[Identification and biological characteristics of a pathogen causing leaf blight of Rehmannia glutinosa].

Leaf blight outbroke in Rehmannia glutinosa plantation in Wenxian county, Henan province in 2019. R. glutinosa plants with diseased leaves were collected from the plantation, and three strains were isolated from the diseased leaf samples. Pathogenicity test, morphological observation, and phylogenetic analysis of ITS, EF1-α, and Tub suggested that they were respectively Fusarium proliferatum, F. oxysporum, and F.acuminatum. Among them, F. acuminatum, as a pathogen of R. glutinosa leaf disease, had never been reported. To clarify the biological characteristics of F. acuminatum, this study tested the influence of light, pH, temperature, medium, carbon source, and nitrogen source on the mycelial growth rate of the pathogen during a 5-day culture period, and explored the lethal temperature. The results showed that the mycelia grew well under the photoperiod of 12 h light/12 h darkness, at 5-40 ℃(optimal temperature: 25 ℃), at pH 4-11(optimal pH: 7.0), on a variety of media(optimal medium: oatmeal agar), and in the presence of diverse carbon and nitrogen sources(optimal carbon source: soluble starch; optimal nitrogen source: sodium nitrate). The lethal temperature was verified to be 51 ℃(10 min). The conclusion is expected to lay a scientific basis for diagnosis and control of R. glutinosa leaf diseases caused by F. acuminatum.

Using Inorganic Nanomaterials to Endow Biocatalytic Systems with Unique Features.

The rapid growth in nanotechnology and biotechnology offers a wealth of opportunities for the combination of natural enzymes with different kinds of nanomaterial. Here, we highlight recent advances in constructing nanomaterial-incorporated enzymes that integrate the specific recognition and biocatalytic properties of enzymes with the attractive electronic, optical, magnetic, and catalytic properties of nanomaterials. These composite materials have some extra features that are not possessed by the enzymes themselves, such as electron transfer mediated by nanoparticles, enzyme delivery, remote activation and/or deactivation of enzymatic activity, and fabrication of catalytic entities with complementary functions. Additionally, we describe briefly the current challenges and future development of unique enzyme-nanomaterial hybrid systems. We hope that this review will help to accelerate further progress in this promising field.

Fabrication and biofunctionalization of selenium-polypyrrole core-shell nanoparticles for targeting and imaging of cancer cells.

Selenium-polypyrrole core-shell nanoparticles are fabricated by an in-situ polymerization process and functionalized with transferrin for targeting and imaging of human cervical cancer cells. The shell thickness and chemical composition of the as-synthesized particles can be manipulated by controlling the precursor concentration. The presence of the polymer layer can greatly increase the thermal stability of the selenium nanoparticles. The presence of transferrin molecules on the surface of the core-shell nanoparticles can significantly enhance their cellular uptake. The tranferrin-conjugated core-shell nanoparticles can be potentially used for the targeting and imaging of cancer cells.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on premenstrual syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical therapeutic effects of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and medicine on premenstrual syndrome, so as to search for the best method for this disease. METHODS: Eighty-eight cases were randomly divided into a catgut embedding group and a medication group. The catgut embedding group were treated with main points, Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiso (SP 6), Danzhong (CV 17), Guanyuan (CV 4), Taichong (LR 3), and aduvant points, Back-shu, and the medicine group with oral administration of fluoxetine. After treatment of 3 months, their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of the catgut embedding group was better than that of the medication group with a very statistically significant difference (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Acupoint catgut embedding is a better therapy for premenstrual syndrome.