"Mini-community" simulation revealed the differences of endophytic fungal communities between the above- and below-ground tissues of Ephedra sinica Stapf.

The microecology of endophytic fungi in special habitats, such as the interior of different tissues from a medicinal plant, and its effects on the formation of metabolites with different biological activities are of great importance. However, the factors affecting fungal community formation are unclear. This study is the first to utilize "mini-community" remodeling to understand the above phenomena. First, high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to explore the community composition and diversity of endophytic fungi in the above-ground tissues (Ea) and below-ground tissues (Eb) of Ephedra sinica. Second, fungi were obtained through culture-dependent technology and used for "mini-community" remodeling in vitro. Then, the effects of environmental factors, partner fungi, and plant tissue fluid (internal environment) on endophytic fungal community formation were discussed. Results showed that environmental factors played a decisive role in the selection of endophytic fungi, that is, in Ea and Eb, 93.8% and 25.3% of endophytic fungi were halophilic, respectively, and 10.6% and 60.2% fungi were sensitive to high temperature (33 °C), respectively. Meanwhile, pH had little effect on fungal communities. The internal environment of the plant host further promoted the formation of endophytic fungal communities.

Microecology-turbidity toxin theory: correlation between helicobacter pylori infection and manifestation of tongue and gastroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, tongue manifestation and gastroscopic manifestation, and explore the mechanism of action of "oral-gastric microecology" in the occurrence and development of stomach-related diseases. MEDHODS: A total of 1100 patients were divided into Hp positive group and Hp negative group according to 13C breath test results. The tongue manifestation materials from patients were collected to make tongue printing slides for morphological observation of exfoliative cells from tongue coating, and electronic gastroscopy was performed on the patients and the data was analyzed. RESULTS: Hp infection rate was about 45.95%; and the greasy coating was mostly observed in Hp positive group (63.14%, 0.05). The total tongue coating distribution was as follows: yellow greasy coating (56.66%, 0.05) > yellow coating > white coating > white greasy coating. The gastric mucosal roughness and mucosal hematoplastic plaques in the two groups were more common in the Hp positive group ( 0.05). There was a significant difference in the granular subgroup and in the rough mucosal group (< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hp infection is more commonly observed in yellow greasy coating, and this can be used as a reference for Traditional Chinese Medicine in determining whether it is Hp infection or not. Mucosal granule roughness, hyperemia, and oral Hp showed association with Hp infection in the stomach and interacted with micro-ecological environment that is composed of the oral cavity.

Modulation of gastrointestinal bacterial in chronic atrophic gastritis model rats by Chinese and west medicine intervention.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is well-known related with multiple pathogenic factors and normally therapies comprised by western or Chinese medicines. The present study was designed to identify the bacterial community characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and determine the modulate affection of bacterial composition response western and Chinese medicine Qinghuayin (QHY) as well as antibiotic on model rats. The result shown the overall structure alteration of bacterial appeared under medicine intervened, antibiotic caused a marked depletion in bacterial diversity and richness. The enrichments of Firmicutes (85.1-90.7%) in antibiotic-free converts into Bacteroidetes (30.7-34.6%) in antibiotic-added model rat were demonstrated. Firmicutes as the most dominant phylum in antibiotic-free treatments and significantly decreased till 21.9-68.5% in antibiotic-added treatments. Especially QHY-treated rats showed highest RA of Firmicutes (90.7%) and the amelioration of CAG using QHY attributed by beneficial bacterial enrichment, especially Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In addition, alpha and beta diversity analysis also demonstrated the clear dispersion and aggregation that revealed the alteration and steady of bacterial community structures. In summary, QHY has potential application value in the treatment of CAG, which attributed to close relation with the modulatory of internal bacterial communities.

Crocetin ameliorates chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice by regulating MEK/ERK pathways and gut microbiota.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This study aimed at determining the effects of saffron on depression as well as its neuroprotective and pharmacological effects on the intestinal function of crocetin in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chronic stress was induced in two-week-old ICR mice by immobilizing them for 6 h per day for 28 days. The mice were orally administered with crocetin (20, 40, 80 mg/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) or distilled water. The treatments were administered daily and open field and tail suspension tests were performed. Immunofluorescent and Western-bolt (WB) assays were conducted to determine the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), the precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein in the hippocampus. Serum levels of dopamine (DA), proBDNF, MKP-1 and CREB were measured by Elisa kits. High-throughput sequencing was carried out to analyze the composition of intestinal microbiota. RESULTS: Crocetin ameliorated depressive-like behaviors caused by chronic restraint stress-induced depressive mice. It significantly attenuated the elevated levels of MKP-1, proBDNF, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and increased the serum levels of DA as well as CREB. Histopathological analysis showed that crocetin suppressed hippocampus injury in restraint stress mice by protecting neuronal cells. Immunofluorescent and WB analysis showed elevated expression levels of ERK1/2, CREB and inhibited expression levels of MKP-1, proBDNF in the hippocampus. The intestinal ecosystem of the crocetin group partially recovered and was close to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Crocetin has neuroprotective properties and ameliorates the effects of stress-associated brain damage by regulating the MKP-1-ERK1/2-CREB signaling and intestinal ecosystem.

Sulfated polysaccharides from Undaria pinnatifida improved high fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation in BALB/c mice.

Undaria pinnatifida was shown to reduce serum lipids and fat accumulation and produce beneficial effect on type 2 diabetes, but its effect on intestinal micro-ecology remains unclear. This study showed that sulfated polysaccharides from U. pinnatifida (UPSP) reduced weight gain, fat accumulation and metabolic disorders in mice fed with high fat diet (HFD). UPSP not only alleviated HFD-induced microbiota dysbiosis indicated as increased abundances of some Bacteroidales members that had positive correlations with the improvement of physiological indexes, but also maintained gut barrier integrity and reduced metabolic endotoxemia. A dose-effect relationship was observed between the dose of UPSP and its effect on some physiological indexes, gut microbiota community and nutrient utilization. The in vitro result showed that the use of Bacteroides species within Bacteroidales on UPSP was species-dependent, and the dose of UPSP affected the growth properties of some Bacteroides species. It implied that UPSP can be considered as prebiotic agent to prevent gut dysbiosis and obesity-related diseases in obese individuals.

[Soil improvement promoted micro-ecology of farmlands for ginseng cultivation].

This study has revealed the change of the soil micro-ecology of farmlands, which used for ginseng cultivation, brought by comprehensive soil improvement. The process of soil improvement was described as follows： soil was sterilized using trichloronitromethane, and then perilla seeds were planted. After growing up, the perillas were turned over into the field and fermented, then organic fertilizer was added. Rotary tillages were carried out during the intervals. Physical and chemical properties of treated soil were measured, as well as microbial diversity, which was illustrated using 16s high through-put sequencing. The survival rate and growth data of ginseng seedlings were recorded. The analysis showed that after improvement, the soil organic matter content was increased and soil bulk density was decreased, compare to the controls, and the fertility in 0-20 cm of soil layer was increased in the treatment. Additionally, the soil microbial diversity was changed greatly. In detail, alpha diversity of the soil decreased after soil improvement while the beta diversity increased. In order to verify the achievement of soil improvement, ginseng seedlings were planted. Compared to the untreated land blocks, the survival rate of ginseng on improved blocks was increased up to 21.4%, and the ginseng physiological index were all better than the controls. Results showed that comprehensive soil improvements including soil sterilization, green manure planting and organic fertilization application effectively improved the soil micro-ecology in farmlands. This study will pave the way for the future standardization of ginseng cultivation on farmlands.

[Changes of diversity and composition of fungal communities in rhizosphere of Panax ginseng].

Continuous cropping obstacles resulted in the yield losses of Panax ginseng, and affected the development of ginseng industry. Soil fungal communities participated in the key ecological process, and their changes of diversity and composition were related to the continuous cropping obstacles. We analyzed the changes of fungal diversity and composition in the rhizosphere of ginseng using the high-throughput sequencing method, stated the effects of ginseng cultivation on the micro-ecology, and provided effective strategies for overcoming continuous cropping obstacles. Compared to those of the forest soils, the fungal diversity of ginseng rhizosphere soils was increased, and the increasing trends were declined with an increasing years of ginseng cultivation; the relative abundance of Sordariomycetes, Alatospora, Eurotiomycetes, Leotiomycetes, Saccharomycetes, Mucorales and Pezizomycetes were increased in the rhizosphere of ginseng. Pearson's correlation index indicated that soil chemical perporties affected the relative abundance of fungal communities. pH was significantly related to the relative abundance of Dothideomycetes and Alatospora; the content of available potassium was markedly associated with the relative abundance of Dothideomycetes, Alatospora and Mucorales; the content of total nitrogen was significant correlation with the relative abundance of Sordariomycetes and Mucorales. These results indicated that fertilization was one of pivotal factors affecting the rhizosphere micro-ecology of ginseng, and optimization of fertilization system was an effective method to overcome continuous cropping obstacles.

Synchronous dynamic research on respiratory and intestinal microflora of chronic bronchitis rat model.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of the Chinese medicine theory that Fei (Lung) and Dachang (Large Intestine) are exteriorly and interiorly related via synchronous observation on the dynamic changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflora. METHODS: Forty specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into blank (10 rats) and chronic bronchitis model groups (30 rats). The blank group rats were put into the smoke-free environment and the model group rats were put into the smoke environment in order to establish pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis) model. Then the corresponding changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflflora of the model on 20th, 50th and 70th days were synchronously observed. RESULTS: The respiratory tract microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic and Staphylococcus aureus and reduced anaerobic amount signifificantly on 20th day in the respiratory tract microflflora (P<0.05 or 0.01). On 50th day, total aerobic, total anaerobic amount and bififidobacterium signifificantly increased (P<0.05). On 70th day, Staphylococcus aureus reduced and lactobacillus increased signifificantly (P<0.01). The intestinal microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic, Clostridium perfringens, enterobacter and enterococcus significantly increased on 20th day (P<0.05 or 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus on 50th day increased significantly (P<0.05). Total aerobic and enterococcus increased, total anaerobic and Clostridium perfringens reduced signifificantly on 70th day (P<0.05 or 0.01). CONCLUSION: The microecosystem of respiratory tract and intestine of rat model during the pathological process showed a dynamic disorder, indicating an interaction between the lung and large intestine which may be one of the connotations as they exteriorly and interiorly related.

[Effects of improving measures on soil micro-ecology and survival rate of ginseng in farmlands].

This study analysed the changes of the soil micro-ecology in the process of soil sterilization, green manure returning farmlands and fertilization. The methods of soil improvement was initially built which ensured the successful proceed of ginseng cultivation in farmlands. The soil chemical properties were analysed, the diversity and composition of bacterial community after soil sterilization, sterilization+green manure returning farmlands and sterilization+green manure returning farmlands+fertilization. The results exhibited that measures of soil improvement decreased the pH, increased soil fertility, declined the diversity of bacterial community and changed the composition of soil bacterial community. The comprehensive measures of sterilization+green manure returning farmlands+fertilization decreased the ginseng death rate compared to the control. Our data indicated that soil micro-ecological environment was changed by the treatments of soil sterilization, sterilization+green manure returning farmlands and sterilization+green manure returning farmlands+fertilization, and comprehensive measures improved the survival rate and guaranteed the development of ginseng cultivation in farmlands.