The facilitating role of phycospheric heterotrophic bacteria in cyanobacterial phosphonate availability and Microcystis bloom maintenance.

BACKGROUND: Phosphonates are the main components in the global phosphorus redox cycle. Little is known about phosphonate metabolism in freshwater ecosystems, although rapid consumption of phosphonates has been observed frequently. Cyanobacteria are often the dominant primary producers in freshwaters; yet, only a few strains of cyanobacteria encode phosphonate-degrading (C-P lyase) gene clusters. The phycosphere is defined as the microenvironment in which extensive phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria interactions occur. It has been demonstrated that phytoplankton may recruit phycospheric bacteria based on their own needs. Therefore, the establishment of a phycospheric community rich in phosphonate-degrading-bacteria likely facilitates cyanobacterial proliferation, especially in waters with scarce phosphorus. We characterized the distribution of heterotrophic phosphonate-degrading bacteria in field Microcystis bloom samples and in laboratory cyanobacteria "phycospheres" by qPCR and metagenomic analyses. The role of phosphonate-degrading phycospheric bacteria in cyanobacterial proliferation was determined through coculturing of heterotrophic bacteria with an axenic Microcystis aeruginosa strain and by metatranscriptomic analysis using field Microcystis aggregate samples. RESULTS: Abundant bacteria that carry C-P lyase clusters were identified in plankton samples from freshwater Lakes Dianchi and Taihu during Microcystis bloom periods. Metagenomic analysis of 162 non-axenic laboratory strains of cyanobacteria (consortia cultures containing heterotrophic bacteria) showed that 20% (128/647) of high-quality bins from eighty of these consortia encode intact C-P lyase clusters, with an abundance ranging up to nearly 13%. Phycospheric bacterial phosphonate catabolism genes were expressed continually across bloom seasons, as demonstrated through metatranscriptomic analysis using sixteen field Microcystis aggregate samples. Coculturing experiments revealed that although Microcystis cultures did not catabolize methylphosphonate when axenic, they demonstrated sustained growth when cocultured with phosphonate-utilizing phycospheric bacteria in medium containing methylphosphonate as the sole source of phosphorus. CONCLUSIONS: The recruitment of heterotrophic phosphonate-degrading phycospheric bacteria by cyanobacteria is a hedge against phosphorus scarcity by facilitating phosphonate availability. Cyanobacterial consortia are likely primary contributors to aquatic phosphonate mineralization, thereby facilitating sustained cyanobacterial growth, and even bloom maintenance, in phosphate-deficient waters. Video Abstract.

Construction of a core outcome set in clinical research of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of adhesive capsulitis / 中国针灸

This study aims to construct the core outcome set for the clinical trials of adhesive capsulitis treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Using systematic review, semi-structured interview, Delphi questionnaire survey, analytic hierarchy process and expert consensus meeting, the primary outcomes are obtained, i.e. local tenderness, pain degree during movement, range of motion, changes in range of motion, function score, and score of local symptoms of shoulder joint. The secondary outcomes are myofascial thickness, thickness of the inferior wall of the joint capsule, health status, activity of daily living, incidence of adverse events, laboratory indexes, vital signs, cost-effectiveness, total effective rate, and patient satisfaction. It is expected to provide a reference for the outcome selection in clinical trials and the generation of medical evidences in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis with acupuncture and moxibustion.

Effect of Myofascial Trigger Points Electric Stimulation on Phantom Limb Pain after Lower Limb Amputation / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of myofascial trigger point electric stimulation based on mirror therapy on phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation. Methods:From May to November, 2020, 50 patients with phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation were randomly divided into control group (n = 25) and experiment group (n = 25). Both groups accepted mirror therapy, while the experiment group received myofascial trigger point electric stimulation before mirror therapy, for four weeks. They were assessed with short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Timed 'Up & Go' Test (TUGT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after treatment. Results:All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 8.210, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experiment group than in the control group (|t| > 5.103, P < 0.001), except the present pain intensity of SF-MPQ. Conclusion:Mirror therapy is effective on phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation in terms of pain, sleep, anxiety and walking, and the effect could be stronger after myofascial trigger point electric stimulation.

Bavachin enhances NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by ATP or nigericin and causes idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity / 医学前沿

Psoraleae Fructus (PF) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine in China, and it is widely used for osteoporosis, vitiligo, and other diseases in clinical settings. However, liver injury caused by PF and its preparations has been frequently reported in recent years. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PF could cause idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI), but the mechanism underlying its hepatotoxicity remains unclear. This paper reports that bavachin isolated from PF enhances the specific stimuli-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and leads to hepatotoxicity. Bavachin boosts the secretion of IL-1β and caspase-1 caused by ATP or nigericin but not those induced by poly(I:C), monosodium urate crystal, or intracellular lipopolysaccharide. Bavachin does not affect AIM2 or NLRC4 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, bavachin specifically increases the production of nigericin-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species among the most important upstream events in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Bavachin increases the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase in serum and hepatocyte injury accompanied by the secretion of IL-1β via a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-mediated susceptibility to IDILI. These results suggest that bavachin specifically enhances the ATP- or nigericin-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Bavachin also potentially contributes to PF-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. Moreover, bavachin and PF should be evaded among patients with diseases linked to the ATP- or nigericin-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which may be a dangerous factor for liver injury.

A combined quality evaluation method that integrates chemical constituents, appearance traits and origins of raw Rehmanniae Radix pieces / 中国天然药物

The quality control of Chinese herbal medicine is a current challenge for the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional quality evaluation methods lack quantitative analysis, while modern quality evaluation methods ignore the origins and appearance traits. Therefore, an integrated quality evaluation method is urgent in need. Raw Rehmanniae Radix (RRR) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. At present, much attention has been drwan towards its quality control, which however is limited by the existing quality evaluation methods. The present study was designed to establish a comprehensive and practical method for the quality evaluation and control of RRR pieces based on its chemical constituents, appearance traits and origins. Thirty-three batches of RRR pieces were collected from six provinces, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the following five constituents, including catalpol, rehmannioside A, rehmannioside D, leonuride and verbascoside in RRR pieces. Their appearance traits were quantitatively observed. Furthermore, correlation analysis, principal components analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and t-test were performed to evaluate the qualities of RRR pieces. These batches of RRR pieces were divided into three categories: samples from Henan province, samples from Shandong and Shanxi provinces, and those from other provinces. Furthermore, the chemical constituents and appearance traits of RRR pieces were significantly different from diverse origins. The combined method of chemical contituents, appearance traits and origins can distinguish RRR pieces with different qualities, which provides basic reference for the quality control of Chinese herbal medicine.

Erratum: Author correction to 'Cardamonin from a medicinal herb protects against LPS-induced septic shock by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome' Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 9 (2019) 734-744

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.02.003.].

Cardamonin from a medicinal herb protects against LPS-induced septic shock by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammation-related diseases, and pharmacological molecules targeting NLRP3 inflammasome are of considerable value to identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Cardamonin (CDN), the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb , has exerted an excellent anti-inflammatory activity, but the mechanism underlying this role is not fully understood. Here, we show that CDN blocks canonical and noncanonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by multiple stimuli. Moreover, the suppression of CDN on inflammasome activation is specific to NLRP3, not to NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome. Besides, the inhibitory effect is not dependent on the expression of NF-B-mediated inflammasome precursor proteins. We also demonstrate that CDN suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking ASC oligomerization and speckle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, CDN improves the survival of mice suffering from lethal septic shock and attenuates IL-1 production induced by LPS , which is shown to be NLRP3 dependent. In conclusion, our results identify CDN as a broad-spectrum and specific inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome and a candidate therapeutic drug for treating NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases.

Yield, Nutritional Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Pleurotus ostreatus on Corncobs Supplemented with Herb Residues

Improper disposal of herb residues in China has caused severe problems to the surrounding environment and human safety. Three herb residues, i.e., compound Kushen injection residues (CKI) and part one and part two of Qizhitongluo Capsule residues (QC1 and QC2, respectively), were used for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. The effect of the supplementation of corncobs (CC) with different herb residues on yield, nutritional composition, and antioxidant activity of P. ostreatus was investigated. Compared to the control, the higher mycelial growth rate was observed on substrates CC +30% CKI and CC +30% QC1, while the higher yield was obtained from substrates CC +30% QC2 and CC +30% CKI. Moreover, chemical analysis of fruit bodies revealed that the addition of herb residues to CC significantly increased proteins, amino acids, ashes, minerals (Na and Ca), and total phenolic contents but significantly reduced carbohydrates and IC50 values of DPPH radicals. In addition, no heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) were detected in the fruiting bodies harvested from different substrate combinations. These results demonstrated that mixtures of CC with herb residues might be utilized as a novel, practical, and easily available substrate for the cultivation of P. ostreatus, which is beneficial for the effective management of herb residues.

Evident-Based Nursing Practice for a Ovarian cancer chemotherapy Patient with puncture piont infection of Peripherally Inserted Central catheter / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To formulate a rational adjuvant therapeutic evidence-based nursing plan for a ovarian cancer chemotherapy patient with puncture piont infection of peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC).And practice in the clinic to solve the nursing problems in clinical nursing work. Methods According to the condition of the patient and using the PICO principle, we put forward clinical problems. We comprehensively searched the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC),Cochrane Library,Pub Med, EMbase,Medline,CNKI,VIP and Wanfang Data from 2007 to 2017. Relevant clinical guidelines, evidence summaries, systematic reviews/ Meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and high quality reviews on nursing puncture piont infection of Peripherally Inserted Central catheter were collected and their authenticity, importance and applicability were evaluated. Results One Meta-analysis, fifteen RCTs, and one review were totally included. According to current evidence as well as the patient′s clinical conditions and preference, a comprehensive and effective adjuvant therapeutic and nursing programme was given to the patient. At the puncture point of PICC infection , PVP iodine was used to hydropathic compress for 15 minutes once a day.After naturally dried, cover with hydrocolloid dressing. After four-day treatment and nursing care, the patient with puncture piont infection had already recovered. Conclusion Evidence-based medicine approaches could help us develop comprehensive therapeutic plans for ovarian cancer chemotherapy patients with puncture piont infection of PICC, promote effectively the puncture point infection recovery,and ensure the normal safe use of PICC .Thereby alleviate pain, improve health, and increase patients′quality of life.

Chemical constituents from stems of Hedyotis hedyotidea and their immunosuppressive activity / 中国中药杂志

Hedyotis hedyotidea has been traditionally used for the treatment of arthritis, cold, cough, gastro-enteritis, headstroke, etc. But few studies have screened the active compounds from extracts of H. hedyotidea. In this study, the structure of the chemical constituents from stems of H. hedyotidea were determined and the immunosuppressive activity of the compounds was evaluated. The compounds were separated and purified with silica gel, gel column chromatographies and preparative HPLC, and their structures were identified by spectral methods such as MS and NMR. Eleven compounds were obtained and identified as(6S,9S) -vomifoliol (1), betulonic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), betulin(4), 3-epi-betulinic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), β-sitosterol (7), stigmast-4-en-3-one (8), 7β-hydroxysitosterol (9), (3β,7β) -7-methoxystigmast-5-en-3-ol (10) and morindacin (11). This is the first report of compounds 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 from H. hedyotidea. Compounds 1, 2 and 8-11 were firstly isolated from the genus Hedyotis, and compounds 9 and 10 were isolated from the family Rubiaceae for the first time. The immunosuppressive activity of these compounds was tested using the lymphocyte transsormationtest. Compounds 4, 6 and 9 showed significant immunosuppressive activity.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from Inula japonica / 中国中药杂志

Chemical constituents of Inula japonica were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatographies, over silica gel, and Toyopearl HW-40, and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectral data analysis, including NMR and MS data, the structures of the isolates were elucidated and their anti-inflammatory activities were assayed. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of I. japonica, and their structures were elucidated as dihydrosyringenin (1), (3S, 5R, 6S, 7E)-5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (2), (6R, 7E) -9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one (3), arnidiol (4), taraxasterol acetate (5), 8,9,10-trihydroxythymol (6), taxifolin (7), luteolin (8), napetin (9), eupatin (10), spinacetin (11), quercetin (12), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (13), caffeic acid (14), and caffeoyl acetate (15). Compounds 1, 2, 7, 13 and 15 were isolated from the genus Inula for the first time, and compounds 3, 4, 9-11 and 14 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity result showed that compounds 3, 6-12 and 14 exhibited inhibition effect against leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and degranulation definitely in c-Kit Ligand (KL) induced mast cells, and compound 8 and 12 also had the suppression effect against lipopolysacharide(LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. It is firstly reported that compounds 7 and 9-11 possessed potent inhibition activities against LTC4 generation and degranulation in mast cells.

Chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis / 中国中药杂志

To study chemical constituents from Pachysandra terminalis. By repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40, and preparative HPLC, four new (14) and one known (5) compounds were isolated and purified. On the basis of spectral data analysis, the structure of isolated compounds were elucidated as follow: 2-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol (1), 4-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol (2), 4-methyl-3-methylenepentane-1, 2, 5-triol-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 4-methyl-3-methylenep- entane-1, 2, 5-triol-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), (7S, 8R, 8' R)-(+)-lariciresinol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyrano-side (5). Compound 5 was isolated from this genus for the first time.

Antioxidant constituents from Smilax riparia / 中国中药杂志

By repeated column chromatography, including silica gel, toyopearl HW-40 and preparative HPLC, thirteen compounds (1-13) were isolated and purified from Smilax riparia. On the basis of spectral data analysis, the structures of isolated compounds were elucidated as 5-methoxy-[6]-gingerol (1), dehydroabietic acid (2), pteryxin (3), 2-methylphenyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzonic acid (5), isovanillin (6), vanillic acid (7), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (8), p-hydroxycinnamic methyl ester (9), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (10), ferulic acid methyl ester (11), benzoic acid (12) and 5-hydroxy-methyl-2-furalclehyde (13). Compounds 1-4 and 8-12 were isolated from this genus for the first time. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Compounds 1 and 5-11 showed antioxidant activities on DPPH method.

Chemical constituents of Phymatopteris hastate and their antioxidant activity / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study chemical constituents contained in Phymatopteris hastate and their antioxidant activity.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Chemical constituents were separated and purified from P. hastate by using such methods as silica gel, Toyopearl HW-40C and HPLC preparative chromatography. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods such as NMR. Furthermore, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) method was used to assess the antioxidant activity of each compound.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fourteen compounds were separated and identified as 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-ethyl-trans-caffeicate (1), kaempferlo-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranside (2), kaempferol-3, 7-di-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), juglanin (5), naringin (6), naringenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), trans-caffeic acid (8), trans-caffeic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), trans-cinnamic acid-4-O-beta-D- glucopyranoside (10), trans-melilotoside (11), cis-melilotoside (12), ethyl chlorogenate (13), protocatechuic acid (14). The antioxidation experiment showed an obvious antioxidant activity in compounds 1-9, 13-14.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All of the compounds were separated from this genus for the first time. Among them, compound 1 was not seen in literature reports and assumed to be a new artifact derived from compound 9 and ethanol. Compounds 1-9, 13-14 showed a remarkable antioxidant activity.</p>

Effect of Xiaopi prescription (消痞方) on mRNA expression of c-kit in the rat with diabetic gastroparesis / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To investigate the possible role of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICE)in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis and the protective effect of"Xiaopi prescription (消痞方)".Methods Fifty healthy male Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (each n=10):normal, model,and 3 Xiaopi prescription groups:low,middle and high dosages.Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan,and equal amount of normal saline was intravenously injected in the normal group.Gastric lavage method was used to administer the traditional Chinese medicine decoction of Xiaopi prescription in corresponding amount (5,10 and 20 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) in respective low,middle and high dosage groups.In the normal control group and diabetic model group,only equal amount of normal saline was administered into the stomach.Gastric emptying rate was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste;c-kit positive cells of ICC were quantitatively measured with immunohistochemistry assay and computer image analysis system;c-kit mRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured with in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system.Results①Gastric emptying rate:The rate was significantly lower in the model group than that in the normal control group (P0.05),but higher than those in the model group and the low dosage group (all P0.05).②c-kit immmunohistochemistry:c-kit positive cell presented yellow in color,and its membrane was stained yellow,this kind of cells primarily were distributed around the neural plexus in the inter-space between the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers, and around the ganglionic cells forming"sheath-like"structure.The results of numbers of c-kit positive cells in the various groups:the number of the cells in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P0.05),but the numbers in the former two dosage groups were obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal group,middle and high dosage groups (all P0.05),but obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal,middle and high dosage groups (all P