Insight gained via ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics: Protective effect of Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot essential oil on lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury mice.

Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot essential oil (AAEO) has shown pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. However, the protective effect of AAEO on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury and its potential protective mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics techniques to investigate the changes in liver tissue metabolites in mice exposed to LPS with or without AAEO treatment for 14 days. The biochemical results showed that compared with the control group, AAEO significantly reduced the levels of liver functional enzymes, suggesting a significant improvement in liver injury. In addition, the 18 differential metabolites identified by metabolomics were mainly involved in the reprogramming of arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and purine metabolism. AAEO could significantly inhibit the expression of COX-2, IDO1, and NF-κB; enhance the body's anti-inflammatory ability; and alleviate liver injury. In summary, our study identified the protective mechanism of AAEO on LPS-induced liver injury at the level of small molecular metabolites, providing a potential liver protective agent for the treatment of LPS-induced liver injury.

Cineole inhibits the biosynthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins to alleviate allergic rhinitis: Insights from metabolomics.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease characterized by nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, and sneezing. Cineole, a monoterpenoid compound widely present in various volatile oils, has a wide range of pharmacological activities and is of interest in allergic airway diseases for its anti-inflammatory and anti-mucus production abilities. However, the protective effects of cineole in mice with allergic rhinitis and its mechanisms have not been well investigated. In this study, the protective effect of cineole against ovalbumin-induced (OVA-induced) allergic rhinitis and its molecular mechanism is investigated by metabolomic analysis based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). OVA combined with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is used to sensitize and establish the allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model. The mice are randomly divided into groups of control, AR, cineole (30 mg/kg), and budesonide (38.83 µg/kg). The pharmacodynamic results show that cineole significantly reduces the levels of Th2-type cytokines and OVA-specific IgE (OVA-sIgE) in AR mice, improves nasal mucosal tissue damage and alleviates nasal symptoms compared to the untreated AR group. Metabolomic results show that arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and tryptophan (Trp) metabolism are reprogrammed on the basis of 27 significantly altered metabolites. Further studies show that cineole inhibits the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandins (PGs) in mice by inhibiting the activity of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the arachidonic acid metabolic (AA metabolic) pathway. It also inhibits the production of Th2 cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration, thereby alleviating symptoms such as nasal congestion and nasal leakage. These results reveal the action and molecular mechanism of cineole in alleviating AR and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of cineole in treating AR.

Hepatoprotective effect of Artemisia Argyi essential oil on bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity via inhibition of ferroptosis in mice.

The environmental pollutant bisphenol A (BPA), used in the manufacture of plastic packaging materials for various diets, is widely distributed in the environment and causes severe hepatotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Artemisia argyi essential oil (AAEO), a volatile oil component isolated from Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot, has pharmacological effects, especially for hepatoprotective actions. However, the potential effect of AAEO in BPA induced hepatotoxicity has not been characterized. First, we analyzed the chemical composition in AAEO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Herein, we investigated the effect of AAEO on hepatic metabolic changes in mice exposed to BPA. Results showed that compared with the BPA group, AAEO could reduce the level of liver function enzymes in BPA mice serum, and ameliorate hepatic lesions and fibrosis. Additionally, 20 differential metabolites screened by metabolomics were mainly involved in the reprogramming of glutathione metabolism, purine metabolism, and polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, AAEO could reduce hepatic ferroptosis induced by BPA, as demonstrated by reducing xanthine oxidase activity, up-regulating the activities of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), superoxide dismutase, and catalase and the expression of SLC7A11 to promote the glutathione synthetic, while inhibiting transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) expression to reduce the accumulation of Fe2+ in cells. Therefore, our study identified AAEO as a hepatic protectant against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity by reversing the occurrence of ferroptosis.

Ponicidin suppresses pancreatic cancer growth by inducing ferroptosis: Insight gained by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. Ponicidin, a tetracyclic diterpenoid active ingredient extracted from the traditional phytomedicine Rubescens, has high safety and great inhibitory effect on the proliferation of a variety of cancer cells, especially malignant tumor cells of the digestive tract. However, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of ponicidin on pancreatic cancer cells is still unclear. Our study aimed to use metabonomics technology to analyze and explore the suppressive effect of ponidicin against pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS: MTT and flow cytometry were conducted to study the potential effect of ponicidin on SW1990 cells. Secondly, UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the small molecule metabolites and relevant differential metabolic pathways induced by ponicidin treatment. Furthermore, through the determination of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity and molecular docking simulation experiments, the effects of intracellular GPX4 activity and GSH/GSSG ratio after ponicidin were evaluated. Finally, the determination of the content of iron ions and malondialdehyde in cells, and the experiment of the effect of ferroptosis inhibitors on cell viability, the effect of ponicidin on the induction of ferroptosis in SW1990 cells was also detected. RESULTS: The IC50 of ponicidin on SW1990 cells was 20 µM, which could significantly induce cell apoptosis and arrest the cells in G2/M phase. Metabolomics results showed that the contents of endogenous small molecules such as gamma-glutamylcysteine, 5-oxoproline, glutamic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and arachidonic acid have changed significantly. Main differential compounds were involved in the gamma-glutamyl cycle and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Additionally, ponicidin could covalently bind to GSH in SW1990 cells to form a conjugate Pon-GSH, which further reduced the content of free GSH and GPX4 activity in cells. Notably, ponicidin dose-dependently increased levels of iron ions, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in SW1990 cells, and the ferroptosis inhibitors could significantly block the effects of ponicidin on the proliferation of SW1990 cells. CONCLUSION: Ponicidin could suppress the pancreatic cancer cell proliferation via inducing ferroptosis by inhibiting the gamma-glutamyl cycle and regulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in SW1990 cells.

Neuroprotective effects of icariin in neonatal hypoxia-ischemic brain damage via its anti-apoptotic property.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a brain disease that is caused by perinatal asphyxia. Icariin (ICA), which is an active component of Epimedii (a Chinese medicinal herb), has been verified to demonstrate a wide range of therapeutic effects, such as alleviating various kinds of brain injury. OBJECTIVE: The current study aims to examine the neuroprotective effects of ICA on neonatal HIBD in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified version of the Rice-Vannucci method was performed to establish neonatal HIBD in 7-day-old mouse pups that were pretreated with ICA or vehicle. The infarct volume was measured, and behavioral tests were conducted to assess the protective effects of ICA on the neonatal brain and to evaluate functional recovery after injury. TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) were determined by using Western blot. RESULTS: We showed that pretreatment with ICA could significantly reduce brain damage, improve neurobehavioral outcomes, and suppress apoptotic cell death following HI injury. ICA reversed the HI-induced reduction in phosphorylated Akt and activation of cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that ICA exerts potential neuroprotective effects on neonatal HIBD, which may be mediated by its anti-apoptotic activity.

Diverse Associations of Plasma Selenium Concentrations and SELENOP Gene Polymorphism with Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.

The relationship between selenium and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been discussed controversially, and limited studies have examined the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in selenoproteins genes with MetS. Hence, to examine the associations of plasma selenium concentrations and selenoprotein P rs7579 polymorphism with MetS, a case-control study of 1279 MetS cases and 1279 sex- and age- (±2 years) matched controls was conducted based on the baseline data of the Tongji-Ezhou Cohort study. Plasma selenium concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. MetS was defined using the definition of the Joint Interim Statement, adjusted for the Chinese population. In addition, the rs7579 polymorphism was genotyped by the Agena MassARRAY System. Plasma selenium concentrations in the MetS group were higher than in the control group (93.88 µg/L (83.17-107.41) vs. 92.66 µg/L (82.36-103.53), P < 0.05). Compared with quartile 4 (≥103.53 µg/L), the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with MetS were 0.79 (0.59-1.06) for quartile 1 (<82.36 µg/L), 0.75 (0.56-1.01) for quartile 2 (82.37-92.66 µg/L), and 0.61 (0.45-0.83) for quartile 3 (92.67-103.52 µg/L). The cubic spline analyses revealed a U-shaped association between plasma selenium and MetS, with the lowest risk at around 93.69 µg/L. Moreover, in cubic spline analyses, plasma selenium showed U-shaped associations with central obesity and high blood pressure, positive associations with hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia, and a negative association with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, both the GA and GA+AA genotype carriers were associated with increased ORs of MetS comparing with the GG genotype carriers. Our findings suggested a U-shaped association between plasma selenium and MetS and diverse associations between plasma selenium and components of MetS. Furthermore, our study found that the A allele of rs7579 was associated with higher odds of MetS. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Progressive muscle relaxation is effective in preventing and alleviating of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among cancer patients: a systematic review of six randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: Previous systematic review suggested a beneficial effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. However, poor quality of eligible studies which included in previous systematic review impaired the reliability and validity of findings. The aim of the present systematic review was to further assess the value of PMR in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. METHODS: We assigned two independent investigators to search potential studies in PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trial (CENTRAL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), China Biomedical Literature database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data database. We used data extraction sheet to extract essential information, and used the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool to appraise the quality of eligible studies. Finally, we qualitatively summarized the results of all included studies. RESULTS: Six studies enrolling 288 patients were included finally. Of these 6 studies, three were labeled as moderate quality and the remaining studies were low quality. All included studies consistently suggested that PMR has a positive effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, especially on the incidence, frequency, and degree of delayed nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Independent studies indicated that PMR was a beneficial approach of preventing and alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among cancer patients. However, further studies enrolling other types of primary tumors should be designed in order to increase the generality of PMR because studies which were included in the present systematic review mainly considered patients with lung cancer and breast cancer. Moreover, future studies with high quality and large-scale are also warranted in order to address the limitations in the present systematic review such as poor quality and limited data of eligible studies.

Activity-guided isolation of phase II enzyme inducers from buckwheat flour methanolic extracts.

BACKGROUND: Buckwheat is an important alternative crop and a raw material for functional food formulation. Phase II detoxification proteins/enzymes provide cytoprotective roles against oxidative stress and inflammation originating from various stressors. We aimed to identify and characterize potential phase II enzyme inducers from methanolic extracts of buckwheat flour, using an activity-guided fractionation based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) (EC 1.6.5.2) in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. RESULTS: We isolated the QR inducers N-trans-feruloyltyramine (I), syringic acid (II), quercetin (III) and myricetin (IV). The relative QR-inducing ability, as well as the concentration required to double QR specific activity (CD values, in parentheses), decreased in the order: quercetin (3.0 µmol L-1 ) > N-trans-feruloyltyramine (24 µmol L-1 ) > myricetin (58 µmol L-1 ) > syringic acid (5.4 mmol L-1 ). Quercetin and N-trans-feruloyltyramine exhibited the greatest extent of QR induction of an approximately four-fold maximum induction and these compounds also exhibited the greatest values for the ratio of IC50 (i.e. level to reduce viability by 50%): CD values of 11 and > 8.3, respectively, among the four QR inducers isolated. Isobologram analyses for binary combinations of compounds I-IV revealed primarily antagonistic interactions for QR induction. CONCLUSION: These findings add to our understanding of the nutraceutical potential of buckwheat as a chemoprophylactic dietary component. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Study on effect elements of anthers opening-closing movement and its cell morphology regulatory mechanism of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

In order to study the effect elements of anthers opening-closing movement of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, and its cell morphology regulatory mechanism. Anthers daily opening in the morning and closing in the evening and its corresponding ecological elements changes were recorded. Different light, temperature, humidity experiment and artificial rainfall experiment were designed to observe the effect on anthers opening-closing movement, paraffin sections were made to observe the cell morphology change when the anthers daily opening and closing. The result showed that the movement of anthers daily opening and closing was regulated by ecological elements. The overall trend was high temperature and strong light, low humidity was favorable for anther opening, and low temperature, weak light, high humidity was favorable for anther closing. In this experiment, the effect of these ecological elements on the movement of anthers opening from strong to weak was humidity, temperature, light. The effect of these ecological elements on the movement of anthers closing from strong to weak was light, humidity, temperature. The direct contact of the raindrops causes the rapid closing of the anthers in the rain. Observing the cell morphology change when anthers opening and closing, it was a pollen sac dehydration and water-absorption process, different light, temperature and humidity conditions induce different physiological activities in the cell, which caused the cell osmotic pressure change, eventually resulting in anther opening and closing movement. But anthers closing caused by the rain was a simple physical adjustment process, the raindrops fell on the anthers directly, which caused anthers soaked water and change of the cell osmotic pressure, then resulting in anther closing.

JAK2 inhibitor TG101348 overcomes erlotinib-resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells with mutated EGF receptor.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are responsive to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, NSCLC patients with secondary somatic EGFR mutations are resistant to EGFR-TKI treatment. In this study, we investigated the effect of TG101348 (a JAK2 inhibitor) on the tumor growth of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression and tumor growth were evaluated by diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, Western Blot and a xenograft mouse model, respectively. Results showed that erlotinib had a stronger impact on the induction of apoptosis in erlotinib-sensitive PC-9 cells but had a weaker effect on erlotinib-resistant H1975 and H1650 cells than TG101348. TG101348 significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of erlotinib to erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells, stimulated erlotinib-induced apoptosis and downregulated the expressions of EGFR, p-EGFR, p-STAT3, Bcl-xL and survivin in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Moreover, the combined treatment of TG101348 and erlotinib induced apoptosis, inhibited the activation of p-EGFR and p-STAT3, and inhibited tumor growth of erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells in vivo. Our results indicate that TG101348 is a potential adjuvant for NSCLC patients during erlotinib treatment.

[Phenotypic Trait Variation, Correlation and Path Analysis of Clerodendranthus spicatus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phenotypic trait variation range of Clerodendranthus spicatus, and to look for phenotypic traits closely related with its yield and quality, in order to provide reference for its breeding. METHODS: Randomly labelled plants of Clerodendranthus spicatus, observed its phenotypic traits and analyzed by variation, principal component, correlation and path analysis. RESULTS: 13 phenotypic traits in the 15 germplasms of Clerodendranthus spicatus had great variations, the variations mainly distributed in yield, growth and genetic characteristics. Correlation and path analysis showed that, the plant dry weight had an extremely significantly positive correlation with fresh weight, and a positive correlation with stem height, stem diameter and root diameter. Plant fresh weight had a majorly direct contribution to the plant dry weight, stem height, stem diameter and root diameter also had a direct contribution to the plant dry weight. The other characters, including root length, branches, the number of leaf nodes, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight/dry weight ratio, rosmarinic acid content and ursolic acid content all had a negatively direct contribution to the plant dry weight. Rosmarinic acid content had a positive correlation with fresh weight, and a significantly positive correlation with fresh weight/dry weight ratio. Fresh weight had a majorly direct contribution to the rosmarinic acid content, stem height and stem diameter also had a direct contribution to the plant rosmarinic acid content. The other characters, including root length, root diameter, branches, the number of leaf nodes, leaf length, leaf width, dry weight, fresh weight/dry weight ratio, and ursolic acid content all had a negatively direct contribution to the rosmarinic acid content. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic traits of Clerodendranthus spicatus had rich variations on yield, growth and genetic characteristics. When choosing good germplasm, plant fresh weight, stem height, stem diameter and plant fresh weight/dry weight ratio having promoting effects on the plant dry weight and rosmarinic acid content should be considered comprehensively, and plant with vigorous growth, tall stem and more leaves can be choosed firstly.

[Phenotypic Trait Variation, Principal Component, Correlation and Path Analysis of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phenotypic trait variation range of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, and to look for phenotypic traits closely related with yield, in order to provide reference for its breeding in the future. METHODS: Wild plants of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis populations cultivated for three years in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province were chosen. The plants of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis were randomly labelled, its phenotypic traits were observed and analyzed by variation, principal component, correlation, variance and path analysis. RESULTS: Eleven phenotypic traits variation of the populations of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis were great, mainly distributed in yield, growth and genetic characteristics. Phenotypic trait of different growth years (4 - 10 years) including stem height, stem diameter, flower stem height, flower stem diameter, leaf number, leaf length and leaf width had no significant difference(P > 0. 05). The underground phenotypic traits including root weight, root length and root diameter increased significant (P <0. 05) with plant growth years. Effect of the other phenotypic traits on root weight was as follows: root diameter (0. 2550) > root growth years (0. 1183 ) > root length(0. 0202) > stem diameter(0. 0081) > stem height (0. 0044) > leaf number (0. 0025) > leaf length (0. 0018) > leaf width (0. 0004) > flower stem height (0. 0003) > flower stem diameter (0. 0001). CONCLUSION: The phenotypic traits on yield, growth and genetic characteristics have rich variations, and the phenotypic traits on the ground have no relationship with plant growth years, the plant growth years mainly affect the underground phenotypic traits. When choosing different root types, root diameter can be used as the preferred character, stem diameter as the second preferred traits when the root traits information not be easily obtained.

Mimecan, a Hormone Abundantly Expressed in Adipose Tissue, Reduced Food Intake Independently of Leptin Signaling.

Adipokines such as leptin play important roles in the regulation of energy metabolism, particularly in the control of appetite. Here, we describe a hormone, mimecan, which is abundantly expressed in adipose tissue. Mimecan was observed to inhibit food intake and reduce body weight in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of a mimecan-maltose binding protein (-MBP) complex inhibited food intake in C57BL/6J mice, which was attenuated by pretreatment with polyclonal antibody against mimecan. Notably, mimecan-MBP also induced anorexia in A(y)/a and db/db mice. Furthermore, the expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 was up-regulated in the hypothalamus by mimecan-MBP, as well as in N9 microglia cells by recombinant mouse mimecan. Taken together, the results suggest that mimecan is a satiety hormone in adipose tissue, and that mimecan inhibits food intake independently of leptin signaling by inducing IL-1ß and IL-6 expression in the hypothalamus.

[Occurrence situation and control strategy of Dendrobium diseases in large-scale farming system].

Artificial cultivation medical Dendrobium flourished quickly and gradually developed in a streamlined production in large scale in Zhejiang, Yunnan, Anhui, Guizhou et al provinces in recent years. As the growing years being extended and area expanded, plant disease is a growing issue and became even worse. In the current review, we summarized the available studies and the investigation in those areas on disease kinds, regular patterns, area specificity, and prevention solutions and so on. We elucidated the limitations of plant disease on medical Dendrobium planting industry development, and provided some suggestions in prevention strategy depending on the occurrence characteristics and epidemic factors. Strengthening basic research, appropriate field management and reasonable utilization of pesticide are the key part of disease integrated management

[Breeding system of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the basic guidance for seed breeding and cross-breeding of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. METHOD: The floral behavior and pollinators were observed; 0.5% TTC solution was used for the pollen viability test and benzidine and -H2O2 was used for estimation of the stigma receptivity. The mating systems were tested by out crossing index (OC1), and pollination experiment was carried out by bagged and emasculated test in the field. RESULT: Commonly, stigma lobes spread slightly, and anthers started presenting the pollen from the outer ring while the flower was just beginning to open. Consequently, the distance between the stigma and its own pollen was relatively far, this "floral behavior" may be conducive to outcrossing. Then the flower entered the later period, while the stigma lobes spread widely, anthers all split, and this "floral behavior" shortened the stigma and its own pollen's distance, which may be conducive to selfing. P. polyphylla was partly protogynous. Stigma life-span was about 10-12 d. After anther dehiscence, the pollen viability maintained about 10% within 2 days, and 20% within 10 days. The value of out crossing index (OC1) was 4. By pollination experiment and pollinators observed, P. polyphylla was self-compatible, but no capacity for autonomous self-fertilization; In natural circumstances, outcrossing fructification rate was low, and mainly anemophilous. Assisted selfing-fertilization fructification rate was higher, spider was the main pollinators. CONCLUSION: P. polyphylla has a mixed mating system with self-pollination and cross-pollination characteristics. Floral behavior has important adaptive significance in avoiding female and male interference, outcrossing, and delayed selfing. P. polyphylla is ambophily (a combination of both wind and insect pollination), pollinators changes due to environment. Pollen limitation is the main cause of low fructification rate under natural conditions.

Breeding system of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide the basic guidance for seed breeding and cross-breeding of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The floral behavior and pollinators were observed; 0.5% TTC solution was used for the pollen viability test and benzidine and -H2O2 was used for estimation of the stigma receptivity. The mating systems were tested by out crossing index (OC1), and pollination experiment was carried out by bagged and emasculated test in the field.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Commonly, stigma lobes spread slightly, and anthers started presenting the pollen from the outer ring while the flower was just beginning to open. Consequently, the distance between the stigma and its own pollen was relatively far, this "floral behavior" may be conducive to outcrossing. Then the flower entered the later period, while the stigma lobes spread widely, anthers all split, and this "floral behavior" shortened the stigma and its own pollen's distance, which may be conducive to selfing. P. polyphylla was partly protogynous. Stigma life-span was about 10-12 d. After anther dehiscence, the pollen viability maintained about 10% within 2 days, and 20% within 10 days. The value of out crossing index (OC1) was 4. By pollination experiment and pollinators observed, P. polyphylla was self-compatible, but no capacity for autonomous self-fertilization; In natural circumstances, outcrossing fructification rate was low, and mainly anemophilous. Assisted selfing-fertilization fructification rate was higher, spider was the main pollinators.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P. polyphylla has a mixed mating system with self-pollination and cross-pollination characteristics. Floral behavior has important adaptive significance in avoiding female and male interference, outcrossing, and delayed selfing. P. polyphylla is ambophily (a combination of both wind and insect pollination), pollinators changes due to environment. Pollen limitation is the main cause of low fructification rate under natural conditions.</p>

Occurrence situation and control strategy of Dendrobium diseases in large-scale farming system / 中国中药杂志

Artificial cultivation medical Dendrobium flourished quickly and gradually developed in a streamlined production in large scale in Zhejiang, Yunnan, Anhui, Guizhou et al provinces in recent years. As the growing years being extended and area expanded, plant disease is a growing issue and became even worse. In the current review, we summarized the available studies and the investigation in those areas on disease kinds, regular patterns, area specificity, and prevention solutions and so on. We elucidated the limitations of plant disease on medical Dendrobium planting industry development, and provided some suggestions in prevention strategy depending on the occurrence characteristics and epidemic factors. Strengthening basic research, appropriate field management and reasonable utilization of pesticide are the key part of disease integrated management

Dietary iron intake, body iron stores, and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Excess iron has been shown to induce diabetes in animal models. However, the results from human epidemiologic studies linking body iron stores and iron intake to the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are conflicting. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate the available evidence for associations between iron intake, body iron stores, and the risk of T2DM. METHODS: A systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to the end of 22 April 2012 was performed, and reference lists of retrieved articles were screened. Two reviewers independently evaluated the eligibility of inclusion and extracted the data. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. RESULTS: We reviewed 449 potentially relevant articles, and 11 prospective studies were included in the analysis. A meta-analysis of five studies gave a pooled RR for T2DM of 1.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.48; P<0.001) in individuals with the highest level of heme iron intake, compared with those with the lowest level. The pooled RR for T2DM for a daily increment of 1 mg of heme iron intake was 1.16 (1.09 to 1.23, P<0.001). Body iron stores, as measured by ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and the sTfR:ferritin ratio, were significantly associated with the risk of T2DM. The pooled RRs for T2DM in individuals with the highest versus the lowest intake of ferritin levels was 1.70 (1.27-2.27, P<0.001) before adjustment for inflammatory markers and 1.63 (1.03-2.56, P = 0.036) after adjustment. We did not find any significant association of dietary intakes of total iron, non-heme, or supplemental iron intake with T2DM risk. CONCLUSION: Higher heme iron intake and increased body iron stores were significantly associated with a greater risk of T2DM. Dietary total iron, non-heme iron, or supplemental iron intakes were not significantly associated with T2DM risk.

Formulation and pharmacokinetic evaluation of tetracycline-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for subcutaneous injection in mice.

The aim of this work was to prepare tetracycline-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (Tet-SLN), and to evaluate the potential of these colloidal carriers for subcutaneous injection. Tet-SLN was prepared by microemulsion method and the preparation conditions were optimized by ternary phase diagram. At optimized process conditions, lyophilized Tet-SLN showed spherical particles with a mean diameter of 87.2±46.9 nm and a negative zeta potential of -6.69 mV, up to 1.7% tetracycline drug content was achieved after loading. In vitro release test showed a biphasic release profile for Tet-SLN and more than 80% of the drug was liberated from Tet-SLN in 48 h. After subcutaneous injection of Tet-SLN to mice, a considerable sustained release was observed; tetracycline in blood could be detected lasting 36 h, and lower concentrations of tetracycline in all tissues tested compared to the free tetracycline solution were observed. In conclusion, Tet-SLN can be prepared well by microemulsion method and subcutaneous injection of SLN provide a new perspective for drug sustained release.

Controlled clinical trials on the Pizhen and massage for the treatment of thoracic lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effects of Pizhen for the treatment of thoracic lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2004 to April 2008, among the 320 patients with thoracic lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, 160 patients (105 patients were male and 55 patients were female, ranging in age from 26 to 66 years, with an average of 46.00 +/- 0.79 years) were treated with Pizhen for 3 to 7 days, and 160 patients (98 patients were male and 62 patients were female, ranging in age from 19 to 64 years,with an average of 47.00 +/- 0.35 years) were treated with massage for 1 to 2 months. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared based on changes of tension test of local soft tissues, local pain and tenderness.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up and the duration ranged from 7 to 12 months, averaged in 10.3 months. Among the patients in Pizhen group, 119 patients got an excellent result, 27 good, 12 fair, and 2 poor, and the tension test of local soft tissues decreased from preoperative (3.68 +/- 0.28) to postoperative (2.13 +/- 0.35). In the control group, 73 patients got an excellent result, 38 good, 40 fair, and 9 poor, the tension test of local soft tissues decreased from preoperative (3.59 +/- 0.22) to postoperative (3.17 +/- 0.19). The therapeutic effects and tension test of local soft tissue in the two groups had statistical differences (P < 0.01). The therapeutic effects of Pizhen group was better than that of the control group, and the postoperative tension test of local soft tissues of patients in Pizhen group was lower than that of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The clinical effect of Pizhen is better than the massage for the treatment of thoracic lateral cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. The Pizhen is effective to decrease the pressure around nerve, relax the adhesion, so as to eliminate the stimulation and compression of sensory nerve endings to relieve the pain quickly. But massage need longer course of treatment. So Pizhen therapy is safe, good and easily to practice, which is better than massage therapy.</p>