Investigation of the Inhibitory Effects of Illicium verum Essential Oil Nanoemulsion on Fusarium proliferatum via Combined Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis.

Fusarium proliferatum is the main pathogen that causes Panax notoginseng root rot. The shortcomings of strong volatility and poor water solubility of Illicium verum essential oil (EO) limit its utilization. In this study, we prepared traditional emulsion (BDT) and nanoemulsion (Bneo) of I. verum EO by ultrasonic method with Tween-80 and absolute ethanol as solvents. The chemical components of EO, BDT, and Bneo were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the antifungal activity and mechanism were compared. The results show that Bneo has good stability and its particle size is 34.86 nm. The contents of (-) -anethole and estragole in Bneo were significantly higher than those in BDT. The antifungal activity against F. proliferatum was 5.8-fold higher than BDT. In the presence of I. verum EO, the occurrence of P. notoginseng root rot was significantly reduced. By combining transcriptome and metabolomics analysis, I. verum EO was found to be involved in the mutual transformation of pentose and glucuronic acid, galactose metabolism, streptomycin biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and other metabolic pathways of F. proliferatum, and it interfered with the normal growth of F. proliferatum to exert antifungal effects. This study provide a theoretical basis for expanding the practical application of Bneo.

Effect of ATG8 or SAC1 deficiency on the cell proliferation and lifespan of the long-lived PMT1 deficiency yeast cells.

Autophagy is pivotal in maintaining intracellular homeostasis, which involves various biological processes, including cellular senescence and lifespan modulation. Being an important member of the protein O-mannosyltransferase (PMT) family of enzymes, Pmt1p deficiency can significantly extend the replicative lifespan (RLS) of yeast cells through an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, which is participated in protein homeostasis. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that Pmt1p regulates the lifespan of yeast cells still need to be explored. In this study, we found that the long-lived PMT1 deficiency strain (pmt1Δ) elevated the expression levels of most autophagy-related genes, the expression levels of total GFP-Atg8 fusion protein and free GFP protein compared with wild-type yeast strain (BY4742). Moreover, the long-lived pmt1Δ strain showed the greater dot-signal accumulation from GFP-Atg8 fusion protein in the vacuole lumen through a confocal microscope. However, deficiency of SAC1 or ATG8, two essential components of the autophagy process, decreased the cell proliferation ability of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells, and prevented the lifespan extension. In addition, our findings demonstrated that overexpression of ATG8 had no potential effect on the RLS of the pmt1Δ yeast cells, and the maintained incubation of minimal synthetic medium lacking nitrogen (SD-N medium as starvation-induced autophagy) inhibited the cell proliferation ability of the pmt1Δ yeast cells with the culture time, and blocked the lifespan extension, especially in the SD-N medium cultured for 15 days. Our results suggest that the long-lived pmt1Δ strain enhances the basal autophagy activity, while deficiency of SAC1 or ATG8 decreases the cell proliferation ability and shortens the RLS of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells. Moreover, the maintained starvation-induced autophagy impairs extension of the long-lived pmt1Δ yeast cells, and even leads to the cell death.

[Study on quality of five hybrid corn kernels by FTIR spectroscopy].

The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of evaluating quality of corn kernels using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The spectra of five kinds of hybrid corn kernels were obtained by infrared spectrometer rapidly. The infrared spectrum between 1 776 and 952 cm(-1) was composed of absorption bands of protein, starch and lipid mainly. The absorption band of starch was strong, and the band of protein was weak. The characteristic bands of starch, protein and lipid were highly overlapped, and main information was concealed. Curve-fitting the spectrum between 1 776 and 952 cm(-1), significant information was presented. The percentage of band area at 1 051 and 1 548 cm(-1) in total band area has a linear relationship with the concentration of starch and protein. The results showed that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with curve-fitting could be used to analyse the concentration of starch and protein in corn kernel, and provides a rapid and convenient method to study hybrid corn.

[Studies on normal and mildewy Auricularia auricular by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

In order to verify the capability of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in food safety, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to obtain the spectra of normal and mildewy auricularia auricula, The result showed the frequency of hydroxyl and aliphatic absorption band in their spectra had evident differentia, with the dispersion being 23.31 and 13.41 cm(-1) respectively. The curve-fitting analysis was used for the fold peaks of hydroxyl and amido, and it presented that the content of hydroxyl and amido had evident change. The substances in the auricularia auricula generated chemical change, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy could show the differentia easily. The results show that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy can provide valuable information about the auricularia auricula. It could be used as a reference method for identification of the normal and mildewy auricularia auricula.

Nerigoside suppresses colorectal cancer cell growth and metastatic potential through inhibition of ERK/GSK3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Nerigoside (NG), a cardenolide isolated from a commonfolk medicine, Nerium oleander Linn. (Apocynaceae), has not been explored for its biological effects. To date, cardenolides have received considerable attention in pharmacology studies due to their direct effects of apoptosis-induction or growth-inhibitory against tumor in vitro and in vivo. Whether and how NG exerts anticancer effects against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of NG in human colorectal cancer cells. METHODS: To test anticancer effect, we compared potency of NG in two colorectal cancer cell lines, HT29 and SW620 by WST-1 and colony proliferation assays. And we investigated mechanism of anticancer activities by analyzing players in apoptotic and ERK/GSK3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathways in HT29 and SW620 cells treated with NG. RESULTS: In this study, we showed that NG markedly suppressed the cell viability and colony formation of colorectal cancer cells HT29 and SW620, with no significant toxic effect on non-cancer cells NCM460. Annexin V-FITC/PI and CFSE labeling results revealed that NG suppressed cell proliferation in low concentration, along with reducing expression of PCNA, while NG induced apoptosis in high concentration,. Meanwhile, NG significantly arrested cell migration by reversal of EMT and cell cycle on G2/M. Then, we found that the ERK and GSK3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway were noticeably blocked in CRC cells after treatment with NG. According to western blot, NG upregulated the expression of p-GSK3ß/GSK3ß and decreased especially the expression of ß-catenin in nuclear. In addition, Wnt signaling and its target genes were suppressed in response to NG. Then, the Ser9 phosphorylation of GSK3ß can be reduced / raised by GÖ 6983 / LiCl, respectively. Thus, we further confirmed that the GSK3ß/ß-catenin axis is involved in NG-prevented cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: NG inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells by suppressing ERK/GSK3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway. And the GSK3ß/ß-catenin axis is involved in preventing cell proliferation and migration by NG-treatment. These results suggest that NG may be used to treat colorectal cancer, with better outcome by combining with GSK3ß inhibitor to block Wnt pathway.

[Main Factors Influencing FeCl3-Induced Mouse Mesenteric Arteriole Thrombosis Model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors that influence FeCl3-induced mouse mesenteric arteriole thrombosis model. METHODS: Platelets were isolated from donor mice and labeled with Calcein-AM. Mice were transfused intravenously with Calcein-AM labeled platelets. The influence of mouse ages (3-6 weeks, 6-10 weeks and >10 weeks), transfused platelets counts (1×107, 1×108 and 2×108 platelets) and concentrations of FeCl3 (6%, 12%, 24% and 48%) on FeCl3-induced thrombosis model were compared. RESULTS: The occlusion time was 16 min for mice aged 3-6 weeks, which was shorter than that for 6 mice aged 6-10 weeks(25 min)(P<0.05) and that for mice aged >10 weeks(38 min)(P<0.01). The occlusion time resulting from transfusion of 1×108 and 2×108 of pletclets was 15-18 min, which was shorter than that of transfusion 1×107 platelets (30 mins). The occlusion time resulting from transfusion of 6% and 12% FeCl3 was from 15 to 20 min, however the transfusion of 24% and 48% FeCl3 all in all leads to vessel occlusion within 10 min. CONCLUSION: The factors influencing the success of FeCl3-induced mouse thrombosis model are more. Transfusion of 1×108 to 2×108 labeled platelets to 3-6 week-old mice, and 6% to 12% of FeCl3 should be used to induce thrombosis, and the experimental conditions should be optimized for this animal model, therefore, it is easier for us to set up a mouse mesenteric arteriole thrombosis model.

Data analysis in the post-genome-wide association study era.

Since the first report of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on human age-related macular degeneration, GWAS has successfully been used to discover genetic variants for a variety of complex human diseases and/or traits, and thousands of associated loci have been identified. However, the underlying mechanisms for these loci remain largely unknown. To make these GWAS findings more useful, it is necessary to perform in-depth data mining. The data analysis in the post-GWAS era will include the following aspects: fine-mapping of susceptibility regions to identify susceptibility genes for elucidating the biological mechanism of action; joint analysis of susceptibility genes in different diseases; integration of GWAS, transcriptome, and epigenetic data to analyze expression and methylation quantitative trait loci at the whole-genome level, and find single-nucleotide polymorphisms that influence gene expression and DNA methylation; genome-wide association analysis of disease-related DNA copy number variations. Applying these strategies and methods will serve to strengthen GWAS data to enhance the utility and significance of GWAS in improving understanding of the genetics of complex diseases or traits and translate these findings for clinical applications.

[Effect of ATRA on the expression of genes Hoxb2 and Hoxb4 in cord blood erythroid progenitors].

This study was aimed to investigate the expressions of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 after interference of the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to the erythroid progenitors (CFU-E) in vitro by using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The cord blood was collected from 12 cases of fetal placenta umbilical vein and cultured by using culture technique of HSC in vitro. The proliferation and differentiation of HSC to CFU-E were interfered with 6 x 10(-8) mol/L of ATRA. The expression levels of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 in blank control and ATRA groups were detected by FQ-RT-PCR on day 3, 7 and 10 of culture. The results showed that the expressions of genes Hoxb2 and hoxb4 were a little on day 3, obviously increased on day 7 and reached highest level on day 10 in 2 groups. The expression level of hoxb4 on day 3, 7 and 10 in blank control group was obviously higher than expression level of hoxb2. As compared with blank control group, the expressions of genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 in the ATRA group were significantly up-regulated. It is concluded that the genes hoxb2 and hoxb4 all expressed in process of proliferation and differentiation to erythroid progenitors, which suggests that hoxb2 and hoxb4 relate to erythroid hematopoiesis, and the hoxb4 has more great relevance to erythroid hematopoiesis as compared with hoxb2. The ATRA (6 x 10(-8) mol/L) can up-regulate the expression of hoxb2 and hoxb4 significantly.

[Association between marital quality and hypertensive disorder in pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sociopsychological basis of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) and explore a new pathway for etiological study of HDP. METHODS: A prospective investigation was conducted in 1154 women in second trimester pregnancy and 9 factors were surveyed using Olson marital quality questionnaire (ENRIC). The discrepancy between the norms and factor scores of ENRIC was analyzed, and the scores of ENRIC were compared between normal gravidas and patients with HDP. The correlation between ENRIC scores and the severity of the condition was also evaluated. RESULTS: The score of the 1124 gravidas for marital satisfaction was significantly higher than the norm (P<0.05), but the scores for relationship with relatives and sexual life were significantly lower (P<0.05). The other 6 factors had similar scores with the norms (P>0.05). Patients with HDP had significantly lower scores for 7 factors than the normal gravidas (P<0.05), but had comparable scores for financial arrangement and sexual life (P>0.05). The severity of HDP was not found to associate with variation of the scores for the 9 factors (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Marital quality is an important social and psychological basis of HDP, and this study provides some evidence for the social and psychological investigation of the etiology of HDP.