Could Mucosal TNF Transcript as a Biomarker Candidate Help Optimize Anti-TNF Biological Therapy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis?

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biological therapy has generally been accepted as a standard therapeutic option in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient who are refractory to steroids or immunomodulators. However, the primary and secondary nonresponse rates to anti-TNF bioagents in patients with IBD are high. To improve the response rate, anti-TNF bioagents must be offered to the appropriate IBD patients, and the withdrawal of anti-TNF bioagents needs to be done at the right time. In this context, reliable and reproducible biomarkers can provide important supportive information for clinicians to make correct decisions based on the patient's individual situation. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of using mucosal TNF transcript (TNF) to improve the precision of anti-TNF biological therapy strategies in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Analysis of published literature showed that mucosal TNF could affect the precision of the early identification of candidates who will benefit from anti-TNF therapy prior to treatment, the assessment of response and mucosal healing, and the prediction of discontinuation of anti-TNF biological therapy and relapse after drug withdrawal. Challenges and limitations of using mucosal TNF as a biomarker in applying individualized anti-TNF biological therapy in patients with UC still remain and need to be further investigated.

[Quality grading standard of Citrus aurantium seedlings].

Forty-three annual Citrus aurantium grafted seedlings from Chongqing, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi and other main producing areas were collected, and the plant height, rootstock diameter, scion diameter, root length, root diameter, lateral root number, root breadth, branch number, branch length, green leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, thorns and other indicators were measured. Through the K-cluster analysis of SPSS 19.0 software, the classification standards were obtained. Combined with the production practice, plant height, scion diameter and branch number were taken as the quality classification indexes of C. aurantium seedlings(annual grafted seedlings), and three classification standards were established. If it does not meet the three-level standard, it is unqualified seedling and cannot be used as seedling. It is suggested to use the first and second level seedlings in production.

[Study on associated plants and spatial distribution pattern of Dipsacus asperoides populations].

In order to understand the associated species and the population distribution pattern, the investigation of 32 sample plotsfrom the main natural distribution area in Dipsacus asperoides community was carried by quadrat method .The results showed that there were 156 species, which belong to 131 genera and 60 families. There were more species in the two dominant families, Asteraceae and Rosaceae. There were many types of associated, but most appeared at a low frequency. The vegetation type were mostly herbaceous and shrub species, which accounted for 77.6% of the total species. The value of t was greater than t0.05 by methods of variance/mean, showed the difference was significant and the distribution pattern of D. asperoides were cluster distribution. The determination results of seven aggregation intensity index also showed that D. asperoides population accorded with the characteristics of cluster distribution（C>1，K>0，Ca>0，m*>1，m*/m>1，I>0，GI>0）.

[Influence of continuous cropping on growth of Artemisia annua and bacterial communities in soil].

In this study, several types of Artemisia annua in soil, including the soil which had not been planted, or planted for one year, or continuously planted for three or five years were collected, in order to study the influences of continuous cropping on the growth of A. annua, content of artemisinin, available nutrient of soil, and bacterial community structure through adopting routine analysis and Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that continuous cropping inhibited significantly the growth of A. annua and reduced leaf biomass, content and yield of artemisinin, with the maximum decreasing amplitude of 30.20%, 7.70% and 35.58% respectively. The content of soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and 16S rRNA sequence number were increased to different extents after continuous cropping of A. annua. According to the results of high-throughput sequencing, 634-812 types of common bacteria belonged to 21 categories were planted in different soil of A. annua with different planting years, which represented that the distribution distance of the point of bacterial community with different years among coordinate system of principal component was relative distant, and community structure had significant changes (P<0.05). As the planting years increased, the abundance of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes decreased in contrast to Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. In the top 20 types of predominant bacteria,Nitrospira japonica and Nitrospira disappeared, among which, only Gemmatimonadaceae, Micromonosporaceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, and unculture bacterium JG30-KF-AS9 were similar, indicating that the planting and continuous cropping of A. annua selectively inhibited the growth and reproduction of soil bacteria, and influenced the supply and transform of soil nutrient, leading to a poor growth and resulting in reduction of artemisinin content and yield. Therefore, it is necessary to advocate crop rotation in the process of planting A. annua.

[Study on influence factors of seed germination and seeding growth of Lonicera macranthoides].

In order to improve reproductive efficiency and quality standard, the influence factors of seed germination and seeding growth of Lonicera macranthoides werew studied. The fruit and seed morphological characteristics of L. macranthoides were observed, the seed water absorbing capacity was determined, and different wet sand stratification time, temperature and germination bed treatment were set up. The effects of the parameters on seed germination and seedling growth were analysed. There was no obstacles of water absorption on L. macranthoides seed, quantity for 22 h water absorption was close to saturation. In the first 80 d, with the increase of the stratification time, seed initial germination time was shortened, germination rate and germination potential was improved. Stratification for 100 d, germination rate decreased. At 15 ℃, seed germination and seedling growth indicators were the best. The seedling cotyledon width in light was significantly higher than that in dark. Seeds on the top of paper and top of sand germination rate, germination potential, and germination index was significantly higher than that of other germination bed and mildew rate is low. The optimal conditions of seeds germination test was stratified in 4 ℃ wet sand for 80 d, 15 ℃ illuminate culture on the top of paper or top of sand. The first seeding counting time was the 4th day after beginning the test, the final time was the 23th day. The germination potential statistical time was the 13th day after beginning the test.

[Study on seed quality test and quality standard of Lonicera macranthoides].

Referring to the rules for agricultural seed testing (GB/T 3543-1995) issued by China, the test of sampling, purity, thousand seed weight, moisture, viability, relative conductivity and germination rate had been studied for seed quality test methods of Lonicera macranthoides. The seed quality from 38 different collection areas was measured to establish quality classification standard by K-means clustering. The results showed that at least 7.5 g seeds should be sampled, and passed 20-mesh sieve for purity analysis.The 500-seed method used to measure thousand seed weight. The moisture was determined by crushed seeds dried in high temperature (130±2) ℃ for 3 h.The viability determined by 25 ℃ 0.1% TTC stained 5h in dark. 1.0 g seeds soaked in 50 ml ultra pure water in 25 ℃ for 12 hours to determine the relative conductivity. The seed by 4 ℃stratification for 80 days were cultured on paper at 15 ℃. Quality of the seeds from different areas was divided into three grades. The primary seed quality classification standard was established.The I grade and II grade were recommend use in production.

[Analysis on genetic diversity among wild Dipsacus asperoides by SCoT].

To investigate the genetic diversity among wild Dipsacus asperoides in China, 66 germplasmic resources of D. asperoides were analyzed by Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) molecular markers. Genetic distance was calculated by TREECONW software and the systematic diagram of genetic relationship was clustered by UPGMA method. The results showed that the totals of 181 bands were detected using 20 primers , among which 109 were polymorphic bands. The average percentage of polymorphic bands was 60.13%. Genetic distance changed from 0.030 6 to 0.181 4. The clustering results showed that there was no significant correlation between the classification of the wild D. asperoides and their geographical origin. The relatively high genetic diversity of D. asperoides provides the basis for breeding new varieties.

[Effects of Aphid Occurring on Lonicera macranthoides Bud Yield and Quality].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aphid occurring on the quality of Lonicera macranthoides bud. METHODS: The fresh and dry bud yields of different aphid damage in the same plant were caculated. Contents of chlorogenic acid caffeic acid, luteolin-7-O-gluco-side, isochlbrogenic acid A, macranthoidin B and dipsacoside B in Lonicera macranthoides bud damaged by aphid were determined by HPLC-ELSD. RESULTS: Aphid significantly affected the contents of luteolin-7-O-glucoside, macranthoidin B, dipsacoside B, and chlorogenic acid (P < 0. 01 or P <0. 05), but had no obvious effect on the content of caffeic acid and isochlorogenic acid A in the bud of Lonicera macranthoides. CONCLUSIONS: It is supposed to regulate prevention and control of aphids in Lonicera macranthoides GAP base.

[Genetic structure and genetic diversity of Artemisia annua varieties (strains) populations based on SCoT markers].

To reveal the genetic diversity and genetic structure in Artemisia annua varieties (strains) populations, we detected the genetic polymorphism within and among eight varieties (strains) populations (192 individuals) by the approach of Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT). The associated genetic parameters were calculated by POPGENE1.31 and the relationship was constructed based on UPGMA method. The results showed that, using 20 screened primers, a total of 145 bands were produced, of which 122 were polymorphic loci. At species level, there was a high level of genetic diversity among eight varieties (strains) populations (PPB = 84.1% ,H = 0.217 3 and H(sp) = 0.341 9). However, at the variety (strains) population level, genetic diversity was lower, the average of genetic parameters was PPB = 41.9%, H = 0.121 5, H(pop) = 0.186 8. The Nei's genetic differentiation coefficient was 0.441 0, indicate that most of the genetic variation in this species existed within the variety populations. The gene flow (N(m) = 0.633 9) was less among populations, indicating that the degree of genetic differentiation was higher. Genetic similarity coefficient were changed from 0.755 1 to 0.985 7. By clustering analysis, eight varieties (strains) were clustered into two major categories and it was also showed the same or similar genetic background varieties (strains) have a tendency to gather in the same group. Results suggest that, in variety breeding, breeders should strengthen the exchange of bred germplasm and increase mutual penetration of excellent genes, which would broaden the genetic base of A. annua.

[Interspecific association of companion species in Artemisia annua community in southwest of China].

The interspecific association of companion species in Artemisia annua community in 48 region of southwest China was analyzed by variance analysis, chi2-test and association indices. The total related variance ratio among species in A. annua community was 2.05. Among 45 species pairs of 10 main species in the community, only 4 pairs showed significant negative correlations. Chi2 test, PC, OI, DI and AC values indicated pairs 1-8 (A. annua- A. lactiflora), 1-9 (A. annua- Setaria viridis) and 1-10 (A. annua- Bidens pilosa) showed a high correlations, and common utilization to non-restrictive resources. The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation among species,and the community was at a stable stage, showed strong ability to human interference.

[Breeding and spreading of new vairety "Yu-Qing No. 1" of Artemisia annua].

OBJECTIVE: To breed and spread a new cultivar of Artemisia annua. METHOD: The excellent germplasm resources of A. annua in the main production area of Artemisia were collected, and the improved germplasm were screened, the content of artemisinin was determined, and yield per plant was measured. The systematically maternal line and seed production techniques of mass selection were applied combined with the variety test, variety regional test trials and production trials for breeding and spreading the new cultivars of artemisia. RESULT: The popularization and experiment illustrated the production of the new species reached 3 000 kg x hm(-2), compared with wild A. annua it increased 10% -14%. The content of artemisinin reached more than 1%, increased more than 0.2%. CONCLUSION: It is proved that the systematically maternal line and seed production techniques of mass selection can significantly improve the quality of A. annua and it is an acceptable way to cultivate new variety. By production verification, it is practicable and high technical and economic benefits to popularize the new cultivar "Yu-Qing No. 1" of A. annua.

[Development strategies on seed seedling of Chinese medicinal materials].

This paper analyzed the development status, industrialization system, standardization system and new variety breeding of seed and seedling of Chinese medicinal materials. Based on the development status and problems facing to the seed and seedling industry in China, some reasonable countermeasures are proposed in this article. The main measures include strengthening new variety breeding, establishing experiment site, protecting new variety and standardizing the market and quality management.

[Establishment of canditate core collection of Artemisia annua from China].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the candidate core collection of Artemisia annua. METHOD: The morphologic traits and the results of SRAP marker were compared respectively. RESULT: The chi2 test and the t test of both indexes for 8 morphological characters and SRAP marker parameters did not reach significant level between the candidate core collection and the primary sample. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the candidate core collection can stand for original collection excellently.

Polarization of cytokine profile from Th1 into Th2 along colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence: implications for the biotherapeutic target?

The development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has been hypothesized to be raised mostly from the precancerous lesion of colorectal adenoma (CRA) through a multistep process and defined as the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. In response to the tumorigenesis, host cellular immunity acts as the most important defense factor with cytokines as the main regulator molecules. Therefore, changes of cytokines of the T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) type immune responses along this sequence may therefore reflect a functional switch of host anti-tumor immunity. This minireview focused on the recent knowledge of the Th1/Th2 balance in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and its potential clinical and therapeutical significance.

[Fingerprints of Rhizoma Coptidis from Shizhu by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for the quality control of Rhizoma Coptidis collected from shizhu in chongqing. METHODS: The HPLC fingerprints of Rhizoma Coptidis from shizhu were obtained from Waters instrument. The methods was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column gradient eluted with acetonitrile-0.05 mol/L KH2PO4 (pH3 with H3PO4) at the flow rate of 0.8 m/min. The temperature of column was 25 degrees C and the UV detection wavelength was 270nm. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint of Rhizoma Coptis, showing 16 characteristic peaks, was established from 10 lots of Rhizoma Coptis. By comparision of the retention time and the on-line UV spectra of chemical standards, peak 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were identified as Epiberberine, Jatrorrhizine, Coptisine, Palmatine and Berberine. CONCLUSION: The HPLC fingerprint of Rhizoma Coptidis with high specificity can be used to control its quality.