of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), iNOS and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS attenuated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TLR2, and TLR4 and decreased TLR4 and TLR protein levels as well as the phosphorylation of IκB in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS also down-regulated the nuclear translocation of p65. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that DSS has a protective effect on neuroinflammation in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia cells through the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Effect of Herba Scutellariae Barbatae flavonoids in delaying aging of Caenorhabditis elegans and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Herba Scutellariae Barbatae flavonoids (HF) in delaying aging of Caenorhabditis elegans and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. METHODS: The effects of 30 or 50 mg/L of HF on nematode life span, reproductive capacity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme activity of C. elegans were assessed, and the effects of HF on the expressions of the genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and the aging-related genes were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR in both C. elegans and cultured HUVECs. Results Compared with the blank control group, C. elegans with HF treatment showed significantly improved mean and maximum lifespan with a prolonged mean lifespan under acute heat stress at 35 degrees celsius;. HF treatment did not impair the reproductive capacity or cause significant changes in the offspring number of C. elegans. In addition, HF enhanced SOD and CAT activity and up-regulated the expression of daf-16 and sir-2.1 (SIRT1) genes in C. elegans and HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: HF may delay aging of C. elegans and enhance their resistance to acute heat stress without damaging their reproductive capacity possibly by up-regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and expressions of antioxidant genes. HF also may protect endothelial cells against oxidative damage.

[Comparison of Chemical Components of Essential Oil from Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum Extracted by Supercritical CO2 Fluid and Steam Distillation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical components of essential oil prepared by steam distillation extraction (SD) and supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE-CO2) from Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum whole plant. METHODS: The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum were extracted by SD and SFE-CO2. The chemical components of essential oil were separated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry( GC-MS). Their relative contents were determined by normalization of peak area. RESULTS: 40 and 42 compounds were detected in the essential oil prepared by SD and SFE-CO2 respectively. 25 compounds were common. CONCLUSION: Thereare significant differences of the chemical components between the Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum essential oil prepared by SD and thatby SFE-CO2. Different methods showed different extraction efficiency with a special compound. It might be a good idea to unite several methods in the modern traditional Chinese medicine industry.

The effects of baclofen for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives. Baclofen can relieve gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms in healthy subjects and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients by reducing the incidence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baclofen for the treatment of GERD. Methods. We systematically searched randomized controlled trials published prior to November 2013 from PubMed, Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials. We performed a meta-analysis of all eligible trials. Results. Nine studies were identified with a total of 283 GERD patients and healthy subjects. Comparative analysis provided high quality data supporting the ability of baclofen to promote a short-term decrease in the number of reflux episodes per patient, the average length of reflux episodes, and the incidence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. No serious adverse events or death events were reported, and there were no significant differences in the overall adverse events between baclofen and placebo. All reported side effects of baclofen were of mild-to-moderate intensity, and the drug was well tolerated. Conclusion. Abundant evidence suggests that baclofen may be a useful approach for the treatment of GERD patients; however, a larger well-designed research study would further confirm this recommendation.

Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Coreopsis tinctoria Nuff. and optimisation of isolation by response surface methodology.

The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant activity of Coreopsis tinctoria flowering tops (CTFT). Studies were conducted to obtain suitable extraction conditions for chlorogenic acid, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol, which were identified and quantified by HPLC. Response surface methodology was employed to optimise the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions including extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-solid ratio. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was analysed using various antioxidant models, such as DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. CTFT extracted for 15.0 min with ethanol at a concentration of 60.4% and with liquidsolid ratio 27.5:1 possessed a considerable amounts of total flavonoids and polyphenols (18.9%). This extract showed higher scavenging activity of ABTS and hydroxyl radical activity than rutin, however not in the DPPH test. We may assume that CTFT possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging potentials.

[Comparison of the chemical components of essential oil extracted by supercritical CO2 fluid and steam distillation from Pteris multifida].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical components of essential oil extracted by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE-CO2) and steam distillation extraction (SD) from Pteris multifida. METHODS: The essential oil of Pteris multifida was extracted by SFE-CO2 and SD. The chemical components of essential oil were separated and analyzed by GC-MS. Their relative contents were determined by normalization of peak area. RESULTS: Twenty -seven compounds in the essential oil extracted by SFE-CO2 and 45 compounds in the essential oil extracted by SD were identified respectively. There were 11 common components. CONCLUSION: The chemical components of essential oil extracted by SFE-CO2 are different from that extracted by SD.

[Content analysis of total polyphenol in the leaves of Jatrophy curcas. L].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for analyzing the content of total polyphenols in leaves of Jatropha curcas. L. METHODS: Gallic acid was used as reference substance, the content of total polyphenols was analyzed Folin-Ciocalteu chromatometry. RESULTS: There was a good linearity for gallic acid in the range of 0.002-0.010 g.L(-1). The content of total polyphenols in the leaves of Jatropha curcas. L was approximately 6.74% with RSD 0.75%. The sample solution was stable during 10-90 min with RSD 0.28%. The precision RSD was 0.23% and the average recovery 99.85% (n=5). CONCLUSION: This method is simple, fast and reproducible.

[Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of Jatropha curcas leaf extracts prepared by supercritical fluid CO2 extraction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bioactive components in Jatropha curcas leaves using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). METHODS: The bioactive components were extracted from J. curcas leaves by supercritical fluid CO2 extraction and analyzed by using GC-MS. RESULTS: Seventy peaks were detected by GC-MS, and 43 compounds were identified (61.43%). Among the identified compounds, 16 had a content of more than 1%, and the total contents of these 16 compounds reached 81.36%. The four most abundant components were 22,23-dihydro-stigmasterol (16.14%), alpha-tocopherol (15.18%), beta-amylin (7.73%) and dotriacontanol (7.02%). The content of gamma-tocopherol reached 2.88% and vitamin E reached 18.06% in the extract. CONCLUSION: J. curcas leaves contain multiple compounds with anti-tumor, anti-virus and antimicrobial activities.

[Sensitivity of Jatropha curcas seeds to (60)Co-gamma radiation and their medial lethal doses in radiation breeding].

OBJECTIVE: To study the sensitivity of Jatropha curcas seeds from three different locations to (60)Co-gamma radiation and to determine the medial lethal doses (LD50) of (60)Co-gamma radiation for these seeds. METHODS: Six different radiation doses (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Gy) were used. Based on the germination rate 50%, LD50 doses of (60)Co-gamma radiation for the seeds were calculated using linear regression equation. RESULTS: LD50 doses of (60)Co-gamma radiation for these seeds were 178 Gy (seeds from Guangdong), 132 Gy (seeds from Hainan) and 198 Gy (seeds from India) respectively. Increasing radiation doses caused more significant changes in leaf shape of the M1 seedlings. CONCLUSION: The results provides an important experimental basis for the radiation breeding of the important herbal and energy plant J. curcas.

[Oil contents and fatty acid composition in Jatropha curcas seeds collected from different regions].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the oil contents and fatty acid composition among the samples of Jatropha curcas L. seeds collected from China (Guangdong, Hainan, and Guizhou Provinces) and India. METHODS: Soxhlet extraction method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to determine the oil contents of Jatropha seeds and the fatty acid composition of Jatropha oil. RESULTS: The seed oil contents (dry basis) were 32.43% (Guangdong), 31.41% (Hainan), 37.56% (Guizhou) and 41.04% (India), respectively. Twelve different fatty acids were detected by GC-MS, and the content of total unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 80.93%, 79.53%, 77.24% and 78.22% of the total fatty acids in the samples collected from Guangdong, Hainan, Guizhou and India, respectively. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the oil contents and fatty acid composition among the J. curcas seeds collected from different regions, and attention should be given to these differences in the introduction and breeding of J. curcas.

[Tumor-specific T cell recptor gene transfection promotes memory T cell differentiation in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of tumor-specific T cell receptor gene transfection on memory T cell differentiation in vitro. METHODS: TCRVbeta7.1 gene was transferred into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from healthy adults, and the expression of Vbeta7.1 was detected by flow cytometry before and after the transfection. Memory T cell differentiation was induced by stimulation with the hepatocarcinoma cell line BEL-7402 in vitro. The expression of surface molecules CD45RO, CD45RA and CCR7 was analyzed by flow cytometry to identify the phenotype and subsets of the memory T cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was performed to detect the apoptosis of the tumor cells, and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay was used to determine the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for assessing the immune function of the memory T cells. RESULTS: Flow cytometry showed that TCRVbeta7.1 gene was efficiently expressed after transfection. After stimulation by the tumor cells in vitro, the expression of CD45RO in TCRVbeta7.1 gene-modified T cells increased gradually, and analysis of the coexpression of CD45RA and CCR7 revealed that the effector memory T cells constituted the majority of the differentiated memory T cells. The apoptotic rate of the tumor cells induced by the T cells increased significantly with also obviously increased INF-gamma secretion in the memory T cells. CONCLUSION: Tumor-specific TCRVbeta7.1 gene transfection can promote the differentiation of the memory T cells, the majority of which belongs to effector memory T cells that perform immune functions by inducing apoptosis and cytokine secretion.

[Efficient and rapid non-test tube cloning of Jatropha curcas].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new technique for efficient and rapid non-test tube cloning of the medicinal and energy- producing plant Jatropha curcas. METHODS: Using the mini-stem fragment (2-3 cm) of Jatropha curcas with merely one axillary bud as the explant, the effect of an auxin IBA concentration on the plantlet regeneration was studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When treated with 1 mg/LIBA for 1h, the explants showed the most rapid propagation. The mini-stem fragments high root regeneration ratio (96.7%), short root regeneration period (18.2-/+2.0 d), large number of new roots per explant (6.3-/+1.8), and long total root length (6.8-/+3.5 cm), demonstrating that this technique can be a simple and efficient method for rapid non-test tube cloning of Jatropha curcas of potential industrial value.