Vaginal Epithelial Cell Membrane-Based Phototherapeutic Decoy Confers a "Three-in-One" Strategy to Treat against Intravaginal Infection of Candida albicans.

Phototherapy is an effective strategy to control Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection without raising the concern of drug resistance. Despite its effectiveness, a higher dose of phototherapeutic power is required for C. albicans elimination compared to bacteria that have to be used, which is readily accompanied by off-target heat and toxic singlet oxygen to damage normal cells, thus limiting its usefulness for antifungal applications. Here to overcome this, we develop a "three-in-one" biomimetic nanoplatform consisting of an oxygen-dissolved perfluorocarbon camouflaged by a photosensitizer-loaded vaginal epithelial cell membrane. With a cell membrane coating, the nanoplatform is capable of specifically binding with C. albicans at the superficial or deep vaginal epithelium, thereby centering the phototherapeutic agents on C. albicans. Meanwhile, the cell membrane coating endows the nanoplatform to competitively protect healthy cells from candidalysin-medicated cytotoxicity. Upon candidalysin sequestration, pore-forming on the surface of the nanoplatform accelerates release of the preloaded photosensitizer and oxygen, resulting in enhanced phototherapeutic power for improved anti-C. albicans efficacy under near-infrared irradiation. In an intravaginal C. albicans-infected murine model, treatment with the nanoplatform leads to a significantly decreased C. albicans burden, particularly when leveraging candidalysin for further elevated phototherapy and C. albicans inhibition. Also, the same trends hold true when using the nanoplatform to treat the clinical C. albicans isolates. Overall, this biomimetic nanoplatform can target and bind with C. albicans and simultaneously neutralize the candidalysin and then transform such toxins that are always considered a positive part in driving C. albicans infection with the power of enhancing phototherapy for improved anti-C. albicans efficacy.

(±)-Gentiovarisin A and gentiovarisin B, unusual secoiridoid dimer skeletons from gentiopicroside.

Gentiana scabra, a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of hepatitis. Its index component gentiopicroside could not be detected in the decoction, which suggested that the quality control of the TCM with this ingredient needs attention. The transformed products were obtained from gentiopicroside, mimicking the traditional process of G. scabra. Further investigation of the heat-transformed products yielded two secoiridoid dimers, gentiovarisin A (1) and B (2), with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6/6-fused pentacyclic skeletons. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1 were confirmed as (+)-1 and (-)-1 by ECD method. Plausible transformation pathways of the isolates were also proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited in vitro hepatoprotective activity similar to gentiopicroside, while (+)-1 displayed a more potent hepatoprotective activity than N-Acetyl-L-cysteine.

The Loss-Function of the Male Sterile Gene ZmMs33/ZmGPAT6 Results in Severely Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Disorder in Maize Anthers.

In plants, oxidative stress and metabolic reprogramming frequently induce male sterility, however our knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanism is far from complete. Here, a maize genic male-sterility (GMS) mutant (ms33-6038) with a loss-of-function of the ZmMs33 gene encoding glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 6 (GPAT6) displayed severe deficiencies in the development of a four-layer anther wall and microspores and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in anthers. In ms33-6038 anthers, transcriptome analysis identified thousands of differentially expressed genes that were functionally enriched in stress response and primary metabolism pathways. Further investigation revealed that 64 genes involved in ROS production, scavenging, and signaling were specifically changed in expression levels in ms33-6038 anthers compared to the other five investigated GMS lines. The severe oxidative stress triggered premature tapetal autophagy and metabolic reprogramming mediated mainly by the activated SnRK1-bZIP pathway, as well as the TOR and PP2AC pathways, proven by transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, 20 reported maize GMS genes were altered in expression levels in ms33-6038 anthers. The excessive oxidative stress and the metabolic reprogramming resulted in severe phenotypic deficiencies in ms33-6038 anthers. These findings enrich our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which ROS and metabolic homeostasis impair anther and pollen development in plants.

Toxin-Enabled "On-Demand" Liposomes for Enhanced Phototherapy to Treat and Protect against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection.

An effective therapeutic strategy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that does not promote further drug resistance is highly desirable. While phototherapies have demonstrated considerable promise, their application toward bacterial infections can be limited by negative off-target effects to healthy cells. Here, a smart targeted nanoformulation consisting of a liquid perfluorocarbon core stabilized by a lipid membrane coating is developed. Using vancomycin as a targeting agent, the platform is capable of specifically delivering an encapsulated photosensitizer along with oxygen to sites of MRSA infection, where high concentrations of pore-forming toxins trigger on-demand payload release. Upon subsequent near-infrared irradiation, local increases in temperature and reactive oxygen species effectively kill the bacteria. Additionally, the secreted toxins that are captured by the nanoformulation can be processed by resident immune cells to promote multiantigenic immunity that protects against secondary MRSA infections. Overall, the reported approach for the on-demand release of phototherapeutic agents into sites of infection could be applied against a wide range of high-priority pathogens.

The study of schizogenous formation of secretory ducts in Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov.

The secretory ducts of Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov. are the main tissue of synthesis, secretion, and accumulation of resin. The formation of secretory ducts is closely related to the harvest and quality of resin, but the lumen formation mode and corresponding mechanism have not been thoroughly studied. This study of F. ferulaeoides investigated the microstructure and ultrastructure of the secretory ducts from a developmental point of view. Stem samples were analyzed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The data results showed (1) the walls of secretory cells were intact during the development of secretory ducts in F. ferulaeoides; (2) the plastids and endoplasmic reticulum of secretory cells participated in the synthesis of resin; (3) pectinase was involved in the degradation of the middle lamella; and (4) no features of programmed cell death during the formation of secretory ducts. The results suggested that the formation of F. ferulaeoides' secretory ducts was schizogenous, and pectinase was involved in its formation. These data may be beneficial to further explore the formation of secretory duct in other species of Ferula L. and the formation mechanism of schizogenous secretory structures.

ZmMs25 encoding a plastid-localized fatty acyl reductase is critical for anther and pollen development in maize.

Fatty acyl reductases (FARs) catalyse the reduction of fatty acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) or -acyl carrier protein (ACP) substrates to primary fatty alcohols, which play essential roles in lipid metabolism in plants. However, the mechanism by which FARs are involved in male reproduction is poorly defined. Here, we found that two maize allelic mutants, ms25-6065 and ms25-6057, displayed defective anther cuticles, abnormal Ubisch body formation, impaired pollen exine formation and complete male sterility. Based on map-based cloning and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, Zm00001d048337 was identified as ZmMs25, encoding a plastid-localized FAR with catalytic activities to multiple acyl-CoA substrates in vitro. Four conserved residues (G101, G104, Y327 and K331) of ZmMs25 were critical for its activity. ZmMs25 was predominantly expressed in anther, and was directly regulated by transcription factor ZmMYB84. Lipidomics analysis revealed that ms25 mutation had significant effects on reducing cutin monomers and internal lipids, and altering the composition of cuticular wax in anthers. Moreover, loss of function of ZmMs25 significantly affected the expression of its four paralogous genes and five cloned lipid metabolic male-sterility genes in maize. These data suggest that ZmMs25 is required for anther development and male fertility, indicating its application potential in maize and other crops.

Genus Paeonia: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical application, and toxicology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paeonia, which comprises approximately 52 shrubs or herbaceous perennials around the world, is the only genus of the Paeoniaceae and is pervasively distributed in Asia, southern Europe, and North America. Many species of the genus Paeonia have been used for centuries in ethnomedical medical systems. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The present study aims to summarize the traditional uses, clinical applications, and toxicology of the genus Paeonia, to critically evaluate the state-of-the-art phytochemical and pharmacological studies of this genus published between 2011 and 2020, and to suggest directions for further in-depth research on Paeonia medicinal resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Popular and widely used databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched using the various search strings; from these searches, a number of citations related to the traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical application, and toxicology of the genus Paeonia were retrieved. RESULTS: The use of 21 species, 2 subspecies, and 7 varieties of the genus Paeonia as traditional herbal remedies has been reported, and many ethnomedicinal uses, such as the treatment of hematemesis, blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, epilepsy, spasms, and gastritis, have been recorded. The roots and root bark are the most frequently reported parts of the plants used in medicinal applications. In phytochemical investigations, 451 compounds have been isolated from Paeonia plants to date, which contains monoterpenoid glucosides, flavonoids, tannins, stilbenes, triterpenoids and steroids, and phenols. Studies of their pharmacological activities have revealed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, antibacterial, antiviral, cardiovascular protective, and neuroprotective properties of the genus Paeonia. In particular, some bioactive extracts and compounds (total glucosides of peony (TGP), paeonol, and paeoniflorin) have been used as therapeutic drugs or tested in clinical trials. In addition to the "incompatibility" of the combined use of "shaoyao" and Veratrum nigrum L. roots in traditional Chinese medicine theory, Paeonia was considered to have no obvious toxicity based on the available toxicological tests. CONCLUSION: A large number of phytochemical and pharmacological reports have indicated that Paeonia is an important medicinal herb resource, and some of its traditional uses including the treatment of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases and its use as a neuroprotective agent, have been partially confirmed through modern pharmacological studies. Monoterpenoid glucosides are the main active constituents. Although many compounds have been isolated from Paeonia plants, the biological activities of only a few of these compounds (paeoniflorin, paeonol, and TGP) have been extensively investigated. Some paeoniflorin structural analogues and resveratrol oligomers have been preliminarily studied. With the exception of several species (P. suffruticosa, P. ostii, P. lactiflora, and P. emodi) that are commonly used in folk medicine, many medicinal species within the genus do not receive adequate attention. Conducting phytochemical and pharmacological experiments on these species can provide new clues that may lead to the discovery of medicinal resources. It is necessary to identify the effective phytoconstituents of crude extracts of Paeonia that displayed pharmacological activities by bioactivity-guided isolation. In addition, comprehensive plant quality control, and toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies are needed in the future studies.

Signal optimized rough silver nanoparticle for rapid SERS sensing of pesticide residues in tea.

Trace detection of toxic chemicals in foodstuffs is of great concern in recent years. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has drawn significant attention in the monitoring of food safety due to its high sensitivity. This study synthesized signal optimized flower-like silver nanoparticle-(AgNP) with EF at 25 °C of 1.39 × 106 to extend the SERS application for pesticide sensing in foodstuffs. The synthesized AgNP was deployed as SERS based sensing platform to detect methomyl, acetamiprid-(AC) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-(2,4-D) residue levels in green tea via solid-phase extraction. A linear correlation was twigged between the SERS signal and the concentration for methomyl, AC and 2,4-D with regression coefficient of 0.9974, 0.9956 and 0.9982 and limit of detection of 5.58 × 10-4, 1.88 × 10-4 and 4.72 × 10-3 µg/mL, respectively; the RSD value < 5% was recorded for accuracy and precision analysis suggesting that proposed method could be deployed for the monitoring of methomyl, AC and 2,4-D residue levels in green tea.

Traditional uses, ten-years research progress on phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of the genus Scutellaria.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), which includes approximately 360-469 accepted species, is widespread in Europe, North America, East Asia, and South America. Several species have a long history being used as traditional medicines to treat respiratory, peptic, neurological, and hepatic and gall diseases. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Scutellaria have been developed dramatically in the past ten years, and the traditional uses and clinical studies of the genus have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, it is especially valuable to review the current state of knowledge to provide a basis for further exploration of its medicinal potential. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The review aims to provide updated information on the ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress of phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria and to explore the potential medicinal values and further studies of Scutellaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review is based on published studies and books from the library and electronic sources, including SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, the online ethnobotanical database, and ethnobotanical monographs. This literature is related to ethnopharmacology, the ten-year research progress on the phytochemistry and pharmacology, and clinical studies of Scutellaria. RESULTS: A total of 50 species, 5 subspecies and 17 varieties of the genus Scutellaria are used as traditional medicine with various biological activities. In the past ten years, 208 chemical constituents have been identified from 16 species and 1 variety of the genus Scutellaria, such as neo-clerodane diterpenoids, sesterterpenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids. Pharmacological research has demonstrated that the extracts and compounds identified from this genus exhibit extensive biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial activities, effects on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases as well as hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The species S. baicalensis, S. barbata, and S. lateriflora and the main compounds baicalein, baicalin and wogonin are involved in clinical trials, which point the way for us to conduct further studies, such as study on the anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and other effects of Scutellaria. CONCLUSIONS: The species included in the genus Scutellaria can be used to treat cancer, infection, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and other diseases. Some indications in traditional medicines have been confirmed by modern pharmacological studies, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective activity, and hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects. The available literature indicated that most of the bioactivities could be attributed to flavonoids and neo-clerodane diterpenoids. Although there are some uses of Scutellaria in clinical practice, the existing research on this genus is still limited. In order to expand the development of medicinal resources of Scutellaria, the already studied species in this genus are recommended for more comprehensive investigation on their active substances, pharmacological mechanisms, quality control, clinical use and new drug research. Additionally, it is necessary to study species that their chemical composition or pharmacological activity have not yet been investigated, especially those used in folk medicine.

The chemopreventive effects of Huangqin-tea against AOM-induced preneoplastic colonic aberrant crypt foci in rats and omics analysis.

Despite that colorectal cancer (CRC) is a severe global health problem, effective chemopreventive strategies against CRC are still lacking. Huang-qin tea (HQT), a healthy herbal tea, is prepared from the aerial parts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and has been consumed in China for thousands of years. HQT contains abundant flavonoids, which display potent anticancer effects, but no research studies have investigated the cancer-preventive effects of HQT on CRC in vivo. Here, we found that HQT inhibits azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation in a preneoplastic colonic ACF rat model. The essential role of the gut microbiota in the chemopreventive effect of HQT on CRC in a pseudo-germ-free rat model was confirmed. Besides, HQT modulates inflammatory cytokine expression by significantly decreasing IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α expression, and elevating IFN-γ production. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis indicated that HQT regulated the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnoclostridium, Alistipes, Roseburia, and Lactococcus) and reducing the levels of Bacteroides, Parasutterella, and unidentified_Clostridiales. Fecal metabolomics showed that HQT modulated the AOM-induced metabolomic disorder, and these altered metabolites were almost involved in the lipid metabolic pathways. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed a correlation between the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. Collectively, these results suggested that HQT exerted beneficial effects on host health by inhibiting inflammation, and by regulating the gut microbiota profile and certain metabolic pathways. In conclusion, HQT inhibits AOM-induced ACF formation by modulating the gut microbiota composition and improving metabolomic disorders, indicating the potential of HQT as a functional beverage candidate for the prevention and treatment of CRC.

[Simultaneous rapid detection of ten stilbenes in serum of mice by UPLC-MS/MS].

Stilbenes is a class of natural polyphenols with 1,2-diphenylethylene as the skeleton structure which have structural and active diversity. However, there are fewer studies on their metabolic process, which limits the in-depth research and development of such components. An UPLC-MS/MS method simultaneously determining contents of ten stilbenes was firstly established in this study and applied to study the ten stilbenes of peony seed coats in the serum of C57 mice.Piceatannol was the internal standard, and methanol was used for protein precipitation, UPLC-MS/MS with negative ion mode was used for analysis, and the method was validated.The serum samples were collected and detected after mice being oral administered with 800 mg·kg~(-1) peony seed coat extracts for 8 weeks. The results showed that suffruticosol A, suffruticosol B, suffruticosol C, trans-ε-viniferin, cis-gnetin H, trans-suffruticosol D and trans-gnetin H were detected in serum samples, and the highest is suffruticosol A. The method is simple and quick with high specificity and sensitivity, and it is suitable for quantitative determination of ten stilbenes in the serum of mice.

Resveratrol oligomers from Paeonia suffruticosa protect mice against cognitive dysfunction by regulating cholinergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent. Resveratrol oligomers are the main components of the seed coat extracts of Paeonia suffruticosa (PSCE) and have DPPH free radical scavenging and ß-secretase inhibitory activity. However, studies of its effect on ameliorating cognitive deficits are limited, and analyses of the underlying mechanisms are insufficient. AIM OF STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the cholinesterase inhibitory activities of resveratrol oligomers from P. suffruticosa in vitro and their effects on diminishing the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) -induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells and scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms were further explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, the inhibitory effects of PSCE and its 10 stilbenes on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were evaluated using the Ellman's assay, and its protective effects on normal and OGD/R-injured PC12 cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. For the in vivo assay, C57BL/6 mice were orally administered with PSCE at doses of 150 and 600 mg/kg for 28 days, and injected with scopolamine (1.5 mg/kg) to induce cognitive deficits. The memory behaviours were evaluated using the novel object recognition, Morris water maze and inhibitory avoidance test. Levels of various biochemical markers were also examined, including AChE, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholine (ACh), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) in the mouse brain and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) in serum. RESULTS: PSCE and its 10 stilbenes display good inhibition of AChE and BuChE activities and significantly increase the viability of normal and OGD/R-injured PC12 cells. PSCE improves the cognitive performance of scopolamine-treated mice in behavioural tests. Meanwhile, PSCE increases AChE, ChAT, SOD, and CAT activities and ACh, GSH, IL-4 levels, and decreases IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α levels in the model animals. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol oligomers from P. suffruticosa show neuroprotective effect in vitro and in vivo by regulating cholinergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways, may have promising application in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and characterizing of phytochemical constituents from Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W.T. Wang & P. K. Hsiao through UPLC-MS combined with an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Dichocarpum is endemic to East Asia, and many of them are traditionally used folk medicine in China. Dichocarpum auriculatum (Franch.) W. T. Wang et P. K. Hsiao has the effect of clearing away heat, removing toxicity, and relieving swelling in southwestern China. Intriguingly, its root and whole herb also used as remedy for the neurological disease epilepsy. However, there are not any scientific reports on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of D. auriculatum. AIM OF STUDY: Traditional and folk medicinal knowledge would be useful for finding new pharmaceutical resources. There are many evidences over the years reported that an interaction probably exists between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the potential AChE inhibitors and the phytochemical profiles of the specie D. auriculatum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AChE inhibitory activity of plant extracts of D. auriculatum and other 6 species from different regions of the genus Dichocarpum were evaluated in vitro assays and the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to analyze the chemical constituents. Moreover, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used to determine the distribution of 12 standard compounds in samples. RESULTS: As a preferred source of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors of the genus Dichocarpum, D. auriculatum has been further investigated. The screening results show that the ability of root extracts from D. auriculatum (IC50 = 0.15 mg·mL-1) to inhibit AChE was better than other samples, it is consistent with traditional medicinal records. The phytochemical constituents of D. auriculatum was surveyed firstly by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, and 36 compounds, including 14 alkaloids, 16 flavonoids, 6 others, were identified tentatively. Further experiments showed that five compounds (columbamine, palmatine, dauricine, jatrorrhizine and berberine) from D. auriculatum were confirmed the potential inhibition of AChE activity in vitro (IC50: 0.24-6.37 µM) and UPLC-ESI-MS/MS results showed that the content of most active compounds in roots was much higher than in aerial parts. Palmatine (IC50 = 0.34 µM) and columbamine (IC50 = 0.24 µM) showed prominent AChE inhibitory activity among the tested compounds. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report about the evaluation of AChE inhibitory activity and phytochemical profiles of D. auriculatum, led to the identification of 36 compounds including alkaloids and flavonoids, and five alkaloids exhibited a significant AChE inhibitory activity and had the potential as AChE inhibitors. This study provided scientific experimental basis for the traditional efficacy of neurological disease of the plant.

Studies on Antibacterial Activity and Diversity of Cultivable Actinobacteria Isolated from Mangrove Soil in Futian and Maoweihai of China.

Mangrove is a rich and underexploited ecosystem with great microbial diversity for discovery of novel and chemically diverse antimicrobial compounds. The goal of the study was to explore the pharmaceutical actinobacterial resources from mangrove soil and gain insight into the diversity and novelty of cultivable actinobacteria. Consequently, 10 mangrove soil samples were collected from Futian and Maoweihai of China, and the culture-dependent method was employed to obtain actinobacteria. A total of 539 cultivable actinobacteria were isolated and distributed in 39 genera affiliated to 18 families of 8 orders by comparison analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. The dominant genus was Streptomyces (16.0 %), followed by Microbacterium (14.5 %), Agromyces (14.3 %), and Rhodococcus (11.9 %). Other 35 rare actinobacterial genera accounted for minor proportions. Notably, 11 strains showed relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (< 98.65 %) with validly described species. Based on genotypic analyses and phenotypic characteristics, 115 out of the 539 actinobacterial strains were chosen as representative strains to test their antibacterial activities against "ESKAPE" bacteria by agar well diffusion method and antibacterial mechanism by the double fluorescent protein reporter system. Fifty-four strains in 23 genera, including 2 potential new species, displayed antagonistic activity in antibacterial assay. Meanwhile, 5 strains in 3 genera exhibited inhibitory activity on protein biosynthesis due to ribosome stalling. These results demonstrate that cultivable actinobacteria from mangrove soil are potentially rich sources for discovery of new antibacterial metabolites and new actinobacterial taxa.

[Morphological, microscopic, multiple-component assay and fingerprinting based systematic research on quality evaluation of Moutan Cortex(Paeonia suffruticosa)].

The purpose of this study was to combine morphological, microscopic, UHPLC multiple-component assay and fingerprinting studies in order to evaluate the quality of Moutan Cortex (MC) systematically. The root system of Paeonia suffruticosa was measured to compare the morphological variation and the chemical composition of different grades of MC was discussed according to previous studies. The difference between the main microscopic features of MC powder and the xylem powder is dramatic, the MC powder contains great amount of starch granules and clusters of calcium oxalate, while the xylem powder displays considerable vessels. Interestingly, the growth rings of P. suffruticosa was first reported in the xylem of the root transection, this can help to determine the growth years of the plant. Moreover, through the assay of 16 component, MC produced in Tongling and Bozhou in Anhui province were compared, content of PGG in MC produced in Bozhou was significantly higher than MC produced in Tongling (P<0.01). MC with different growth years, MC with xylem and unprocessed MC and MC decoction pieces were compared respectively by combining the results of 16 compounds assay and fingerprinting. It is proposed that the quality evaluation standard include the assay of paeoniflorin. Above all, the holistic quality difference can be evaluated more comprehensively by combining multiple analytical methods.

Map-based cloning and characterization of Zea mays male sterility33 (ZmMs33) gene, encoding a glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.

KEY MESSAGE: Map-based cloning of maize ms33 gene showed that ZmMs33 encodes a sn-2 glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, the ortholog of rice OsGPAT3, and it is essential for male fertility in maize. Genetic male sterility has been widely studied for its biological significance and commercial value in hybrid seed production. Although many male-sterile mutants have been identified in maize (Zea mays L.), it is likely that most genes that cause male sterility are unknown. Here, we report a recessive genetic male-sterile mutant, male sterility33 (ms33), which displays small, pale yellow anthers, and complete male sterility. Using a map-based cloning approach, maize GRMZM2G070304 was identified as the ms33 gene (ZmMs33). ZmMs33 encodes a novel sn-2 glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in maize. A functional complementation experiment showed that GRMZM2G070304 can rescue the male-sterile phenotype of the ms33-6029 mutant. GRMZM2G070304 was further confirmed to be the ms33 gene via targeted knockouts induced by the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. ZmMs33 is preferentially expressed in the immature anther from the quartet to early-vacuolate microspore stages and in root tissues at the fifth leaf growth stage. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that ZmMs33 and OsGPAT3 are evolutionarily conserved for anther and pollen development in monocot species. This study reveals that the monocot-specific GPAT3 protein plays an important role in male fertility in maize, and ZmMs33 and mutants in this gene may have value in maize male-sterile line breeding and hybrid seed production.

[Analysis of therapeutic effects of rural patients with hypertension by combination administration of low dosage of hydrochlorothiazide and nitrendipine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of combination administration of hydrochlorothiazide and nitrendipine at low dosage in the treatment of rural hypertension patients. METHODS: By the method of cluster random sampling, 5292 primary hypertension patients from Fuxin, Liaoning Province were divided into health education group (control group) and drug intervention group in June 2006. The drug intervention group were treated with hydrochlorothiazide, nitrendipine and captopril by stepwise approach and we observe the antihypertensive effect of drug and the effect on the onset of stroke. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 15 months. At last, 308 patients were lost to follow-up (the lost follow-up rate was 5.8 percent). The 4984 in cohort, including 2530 of intervention group and 2454 of control group, had examination of all indicators. Through health education and drug intervention, the average blood pressure in drug intervention group decreased by 16.1/9.4 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) while the average blood pressure in control group decreased by 6.7/3.5 mm Hg. The control rate of blood pressure in drug intervention group was higher than control group (33.1% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.001). Through drug intervention, the morbidity risk of nonfatal stroke in drug intervention group decreased by 57.3% compared to control group, the total morbidity risk of stroke decreased by 59.4%. The results had significant statistical difference. And, the morbidity of severe hypopotassaemia (K(+) < 3.0 mmol/L) and diabetes mellitus had no significant statistical difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The low-cost antihypertensive program based on thiazide had good antihypertensive effect, high safety and good cost-effect ratio. The program could be used in rural areas of China.

The accelerating epidemic of hypertension among rural Chinese women: results from Liaoning Province.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to assess prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and its risk factors in rural women in Liaoning Province in northeast China. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 23,178 women of minimum age 35 years, living in rural Liaoning province in northeast China. We measured their blood pressure (BP) and investigated associated factors. Hypertension was defined as an average systolic BP > or =140 mm Hg, and/or an average diastolic BP > or =90 mm Hg, and/or self-report of current treatment for hypertension with antihypertensive medication. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hypertension in this study was 38.6%. Among those with hypertension, 32.8% were aware that they had high BP, 27.4% were being treated with antihypertensive medications, and in 1.4% of the women the hypertension was controlled. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher age, Mongolian ethnicity, higher body mass index (BMI), higher waist circumference (WC), excessive salt intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, lipid disorder, diabetes, and family history of hypertension were associated with the prevalence of hypertension; a higher level of education (high school or beyond) and a higher income level were inversely related to hypertension prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that hypertension is highly prevalent in rural women in Liaoning province and it is associated with known risk factors. There are unacceptably low percentages of those with hypertension who are aware of their condition, are receiving treatment, and in whom hypertension is controlled. Our study suggests the urgent need for a public health program to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of hypertension in rural Chinese women.