Application of a modified tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay for rapid Panax species identity authentication in ginseng products.

Panax ginseng products can be adulterated with materials from other Panax species. The purpose of this study is to provide a rapid P. ginseng authentication method for simultaneous identification of P. ginseng and detection of adulteration in ginseng products at different processing stages. First, a tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay was designed based on a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the trnL-trnF region and was tested at 28 PCR cycles with DNA extracted from Botanical Reference Materials (BRMs). Next, 5' end random nucleotide and 3' terminus phosphorothioates linkage modifications were incorporated into the inner primers to improve sensitivity and specificity at 40 PCR cycles. Finally, the modified assay was validated using characterized market ginseng materials and the detection limit was determined. The modified tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay can achieve the desired sensitivity and specificity using one set of reaction conditions in ginseng materials at different stages. In validation, it was able to correctly identify target species P. ginseng and differentiate it from closely related species. This study suggests that the modified tetra-primer ARMS-PCR assay can be used for the rapid, species identity authentication of P. ginseng material in ginseng products. This assay can be used to complement chemical analytical methods in quality control, so both species identity and processing attributes of ginseng products can be efficiently addressed.

Magnetic Field-Induced Spin Nematic Phase Up to Room Temperature in Epitaxial Antiferromagnetic FeTe Thin Films Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy.

Electronic nematicity, where strong correlations drive electrons to align in a way that lowers the crystal symmetry, is ubiquitous among unconventional superconductors. Understanding the interplay of such a nematic state with other electronic phases underpins the complex behavior of these materials and the potential for tuning their properties through external stimuli. Here, we report magnetic field-induced spin nematicity in a model system tetragonal FeTe, the parent compound of iron chalcogenide superconductors, which exhibits a bicollinear antiferromagnetic order. The studies were conducted on epitaxial FeTe thin films grown on SrTiO3(001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy, where the bicollinear antiferromagnetic order was confirmed by in situ atomic resolution scanning tunneling microscopy imaging. A 2-fold anisotropy is observed in in-plane angle-dependent magnetoresistance measurements, indicative of magnetic field-induced nematicity. Such 2-fold anisotropy persists up to 300 K, well-above the bicollinear antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of 75 K, indicating a magnetic field-induced spin nematic phase up to room temperature in the antiferromagnet FeTe.

Amino acid metabolism in immune cells: essential regulators of the effector functions, and promising opportunities to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Amino acids are basic nutrients for immune cells during organ development, tissue homeostasis, and the immune response. Regarding metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment, dysregulation of amino acid consumption in immune cells is an important underlying mechanism leading to impaired anti-tumor immunity. Emerging studies have revealed that altered amino acid metabolism is tightly linked to tumor outgrowth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance through governing the fate of various immune cells. During these processes, the concentration of free amino acids, their membrane bound transporters, key metabolic enzymes, and sensors such as mTOR and GCN2 play critical roles in controlling immune cell differentiation and function. As such, anti-cancer immune responses could be enhanced by supplement of specific essential amino acids, or targeting the metabolic enzymes or their sensors, thereby developing novel adjuvant immune therapeutic modalities. To further dissect metabolic regulation of anti-tumor immunity, this review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms governing reprogramming of amino acid metabolism and their effects on the phenotypes and functions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells to propose novel approaches that could be exploited to rewire amino acid metabolism and enhance cancer immunotherapy.

[Determination of dazomet and its metabolite methyl isothiocyanate residues in plant-derived foods by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry].

Dazomet is a kind of crystal solid that is stable at room temperature and acts as a fumigant. It is commonly used to control soil fungi, as an insecticide, and in sterilization and weeding. It can effectively kill root-knot nematodes, soil pests, weeds, and many soil-borne disease-causing organisms, to provide clean and healthy soil. Dazomet slowly decomposes and releases methyl isothiocyanate, methylamine, carbon disulfide, and hydrogen sulfide in acidic soil, and diffuses upward through the spaces in the soil to kill contact organisms. When agricultural crops are planted in soil treated with cotton wool, the residues in the grown crop can cause harm to human body when consumed. To ensure the quality and safety of food crops, it is important to develop a detection method for dazomet and its metabolites in plant-derived foods. Hence, in this study, a rapid and simultaneous determination method was developed for dazomet and its metabolite methyl isothiocyanate residues in plant-derived foods by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The sample pretreatment and chromatographic conditions were optimized in the experiment. Subsequently, dazomet and its metabolite methyl isothiocyanate residues in vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, tea, and spices were extracted with ethyl acetate, and purified using graphitized carbon, a primary-secondary amine, stearyl-bonded silica gel, and anhydrous magnesium sulfate as dispersive solid-phase extraction sorbents. After centrifugation and filtration, the target compounds were analyzed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by GC-MS/MS, and quantified by matrix matching external standard method. The matrix effects of the samples were also evaluated. The matrix effect was found to be in the range of 2.5% to 13.6% for methyl isothiocyanate in 16 matrices. As this matrix effect was weak, there was no need for compensatory measures. In contrast, the matrix effect of dazomet in 16 matrices was in the range of 240.3% to 331.2%. This matrix effect was strong and required compensation. Finally, a matrix matching calibration method was used to compensate the matrix effects. The relative matrix effects of other tested substrates were analyzed using lettuce as the representative substrate; it was found that all showed weak matrix effects. Therefore, the use of lettuce as a representative matrix to prepare a matrix standard curve can effectively correct the matrix effects of dazomet and methyl isothiocyanate in other substrates. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.005-1 mg/L with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. Recovery tests were conducted by adding mixed standards to blank samples at four levels. The recoveries were in the range of 74.2%-117.2% with relative standard deviations (RSDs, n=6) of 2.8%-9.0%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) of dazomet and methyl isothiocyanate were 0.01 mg/kg. The accuracy and precision of this method met the requirements of pesticide residue determination. The established method was used to detect dazomet and its metabolite methyl isothiocyanate residues in six samples of Chinese cabbage, Chinese chives, cowpea, lettuce, eggplant, ginger, celery, potato, orange, kiwifruit, tomato, chili, rice, tea, almond, and Cuminum cyminum L. in the laboratory, and nothing was detected. The method is simple, rapid, and sensitive; overcomes the shortcomings of existing methods that require two pretreatment steps and two sets of equipment; and meets the requirements for the detection of dazomet and its metabolite methyl isothiocyanate residues in plant-derived foods.

Amniotic membrane for covering high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment following failed primary surgery.

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of amniotic membrane (AM) for covering high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment following failed primary surgery. METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients whose axial length was more than 29 mm suffered from macular hole (MH) or MH associated with retinal detachment (RD), and had previously surgery of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and silicone oil (SO) tamponade. Half a year after the surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed that MH did not heal in all 17 eyes and RD was still maintained in 13 eyes of these 17 eyes. We performed SO removal combined with AM covering on macular area and C3F8 tamponade, and phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation simultaneously cataract eyes. We followed up these patients for one year. RESULTS: In all 17 eyes, SO was removed successfully, MHs were healed and RDs were reattached. One eye (5.89%, 1/17) had AM shifted half a month after surgery and underwent a second surgery to adjust the position of the AM and supplement C3F8. After surgery, the visual acuity (VA) improved in 15 eyes (88.24%, 15/17), no change in two eyes (11.76%, 2/17). No serious complications occurred in all eyes. CONCLUSION: AM covering is helpful to rescue the previous failure surgery of high myopic MH.

Chemical composition of Erycibe schmidtii and antiproliferative activity of scopoletin on immature dendritic cells.

Immature dendritic cells (iDCs) play very important roles in the pathological process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, it is urgent to search for natural products with antiproliferative activity on iDCs for anti-RA drug discovery. Erycibe schmidtii, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat RA in China. Its bioactive ingredients on RA are still unclear. In this study, twenty compounds including a new caffeoylquinic acid derivative, 3-O-caffeoyl-4-O-syringoylquinic acid methyl ester (16), were isolated from E. schmidtii. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopic analysis, and comparison with literature data. Seventeen compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time, and ten were first found from the genus Erycibe. Scopoletin (1, 5.0 µM) functionally reduced proliferation level of bone marrow immature dendritic cells (BM-iDCs) more than 50%, relative to vehicle. However, scopoletin (1) exhibited no effect on the phagocytosis or survival of BM-iDCs in vitro.

Health Vulnerability Index for Disaster Risk Reduction: Application in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Region.

Despite the importance of health vulnerability in disaster risk assessment, most of the existing disaster vulnerability indicators only emphasize economic and social vulnerability. Important underlying health risks such as non-communicable disease are not included in vulnerability measures. A three-phase methodology approach was used to construct a disaster risk model that includes a number of key health indicators which might be missing in global disaster risk analysis. This study describes the development of an integrated health vulnerability index and explains how the proposed vulnerability index may be incorporated into an all-hazard based disaster risk index in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the "Silk Road Economic Belt", region. Relevant indicators were identified and reviewed in the published literature in PubMed/Medline. A two-stage dimension reduction statistical method was used to determine the weightings of relevant dimensions to the construction of the overall vulnerability index. The proposed final health vulnerability index included nine indicators, including the proportion of the population below 15 and above 65 years, under-five mortality ratio, maternal mortality ratio, tuberculosis prevalence, age-standardized raised blood pressure, physician ratio, hospital bed ratio, and coverage of the measles-containing-vaccine first-dose (MCV1) and diphtheria tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP3) vaccines. This proposed index, which has a better reflection of the health vulnerability in communities, may serve as a policy and implementation tool to facilitate the capacity-building of Health-Emergency Disaster Risk management (Health-EDRM).

Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Kopsia officinalis and the Immunosuppressive Activity of Rhazinilam.

Six new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, kopsinidines C-E (1-3), 11,12-methylenedioxychanofruticosinic acid (4), 12-methoxychanofruticosinic acid (5), and N(4)-methylkopsininate (7), as well as chanofruticosinic acid (6, as a natural product) and 23 known alkaloids, were obtained from the twigs and leaves of Kopsia officinalis. Their structures were characterized by physical data analysis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their immunosuppressive activity on human T cell proliferation. Rhazinilam (29) significantly inhibited human T cell proliferation activated by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies (IC50 = 1.0 µM) and alloantigen stimulation (IC50 = 1.1 µM) without obvious cytotoxicity for naïve human T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (0-320 µM). Although it did not affect T cell activation, it induced T cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production in activated T cells.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Yin Zhi Huang Soup in an Experimental Autoimmune Prostatitis Rat Model.

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the Chinese herbal medicine Yin Zhi Huang soup (YZS) in an experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) rat model. In total, 48 rats were randomly divided into the following four groups (n = 12/group): saline group, pathological model group, Qianlietai group, and YZS group. We determined the average wet weight of the prostate tissue, the ratio of the wet weight of the prostate tissue to body weight, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in the blood serum, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the rats' prostate tissues, and the pathological changes in the prostate tissue using light microscopy. YZS reduced the rats' prostate wet weight, the ratio of the prostate wet weight to body weight, and TNF-α levels in the blood serum and inhibited the expression of iNOS in the rats' prostate tissues (P < 0.05). Following YZS treatment, the pathological changes in the rats' prostates were improved compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, YZS treatment reduced inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue. It also significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, and chemokines, such as iNOS, in the rat model of EAP.

[Bushen Daozhuo Granules for type â ¢ prostatitis: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of Bushen Daozhuo Granules (BDG) in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial included 478 patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis, 290 in the trial group and 188 as controls, the former treated with BDG at 200 ml bid and the latter with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustainedrelease capsules at 0.2 mg qd, both for 4 weeks. Before treatment, after 4 weeks of medication, and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal, we obtained the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) scores and compared the safety and effectiveness rate between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the NIHCPSI score was markedly decreased in the control group after 4 weeks of medication (21.42 ± 4.02 vs 15.67 ± 3.65, P < 0.05) but showed no statistically significant difference from that at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal (19.03 ± 3.86) (P>0.05), while the NIHCPSI score in the trial group was remarkably lower than the baseline both after 4 weeks of medication and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal (10.92 ± 2.06 and 12.91 ± 2.64 vs 21.58 ± 3.67, P < 0.05). The trial group exhibited both a higher rate of total effectiveness and safety than the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BDG is safe and effective for the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis.

Calophyline A, a new rearranged monoterpenoid indole alkaloid from Winchia calophylla.

Calophyline A (1), a novel unprecedented rearranged monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, along with a new natural product N-methyl aspidodasycarpine (2) and six known analogues, was isolated from the trunk barks of Winchia calophylla. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and then confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. A hypothetical biogenetic pathway for compound 1 was proposed. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against a small panel of human cancer cell lines.

Interleukin-21 inhibits humoral response to an HIV DNA vaccine by enhancing Bcl-6 and Pax-5 expression.

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a T-cell-derived cytokine that modulates T-cell, B-cell, and natural killer cell responses. It is not known if it could be used as an adjuvant for HIV DNA vaccination. In our study, we investigated if a DNA construct expressing IL-21 (designated as pVAX-IL-21) as a molecule adjuvant could enhance antigen-specific immune responses to an HIV DNA vaccine (pGX-EnvC). We found that a higher level of antigen-specific cytotoxic responses was induced in BALB/C mice immunized with pGX-EnvC with the pVAX-IL-21 via electroporation. The increased response was associated with higher expression of IFN-γ in CD8⁺ T cells. In contrast, the administration of pVAX-IL-21 inhibited the antibody responses to HIV induced by the pGX-EnvC. The plasma cell inhibitory transcription factors B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (Bcl-6) and Pax-5 were increased in B cells from mice that had been immunized by HIV DNA vaccine plus pVAX-IL-21, suggesting that the expressed IL-21 may inhibit the differentiation from B cells to plasma cells. These results indicate that IL-21 could enhance CD8⁺ T-cell immunity, but inhibit humoral responses during HIV DNA vaccination.

[Adsorption-desorption and competitive adsorption of arsenic and phosphorus in purple soil].

A batch incubation test was conducted to study the characteristics of arsenic (As) and phosphorous (P) adsorption-desorption as well as the effects of the competitive adsorption of the two elements on their translocation and activation in three kinds of purple soil, the typical soil in Three Gorges Area. In the test acid, neutral, and calcareous purple soils, As and P adsorption-desorption had the similar characteristics, with their isothermal adsorption conformed to Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The maximum adsorption of As in the acid, neutral, and calcareous purple soils was 1428.6, 1250.0, and 1111.1 mg x kg(-1), and that of P was 322.6, 357.1, and 434.8 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The adsorption of As and P was fast at the beginning and slowed down then. The kinetics corresponding to the fast process was of first order, and that to the slow process was of Elovich type. The mechanism for the fast process might be exchange adsorption, and that for the slow process might be specific adsorption. When the As and P coexisted, the adsorption rate and quantity of P increased while those of As decreased, implying that the existence of As could promote the adsorption of P in purple soil, while the existence of P would restrain the adsorption of As.

[Pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin alginate microspheres and evaluation of its hepatic arterial embolization in vivo].

AIM: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin alginate microspheres (DOX-AM) in vivo after hepatic arterial embolization. METHODS: China miniature pigs were chosen as the experimental animals. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with DOX-AM (experimental group), lipiodol and DOX (DOX-lipiodol, control group 1), and infusion with DOX (control group 2) were performed after angiography and superselection of an intrahepatic branch of hepatic artery. After chemoembolization or infusion, the blood was collected at different time intervals. Drug concentration in plasma was measured by HLPC and the parameters of pharmacokinetics were calculated. RESULTS: The values of T1/2, AUC, Cmax, and MRT of the DOX-AM were significantly different from those of control group 1 and control group 2. After embolization, the DOX-AM embolized in the vessel and still retained there at 8 weeks. The digital subtraction arteriography (DSA) and computerized tomography (CT) showed the reliable embolization results. The histological examination indicated that the liver damnifications were changed transitorily in all groups (P < 0.05) and were recovered within two weeks. The liver damnifications increased in following order: DOX < DOX-AM < DOX-lipiodol. CONCLUSION: DOX-AM showed definite property of delayed release of drug in liver, and increased the retention time and concentration of DOX after embolization in vivo.

[Clinical study on the treatment of male immune infertility by Huzhangdanshenyin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the Chinese medicine Huzhangdanshenyin on male immune infertility, and provide an effective therapy for this disease. METHODS: Ninety men with immune infertility were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into two groups, 60 in the treatment group, treated by Huzhangdanshenyin, and the other 30 in the control, treated by prednisone, both for 3 months. The improvement of clinical symptoms, immunologic indexes (antisperm antibodies in serum and seminal plasma) and sperm indexes (semen liquefied duration, motility, viability, density and abnormal morphology rate) were observed and the results analyzed. RESULTS: The total antisperm antibody reversing ratio of the treatment group was higher than that of the control (P < 0.01), especially the serum antisperm antibody reversing ratio. There were significant differences in the clinical cure rate and total validity rate between the treatment group and the control (P < 0.01). After the treatment, the markers of the clinical symptoms (P < 0.01), especially the serum antisperm antibody reversing ratio. There were significant differences in the clinical cure rate and total validity rate between the treatment group and the control (P < 0.01). After the treatment, the markers of the clinical symptoms were lower (P < 0.01), and the improvement of the clinical symptoms was better in the treatment group than in the control (P < 0.01), especially the symptoms of pain in the back and knees, distending and bearing-down sensation of the perineum and testis, hypersexuality and topalgias. Compared with pre-treatment, sperm motility and viability of the treatment group significantly improved (P < 0.01), and so did sperm density (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in sperm density, semen liquefied duration, abnormal morphology rate and pH (P > 0.05) before and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The Chinese medicine Huzhangdanshenyin works more effectively than prednisone in the treatment of male immune infertility. It could improve the antisperm antibody reversing ratio, clinical symptoms and signs and ameliorate sperm indexes with no obvious advierse effects.