N-Cinnamoylpyrrole-derived alkaloids from the genus Piper as promising agents for ischemic stroke by targeting eEF1A1.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious cerebrovascular disease characterized by significantly elevated mortality and disability rates, and the treatments available for this disease are limited. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are deemed the major causes of cerebral ischemic injury. N-Cinnamoylpyrrole alkaloids form a small group of natural products from the genus Piper and have not been extensively analyzed pharmacologically. Thus, identifying the effect and mechanism of N-cinnamoylpyrrole-derived alkaloids on IS is worthwhile. PURPOSE: The present research aimed to explore the antineuroinflammatory and antioxidative stress effects of N-cinnamoylpyrrole-derived alkaloids isolated from the genus Piper and to explain the effects and mechanism on IS. METHODS: N-cinnamoylpyrrole-derived alkaloids were isolated from Piper boehmeriaefolium var. tonkinense and Piper sarmentosum and identified by various chromatographic methods. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglia and a mouse model intracerebroventricularly injected with LPS were used to evaluate the antineuroinflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. Oxygen‒glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) models were used to evaluate the effect of PB-1 on IS. To elucidate the fundamental mechanism, the functional target of PB-1 was identified by affinity-based protein profiling (ABPP) strategy and verified by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), and circular dichroism (CD) analyses. The effect of PB-1 on the NF-κB and NRF2 signaling pathways was subsequently evaluated via western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The results showed that N-cinnamoylpyrrole-derived alkaloids significantly affected neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The representative compound, PB-1 not only inhibited neuroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by LPS or OGD/R insult, but also alleviated cerebral ischemic injury induced by tMCAO. Further molecular mechanism research found that PB-1 promoted antineuroinflammatory and antioxidative stress activities via the NF-κB and NRF2 signaling pathways by targeting eEF1A1. CONCLUSION: Our research initially unveiled that the therapeutic impact of PB-1 on cerebral ischemic injury might rely on its ability to target eEF1A1, leading to antineuroinflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. The novel discovery highlights eEF1A1 as a potential target for IS treatment and shows that PB-1, as a lead compound that targets eEF1A1, may be a promising therapeutic agent for IS.

A Serum Pharmacochemistry and Network Pharmacology-based Approach to Study the Anti-depressant Effect of Chaihu-Shugan San.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to explore the anti-depressant mechanism of Chaihu- Shugan San based on serum medicinal chemistry and network pharmacology methods. BACKGROUND: Depression lacks effective treatments, with current anti-depressants ineffective in 40% of patients. Chaihu-Shugan San (CHSGS) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine compound to treat depression. However, the chemical components and the underlying mechanisms targeting the liver and brain in the anti-depressant effects of CHSGS need to be elucidated. METHODS: The chemical components of CHSGS in most current network pharmacology studies are screened from TCMSP and TCMID databases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and material basis of soothing the liver and relieving depression in the treatment of depression by CHSGS based on serum pharmacochemistry. The anti-depressant mechanism of CHSGS was further verified by proteomics and high-throughput data. RESULTS: Through serum medicinal chemistry, we obtained 9 bioactive substances of CHSGS. These ingredients have good human oral bioavailability and are non-toxic. Based on liver ChIPseq data, CHSGS acts on 8 targets specifically localized in the liver, such as FGA, FGB, and FGG. The main contributors to CHSGS soothing the liver qi targets are hesperetin, nobiletin, ferulic acid, naringin and albiflorin. In addition, network pharmacology analysis identified 9 blood components of CHSGS that corresponded to 63 anti-depressant targets in the brain. Among them, nobiletin has the largest number of anti-depressant targets, followed by glycyrrhizic acid, ferulic acid, albiflorin and hesperetin. We also validated the anti-depressant mechanism of CHSGS based on hippocampal proteomics. CHSGS exerts anti-depressant effects on synaptic structure and neuronal function by targeting multiple synapse related proteins. CONCLUSION: This study not only provides a theoretical basis for further expanding the clinical application of CHSGS, but also provides a series of potential lead compounds for the development of depression drugs.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Rehmannia chingii: An Autotrophic Species in the Orobanchaceae Family.

Rehmannia chingii is an important medicinal plant with immense value in scientific research. However, its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has not yet been characterized. Herein, based on whole-genome Illumina short reads and PacBio HiFi reads, we obtained the complete mitogenome of R. chingii through a de novo assembly strategy. We carried out comparative genomic analyses and found that, in comparison with the plastid genome (plastome) showing a high degree of structural conservation, the R. chingii mitogenome structure is relatively complex, showing an intricate ring structure with 16 connections, owing to five repetitive sequences. The R. chingii mitogenome was 783,161 bp with a GC content of 44.8% and contained 77 genes, comprising 47 protein-coding genes (CDS), 27 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. We counted 579 RNA editing events in 47 CDS and 12,828 codons in all CDSs of the R. chingii mitogenome. Furthermore, 24 unique sequence transfer fragments were found between the mitogenome and plastome, comprising 8 mitogenome CDS genes and 16 plastome CDS genes, corresponding to 2.39% of the R. chingii mitogenome. Mitogenomes had shorter but more collinear regions, evidenced by a comparison of the organelles of non-parasitic R. chingii, hemiparasitic Pedicularis chinensis, and holoparasitic Aeginetia indica in the Orobanchaceae family. Moreover, from non-parasitic to holoparasitic species, the genome size in the mitogenomes of Orobanchaceae species did not decrease gradually. Instead, the smallest mitogenome was found in the hemiparasitic species P. chinensis, with a size of 225,612 bp. The findings fill the gap in the mitogenome research of the medicinal plant R. chingii, promote the progress of the organelle genome research of the Orobanchaceae family, and provide clues for molecular breeding.

Moxibustion ameliorates visceral hypersensitivity by regulating hypothalamus-spinal cord-colon axis in rats with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. / 基于下丘脑-脊髓-ç»“è‚ è½´æŽ¢è®¨è‰¾ç¸æ”¹å–„è ¹æ³»åž‹è‚ æ˜“æ¿€ç»¼åˆå¾å¤§é¼ å† è„é«˜æ•æ„Ÿçš„ä½œç”¨æœºåˆ¶.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of moxibustion intervention on the hypothalamus-spinal cord-colon axis of rats with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and explore the mechanism of moxibustion in improving visceral hypersensitivity in rats with IBS-D. METHODS: A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, and moxibustion groups, with 12 rats in each group. The IBS-D model was established by maternal separation + acetic acid stimulation + chronic restraint. Rats of the moxibustion group received bilateral moxibustion on "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37) for 15 min, once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body weight, loose stool rate, and minimum threshold volume of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were measured before and after moxibustion intervention, respectively. The histopathological changes in the colon tissue were observed after HE staining. The number of colonic mucosal mast cells (MCs) was measured by toluidine blue staining. The activation of MCs was determined by tryptase positive expression level and examined by immunohistochemical staining. The content, protein and mRNA expression levels and positive expression levels of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the hypothalamus, spinal cord and colon tissues were measured by ELISA, Western blot, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the loose stool rate was increased (P<0.01)；the body weight and minimum threshold volume of AWR were decreased (P<0.01)；the inflammatory infiltration of colon tissues was obvious；the number of MCs and positive expression level of tryptase in the colon tissue were increased (P<0.01)；the contents, positive expression le-vels, protein and mRNA expression levels of CRF, SP and CGRP in the hypothalamus, spinal cord and colon tissues were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. After the intervention, compared with the model group, all these indicators showed opposite trends (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the moxibustion group. CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats with IBS-D, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the hypothalamic-spinal-colon axis to reduce the release of CRF, SP and CGRP, and thus to inhibite MC in colon tissue.

[Moxibustion relieves colonic inflammation by up-regulating expression of miR-345-3p/miR-216a-5p and down-regulating NF-κB p65 in colonic tissue of rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the expression of miR-345-3p, miR-216a-5p and nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65) in colonic tissue of rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), so as to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism in relieving IBS-D. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (n=12), model (n=12), moxibustion (n=12) and ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC,n=12) groups. The IBS-D model was established by neonatal mother-child separation combined with acetic acid enema stimulation and chronic binding methods. The rats in the moxibustion group received moxibustion stimulation of "Tianshu"(ST25) and "Shangjuxu"(ST37) for 20 min, once a day, for 7 days, and those of the PDTC group received intraperitoneal injection of PDTC (50 mg·kg-1·d-1) once daily for 7 days. After the intervention, the body weight, loose stool rate and the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were observed, and histopathological changes of colonic mucosa were observed by HE staining. The contents of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α) in serum were measured by ELISA. The expression of miR-345-3p, miR-216a-5p and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the colon tissue were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and the immunoactivities of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissue were determined by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the loose stool rate, contents of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, experssion of NF-κB p65 mRNA and the immunoactivities of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas the body weight, minimum volume threshold of AWR, content of IL-4, and the relative expression of miR-345-3p and miR-216a-5p were remarkably decreased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the loose stool rate, contents of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA and the immunoactivities of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB p65 were considerably down-regulated (P<0.01), while the content of IL-4 and the relative expressions of miR-345-3p and miR-216a-5p were obviously up-regulated in both moxibustion and PDTC groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of IL-6 in serum was significantly lower in the PDTC group than in the moxibustion group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can reduce the level of intestinal inflammation and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats, which may be related to its functions in increasing the expression levels of miR-345-3p and miR-216a-5p and in inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65, thus reducing the levels of inflammatory factors.

[Effect of moxibustion on immune function homeostasis in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome based on SCF/c-kit signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion on the stem cell factor (SCF)/tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) signaling pathway and immune function in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for IBS-D. METHODS: Among 52 young rats born from 6 healthy pregnant SPF rats, 12 rats were randomly selected into the normal group, and the remaining 40 rats were treated with the three-factor combination method of maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D rat model. Thirty-six rats with successful IBS-D model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a medication group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspension moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of rifaximin suspension (150 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body mass, loose stool rate (LSR), the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were measured before acetic acid enema (35 days old), after modeling (45 days old), and after intervention (53 days old). After intervention (53 days old), HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue, and spleen and thymus coefficients were measured; ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-a], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-8), T-lymphocyte subsets (CD+4, CD+8, CD+45), value of CD+4/CD+8 and immune globulin (IgA, IgG, IgM); real-time PCR method and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of SCF, c-kit mRNA and protein in colon tissue; immunofluorescence staining method were used to detect positive expression of SCF and c-kit. RESULTS: After intervention, compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were decreased (P<0.01), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were decreased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group and the medication group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+8, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were increased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, in the moxibustion group, the level of serum CD+4 was decreased (P<0.05), the value of CD+4/CD+8 was increased (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). The expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA was positively correlated with the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 and IL-10 (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with remaining indexes (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion could reduce visceral hypersensitivity, improve symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway and improvement of IBS-D immune function.

Multiple Diagnostic Indicators in the Development of Chronic Hepatitis B, Liver Cirrhosis, and Liver Cancer.

Context: Hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis, and most liver cancers evolve on the basis of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Many patients are already at an advanced stage when diagnosed. In recent years, clinicians have advocated detection of liver cancer using multiple markers in combination to improve the sensitivity and specificity of testing. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of using four tumor indicators-urea, alpha L-fucosidase (AFU), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and comparing the use of combined indicators to use of a single indicator for the diagnosis of liver cancer. Design: The research team performed a prospective study. Setting: The study took place at Clinical Laboratory, Baoding People's Hospital, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China. Participants: Participants were 98 patients with chronic hepatitis B, who became the CHB group; 102 patients with liver cirrhosis, who became the cirrhosis group, and 100 patients with liver cancer, who became the liver cancer group. They all had been admitted to the hospital between March 2019 and March 2021. Outcome Measures: The research team measured the urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP levels of the three groups, constructed an ROC curve, and analyzed the diagnostic values of the indicators singly and in combination for liver cancer. Results: For the levels of urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP, the CHB group's levels were significantly lower than those of the cirrhosis and liver cancer groups (both P < .001), and the cirrhosis group's levels were significantly lower than those of the liver cancer group (P < .001). In the CHB group, the compensatory group's levels were significantly lower than those of the decompensated group (P < .05). In the cirrhosis group, no significant differences existed between the levels of the grade A and grade B groups (P < .001), between those of the grade A and grade C groups (P < .001), or between those of the grade B and grade C groups (P < .001). In the cirrhosis group, the levels of the no ascites group were significantly lower than those of the ascites group (P < .05). In the liver cancer group, the levels of the stage I-II group were significantly lower than those of the stage III and stage IV groups (both P < .05), and those of the stage IV group were significantly lower than those of the stage Ⅳ group (P < .05). The levels of the <5cm group were significantly lower than those of the ≥5cm group (P < .001). The value of using a combination of indicators for diagnosis was significantly higher than that of a single indicator (P < .001). Conclusions: Urea, AFU, CA153, CA125, and AFP all have diagnostic value in the evaluation of chronic hepatitis B-cirrhosis and liver cancer, with the highest efficacy, sensitivity and specificity from a combined test and diagnosis.

[Anti-inflammation effect of moxibustion for rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on multiple miRNAs regulating NF-κB signal pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inflammatory factors by multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion on IBS-D. METHODS: Twelve of 52 newborn rats were randomly selected into a normal group. The remaining rats were made into IBS-D model. A total of 36 rats with successful model were randomly divided into a model group, a medication group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the medication group were intraperitoneally injected with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for 20 min each time. All the intervention was given once a day for 7 days. Before and after modeling as well as after intervention, the body mass, loose stool rate and the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were measured. After intervention, the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-8 were detected by ELISA method; the morphology of colon tissues was observed by HE staining, and the expressions of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues were detected by real-time PCR. The expressions of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8 protein in colon tissues were detected by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: After modeling, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01); the rates of loose stool in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01); after intervention, in the model group, the inflammatory infiltration of colon tissues was obvious, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 ß, IL-8 were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05); the expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05); the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-8 was also higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). After intervention, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the medication group and the moxibustion group were both higher than those in the model group (P<0.05); the loose stool rate in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in model group (P<0.05); the inflammatory cells infiltration in the colon tissues was less, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8 as well as the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-8 in the colon tissues in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of miR-125b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the medication group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a were positively correlated with NF-κB p65 mRNA (0

Status of traditional Chinese medicine healthcare services in nursing homes across China.

This study aimed to elucidate the status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare services provided in nursing homes across China. We investigated 484 nursing homes using self-compiled questionnaires with a convenient sampling method. Chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for univariate analysis and binary logistic regression for multi-factor analysis. Of the 443 nursing homes finally included, 215 (48.5%) provided TCM healthcare services. Nursing home leaders majored in integrated TCM and Western medicine, leaders with a better understanding of TCM and government policies, nursing homes charging over 5,000 CNY/month, and those with ≥500 beds were more likely to provide improved TCM healthcare services. Massage, moxibustion, cupping or scraping, plaster therapy, decocting pieces, and acupuncture were the most prevalent and popular TCM services. Lack of professionals, financial investment, and policy support were the most common factors limiting the provision of TCM healthcare services in Chinese nursing homes.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of peripheral facial nerve paralysis: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidences show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has positive effects on peripheral facial nerve paralysis (PFP), but there are many acupuncture treatments based on meridian theory, and there are differences in the efficacy of each program. This study will compare the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP through mesh meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of PFP are going to be retrieved from 8 Science databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Chinese Biomedical Science, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from establishment to January 2022. We will use the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool to assess the quality of the studies and the grading of recommendation assessment, development and evaluation method to assess the strength of the evidence. All data analyses will be performed by Revman5.3, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy of different acupuncture treatments for PFP by evaluating clinical efficacy rate, facial nerve function score, facial disability score scale, facial electromyography, adverse reactions, etc, and further explore the mechanism of action of each therapy. CONCLUSION: This study will provide a reliable evidence-based basis for selecting the best acupuncture treatment for PFP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open science framework registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XQRK9.

Patterns of yeast diversity distribution and its drivers in rhizosphere soil of Hami melon orchards in different regions of Xinjiang.

BACKGROUND: The unique climatic conditions of the Xinjiang region nurture rich melon and fruit resources, the melon and fruit sugar sources provide sufficient nutrients for the survival of yeast, and the diverse habitats accompanied by extreme climatic conditions promote the production of yeast diversity and strain resources. However, the relationship between yeast species and their relationship with environmental factors in the soil of Xinjiang specialty cash crop Hami melon is not clear. Here, we aimed to characterize the diversity, community structure, and relationship between yeast species and environmental factors in Hami melon orchards soils in different regions of Xinjiang, China. RESULTS: Based on Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing analysis of the D1 domain of the LSU rRNA genes, the community richness of yeast in the soil of Northern Xinjiang was higher than in the Southern and Eastern Xinjiang, but the community diversity was significantly lower in the Northern Xinjiang than in the Southern and Eastern Xinjiang. A total of 86 OTUs were classified into 59 genera and 86 species. Most OTUs (90.4%) belonged to the Basidiomycota; only a few (9.6%) belonged to Ascomycota. The most dominant species in the Southern, Eastern and Northern Xinjiang were Filobasidium magnum (17.90%), Solicoccozyma aeria (35.83%) and Filobasidium magnum (75.36%), respectively. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed that the yeast community composition in the soils of the three regions were obviously different, with the Southern and Eastern Xinjiang having more similar yeast community. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil factors such as conductivity (CO), total phosphorus (TP) and Total potassium (TK) and climate factors such as average annual precipitation (PRCP), relative humidity (RH) and net solar radiation intensity (SWGNT) were significantly correlated with yeast communities (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are abundant yeast resources in the rhizosphere soil of Hami melon orchard in Xinjiang, and there are obvious differences in the diversity and community structure of yeast in the three regions of Xinjiang. Differences in climatic factors related to precipitation, humidity and solar radiation intensity and soil factors related to conductivity, total phosphorus and total potassium are key factors driving yeast diversity and community structure.

[Effect of warm acupuncture at Yifeng (TE 17) on facial paralysis with periauricular pain during pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative effect between the warm acupuncture at Yifeng (TE 17) combined with conventional acupuncture and TDP plus conventional acupuncture on facial paralysis with periauricular pain during pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 68 patients were randomized into an observation group (36 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (32 cases, 1 case dropped off). First week, TDP light was used on the affected side in the control group, and warm acupuncture at Yinfeng (TE 17) on the affected side was used in the observation group, both once a day. From the second week, both groups were given acupuncture at Chengjiang (CV 24) and the affected side of Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Yingxiang (LI 20), Dicang (ST 4), etc. and electroacupuncture (continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency) was connected at Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiache (ST 6) and Dicang (ST 4). Both treatments were given every other day for 4 weeks totally. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the periauricular pain degree before treatment and after 1 week of treatment, the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading scale and facial disability index (FDI) score before treatment and after 2, 4 weeks of treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After 1 week of treatment, the VAS scores of both groups decreased (P<0.001), and the variation in the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.01). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the H-B grading of both groups were improved (P<0.01, P<0.05), and those in the observation group were better than the control group (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the FDI physical function (FDIP) scores of both groups were higher (P<0.01), and the FDI social life function (FDIS) scores were lower than before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the FDIP scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm acupuncture at Yinfeng (TE 17) combined with conventional acupuncture can effectively improve the periauricular pain and facial nerve function in patients of facial paralysis with periauricular pain during pregnancy, and the curative effect is better than TDP plus conventional acupuncture.

[Clinical observation on time-effect of electroacupuncture for idiopathic facial paralysis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different acupuncture frequency and duration of needle retention on idiopathic facial paralysis, and optimize the acupuncture treatment plan. METHODS: A total of 140 patients were randomized into a group A (37 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group B (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off), a group C (34 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a group D (34 cases, 1 case dropped off). Under the same basic treatment, acupuncture intervention time (day 8 of morbidity), acupoint selection [Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Yingxiang (LI 20), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4) on the affected side, Chengjiang (CV 24) and Hegu (LI 4) on the unaffected side] and electroacupuncture intervention, different acupuncture interval time and duration of needle retention were applied. In the group A, the treatment was given 20 min once a day, while the group B 30 min once a day, the group C 20 min once every 2 days, the group D 30 min once every 2 days. Totally 20-day treatment were required. The House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading system was used to evaluate the improvement of clinical symptom, the situation and latency periods of the R1 wave in blink reflex and facial nerve motor conduction before and after treatment were observed in the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the cured rates in the 4 groups were 44.1% (15/34), 46.9% (15/32), 57.6% (19/33) and 51.5% (17/33), there was no significant difference among 4 groups (P>0.05). The situation and latency periods of the R1 wave in blink reflex and latency periods and amplitude of facial nerve motor conduction after treatment were improved in the 4 groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), there was no significant difference among 4 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture 20 min once a day, 30 min once a day, 20 min once every 2 days and 30 min once every 2 days have significant effect on the recovery of idiopathic facial paralysis, and the effect is comparable.

Plantamajoside attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy associated with the HDAC2 and AKT/ GSK-3ß signaling pathway.

As a compensatory response to cardiac overload, cardiac hypertrophy is closely associated with the occurrence and development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, in which histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been reported to play an important role. Plantamajoside (PMS) is an active component extracted from Herba Plantaginis, which is a traditional Chinese medicine, and many biological activities of PMS have been reported. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanism of PMS on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. ISO at 10 µmol/L was used in vitro to induce H9c2 cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Cell viability and cell surface area were determined by MTT assay and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Furthermore, an in vivo, cardiac hypertrophy model was established by subcutaneous injection of ISO. Pathological alterations and fibrosis in the myocardium were studied by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, respectively. Myocardial injury-related genes and proteins were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting. HDAC2 and its downstream proteins, AKT and GSK3ß, were analyzed by western blotting. Our results showed that, in vitro, PMS inhibited the ISO-induced increase in H9c2 cell surface area and the mRNA expression of ANP, BNP and Myh7. In vivo, PMS improved the ISO-induced decrease in cardiac function, inhibited the increase in cardiac anatomical parameters and alleviated the histopathological changes in cardiac tissues. Moreover, PMS inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of ANP, BNP, Myh7, COL1 and COL3. Furthermore, PMS suppressed the activity of HDAC2 and down-regulated the expression of the downstream proteins p-AKT and p-GSK3ß both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our results indicated that PMS exerts significant cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, and this protective effect may be mediated by inhibition of the HDAC2 and AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway.

The role of toll-like receptor 4 and mast cell in the ameliorating effect of electroacupuncture on visceral hypersensitivity in rats.

BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is one of the main pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mast cell activation is closely related to visceral hypersensitivity. As a critical molecule of the innate immune system, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may modulate the activation of mast cell. Alleviating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on visceral hypersensitivity has been proved, whereas, whether the TLR4 and mast cell is involved in this process remains unclear. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, EA group, sham EA group, and mast cell stabilizer (MCS) group. Visceral sensitivity during colorectal distension was assessed by the measurement of visceral motor reflex (VMR). TLR4 mRNA and protein expression were assessed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Mast cell number and mast cell tryptase (MCT) expression were detected. The level of inflammatory cytokine in serum was detected with ELISA. KEY RESULTS: Visceral sensitivity was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group. EA and MCS significantly reduced VMR score at 0.8 mL and 1.2 mL distention pressures. Compared with model group, TLR4 mRNA expression, the protein expression of TLR4 and MCT, and the number of mast cells with degranulation in the colonic tissue, serum concentration of IL-1ß and IL-8 were all significantly decreased in EA and MCS group. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Electroacupuncture ameliorated visceral hypersensitivity in colon-sensitized model probably via decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines released by mast cell which were decreased when the TLR4 expression in the colonic tissue was downregulated by EA.

A selfish genetic element confers non-Mendelian inheritance in rice.

Selfish genetic elements are pervasive in eukaryote genomes, but their role remains controversial. We show that qHMS7, a major quantitative genetic locus for hybrid male sterility between wild rice (Oryza meridionalis) and Asian cultivated rice (O. sativa), contains two tightly linked genes [Open Reading Frame 2 (ORF2) and ORF3]. ORF2 encodes a toxic genetic element that aborts pollen in a sporophytic manner, whereas ORF3 encodes an antidote that protects pollen in a gametophytic manner. Pollens lacking ORF3 are selectively eliminated, leading to segregation distortion in the progeny. Analysis of the genetic sequence suggests that ORF3 arose first, followed by gradual functionalization of ORF2 Furthermore, this toxin-antidote system may have promoted the differentiation and/or maintained the genome stability of wild and cultivated rice.

Effects of Astaxanthin on Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Atherosclerosis in Mice.

High plasma level of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) has been consistently associated with a decreased risk of atherosclerosis (AS); thus, HDL-C is considered to be an antiatherogenic lipoprotein. The development of novel therapies to enhance the atheroprotective properties of HDL may have the possibility of further reducing the residual AS risk. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is believed to be a primary atheroprotective activity of HDL, which has been shown to promote the efflux of excess cholesterol from macrophage-derived foam cells via ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and then transport it back to the liver for excretion into bile and eventually into the feces. In the current study, we investigated the effects of astaxanthin on RCT and AS progression in mice. The results showed that short- and long-term supplementation of astaxanthin promote RCT in C57BL/6J and ApoE-/- mice, respectively. Moreover, astaxanthin can relieve the plaque area of the aortic sinus and aortic cholesterol in mice. These findings suggest that astaxanthin is beneficial for boosting RCT and preventing the development of AS.

Mouse models of intracerebral hemorrhage in ventricle, cortex, and hippocampus by injections of autologous blood or collagenase.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating condition. Existing preclinical ICH models focus largely on striatum but neglect other brain areas such as ventricle, cortex, and hippocampus. Clinically, however, hemorrhagic strokes do occur in these other brain regions. In this study, we established mouse hemorrhagic models that utilize stereotactic injections of autologous whole blood or collagenase to produce ventricular, cortical, and hippocampal injury. We validated and characterized these models by histology, immunohistochemistry, and neurobehavioral tests. In the intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) model, C57BL/6 mice that received unilateral ventricular injections of whole blood demonstrated bilateral ventricular hematomas, ventricular enlargement, and brain edema in the ipsilateral cortex and basal ganglia at 72 h. Unilateral injections of collagenase (150 U/ml) caused reproducible hematomas and brain edema in the frontal cortex in the cortical ICH (c-ICH) model and in the hippocampus in the hippocampal ICH (h-ICH) model. Immunostaining revealed cellular inflammation and neuronal death in the periventricular regions in the IVH brain and in the perihematomal regions in the c-ICH and h-ICH brains. Locomotor abnormalities measured with a 24-point scoring system were present in all three models, especially on days 1, 3, and 7 post-ICH. Locomotor deficits measured by the wire-hanging test were present in models of IVH and c-ICH, but not h-ICH. Interestingly, mice in the c-ICH model demonstrated emotional abnormality, as measured by the tail suspension test and forced swim test, whereas h-ICH mice exhibited memory abnormality, as measured by the novel object recognition test. All three ICH models generated reproducible brain damage, brain edema, inflammation, and consistent locomotor deficits. Additionally, the c-ICH model produced emotional deficits and the h-ICH model produced cognitive deficits. These three models closely mimic human ICH and should be useful for investigating the pathophysiology of ICH in ventricle, cortex, and hippocampus and for evaluating potential therapeutic strategies.