ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effects of knocking down glycine cleavage system H protein (GCSH) on proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress and migration of gastric cancer SNU-1 cells in vitro. Methods:SNU-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group (no transfection) , negative control group (transfection of negative control siRNA) and GCSH knockdown group (transfection of GCSH siRNA) . Quantitative PCR was used to detect the knockdown effect. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the morphology of cells in each group. CCK-8 was used to test the proliferation of SNU-1 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and oxidative stress level, and scratch test was used to detect the cell migration. Results:Quantitative PCR experiment showed that the relative expression levels of GCSH in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were 1.29±0.16, 1.36±0.17 and 0.32±0.04, respectively ( F=90.32, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.497) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Immunofluorescence experiment showed no significant difference in the morphology of cells among the groups. The CCK-8 experiment results showed that the cell proliferation activities of the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were 2.63±0.12, 2.61±0.14, 2.45±0.14, respectively ( F=6.35, P=0.005) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.751) , and the GCSH knockdown group significantly decreased compared to the negative control group ( P=0.011) . The results of flow cytometry showed that the early stage apoptosis rates of SNU-1 cells in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (13.38±0.45) %, (12.86±0.65) %, (20.04±3.61) %, respectively ( F=15.37, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.559) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly increased ( P=0.002) . The late stage apoptosis rates of the three groups were (2.21±0.25) %, (2.68±0.45) %, (5.67±1.67) %, respectively ( F=18.24, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.356) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group showed a significant increase ( P=0.024) . The reactive oxygen species positive rates in the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (26.98±8.79) %, (28.27±5.63) %, (48.41±0.94) %, respectively ( F=22.56, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.950) . Compared to the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly increased ( P<0.001) . The cell migration rates of the control group, negative control group and GCSH knockdown group were (48.29±5.79) %, (51.66±2.29) %, (14.01±1.56) %, respectively ( F=148.80, P<0.001) . There was no significant difference between the control group and negative control group ( P=0.328) . Compared with the negative control group, the GCSH knockdown group significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:Knock down of GCSH gene can inhibit the proliferation and migration, increase cell apoptosis rate and oxidative stress of SNU-1 cells in vitro. GCSH gene may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric cancer.
ABSTRACT
With the advantage of high efficiency， low toxicity and targeting， liposomes have become the research hotspot of new drug preparations at home and abroad. In this paper， the research progress in recent years is reviewed from the aspects of preparation methods， classification and clinical application of liposomes. The results showed that in order to obtain more stable and controllable liposomes， scholars improved and optimized the traditional preparation methods and established novel preparation methods such as supercritical fluid methods， freeze-drying method and double-asymmetric centrifugation method. In order to enhance the efficacy and reduce toxicity， the conventional liposomes were optimized to get novel ones such as environmentally sensitive liposomes， long-circulating liposomes and multifunctional liposomes， which had greatly promoted the clinical application of liposomes. For now， liposomes have been used in many fields， such as anti-cancer agents， antimicrobial and vaccines， but most of the new liposomes are still in the early stage of development.
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe globally distributed liver disease that could occur at any age. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have shown therapeutic effect in acute lung injury and liver failure. However, their role in the curative effect of AIH remains unclear. Here, a classic AIH mouse model was constructed through intravenous injection with concanavalin A (Con A). MenSCs were intravenously injected while Con A injection in the treatment groups. The results showed that the mortality by Con A injection was significantly decreased by MenSCs treatment and liver function tests and histological analysis were also ameliorated. The results of phosphoproteomic analysis and RNA-seq revealed that MenSCs improved AIH, mainly by apoptosis and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein signaling pathways. Apoptosis analysis demonstrated that the protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 was increased by Con A injection and reduced by MenSCs transplantation, consistent with the TUNEL staining results. An AML12 co-culture system and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) were used to verify the JNK/MAPK and apoptosis signaling pathways. These findings suggested that MenSCs could be a promising strategy for AIH.
Subject(s)
Mice , Animals , Humans , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/pathology , Signal Transduction , Disease Models, Animal , Stem CellsABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of child psychological abuse on adult depression in non-only-child families, and to investigate the mediating effects of sibling relationship and resilience.Methods:The child psychological abuse scale (CPAS), the life span sibling relationship scale(LSRS), Connor-Davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC) and the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) were were used to evaluate 2 995 non-only-child college students from March 2020 to July 2020.Descriptive analysis and correlation analysis were performed by SPSS 21.0 software.The mediating effect was tested by AMOS 23.0 software.Results:(1) The positive rate of childhood psychological abuse was 55.29%.The positive rate of depression(16(9, 24)) was 51.62%.(2) Psychological abuse, sibling relationship, resilience and depression were significantly different in the dimensions of parental relationship ( Z=-17.986, -13.822, -13.771, -12.620, -10.650, -11.524, all P<0.01). There was a significant difference in depression variables ( Z=-2.176, P<0.05). (3) Psychological abuse was positively correlated with depression ( r=0.558, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with sibling relationship and resilience ( r=-0.379, r=-0.270, both P<0.01). Sibling relationship was positively correlated with resilience ( r=0.380, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with depression ( r=-0.366, P<0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between resilience and depression ( r=-0.431, P<0.01). (4) The indirect effect value of psychological abuse on depression was 0.138, accounting for 9.37% of the total effect.Further testing the mediating effect of psychological resilience, adult sibling relationship and child sibling relationship, the single mediating effect of resilience accounted for 3.33% of the total effect, and the chain mediating effect of adult sibling relationship and resilience accounted for 2.76%. Conclusion:The relationship between psychological abuse and depression in non-only child is very close.The relationship between psychological resilience and sibling relationship, especially adult sibling relationship, can alleviate the depression, but this effect is limited to reducing the degree of depression and can not improve the incidence of depression.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo study the protective effect of total flavonoids of lavender on skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet B （UVB） in mice and to explore its mechanism from the perspective of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） antioxidant pathway. MethodEighty-four female KM mice were randomly divided into seven groups， namely blank group， model group， solvent group， vitamin E （0.013 g·kg-1） group， as well as low-， middle-， and high-dose （0.25， 1.25， 2.50 g·kg-1） groups of total flavonoids of lavender. The naked skin on the back of mice was irradiated with UVB for inducing optical damage. Thirty minutes before irradiation， the skin was coated with the total flavonoids of lavender. After continuous irradiation for one week， the skin moisture and elasticity on the back of mice were evaluated， and the effects of total flavonoids of lavender on histopathological changes in mouse skin were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Van Gieson （VG） staining. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC）， nitric oxide synthase （NOS）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） after skin homogenization were detected by colorimetry， the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in skin tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， BTB-CNC homology 1 （Bach1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit （GCLC） by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly increased appearance score （P<0.01）， reduced skin moisture and elasticity （P<0.01）， pronounced pathological changes in the skin tissue like epidermal thickening， scabbing， small abscess， and severe injury， elevated MDA， NOS， IL-1， IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered SOD， T-AOC， Nrf2， Keap1， NQO1 and GCLC mRNA expression （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and up-regulated Bach1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the total flavonoids of lavender at the low， middle， and high doses all remarkably reduced the appearance score （P<0.01）， enhanced the skin moisture and elasticity （P<0.01）， diminished the MDA， NOS， IL-1， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased SOD， T-AOC， Nrf2， Keap1， NQO1， HO-1 and GCLC mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of Bach1 mRNA （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of the total flavonoids of lavender against skin photoaging in mice is significant， which may be related to its activation of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway， regulation of oxidative stress， and improvement of inflammatory response.
ABSTRACT
Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma （STRER） is a commonly used Chinese medicine in clinical practice， which has the effects of clearing heat， removing the toxin， alleviating edema， and relieving sore throat. In recent years， the clinical reports of STRER-induced poisoning have gradually increased， with neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity as the main characteristics of the acute attack. Timely treatment will lead to the good prognosis， but long-term or high-dose administration will cause irreversible damage. Therefore， the safety of clinical use of STRER should be highlighted. The chemical components in STRER mainly include alkaloids， flavonoids， triterpenoids， triterpenoid saponins， and polysaccharides， as well as small amounts of proteins， organic acids， and trace elements， where alkaloids both serve as the important material basis for the pharmacodynamic action and the main substances causing toxicity. The adverse events induced by STRER and its alkaloids include nerve injury, Hepatic injury, cardiovascular injury, kidney injury and reproductive injury， and gastrointestinal reaction. Quinolizidine alkaloids are the main toxic components， mainly including matrine， oxymatrine， cytisine， sophocarpine， oxysophocarpine， sophoridine， sophoramine， and lehmannine. Many studies have been carried out on the toxicity of different extracts and alkaloids of STRER in China and abroad， but there are no comprehensive and detailed reports on the toxicity mechanism of alkaloids in STRER. As a Chinese medicine， STRER is widely used. It's an urgent problem to clarify the material basis and mechanism of toxicity caused by STRER and reduce the toxicity for good clinical application. The present study reviewed the components of alkaloids， toxicity， and toxic mechanism of extracts and alkaloids in STRER to provide the basis for further development and clinical safe and effective application of STRER.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo predict the active ingredients and mechanism of action of lavender in protecting skin photodamage based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology，and further verify possible signal pathways via animal experiments. MethodThe active ingredients and potential targets of lavender were obtained by SwissTargetPrediction，PharmMapper， and literature. Skin photodamage-related targets were searched from GeneCards，Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM），DrugBank and DisGeNET databases. After common targets of the two were screened out，STRING was adopted to analyze the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network，where topological analysis and core target screening were performed by CytoNCA plug-in of Cytoscape 3.8.2. Based on DAVID， gene ontology （GO） annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were carried out among the intersection targets， and the active ingredients of lavender and the signal pathway proteins were selected and verified via molecular docking with AutoDock vina 1.1.2. Finally， mouse photodamage model was established by UVB irradiating the bare skin of mouse back， and the skin condition was observed by naked eyes. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and picric acid-acid fuchsin staining （Van Gieson， VG） were used to observe the pathological changes of mouse skin tissues. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression in mouse skin tissues to further validate the key signal pathways. ResultIn this study，6 active ingredients of lavender，526 potential targets，2 688 disease-related targets，and 258 intersection targets were screened out， and 16 core targets were obtained by PPI network. Additionally， 113 related signal pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway analysis，among which phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） pathway and nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） signal pathway might play a key role in skin photodamage protection by lavender. Molecular docking showed that the active ingredients and the signal pathway proteins were well docked. Animal experiments indicated that the total flavonoids of lavender improved the appearance and histopathological condition of mouse skin， reduced the relative expression levels of phosphorylated（p）-PI3K，p-Akt，and B cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） proteins （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased relative expression level of Bcl-2-associated X protein（Bax） （P<0.05）. ConclusionLavender exerts synergistic effect in resisting skin photodamage，with the characteristics of multi-components，multi-targets，and multi-pathways， which provides a basis for subsequent in-depth research on the complex mechanism of lavender against skin photodamage.
ABSTRACT
Forsythiae Fructus is the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa and the volatile compounds are its main bioactive components. According to the different harvest periods, F. suspensa can be divided into Qingqiao(mature F. suspensa) and Laoqiao(ripe F. suspensa). To investigate dynamic changes of volatile components in Qingqiao and Laoqiao samples collected at different periods, the present study extracted and analyzed the total volatile oils in Qingqiao and Laoqiao samples(four harvest periods for Qingqiao and two for Laoqiao) by steam distillation method. The results indicated that the content of volatile oils in F. suspensa samples at different harvest periods was significantly different. The content of volatile oils in Qingqiao samples(except those harvested in the first period) was higher than that of Laoqiao, and the content of volatile oils in both Qingqiao and Laoqiao increased with the harvest period. Furthermore, volatile compounds in F. suspensa were qualitatively analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), and 28 volatile compounds were identified. Chemometrics analyses including principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were further applied to explore differential markers and dynamic changes of volatile components in Qingqiao and Laoqiao samples at different harvest periods. Finally, four volatile compounds, including α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, and 4-terpenol were selected as potential differential markers. The relative content of α-pinene and 4-terpenol was consistent with that of total volatile oils in the changing trend.
Subject(s)
Chemometrics , Forsythia , Fruit , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Oils, VolatileABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of procyanidin on the proliferation, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of gastric cancer cell line SNU-1 in vitro. Methods:SNU-1 cells were divided into control group and 12.5, 50.0, 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups. The effect of procyanidin on the proliferation of SNU-1 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis level and ROS positive rate of cells were detected by flow cytometry, and 2 mmol/L glutathione was added to SNU-1 cells added with 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin to detect the apoptosis level and ROS positive rate of cells. The expression of apoptosis-related protein in cells was detected by Western blotting.Results:The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that the proliferation activities of SNU-1 cells in the control group and the 12.5, 50.0, 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups were 3.69±0.30, 3.29±0.41, 0.91±0.39, 0.45±0.22 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=279.84, P<0.001) . Compared with the control group, the proliferation activities of SNU-1 cells in the three procyanidin groups were significantly inhibited ( P=0.006, P<0.001, P<0.001) . The results of flow cytometry showed that the early apoptosis rates of SNU-1 cells in the control group and the 12.5, 50.0, 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups were (0.00±0.00) %, (0.00±0.00) %, (0.09±0.07) % and (0.45±0.22) % respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=7.14, P=0.003) . The 50.0 and 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups increased significantly compared with the control group ( P=0.003, P=0.007) . The late apoptosis rates of SNU-1 cells in the four groups were (0.00±0.00) %, (0.01±0.00) %, (6.98±0.77) % and (33.32±2.78) % respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=654.28, P=0.003) . The 50.0 and 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups increased significantly compared with the control group ( P<0.001, P<0.001) . The positive rates of ROS in SNU-1 cells in the four groups were (0.02±0.01) %, (0.10±0.05) %, (1.15±0.26) % and (1.58±0.22) % respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=162.24, P<0.001) . The 50.0 and 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups increased significantly compared with the control group ( P<0.001, P<0.001) . The positive rates of ROS in SNU-1 cells in the 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin group and the glutathione intervention group were (1.25±0.63) % and (0.13±0.02) % respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.39, P=0.001) . The early apoptosis rates of the two groups were (10.56±3.24) % and (2.09±0.24) % respectively, and the late apoptosis rates were (29.65±6.01) % and (23.63±1.52) % respectively, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.61, P=0.048; t=3.97, P=0.012) . The expressions of Bcl-2 protein in SNU-1 cells in the control group and the 12.5, 50.0, 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups were 1.00±0.00, 0.83±0.05, 0.60±0.14 and 0.41±0.23 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=10.63, P=0.004) . The 50.0 and 200.0 μg/ml procyanidin groups decreased significantly compared with the control group ( P<0.001, P<0.001) . Conclusion:Procyanidin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of gastric cancer SNU-1 cells in vitro, which may be achieved by increasing intracellular ROS levels and reducing Bcl-2 protein expression.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the expressions of miR-20a-5p and lysine (K) demethylase 6B (KDM6B) in osteosarcoma tissues and the effects of miR-20a-5p targeting KDM6B on the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and tumor growth.Methods:The clinicopathological and paracancerous tissues of 20 patients with osteosarcoma admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medical University from January 2017 to March 2019 were collected. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-20a-5p and KDM6B mRNA in tissues. The osteosarcoma MG63 cells were divided into control group, mimic NC group, miR-20a-5p mimic group, and NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group. The expression levels of miR-20a-5p and KDM6B mRNA of all groups were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the expression level of KDM6B. CCK-8 assay, cell scratch test and Transwell test were used to detect cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability. According to the random number table method, nude mice were divided into NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group, with 5 mice in each group. Tumor growth ability was detected by tumor xenograft nude mouse models.Results:The relative expression level of miR-20a-5p mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues was 0.55±0.27, and that in paracancerous tissues was 1.22±0.28, with a statistically significant difference ( t=7.701, P<0.001). The relative expression level of KDM6B mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues was 1.66±0.19, and that in paracancerous tissues was 1.00±0.15, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.219, P<0.001). After transfection of miR-20a-5p, KDM6B mRNA and protein expression levels decreased with the increase of miR-20a-5p expression level. After miR-20a-5p transfection for 48 h, the cell proliferation abilities of the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were 0.83±0.04, 0.81±0.03 and 0.52±0.01 ( F=89.655, P<0.001), compared with the blank control group and mimic NC group, the cell proliferation ability was significantly inhibited in the miR-20a-5p mimic group (both P<0.001). The cell proliferation abilities of NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were 0.83±0.05, 0.52±0.01 and 0.67±0.05 ( F=43.919, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the cell proliferation ability was significantly inhibited in the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the cell proliferation ability of miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group increased significantly ( P<0.001). The scratch healing rates of the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were (32.51±2.73)%, (30.26±3.22)% and (13.52±1.77)% ( F=46.314, P<0.001), compared with the control group and the mimic NC group, the scratch healing rate of the miR-20a-5p mimic group was significantly decreased (both P<0.001). The scratch healing rates of NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were (31.34±3.11)%, (12.15±1.64)% and (28.93±2.89)% ( F=47.511, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the scratch healing rate of the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the scratch healing rate of miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was significantly increased ( P=0.001). The numbers of transmembrane cells in the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were 114±16, 108±11 and 42±6 ( F=36.282, P<0.001), compared with the control group and mimic NC group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p mimic group was significantly decreased (both P<0.001). The numbers of transmembrane cells in the NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was 143±11, 39±4 and 139±12 ( F=112.120, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was increased significantly ( P<0.001). The tumor volumes of mice for 21 d in the NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were (1 667.50±250.40) mm 3, (129.20±21.00) mm 3 and (775.41±77.51) mm 3 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=77.651, P<0.001). The tumor weights of the 3 groups were (1.35±0.18) g, (0.12±0.01) g and (0.61±0.03) g respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=104.191, P<0.001). Conclusion:The expression of miR-20a-5p is significantly decreased in osteosarcoma tissues, and the expression of KDM6B is significantly increased in osteosarcoma tissues. Overexpression of miR-20a-5p may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and tumor growth by targeting to reduce the expression of KDM6B.
ABSTRACT
Radiotherapy following breast conserving surgery is a standard treatment in early stage breast cancer, and tumor bed delineation is a very important part of radiotherapy. Traditionally, operative record, preoperative ultrasound, postoperative scar, clips and other conventional methods were used to contour tumor bed in clinical, but they still have many limitations. In recent years, there were some progress in tumor bed delineation of the new style of lumpectomy cavity filling, preoperative/postoperative MRI images with CT images and other new methods. It is expected to solve the lack of postoperative tumor bed delineation consensus and standard in the future.
ABSTRACT
Chitosan oligosaccharide(COS)is the N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucosamine oligomer linked to β(1→4)glycoside bond, which is an amino oligosaccharide with positive charge. GOS can be prepared via the deacetylation and hydrolysis of chitin from the exoskeleton of arthropod and insect and the cell wall of fungi. GOS is soluble in water, not cytotoxic, easy to be absorbed through intestinal tract, and mainly excreted from urine. COS and its derivatives have been known to have a variety of biological activities, including the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. This paper reviews the research progress in the preparation method, pharmacokinetics, bioactivity and the safety of GOS in recent years, hoping to provide a reference for related future researches.
ABSTRACT
Artemisiae Argyi Folium, the dried leaves of Artemisia argyi, has been widely used in traditional Chinese and folk medicines for a long time. Qiai is one of the top-geoherb of Artemisiae Argyi Folium. Qiai contains various bioactive constituents, such as volatile oils, phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenoids. Phytochemical studies demonstrated that volatile compounds are the main bioactive constituents in Qiai. Try to investigate dynamic changes of volatile components of Qiai from different harvest time and explore the optimum harvest time of Qiai, in this study, the contents of total volatile oils in Qiai collected from five different harvest time were analyzed by steam distillation method. The results showed that the contents of volatile oils of Qiai were higher in the third harvest time(around the Dragon Boat Festival), which is basically consistent with the traditional harvest time. Furthermore, a sensitive method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) was established for qualitative analysis of volatile compounds in Qiai, and a total of thirty volatile compounds were identified. Chemometrics methods including principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminate analysis(OPLS-DA) were applied to explore chemical markers and dynamic changes of volatile components in Qiai from different harvest time, and the results indicated that there were obvious differences in the relative contents of volatile compounds of Qiai samples from different harvest time. Eight volatile compounds, including α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, D-camphor, trans-carveol, α-copaene, isobornylisobutyrate, humulene, and caryophyllene oxide were selected as potential chemical markers. Among the eight chemical markers, the relative contents of α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, α-copaene and caryophyllene oxide were higher in the third harvest period(around the Dragon Boat Festival), which is consistent with the contents of total volatile oils. The present study could provide the basis for investigating the optimum harvest time of Qiai, and might be useful for the quality control of this herbal medicine.
Subject(s)
Artemisia , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Flavonoids , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Oils, VolatileABSTRACT
Purpose@#Sleep quality was considered a priority concern facing pregnant women. Conventional wisdom argues that good sleep quality benefits pregnant women and their fetuses. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a specific exercise program on the sleep quality in pregnant women. @*Methods@#Searches were executed in seven databases since their inceptions until February 28, 2019, for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of an exercise program on the sleep quality and insomnia in pregnant women. A random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis, and odds ratio, mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are shown as parts of outcomes. @*Results@#Seven studies were included for meta-analysis. Compared with their not-exercising counterparts, analyses showed that regularly exercising women had significantly enhanced sleep quality, with an odds ratio of 6.21 (95% CI, 2.02–19.11;p = .001; I2 = 80.2%), with a standardized MD of −0.93 (95% CI, −1.19 to −0.67; p < .001; I2 = 30.0%). However, exercising women showed no significant insomnia improvement, with an standardized MD of −2.85 (95% CI, −7.67 to 1.98; p = .250; I2 = 97.0%), relative to their not-exercising counterparts. @*Conclusion@#This research indicated that exercise has a positive impact on the sleep quality of pregnant women. Despite the aforementioned positive impact on sleep quality, the present study did not find evidence to support that exercise may also improve insomnia for pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of water body environments on the microbial community of Oncomelania hupensis snails in marshlands of the eastern Dongting Lake where natural extinction of O. hupensis snails are found, so as to explore the correlation between the natural extinction of O. hupensis snails and the microbial community in snails. Methods Snails were caged water bodies in the Qianliang Lake marshland (Qianliang Lake regions) where natural extinction of snails was found and in the Junshan Park marshland (Junshan Park regions) in the eastern Dongting Lake for 30 days, and then all snails were collected and identified for survival or death. DNA sequencing of the fungi and bacteria was performed in snails before and after immersion in waters, and the biodiversity and abundance were analyzed. Results The survival rates of O. hupensis snails were 28.0% (70/250) and 64.8% (162/250) in Qianliang Lake regions and Junshan Park regions 30 days after immersion in waters, respectively (χ2 = 81.365, P < 0.01). The number of the fungal community and the biodiversity of the bacterial community were both greater in snails caged in Qianliang Lake regions post-immersion than pre-immersion, and there was a significant difference in the structure of the fungal and bacterial communities. The microbial community with a significant difference included Flavobacteriaceae,which was harmful to O. hupensis snails. Conclusion The water body environment affects the composition of the microbial community in O. hupensis snails in marshlands with natural snail distinction around the eastern Dongting Lake; however, further studies are required to investigate whether the natural distinction of snails is caused by water body environments-induced changes of the microbial spectrum in O. hupensis snails.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#Sleep quality was considered a priority concern facing pregnant women. Conventional wisdom argues that good sleep quality benefits pregnant women and their fetuses. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a specific exercise program on the sleep quality in pregnant women. @*Methods@#Searches were executed in seven databases since their inceptions until February 28, 2019, for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of an exercise program on the sleep quality and insomnia in pregnant women. A random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis, and odds ratio, mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are shown as parts of outcomes. @*Results@#Seven studies were included for meta-analysis. Compared with their not-exercising counterparts, analyses showed that regularly exercising women had significantly enhanced sleep quality, with an odds ratio of 6.21 (95% CI, 2.02–19.11;p = .001; I2 = 80.2%), with a standardized MD of −0.93 (95% CI, −1.19 to −0.67; p < .001; I2 = 30.0%). However, exercising women showed no significant insomnia improvement, with an standardized MD of −2.85 (95% CI, −7.67 to 1.98; p = .250; I2 = 97.0%), relative to their not-exercising counterparts. @*Conclusion@#This research indicated that exercise has a positive impact on the sleep quality of pregnant women. Despite the aforementioned positive impact on sleep quality, the present study did not find evidence to support that exercise may also improve insomnia for pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Schistosomiasis is a modern disease name, but it has been widespread in ancient China and exists in a specific form in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) . The purpose of the paper is to make clear the existing form of schistosomiasis in TCM and infer the prevalence of schistosomiasis in ancient China. The paper focuses on the period when great progress was made on schistosomiasis by TCM, and sums up the understanding of TCM toward schistosomiasis in this period. By studying and analyzing the literature of schistosomiasis in this period, the paper tries to find out the representative Chinese medicine symptom description and TCM "other name" of schistosomiasis, so as to accurately judge whether the relevant description in ancient TCM books and historical documents can provide scientific basis for schistosomiasis. It is important to understand the prevalence and cognition of schistosomiasis in ancient China.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the reasons of natural extinction of Oncomelania hupensis snails by comparing the difference of the water chemical properties between the snail-breeding marshland and non-snail marshland in Eastern Dongting Lake areas. Methods Three adjoining marshlands in Eastern Dongting Lake areas were selected, one was a snail-breeding marshland, the second was a non-snail marshland, and the third was a boundary zone between them. During the periods of water-rising season, wet season and water-falling season, the water samples from the bottom of 0.5 m were collected by the systematic random sampling method (200 m × 200 m grid method). In addition, the water samples below the surface of 0.5 m were also collected in the wet season. The physicochemical indexes of the sampling water were detected. Results According to the Surface Water Environmental Quality Standard (GB 3838–2002), the water quality indicators which were less than the detection limit were Cr, Cd, Zn, Hg, Cu, S－ and CN－ during the three sampling seasons. The pollutants which were slightly higher than Grade III but lower than Grade IV (Hg ≤ 1 μg/L, TP ≤ 0.1 mg/L) were Hg and TP. The pollutants below the Grade III included As and F－. The temperature and pH values were within the Grade III. The oxygen consumption indicators covering DO, COD and BOD in the water-rising season and wet season were within the Grade III, while the value of BOD was beyond the scope of Grade III but was between Grade Ⅳ (≤ 6 mg/L) and Grade V (≤ 10 mg/L) in the water-falling season. The differences of the water pollution indexes between the snail-breeding marshland and non-snail marshland were statistically significant, and these indexes included F－, As and pH in the water-rising season (P < 0.05); pH, BOD and Fat the surface layer in the wet season (P < 0.05); F－ at the bottom in the wet season (P < 0.05); TP and F－ in the water-falling season. Moreover, the above-mentioned indexes in the non-snail marshland of Qianliang Lake were higher than those in the snail-breeding marshland of Junshan Park. Thus, F－ was the only index which had statistical differences in every sampling season, and the concentration of F－ at the non-snail marshland was also higher than that at the snail-breeding marshland. In the water-rising season, the pH value at the non-snail marshland exceeded the suitable range for the growth of snails (6.8 to 7.8). Conclusion In the Eastern Dongting Lake area, the high concentration of F－ and pH of water may be responsible for the natural extinction of O. hupensis snails.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the reasons of natural extinction of Oncomelania hupensis snails by comparing the difference of the water chemical properties between the snail-breeding marshland and non-snail marshland in Eastern Dongting Lake areas. Methods Three adjoining marshlands in Eastern Dongting Lake areas were selected, one was a snail-breeding marshland, the second was a non-snail marshland, and the third was a boundary zone between them. During the periods of water-rising season, wet season and water-falling season, the water samples from the bottom of 0.5 m were collected by the systematic random sampling method (200 m × 200 m grid method). In addition, the water samples below the surface of 0.5 m were also collected in the wet season. The physicochemical indexes of the sampling water were detected. Results According to the Surface Water Environmental Quality Standard (GB 3838–2002), the water quality indicators which were less than the detection limit were Cr, Cd, Zn, Hg, Cu, S－ and CN－ during the three sampling seasons. The pollutants which were slightly higher than Grade III but lower than Grade IV (Hg ≤ 1 μg/L, TP ≤ 0.1 mg/L) were Hg and TP. The pollutants below the Grade III included As and F－. The temperature and pH values were within the Grade III. The oxygen consumption indicators covering DO, COD and BOD in the water-rising season and wet season were within the Grade III, while the value of BOD was beyond the scope of Grade III but was between Grade Ⅳ (≤ 6 mg/L) and Grade V (≤ 10 mg/L) in the water-falling season. The differences of the water pollution indexes between the snail-breeding marshland and non-snail marshland were statistically significant, and these indexes included F－, As and pH in the water-rising season (P < 0.05); pH, BOD and Fat the surface layer in the wet season (P < 0.05); F－ at the bottom in the wet season (P < 0.05); TP and F－ in the water-falling season. Moreover, the above-mentioned indexes in the non-snail marshland of Qianliang Lake were higher than those in the snail-breeding marshland of Junshan Park. Thus, F－ was the only index which had statistical differences in every sampling season, and the concentration of F－ at the non-snail marshland was also higher than that at the snail-breeding marshland. In the water-rising season, the pH value at the non-snail marshland exceeded the suitable range for the growth of snails (6.8 to 7.8). Conclusion In the Eastern Dongting Lake area, the high concentration of F－ and pH of water may be responsible for the natural extinction of O. hupensis snails.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To comprehensively compare and evaluate the composition of Salvia miltiorrhiza phloem and xylem samples based on fingerprint analysis and quantitative analysis of multi-components. Methods: In the present study, an accurate and reliable fingerprint approach was developed using high performance liquid chromatography for chemical comparison ofphloem and xylem samples of S. miltiorrhiza. Furthermore, eight bioactive compounds including four salvianolic acids and four tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza phloem and xylem samples were simultaneously quantified. Moreover, chemometrics methods were performed to compare and discriminate the phloem and xylem based on the quantitative data. Results: The specific fingerprints of phloem and xylem of S. miltiorrhiza were obtained, and a total of 10 common peaks were marked. The quantitative and chemometrics analysis results indicated the content of chemical components in phloem and xylem samples of S. miltiorrhiza were notably different. Obviously, the content of tanshinones were notably different between phloem and xylem samples. The content of tanshinones were significant higher in phloem compared with xylem in S. miltiorrhiza. Conclusion: The fingerprint analysis and quantitative analysis of multi-components could be a well-acceptable strategy for chemical comparison of S. miltiorrhiza phloem and xylem.