Optimization of the Extraction of Total Phenols from Medicago sativa and Its Antioxidant Capacity.

The phenolic compounds from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are used as antioxidants and in native medicine. They play an indispensable role in defense and signal transduction of the plant under stress conditions. This exploration of the optimal extraction parameters of the total phenols from alfalfa by using ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) was aimed at providing a theoretical basis for better utilization of the total phenols in alfalfa. In this study, the effects of solvent volume fraction (A), extraction time (B), solid-liquid ratio (C) and extraction temperature (D) on the total phenols content and the total antioxidant capacity of Medicago sativa L. WL363HQ after thrips infestation were determined through single-factor experiments. Additionally, the extraction conditions of total phenols were optimized by using Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the proposed model had a good fitting degree for total phenols extraction (R2 =0.9564). The total phenols extraction from WL363HQ had significant relationship with solid-liquid ratio (C) and extraction temperature (D) (P<0.05). The influence levels of the four factors on total phenols extraction were as follows: extraction temperature (D) > solid-liquid ratio (C)>acetone volume fraction (A)>extraction time (B). The optimum extraction conditions of total phenols from WL363HQ were 50 % acetone, solid-liquid ratio of 1 : 20 (g/mL), extraction time of 45 min and extraction temperature of 60 °C. The corresponding content and total antioxidant capacity under the optimized conditions were 15.76 mg g-1 and 28.79 µmol Trolox g-1 . These results provided a new extraction method of total phenols from alfalfa.

Supplementation of vitamin C promotes early germ cell specification from human embryonic stem cells.

BACKGROUND: As the precursors of sperm and eggs, human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) emerge as early as weeks 2 to 3 of post-implantation development. Recently, robust hPGC induction models have been established in vitro with different protocols, but global 5mC/5hmC epigenetic reprogramming is not initiated in vitro. Previous studies found that vitamin C can enhance Tet (ten-eleven translocation) enzyme expression and improve 5hmC level in cells. But the effect of vitamin C supplementation on hPGC in vitro induction is still unknown. METHODS: We generated a gene-edited human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line carrying a BLIMP1-mkate2 reporter by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and used flow cytometry to optimize the PGC differentiation protocol; meanwhile, the expression of PGC genes (BLIMP1, TFAP2C, SOX17, OCT4) was evaluated by qRT-PCR. When different concentrations of vitamin C were added to the induction medium, the percentage of hPGCLCs (hPGC-like cells) was analyzed by flow cytometry; dot blot and ELISA were used to detect the levels of 5hmC and 5mC. The expression of TET enzymes was also evaluated by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: We optimized the PGC differentiation protocol with the BLIMP1-mkate reporter hESCs, and the efficiency of PGC induction in vitro can be improved to 30~40%. When 50 µg/mL vitamin C was added, the derived hPGCLCs not only upregulated the expression of key genes involved in human early germ cell development such as NANOS3, TFAP2C, BLIMP1, and SOX17, but also increased the levels of 5hmC and TET enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, supplementation of vitamin C can promote the in vitro induction of hPGCLCs from hESCs, which might be related to vitamin C-mediated epigenetic regulations during the differentiation process.

Preliminary Study on the Effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL on Cecal Bacterial Community Structure of Broiler Chickens.

Probiotics can promote the health and growth performance of animals through modulation of intestinal microbiota. When used as a feed additive, they have the potential to minimize or abolish the use of antibiotics. In this study, we investigated the effect of the probiotic strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TL on the growth performance and cecum microflora composition in Cobb 500 broiler chickens. In total, 180 broilers were randomly divided into three groups-each group comprised 4 pens, and each pen contained 15 chickens. The three groups were fed either a control diet, or a diet supplemented with either the antibiotic chlortetracycline or B. amyloliquefaciens TL. Broilers were weighed, and cecum contents were collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 35, respectively. The broilers in both the antibiotic and probiotic groups exhibited significant weight gain compared with controls, exhibiting increases of 16.02% and 13.40%, respectively, after 35 days (P < 0.01). Similarly, the feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1-35 days) of broilers in the chlortetracycline and B. amyloliquefaciens TL groups was lower than that of the controls. HiSeq high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA of the cecal microbiota was performed on days 7, 14, 21, and 35, respectively. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was higher in the chlortetracycline and B. amyloliquefaciens TL groups than in the control group on days 14, 21, and 35, and especially on day 21. The prevalence of genera Oscillospira, Ruminococcus, Butyricicoccus, and Faecalibacterium (Firmicutes) was higher in the antibiotic and probiotic groups, while that of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides (Bacteroidetes), and Lactobacillus was higher in the control group. In this study, the changes in the microbiota of the probiotic group were similar to those in the antibiotic group. These results suggest that the probiotic strain B. amyloliquefaciens TL can modulate the cecal microbiota of broilers similar to chlortetracycline.

A cation-exchange controlled core-shell MnS@Bi2S3 theranostic platform for multimodal imaging guided radiation therapy with hyperthermia boost.

Overtreatment as a crucial modern medicine issue needs to be urgently addressed. Theranostic agents supply a unique platform and integrate multiple diagnosis and therapies to deal with this issue. In this study, a core-shell MnS@Bi2S3 nanostructure was fabricated via two step reactions for tri-modal imaging guided thermo-radio synergistic therapy. The mass ratio between the core and shell of the constructed MnS@Bi2S3 can be precisely controlled via cation exchange reaction. After surface PEGylation, MnS@Bi2S3-PEG nanoparticles exhibited excellent aqueous medium dispersibility for bioapplications. Based on the r1 and r2 relaxivity obtained from the MnS core and the strong near-infrared absorption and X-ray attenuation abilities of the Bi2S3 shell, the intratumoral injected MnS@Bi2S3-PEG can realize in vivo magnetic resonance, computer tomography, and photoacoustic tumor imaging under a single injection dose. Hyperthermia significantly boosts the efficacy of radiation therapy, showing synergistic tumor treatment efficacy. No obvious toxicity is monitored for the treated mice. Our study not only provides a new way to precisely construct the core-shell nanocomposite, but also presents a unique theranostic platform and unifies the solutions for the challenges related with high injection dose and overtreatment.

Screening Allelochemical-Resistant Species of the Alien Invasive Mikania micrantha for Restoration in South China.

To screen allelochemical-resistant species of the alien invasive weed Mikania micrantha, we studied the allelopathic inhibition effects of the leaf aqueous extract (LAE) of Mikania on seed germination and seedling growth of the 26 species native or naturalized in the invaded region in South China. Seed germination was more strongly negatively affected by LAE than seedling growth. Responses of seed germination and seed growth to LAE differed differently among the target species. LAE more strongly negatively affected seed germination, but less strongly negatively affected seedling growth, in non-legume species than in legume species. LAE more strongly negatively affected seed germination and seedling growth in native species than naturalized exotic species. Therefore, naturalized exotic non-legume seedlings are more suitable than seeds of native legume species for restoration of Mikania-invaded habitats.

[Prophylactic administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsule reduces intra-operative blood loss in orthognathic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the haemostatic efficacy and safety of prophylactic oral administration of Yunan Baiyao capsules on reduction of blood loss in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients scheduled for Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) were enrolled in the prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Forty-three patients took prophylactic oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsules 3 days before operation, and 44 patients without Yunnan Baiyao administration served as control. The intraoperative blood loss during Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy was estimated and the safety of Yunnan Baiyao capsules was evaluated. RESULTS: The total blood loss in the Yunnan Baiyao group (330.5 +/- 134.4) ml was significantly lower than that of the control group (420.3 +/- 175.9) ml. The blood loss of Le Fort I osteotomy in the Yunnan Baiyao group (154.9 +/- 84.3) ml was also significantly lower than that of the control group (203.8 +/- 98.1) ml. The mean blood loss of BSSRO in the Yunnan Baiyao group was also lower than that of the control group, but the differences was not significant. The post-operative fibrinolysis was in the same level in both groups. Thromboemblic events or other side effects were not observed in this clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsules can effectively reduce the intra-operative blood loss in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Yunnan Baiyao capsule are an effective and safe haemostatic traditional Chinese medicine.

[Evaluation of Yunnan Baiyao capsules for reducing postoperative swelling after orthognathic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Yunnan Baiyao capsules on facial swelling and anti-inflammatory response after orthognathic surgery. METHODS: 87 patients scheduled for Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) and genioplasty were randomly divided into 2 groups: experiment roup (n = 43) given with Yunnan Baiyao capsules orally 4 days before operation once daily and then via nasal feeding tube after operation once a day for 5 days, and placebo group given with placebo capsules. Antibiotic was routinely given to both groups. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-1 were quantified on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 5. Degrees of facial swelling were evaluated on postoperative days 3, 5, and 7. RESULTS: Peak CRP and cytokines levels were reached on the first postoperative day in both groups, and the the variables decreased. The serum concentrations of CRP and IL-6 in the Yunan Baiyao group were lower than those in the control group. The CRP levels on the postoperative day 2, 3 and 5 of the experiment group were all significantly lower than those of the placebo group, and the IL-6 level on the second postoperative day of the experiment group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Perioperative administration of Yunnan Baiyao capsules can reduce the magnitude of inflammatory response and facial swelling after orthognathic surgery. Yunnan Baiyao capsule has efficacy of anti-inflammatory response.