[Mechanism of resveratrol in protecting ovary in poor ovarian response mice by regulating Hippo signaling pathway].

This study observed the protective effect of resveratrol(Res) on ovarian function in poor ovarian response(POR) mice by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway and explored the potential mechanism of Res in inhibiting ovarian cell apoptosis. Female mice with regular estrous cycles were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and low-and high-dose Res groups(20 and 40 mg·kg~(-1)), with 20 mice in each group. The blank group received an equal volume of 0.9% saline solution by gavage, while the model group and Res groups received suspension of glycosides of Triptergium wilfordii(GTW) at 50 mg·kg~(-1) by gavage for two weeks to induce the model. After modeling, the low-and high-dose Res groups were continuously treated with drugs by gavage for two weeks, while the blank group and the model group received an equal volume of 0.9% saline solution by gavage. Ovulation was induced in all groups on the day following the end of treatment. Finally, 12 female mice were randomly selected from each group, and the remaining eight female mice were co-housed with male mice at a ratio of 1∶1. Changes in the estrous cycle of mice were observed using vaginal cytology smears. The number of ovulated eggs, ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and pregnancy rate of mice were measured. The le-vels of anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), estradiol(E_2), and luteinizing hormone(LH) in serum were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Ovarian tissue morphology and ovarian cell apoptosis were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining, respectively. The protein expression levels of yes-associated protein(YAP) 1 and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif(TAZ) were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC), while the changes in protein expression levels of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase(MST) 1/2, large tumor suppressor(LATS) 1/2, YAP1, TAZ, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) were determined by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had an increased rate of estrous cycle disruption in mice, a decreased number of normally developing ovarian follicles, an increased number of blocked ovarian follicles, increased ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, decreased ovulation, reduced ovarian wet weight and ovarian index, increased serum FSH and LH levels, decreased AMH and E_2 levels, decreased protein expression levels of YAP1 and TAZ in ovarian tissues, increased relative expression levels of MST1/2, LATS1/2, and Bax proteins, and decreased relative expression levels of YAP1, TAZ, and Bcl-2 proteins. Additionally, the number of embryos per litter significantly decreased after co-housing. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose Res groups exhibited reduced estrous cycle disruption rates in mice, varying degrees of improvement in the number and morphology of ovarian follicles, reduced numbers of blocked ovarian follicles, improved ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, increased ovulation, elevated ovarian wet weight and ovarian index, decreased serum FSH and LH levels, increased AMH and E_2 levels, elevated protein expression levels of YAP1 and TAZ in ovarian tissues, decreased relative expression levels of MST1/2, LATS1/2, and Bax proteins, and increased relative expression levels of YAP1, TAZ, and Bcl-2 proteins. Furthermore, the number of embryos per litter increased to varying degrees after co-housing. In conclusion, Res effectively inhibits ovarian cell apoptosis in mice and improves ovarian responsiveness. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of key molecules in the Hippo pathway.

Acupotomy combined with metformin hydrochloride tablet for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its effect on serum inflammatory factors. / é’ˆåˆ€è”åˆç›é ¸äºŒç”²åŒèƒç‰‡æ²»ç–—2åž‹ç³–å°¿ç— çš„ä¸´åºŠç–—æ•ˆåŠå¯¹è¡€æ¸ ç‚Žæ€§å› å­å«é‡çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupotomy combined with metformin hydrochloride tablet for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its effect on serum levels of inflammatory factors. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with T2DM were randomized into an acupotomy group (34 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a western medication group (34 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Metformin hydrochloride tablet was given orally in the western medication group, 0.5-1 g each time, twice a day, for continuous 8 weeks. On the basis of the treatment in the western medication group, acupotomy was applied at bilateral Geshu (BL 17), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18) in the acupotomy group, once a week for continuous 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, in the two groups, blood glucose (fasting blood glucose [FBG], 2-hour plasma glucose [2 h PG] and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]), TCM syndrome score, blood lipids (total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]), insulin (fasting insulin [FINS] and 2-hour insulin [2 h INS]), C-peptide indexes (fasting C-peptide [FC-P] and 2-hour C-peptide [2 h C-P]), dosage of metformin hydrochloride tablet and diabetes specific quality of life (DSQL) score were observed, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: After treatment, the FBG, 2 h PG, HbA1c, TCM syndrome scores, TC, TG, LDL-C, FINS, 2 h INS, FC-P, 2 h C-P, DSQL scores as well as the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), HDL-C was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups; the dosage of metformin hydrochloride tablet was decreased compared with that before treatment in the acupotomy group (P<0.01). After treatment, in the acupotomy group, the FBG, HbA1c, TCM syndrome score, TC, TG, LDL-C, FINS, 2 h INS, FC-P, 2 h C-P, dosage of metformin hydrochloride tablet, DSQL score as well as the serum level of TNF-α were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupotomy combined with metformin hydrochloride tablet can improve the blood glucose, clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with T2DM, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory reaction.

Acteoside ameliorates learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by increasing Aß degradation and inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are pathological hallmarks of AD. Recent studies have described the improved cognitive and neuroprotective functions of acteoside (AS). This study aimed to investigate whether the improved cognition of AS was mediated by Aß degradation and tau phosphorylation in APP/PS1 mice. The open field, Y maze, and novel object recognition tests were used to assess cognitive behavioral changes. We evaluated the levels of Aß40 and Aß42 in serum, cortex, and hippocampus, and Aß-related scavenging enzymes, phosphorylated GSK3ß and hyperphosphorylated tau in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice by western blotting. Our results revealed that AS treatment ameliorated anxious behaviors, spatial learning, and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice and significantly reduced Aß deposition in their serum, cortex, and hippocampus. AS significantly increased Aß degradation, inhibited the hyperphosphorylation of tau, and significantly decreased the activity of GSK3ß, which is involved in tau phosphorylation. Altogether, these findings indicated that the beneficial effects of AS on AD-associated anxious behaviors and cognitive impairments could be attributed to promoting Aß degradation and inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation, which might be partly mediated by GSK3ß.

Three novel dalbergiphenol hybrids from the heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis.

A novel discovery of two hybrid benzodioxepin-dalbergiphenol epimers, named cochindalbergiphenols A-B (1-2), and a benzofuran-dalbergiphenol hybrid, named cochindalbergiphenol C (3), were isolated and identified from the heartwood of Dalbergia cochinchinensis. The structures of all the isolated compounds were identified through NMR and HRESIMS techniques, while the absolute configurations were determined by comparing the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compounds 1-3 exhibited potential protective effects against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced injury in H9c2 cells.

Immobilization of arsenic in different contaminated soils by zero-valent iron-embedded biochar: Effect of soil characteristics and treatment conditions.

Although zero-valent iron-embedded biochar (ZVI-BC) has been proposed as an effective amendment for arsenic (As)-contaminated soils, the impacts of soil characteristics and treatment conditions on the remediation process remained poorly understood. Herein, the immobilization of As in four As-contaminated soils (i.e., smelting soil, storage soil, agricultural soil, and mining soil) by ZVI-BC under different amendment dosages, cultivation temperatures, and soil moisture contents were investigated. ZVI-BC showed high As immobilization capacity in all four soils via forming the AsFe co-precipitation, and the liable As was reduced by 82.4-97.0 % with a 2 % (w/w) amendment. The higher temperature could raise the concentration of liable As in all four soils, especially for the storage soil, in which liable As at 35 °C was almost 3 times of that at 25 °C after 50-days treatment, because the elevated temperature enhanced the destruction of the generated AsFe coprecipitation as well as the desorption of As in soils. Too much soil moisture was unfavorable for the As immobilization after 50-days treatment. Flooding tended to inhibit the community diversity of As-detoxicated bacteria, e.g., Halomonas, Bryobacter, and Anaerolinea, thus resulting in the release of liable As. According to the correlation analysis, the crucial influencing factor for As immobilization was different in four soils, which was determined by the soil properties and proportion of liable As. Our study indicates that ZVI-BC is an effective amendment for As immobilization under various conditions, and the biogeochemical processes of As-associated Fe minerals determine the As immobilization during amendment.

Phosphorus acquisition strategies of wheat are related to biochar types added in cadmium-contaminated soil: Evidence from soil zymography and root morphology.

Biochar application for the remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils may result in a relative deficiency of phosphorus (P) due to the disruption of soil nutrient balance. However, the P acquisition strategies of plants in such situation are still unclear. In this study, analyses on soil zymography and root morphology were combined for the first time to investigate the effects of pristine and P-modified biochars from apple tree branches on the P acquisition strategies of wheat under Cd stress. The results show that the application of pristine biochar exacerbated the soil's relative P deficiency. Wheat was forced to improve foraging for P by forming longer and thinner roots (average diameter 0.284 mm) as well as releasing more phosphatase to promote P mobilization in the soil. Moreover, bioavailable Cd affected the P acquisition strategies of wheat through stimulating the release of phosphatase from roots. The P-modified biochar maintained high levels of Olsen-P (>100 mg kg-1) in the soil over time by slow release, avoiding the creation of relative P deficiency in the soil; and increased the average root diameter (0.338 mm) and growth performance index, which promoted shoot growth (length and biomass). Furthermore, the P-modified biochar reduced DTPA-extracted Cd concentration in soils by 79.8 % (pristine biochar by 26.9 %), and decreased the Cd translocation factor from root to shoot as well as Cd concentration in the shoots. Therefore, P-modified biochar has a great potential to regulate the soil element balance (carbon, nitrogen, and P), promote wheat growth, and remediate the Cd-contaminated soil.

Black phosphorus nanosheets/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) based electrochemical immunosensor for the selective detection of human epididymis protein 4.

In this work, an electrochemical immunosensor based on black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNS)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode was developed for the detection of ovarian cancer biomarker HE4. PAH has been applied to retain BPNS in its original honeycomb structure and to anchor biomolecules electrostatically on the transducer surface. The as synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, the performance of the electrochemical immunosensor was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under the optimal condition, the developed electrochemical immunosensor permitted to detect HE4 with a linear range of 0.1-300 ng ml-1and a detection limit of 0.01 ng ml-1. The developed sensor exhibited good selectivity and specificity to HE4 with negligible interference effect from common biomolecules like bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, protamine, glucose, fructose, hemoglobin and fetal bovine serum. Further, practical application of developed electrochemical immunosensor was demonstrated in spiked human serum which showed satisfactory recovery percentages.

Projecting neurons in spinal dorsal horn send collateral projections to dorsal midline/intralaminar thalamic complex and parabrachial nucleus.

Itch is an annoying sensation that always triggers scratching behavior, yet little is known about its transmission pathway in the central nervous system. Parabrachial nucleus (PBN), an essential transmission nucleus in the brainstem, has been proved to be the first relay station in itch sensation. Meanwhile, dorsal midline/intralaminar thalamic complex (dMITC) is proved to be activated with nociceptive stimuli. However, whether the PBN-projecting neurons in spinal dorsal horn (SDH) send collateral projections to dMITC, and whether these projections involve in itch remain unknown. In the present study, a double retrograde tracing method was applied when the tetramethylrhodamine-dextran (TMR) was injected into the dMITC and Fluoro-gold (FG) was injected into the PBN, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining for NeuN, substance P receptor (SPR), substance P (SP), or FOS induced by itch or pain stimulations with TMR and FG were conducted to provide morphological evidence. The results revealed that TMR/FG double-labeled neurons could be predominately observed in superficial laminae and lateral spinal nucleus (LSN) of SDH; Meanwhile, most of the collateral projection neurons expressed SPR and some of them expressed FOS in acute itch model induced by histamine. The present results implicated that some of the SPR-expressing neurons in SDH send collateral projections to the dMITC and PBN in itch transmission, which might be involved in itch related complex affective/emotional processing to the higher brain centers.

Controlled Aggregation of a Perylene-Derived Probe for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Phototherapy.

The design and synthesis of water-soluble phototherapeutic agents with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence emission is highly desirable for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we report the construction of an amphiphilic perylene-derived photosensitizer, AP. AP shows NIR emission with large Stokes shift (130 nm) and high 1O2 quantum yield (22%). It can self-assemble into nanoparticles in aqueous solution with quenched fluorescence emission due to aggregation-induced quenching. Upon membrane anchoring, AP is able to disassemble into free monomer molecules and specifically "light up" the cell membrane without the usually required washing procedures. Furthermore, AP is subsequently used for the efficient photodynamic therapy against cancer cells and solid tumors. The in vitro and in vivo experiments clearly indicate that AP is suitable for biological imaging and can serve as a promising photosensitizer for tumor suppression.

Sesquiterpenoids from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana amurensis and their effects on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

Two new sesquiterpenoids, including a kessane-type sesquiterpenoid (1) and one bisabolane derivative (2), together with fourteen known sesquiterpenoids (3-16), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana amurensis. The structures of new compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All isolates were evaluated for their effects on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. As a results, four compounds including 10-12 and 15 showed potent promoting effects at the concentration of 10 µM on NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells with the differentiation rate of 11.84%, 12.21%, 13.77% and 12.16%, respectively.

The complete chloroplast genome of Aloe vera from China as a Chinese herb.

Aloe vera has been used as a Chinese herb and an ingredient in many cosmetic products in China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. vera was determined for more genetic data information. The chloroplast genome was 152,875 bp length as a typical quadripartite structure that contained a large single-copy region (LSC) of 83,505 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 16,178 bp and a pair of inverted-repeat regions (IRs) of 26,596 bp. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome is: 47,185 bp A (30.8%), 48,123 bp T (31.5%), 29,326 bp C (19.2%), 28,241 bp G (18.5%) and the total G + C content of 37.7%. Then, 131 genes were found that included 85 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 38 transfer RNA (tRNAs) and 8 ribosome RNA (rRNAs). The phylogenetic analysis showed that A. vera closely related to A. maculata in the phylogenetic relationship of the family Asphodelaceae by the Maximum-Likelihood (ML) method.

Aza-BODIPY Probe-Decorated Mesoporous Black TiO2 Nanoplatform for the Highly Efficient Synergistic Phototherapy.

As an important noninvasive tumor treatment method, phototherapy has drawn extensive research interest. However, the requirements of separate excitation wavelengths, high degree of electron-hole recombination, and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability are still the major barriers. This work reports the construction of a novel nanoplatform: design and synthesis of an aza-BODIPY (AB) probe-decorated mesoporous black titanium dioxide (TiO2) (MT) nanoparticles (NPs) for enhanced photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy under single-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation for the first time. AB probe-decorated MT NPs (abbreviated as MTAB) were synthesized through the Al reduction of mesoporous anatase TiO2 NPs and subsequent adsorption of the AB probe. The mesoporous structure of MT ensured AB loading capacity and avoided the complicated modification and synthesis processes. Heterogeneous MTAB, which possessed staggered energy levels, were assessed for their capability for effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes for the first time. Upon NIR laser light irradiation, MTAB exhibited sufficient ROS generation, resulting in distinct tumor cell killing and tumor tissue elimination. This unique heterogeneous nanoplatform with staggered energy levels provides a new strategy to enhance ROS generation and improve the therapeutic efficacy.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on silent information regulator 1, fork head transcription factor O1 and proopiomelanocortin in the hypothalamus of rats with obesity induced by high-fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), forkhead transcription factor O1 (FoxO1), and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the hypothalamus of rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO), as well as the mechanism of EA in regulating central appetite peptides to help lose weight. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, EA group, EA＋inhibitor group, inhibitor group, and sham-operation group, with 10 rats in each group. High-fat diet was used to establish a rat model of DIO. The rats in the EA group and EA＋inhibitor group were given EA at "Fenglong" (ST40), "Zhongwan "(CV12)，"Guanyuan "(CV4), and"Zusanli" (ST36) with continuous wave at a frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 1 mA, for 10 minutes each time. The rats in the EA＋inhibitor group and inhibitor group were given tube placement in the third ventricle and injection of the specific SIRT1 antagonist EX-527. The rats in the sham-operation group were given tube placement in the third ventricle and injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. The above treatment was given 3 times a week for 8 weeks in total. Body weight, food intake, and Lee's index were observed before and after treatment. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA), and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of SIRT1, FoxO1, acetylated FoxO1(AC-FoxO1), and POMC in the hypothalamus. RESULTS: Before treatment, the model group, the EA group, the EA＋inhibitor group, the inhibitor group, and the sham-operation group had significantly higher body weight and food intake than the normal group (P<0.01), and the model group and the sham-operation group had a significantly higher Lee's index than the normal group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group after treatment, the EA group and the EA＋inhibitor group had significant reductions in body weight, food intake, TC, and the protein expression of AC-FoxO1 (P<0.01, P<0.05) and significant increases in the protein expression of SIRT1, FoxO1 and POMC (P<0.01, P<0.05); the EA group had significant reductions in Lee's index and the levels of TG, FFA(P<0.05，P<0.01)；the inhibitor group had significant increases in food intake, the serum levels of TC, TG, FFA(P<0.01) and significant reductions in the protein expression of SIRT1, FoxO1 and POMC (P<0.01，P<0.05). Compared with the EA group, the EA＋inhibitor group and the inhibitor group had significant increases in body weight, food intake, Lee's index, the levels of TG, FFA and the protein expression of AC-FoxO1 (P<0.01, P<0.05) and significant reductions in the protein expression of SIRT1, FoxO1 and POMC (P<0.01); the inhibitor group had significant increases in the serum levels of TC (P<0.01). Compared with the EA＋inhibitor group, the inhibitor group had significant increases in body weight, food intake, the serum levels of TC, TG, FFA, and the protein expression of AC-FoxO1 (P<0.01), as well as significant reductions in the protein expression of SIRT1, FoxO1 and POMC (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In rats with DIO, EA can effectively up-regulate the expression of SIRT1 in the hypothalamus, exert a deacetylation effect on FoxO1, and promote the expression of the downstream appetite-inhibiting peptide POMC, which may be one of the mechanisms of EA to help lose weight by regulating central appetite peptides in the obesity model.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Citrus reticulate (Rutaceae, Citrus).

The peel of Citrus reticulata can be useful as a kind of traditional Chinese medicine in China. The circular complete chloroplast genome of Citrus reticulata was 160,101 bp in length with the typical quadripartite structure of angiosperms, including 87,721 bp large single-copy region (LSC), 18,394 bp small single-copy region (SSC) of and a pair of 26,993 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The overall nucleotide composition of chloroplast genome sequence is 30.5% A, 31.0% T, C (19.6%), G (18.9%), and the total G + C content of 38.5%. A total of 138 genes were annotated in chloroplast genome of C. reticulata. The phylogenetic tree result showed that C. reticulata was evolutionarily close to Citrus sinensis in the family Rutaceae the genus Citrus by the maximum-likelihood (ML) method.

[Electroacupuncture improves inflammatory reaction and insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant obese rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on inflammatory reaction and insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant obese (OIR) rats. METHODS: Thirteen male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the control group and fed with common diet. The other 39 rats were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish OIR model and then randomized into model, EA and sham EA groups. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to unilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Zhongwan" (CV12) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 15 min, once every other day for 8 weeks, and sham EA was applied to unilateral 4 control spots about 5 mm lateral to the aforementioned 4 acupoints after shallowly inserting acupuncture needles, but without electric current output. After 8 weeks' intervention, the body weight was recorded and the glucose infusion rate (GIR) measured using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. At the 6th week of intervention, glucose contents of intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tole-rance test (IPITT) were measured. The levels of serum insulin (INS) and inflammatory factors as C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by using ELISA at the end of the treatment. The expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), IL-10 and IL-1ß proteins and mRNAs in the abdominal adipose tissues were detected by Western blot and quantitative real time-PCR, separately. The CD68 expression (displaying infiltration of macrophages) of adipose tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, the contents of glucose of IPGTT at 30, 60 and 120 min and those of IPITT at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min, serum INS, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß and MCP-1 proteins and mRNAs and CD68 protein were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the levels of GIR and IL-10 protein and mRNA were obviously decreased in the model group in comparison with those of the control group (P<0.01), suggesting an increase of inflammation and a decline of INS sensitivity. Following the interventions, the increased contents of glucose of IPGTT and IPITT, serum INS, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α, expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß and MCP-1 proteins and mRNAs and CD68 protein, and the decreased levels of GIR and IL-10 protein and mRNA were evidently reversed in the EA group compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05) rather than those in the sham EA group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can reduce the level of inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity in OIR rats.

[Screening and identification of GABA-producing microbes in fermentation process of Sojae Semen Praeparatum].

A high-content GABA was found in Sojae Semen Praeparatum(SSP), which is a famous traditional Chinese medicine and officially listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. To screen out and identify GABA-producing microbes from samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP, traditional microbiological methods combined with molecular biological methods were used to study the predominant GABA-producing microorganisms existing in the fermenting process of SSP. This study would lay a foundation for further studying the processing mechanism of SSP. The fermenting process of SSP was based on Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2010 edition), and samples were taken at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP. The bacteria and fungi from samples at different time points in the fermenting process of SSP were cultured, isolated and purified by selective medium, and dominant strains were selected. The dominant bacteria were cultured in the designated liquid medium to prepare the fermentation broths, and GABA in the fermentation broth was qualitatively screened out by thin-layer chromatography. The microbial fermentation broth with GABA spots in the primary screening was quantitatively detected by online pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography established in our laboratory. GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out from predominant strains, and their GABA contents in fermentation broth were determined. The DNA sequences of GABA-producing bacteria and fungi were amplified using 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA sequences by PCR respectively. The amplified products were sequenced, and the sequencing results were identified through NCBI homology comparison. Molecular biological identification was made by phylogenetic tree constructed by MEGA 7.0 software. Through the homology comparison of NCBI and the construction of phylogenetic tree by MEGA 7.0 software, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in this study. They were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, E. avium, Aspergillus tamarii, A. flavus, A. niger, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Penicillium citrinum and Phanerochaete sordida respectively. For the first time, nine GABA-producing microorganisms were screened out and identified in the samples at different time points during the fermenting process of SSP in this study. The results indicated that multiple predominant GABA-producing microorganisms exist in the fermenting process of SSP and may play an important role in the formation of GABA.

Simulation of crop growth curve and analysis of interspecific interaction in wheat and faba bean intercropping system.

Interspecific interactions are closely related to the intercropping yield advantage. Little attention was paid to the dynamic changes of interspecific interactions. In this study, the growth curves of wheat and faba bean under different planting patterns (wheat monocropped, faba bean monocropped, and wheat and faba bean intercropping) and phosphorus (P) fertilization levels [P0, 0 kg P2O5·hm-2(the control); P1, 45 kg P2O5·hm-2; P2, 90 kg P2O5·hm-2, repetitively] were simulated by Logistic analysis in a two-year field experiment. The dynamics of interspecific interaction were analyzed. The results showed that wheat yield was increased by 10.5%-18.6% when wheat was intercropped with faba bean as compared to monocropped wheat (MW). The yield of intercropping faba bean (IF) was decreased by 4.8%-12.3% relative to monocropped faba bean (MF). However, wheat and faba bean intercropping still showed yield advantage, with the values of land equivalent ratio (LER) and relative crowding coefficient (K) being 1.01-1.15 and 1.12-3.20, respectively. Both the yields and key growth parameters for wheat and faba bean were regulated by P level, but LER and K were not affected by P level. The maximum growth rate (Rmax) and the initial growth rate (r) of wheat were increased by 21.8%-38.7% and 20.8%-38.9% when wheat was intercropped with faba bean as compared to corresponding MW, respectively. The planting pattern had no effect on the key growth parameters of faba bean. No difference in growth curve between monocropping and intercropping crop was found under different P fertilization levels during the early growth stages. The interspecific competition was dominant in wheat and faba bean intercropping system during the early growth stages, without any intercroping biomass advantage (LER<1, K<1). Increased growth rate and decreased intraspecific competitive pressure for wheat were observed when faba bean attaining its maximum growth rate (Tmax) in intercropping system, with both intercropping biomass and yield advantage (LER>1, K>1). In conclusion, the interaction between wheat and faba bean varied with growth stages. Wheat and faba bean intercropping stimulated the growth rate of wheat during the middle and late growth stages, which was a foundation for intercropping advantage.

Synephrine Hydrochloride Suppresses Esophageal Cancer Tumor Growth and Metastatic Potential through Inhibition of Galectin-3-AKT/ERK Signaling.

A library consisting of 429 food-source compounds was used to screen the natural products with anticancer properties in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We demonstrated for the first time that synephrine, an active compound isolated from leaves of citrus trees, markedly suppressed cell proliferation (inhibition rate with 20 µM synephrine at day 5:71.1 ± 5.8% and 75.7 ± 6.2% for KYSE30 and KYSE270, respectively) and colony formation (inhibition rate with 10 µM synephrine: 86.5 ± 5.9% and 82.3 ± 4.5% for KYSE30 and KYSE270, respectively), as well as migration (inhibition rate with 10 µM synephrine: 76.9 ± 4.4% and 62.2 ± 5.8% for KYSE30 and KYSE270, respectively) and invasion abilities (inhibition rate with 10 µM synephrine: 73.3 ± 7.5% and 75.3 ± 3.4% for KYSE30 and KYSE270, respectively) of ESCC cells in a dose-dependent manner, without significant toxic effect on normal esophageal epithelial cells. Mechanistically, quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analyses were performed to explore the synephrine-regulated proteins. Western blot and qRT-PCR data indicated that synephrine may downregulate Galectin-3 to inactivate AKT and ERK pathways. In addition, we found that the sensitivity of ESCC to fluorouracil (5-FU) could be enhanced by synephrine. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that synephrine had significant antitumor effect on ESCC tumor xenografts in nude mice (inhibition rate with 20 mg/kg synephrine is 61.3 ± 20.5%) without observed side effects on the animals. Taken together, synephrine, a food-source natural product, may be a potential therapeutic strategy in ESCC.

Parent and caregiver perceptions about the safety and effectiveness of foreign and domestic vaccines in Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND: Chinese parents have access to domestic and foreign vaccines for their children. Their vaccine preferences are unclear, especially given recent pharmaceutical quality scandals and widely held beliefs deriving from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This study characterized parental beliefs about the safety and effectiveness of Chinese and foreign vaccines. METHODS: In May 2014, caregivers of young children at public immunization clinics in Shanghai, China, responded to a survey on vaccine perceptions. The two outcomes (differential belief in the effectiveness and safety of foreign vs domestic vaccines) were separately regressed onto demographic predictors in multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 618 caregivers, 56% thought the effectiveness of domestic and foreign vaccines were comparable; 33% thought domestic were more effective and 11% foreign. Two-thirds thought foreign and domestic vaccines had similar safety; 11% thought domestic were safer and 21% thought foreign were safer. Compared to college graduates, those with a high school education or less had greater odds of believing domestic vaccines were more effective, and also had greater odds of believing imported vaccines were safer. Greater trust in TCM was not associated with differential beliefs in the effectiveness or safety of domestic vs foreign vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no evidence that foreign and domestic vaccines differ in either effectiveness or safety, less educated caregivers in China (but not those with greater trust in TCM) appear to believe such differences exist. Further exploration of the causes of these beliefs may be necessary in order to optimize vaccine communications in China.

Green tea extract attenuates LPS-induced retinal inflammation in rats.

Inflammation is in a wide spectrum of retinal diseases, causing irreversible blindness and visual impairment. We have previously demonstrated that Green Tea Extract (GTE) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent for anterior uveitis. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of GTE on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced retinal inflammation in rats and explored the underlying mechanism. Adult rats were injected with LPS and GTE was administered intra-gastrically at 2, 8, 26 and 32 hours post-injection. Staining of whole-mount retina showed that the number of activated microglia cells was significantly increased at 48 hours post-injection, which was suppressed after GTE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Activation of astrocytes and Müller glia in the retina was also suppressed after GTE treatment. Meanwhile, GTE reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 in retina and vitreous humor. These anti-inflammatory effects were associated with a reduced phosphorylation of STAT3 and NF-κB in the retina. Furthermore, the surface receptor of EGCG, 67LR, was localized on the neurons and glia in the retina. These findings demonstrate that GTE is an effective agent in suppressing LPS-induced retinal inflammation, probably through its potent anti-oxidative property and a receptor-mediated action on transcription factors that regulate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.