Biomimetic Compound Eyes with Gradient Ommatidium Arrays.

Compound eyes are high-performing natural optical perception systems with compact configurations, generating extensive research interest. Existing compound eye systems are often combinations of simple uniform microlens arrays; there are still challenges in making more ommatidia on the compound eye surface to focus to the same plane. Here, a biomimetic gradient compound eye is presented by artificially mimicking dragonflies. The multiple replication process efficiently endows compound eyes with the gradient characteristics of dragonfly compound eyes. Experimental results show that the manufactured compound eye allows multifocus imaging by virtue of the gradient ommatidium array arranged closely in a honeycomb pattern while ensuring excellent optical properties and compact configurations. Thousands of ommatidia showing a gradient trend at the millimeter scale while remaining relatively uniform at the micron scale have gradient focal lengths ranging from 260 to 450 µm. This gradient compound eye allows more ommatidia to focus on the same plane than traditional uniform compound eyes, which have experimentally been shown to capture more than 1100 in-plane clear images simultaneously, promising potential applications in micro-optical devices, optical imaging, and biochemical sensing.

Flavonoids from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. Revert Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through Inhibition of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts In Vitro.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most frequently prescribed anti-cancer drugs. However, treatment with Dox is limited due to cumulative cardiotoxicity. 3-O-ß-d-Sophorosylkaempferol-7-O-{3-O-[2(E)-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoyl]}-α-L-rhamnoside (F-A), kaempferol 3-sophoroside 7-rhamnoside (F-B), and hippophanone (F-C) were successfully obtained by purification and separation of seabuckthorn seed residue in our previous research. This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of three flavonoids against Dox-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. 2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used to determine the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ATP content was measured using an assay kit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure. The expression levels of proteins (p-JNK, JNK, p-Akt, Akt, p-P38, P38, p-ERK, ERK, p-Src, Src, Sab, IRE1α, Mfn1, Mfn2, and cleaved caspase-3) were evaluated by Western blot. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina. The three flavonoids could significantly relieve Dox-induced cardiac injury and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The mechanisms were mainly related to the stability of mitochondrial structure and function maintained by suppressing the production of intracellular ROS, p-JNK and cleaved caspase-3, and increasing ATP contents and protein expression of mitochondrial mitofusin (Mfn1, Mfn2), Sab and p-Src. Pretreatment with flavonoids from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. can reduce Dox-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis based on the 'JNK-Sab-Ros' signal pathway.

Protective Effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Phenylpropanoids on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Zebrafish.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. is a deciduous shrub that contains many unique bioactive substances. This sea buckthorn possesses anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective properties. Herein, the effects of phenylpropyl compounds extracted from H. rhamnoides L. on doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity were evaluated in zebrafish. Cardiac injury in zebrafish was induced using 35 µM Dox for 96 h, and 30 µM phenylpropanoid compounds were used as the protective treatment. The cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the four phenylpropanoids were investigated using microscopy, behavioral analysis, acridine orange staining, western blotting, flow cytometry, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The extracted phenylpropanoids could significantly relieve Dox-induced cardiac injury in zebrafish and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The mechanisms of action were mainly related to the stability of mitochondrial biogenesis and function maintained by phenylpropanoids in zebrafish. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the protective effect of sea buckthorn against myocardial injury in zebrafish. Our findings provide support for the further research and development of sea buckthorn and its components.

Interaction Mechanism between OVA and Flavonoids with Different Hydroxyl Groups on B-Ring and Effect on Antioxidant Activity.

Ovalbumin (OVA) is a common carrier with high efficiency to deliver flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction mechanism of OVA and four flavonoids (quercetin (Que), myricetin (Myri), isorhamnetin (Ish), and kaempferol (Kaem)) with similar structures by fluorescence spectra, SDS-PAGE, FT-IR, and molecular docking analysis, and the effect on the antioxidant abilities of flavonoids was also evaluated. Results indicated that the antioxidant activity of flavonoids was positively correlated to the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups of on the B-ring, and weakened when the C-3' position was replaced by a methoxy group. The addition of OVA enhanced the antioxidant activity of Que/Kaem, while it masked the antioxidant activity of Myri. The formation of Que/Myri/Ish/Kaem-OVA complexes was a spontaneous exothermic process driven mainly by hydrogen bond and van der Waals force, which could result in the change in OVA conformation and induce the transformation of α-helix to ß-sheet. Among these, Kaem exhibited the strongest binding ability with OVA, and showed the greatest impact on the secondary and conformational structure of OVA, followed by Que. The hydroxylation of C-3' and methoxylation of C-5' weaken the interaction of Kaem with OVA. Molecular docking analysis suggested that Que, Myri, Ish, and Kaem formed six, three, five, and four hydrogen bonds with OVA, and the number of hydrogen bonds was not positively correlated with their binding constants. Our findings can provide a theoretical basis for the application of OVA on improving the antioxidant activity of flavonoids, and may help to explain the delivery efficiency of OVA on different bioactive constituents.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Three Triterpene from Hippophae rhamnoides L. in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells.

Oleanolic acid (OA), asiatic acid (AA), and maslinic acid (MA) are ubiquitous isomeric triterpene phytochemicals with many pharmacological effects. To improve their application value, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce RAW264.7 cells and studied the differences in the anti-inflammatory effects of the triterpenes according to their structural differences. MTT, Griess, and immunofluorescence assays, ELISA, flow cytometry, and Western blotting, were performed. The release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin (IL-6), was significantly inhibited by OA, AA, and MA at the same concentration, and AA and MA promoted the production of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. OA, AA, and MA inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation in RAW264.7 cells. OA and AA inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, P38, and JNK1/2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, OA increased LPS-induced Nrf2 expression and decreased Keap1 expression in RAW264.7 cells. OA, AA, and MA inhibited LPS-stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and alleviated mitochondrial membrane potential depletion. Overall, our data suggested that OA, AA, and MA exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. In particular, OA and AA take effects through the MAPKs, NF-κB, and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Urolithin A alleviates advanced glycation end-product formation by altering protein structures, trapping methylglyoxal and forming complexes.

Urolithin A (UroA) is a first-in-class natural compound derived from the gut microbiota-derived metabolites of ellagitannins. This research for the first time evaluates the mechanisms of UroA inhibiting advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation by fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular docking, liquid chromatography (LC) and LC-Oribitrap tandem mass spectrometry. The results indicated that UroA exhibited a good suppression effect on the formation of AGEs in human serum albumin (HSA)-fructose and HSA-methylglyoxal (MGO) systems. Further mechanism analysis revealed that UroA alleviated AGE formation by changing the conformational structure of HSA, trapping reactive MGO to form mono-MGO-UroA complexes, promoting the exposure of chromophores to a more hydrophobic micro-environment, and forming stable UroA-HSA complexes. UroA bound with HSA in an equimolar manner, the binding was an exothermic spontaneous process, subdomain IIIA was the preferred binding pocket, and hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions and van der Waals forces were the major interaction forces. The number of glycation sites detected in glycated HSA was reduced by 1 and 2, respectively, when 181.82 and 363.64 µM UroA was added. These could provide an insight into the mechanism of UroA inhibiting HSA glycation, and highlight its value as a promising glycation inhibitor in the prevention of diabetic complications.

Protective Effect of Two Alkaloids from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most frequently prescribed anti-cancer drugs. However, clinical application with Dox is limited due to its potentially fatal cumulative cardiotoxicity. N-p-coumaroyl-4-aminobutan-1-ol (alk-A), an organic amide alkaloid and hippophamide (alk-B), a rare pyridoindole alkaloid were successfully obtained by purification and separation of seabuckthorn seed residue in our previous research. This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of alk-A and alk-B against Dox-induced embryonic rat cardiac cells (H9c2 cells) apoptosis. METHODS: H9c2 cells were treated with Dox (2.5 µM) in the presence of alk-A and alk-B (10, 20, and 40 µM) and incubated for 24 h. RESULTS: It was shown that pretreatment of the H9c2 cells with alk-A and alk-B significantly reduced Dox-induced apoptosis. Alk-A and alk-B both inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressed cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression and the activation of JNK (Jun N-terminal kinases), as well as increasing ATP levels, favoring mitochondrial mitofusin protein expression, and relieving damage to mitochondrial DNA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that alk-A and alk-B can inhibit Dox-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiac muscle cells via inhibition of cell apoptosis and improvement of mitochondrial function, while alk-B showed more protection. Alk-B could be a potential candidate agent for protecting against cardiotoxicity in Dox-exposed patients.

Influence of Hydroxyl Substitution on the Suppression of Flavonol in Harmful Glycation Product Formation and the Inhibition Mechanism Revealed by Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry.

Quercetin (Que), kaempferol (Kaem), isorhamnetin (Irh), and myricetin (Myri) are typical flavonols that are abundant in plant resources. This research investigated their ability in attenuating harmful glycation product formation and the effect of hydroxyl substitution. The inhibition mechanisms were elucidated by fluorescence spectroscopy and nano-liquid chromatography Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the 3'-OH on the B-ring is critical in alleviating harmful glycation product formation, methylation reduced its inhibition, and the 5'-OH showed much less contribution than the 3'-OH. Que showed the strongest suppression on initial product, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and advanced glycation end product formation, with the corresponding percentage inhibitions at 36.58 µM of 81.1, 56.9, and 95.4%. Que and Myri also clearly inhibited fructosamine and acrylaminde production, while no suppression was observed by Irh and Kaem. The number of glycated sites was reduced from ten to seven, five, six, and nine, respectively, when 36.58 µM Que, Myri, Kaem, and Irh was added. Suppressing the conformational changes of ovalbumin induced by glycation, trapping dicarbonyl compounds, altering the microenvironment around tryptophan, and reducing the glycation activity of potential sites were the major inhibition mechanisms. These results suggest that Que and Myri may be promising natural agents for inhibiting harmful glycation and provide theoretical support for the effective screening of natural antiglycation reagents.

[Antidermatophyte Activity of the Gentiopicroside-Rich n-Butanol Fraction from Gentiana siphonantha Maxim. Root on a Guinea Pig Model of Dermatophytosis].

BACKGROUND: Gentiana siphonantha Maxim. is a traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumarthritis, icterepatitis, pain and hypertension; it is rich in gentiopicroside with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and free radical-scavenging activities. This study was to evaluate the antidermatophyte activity of G. siphonantha on a guinea pig model in vitro and in vivo. Material andMethods: The antidermatophyte activities of 10 plants were tested by the broth microdilution method. Fractions and an extract of G. siphonantha were tested against Trichophyton mentagrophytes by the disc diffusion method. The morphological changes of T. mentagrophytes were observed. Component analysis of the n-butanol (n-BuOH) fraction was made by HPLC. Finally, the antifungal activity in an in vivo guinea pig model of dermatophytosis was examined. RESULTS: G. siphonantha had strong antidermatophyte activity with MIC50 values of 32-64 µg/mL. The n-BuOH fraction of G. siphonantha showed the most potent activity compared to the other fractions. After being exposed to the n-BuOH fraction at 80 and 160 µg/mL, the hyphae were distorted and collapsed. Gentiopicroside is the main active ingredient in the n-BuOH fraction of G. siphonantha. The lesion scores of the guinea pig model of dermatophytosis significantly declined in the 10% and 30% extract and positive control groups in comparison with the untreated control group. Periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin/eosin staining displayed similar results. CONCLUSION: The n-BuOH fraction of G. siphonantha demonstrated antidermatophyte efficacy in experimental dermatophytosis.

Flavonoid Glycosides from Fenugreek Seeds Regulate Glycolipid Metabolism by Improving Mitochondrial Function in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes in Vitro.

Fenugreek is a well known annual herb widely used in both medicine and food. Four flavonoid glycosides have been separated from fenugreek seeds in our previous study. In this study, the effects of the four flavonoid glycosides on regulating glycolipid metabolism and improving mitochondrial function were investigated. Isoorientin showed a very significant activity among these flavonoid glycosides. First, isoorientin decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by reducing the expression of adipokines including PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FAS. Second, isoorientin restored insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in dexamethasone-induced insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes by reactivating Akt and AMPK. Finally, isoorientin improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by dexamethasone in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Isoorientin also reversed dexamethasone-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and intracellular ATP production, reduced accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from oxidative damage. At the same time, mitochondrial biogenesis is promoted. Therefore, isoorientin may be an attractive candidate as a glucose-lowering and insulin-resistance-improving agent for the treatment of diabetes.

Effects of the oligostilbenes from Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz on the adipocytes differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.

The dried seeds of Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz, an important traditional Chinese medicine, are regarded to have effects of clearing heat, eliminating dampness and pharyngitis and so on. It has been used in the treatment of jaundice, diarrhea, leucorrhea and carbuncles. Previous phytochemical studies of Iris species showed the presence of flavones, isoflavones, triterpenes and stilbenes. In our previous research, we isolated five known oligostilbenes, vitisin A, vitisin B, vitisin C, vitisin D, and cis-vitisin A were successfully isolated from Iris lactea for the first time. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of these oligostilbenes on the differentiation and adipogenes in 3T3-L1 cells. Our results showed that vitisin A, vitisin B, cis-vitisin A significantly inhibited adipocytes differentiation and reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, vitisin A, vitisin B, cis-vitisin A strongly suppressed the expression levels of adipocyte-specific genes including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). In contrast, vitisin C and vitisin D significantly promoted adipogenesis and increased intracellular lipid accumulation, while the two oligostilbenes markedly increased the expression of adipocyte marker genes. In the present study, we found that vitisin A, vitisin B and cis-vitisin A inhibit the adipogenesis and adipocytes differentiation by their influence on the expression of PPARγ, which leads to subsequenet downregulation of PPARγ mediated adipocyte-specific gene during adipogenesis.

Isolation and structure determination of a new flavone glycoside from seed residues of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.).

In this study, a valid method was established for the isolation and purification of flavone glycosides from Hippophae rhamnoides L. seed residues using high-speed counter-current chromatography in one step, with a solvent system of ethyl acetate-methanol-n-butyl alcohol-water (9:1:0.5:9, v/v/v/v). A total of 28.8 mg compound I and 57.3 mg compound II were obtained from 200 mg of flavone H-glycosides rich extract, with purities of 98.3 and 96.4%, respectively. The structures of two compounds were identified by MS and NMR. 3-O-ß-D-Sophorosylkaempferol-7-O-{3-O-[2(E)-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoyl]}-α-L-rhamnoside is compound I and compound II named hippophanone is a new compound were identified by MS and NMR. The method was efficient and convenient, which could be used for the preparative separation of flavone glycosides from H. rhamnoides L. seed residues.

In vivo anti-Trichophyton Activities of Seed Oil Obtained from Caraganakorshinskii Kom.

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed oil of Caragana korshinskii Kom. against Trichophyton mentagrophytes on an in vivo guinea pig model of dermatophytosis. METHODS: The skin of albino guinea pigs was infected with T. mentagrophytes, and the animals were divided into five groups: negative control (NC group), positive control (PC group), vehicle control, CK50% group (received topical 50% seed oil of C.korshinskii), and CK100% group (received topical 100% seed oil of C.korshinskii). Evaluation of clinical efficacy was performed 72 h after the completion of a 10-day treatment regimen. Skin biopsy samples were processed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The infected untreated control guinea pigs showed patches of hair loss and ulcerated or scaly skin. Lower clinical scores indicate improved efficacy compared with NC. The lesion scores significantly declined in the CK50%, CK100%, and PC groups in comparison with the NC group. The CK50% group (45.31%) and the CK100% group (75%) showed clinical efficacy compared with the PC group (78.13%). In addition, no fungal elements, inflammation, or tissue destruction was observed in any of the PAS-stained sections of the infected skin in the groups treated with CK100% or 1% terbinafine. CONCLUSION: Seed oil of C.korshinskii demonstrated high antifungal efficacy in experimental dermatophytosis.

[Explanation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Adult Bronchial Asthma].

The development and compilation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Adult Bronchial Asthma are introduced from three aspects, named the guideline methodology, the guideline structure and the guideline content. Based on the acupuncture-moxibustion practice and clinical research, the evidence-based medicine method is adopted. During the development and compilation of the guideline, the characteristics and advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion are specially considered in the treatment of this disease; the latest optimum evidences at home and abroad, experts' experience and patients' value are closely integrated with each other. Additionally, the worldwide accepted assessments of evidence quality and the recommendation (GRADE system) are combined with the clinical evidences of the ancient and modern famous acupuncture-moxibustion experts, and the clinical research evidences are with the experts' consensus to the large extent. The purpose of the guideline is to provide the maximal guidance to the clinical physicians.

Extraction and Separation of Vitisin D, Ampelopsin B and cis-Vitisin A from Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz by Alkaline Extraction-Acid Precipitation and High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography.

Naturally occurring oligostilbenes are receiving more attention because they exhibit several beneficial effects for health, including hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-adipogenic, antioxidant, antiaging, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral, immunosuppressive and neuroprotective activities. Thus, they could be of some potentially therapeutic values for several diseases. In this study, we adopted the alkaline extraction-acid precipitation (AEAP) method for extraction of oligostilbenes from the seed kernel of Iris lactea Then, the high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used for preparative isolation and purification of oligostilbenes from the AEAP extracts. Finally, three oligostilbenes, namely vitisin D (73 mg), ampelopsin B (25 mg) and cis-vitisin A (16 mg), were successfully fractionated by HSCCC with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (2:5:3:6, v/v/v/v) from 300 mg of the AEAP extracts in ∼ 190 min. The purities of the three isolated oligostilbenes were all over 95.0% as analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. They all were isolated from I. lacteal for the first time.The method of AEAP for the preparation of the oligostilbene-enriched crude sample was simple, and the HSCCC technique for the isolation and purification of oligostilbenes was efficient.

[Interpretation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine of the version 2014].

Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine (Guideline) was updated in 2014 on the basis of the version 2011. In Guideline of the updated version, the evidence quality grade and GRADE were adopted for the evidence evaluation and recommendation grading in methodology, and the clinical feasibility was stressed. In text, the recognition of modern medicine was updated, the sta-ging treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion was emphasized, the inclusive articles were expanded and the important indexes of efficacy evaluation were increased and highlighted. The paper aims to provide the instruction for the application of Guideline of the version 2014.

Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control association study was conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). RESULTS: In single-locus analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 -344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.

Comparison of Body, Auricular, and Abdominal Acupuncture Treatments for Insomnia Differentiated as Internal Harassment of Phlegm-Heat Syndrome: An Orthogonal Design.

Objective. To identify the optimum treatment protocol for insomnia among auricular, body, and abdominal needling methods. Methods. A three-factor (3 needling protocols) and three-level experimental scheme was designed based on orthogonal method. 54 patients of insomnia differentiated as internal harassment of phlegm-heat syndrome were given two courses of acupuncture treatment (each with 20 times of acupuncture). The therapeutic effects were evaluated by comparing the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of patients before treatment, after one course of treatment, and after two courses of treatment as well as one month after treatment. Results. Body, auricular, and abdominal acupuncture treatments all alleviated symptoms of insomnia, depression, and anxiety, but body and auricular acupuncture had stronger therapeutic effects. Conclusions. Body acupuncture at basic points shall be given priority in protocol selection for insomnia. The second-best choice is auricular acupuncture with basic points combined with points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories. Abdominal needling with very quick effect can be an alternative protocol with basic points combined with syndrome differentiation points.

[Endophytic fungal diversity of four bryophyte species in Dawei Mountain, Southwest of China].

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed endophytic fungi from 4 bryophyte species: Mnium sp. , Marchantia polymorpha, Polytrichum commune and Hylocomium splendens, collected from Dawei Mountain, Southwest of China, to study the diversity of fungal endophytes of bryophytes in different environment and their roles in the evolution from aquaqtic plant to terrestrial plant. METHODS: Endophytic fungi were isolated by culturable method and identified to species or genera level based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. RESULTS: Nine hundred fungal endophytes were isolated from 630 tissue segments of 4 different plants. All endophytes were identified to 57 taxon. Among them, Xylaria, Colletotrichum, Penicillium and Trichoderma were the dominant genera. The Shannon index (H') and similarity coefficients (CS) of endophytic fungi from 4 plants were 1.80 - 3.22 and 0.409 - 0.613, respectively, higher than those of bryophytes growing in extreme environments. CONCLUSION: The diversity and richness of endophytes from 4 bryophytes in Dawei Mountain are similar to those of plants growing in the similar environment.

Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control association study was conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). RESULTS: In single-locus analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 -344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.