Safe utilization of bioresources in gentamicin mycelial residues by thermal treatment: Antibiotic degradation, resistance gene inactivation and available nutrients promotion.

Gentamicin mycelium residues (GMRs) abundant in organic substances were generated during the production of gentamicin. Inappropriate handling techniques not only waste valuable resources, they could also result in residual gentamicin into the natural environment, leading to the generation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which would cause a significant threat to ecological system and human health. In the present work, the effects of thermal treatment on the removal of residual gentamicin in GMRs, as well as the changes of associated ARGs abundance, antimicrobial activity and bioresources properties were investigated. The results indicated that the hazards of GMRs was significantly reduced through thermal treatment. The degradation rate of residual gentamicin in GMRs reached 100 %, the total abundance of gentamicin resistance genes declined from 8.20 to 1.14 × 10-5 and the antibacterial activity of the decomposition products of GMRs on Vibrio fischeri was markedly reduced at 200 °C for 120 min. Additionally, the thermal treatment remarkably influenced the bioresource properties of GMRs-decomposition products. The release of soluble organic matters including soluble carbohydrates and soluble proteins have been enhanced in GMRs, while excessively high temperatures could lead to a reduction of nutrient substances. Generally, thermal treatment technology was a promising strategy for synergistic reducing hazards and utilizing bioresources of GMRs.

Comparative Evaluation of Forsythiae Fructus From Different Harvest Seasons and Regions by HPLC/NIR Analysis and Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Assays.

Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dry fruit of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese Medicine for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. It possesses clinical therapeutic effects and biological functions showing efficacy in handling different diseases. To investigate the FF differences in Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi in August and October, the surface morphology, mid-infrared and near-infrared spectrums, and HPLC were analyzed. Concurrently, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on LPS-induced J774A.1 cells were evaluated by western blot and RT-qPCR. The results showed that FF from different Harvest Seasons and Regions are provided with different microstructures and mid-infrared and near-infrared spectrums, and the levels of forsythiaside A and phillyrin of FF from Shanxi in August and phillygenin of FF from Shaanxi in August were the highest. Meanwhile, FF from Shanxi and Shaanxi in August markedly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators (TNF-α, IL-1ß, NF-κB, and iNOS) and the protein expression levels of phosphorylated total IKKα/ß and nuclear NF-κB. In August, SXFF and SAXFF also promoted the mRNA expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 and the protein expression levels of HO-1 and nuclear Nrf2 and suppressed the protein expression levels of KEAP1. Spearman correlation analysis showed that phillygenin had a strong correlation with the protein expression on LPS-induced J774A.1 cells. In summary, our results showed that FF from harvest seasons and regions contributed to the distinct differences in microstructure, the mid-infrared and near-infrared spectrums, and compound content. More importantly, FF from Shanxi and Shaanxi in August showed marked anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but with some differences, which may be because of different contents of phillygenin and phillyrin of lignans in FF.

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San Improves Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Inhibiting Caspase-1/Caspase-11-Mediated Pyroptosis.

The traditional Chinese medicine Shen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SLBZS) is described in "Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang." SLBZS has been shown to be effective against many gastrointestinal diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of SLBZS on experimental colitis in mice and to define the potential mechanisms. Our data suggest that compared to the model group, SLBZS treatment increases mouse body weight and colon length, decreases the DAI score, and improves colonic injury. SLBZS reduces the production of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-18, and TNF-α) in colon tissue and mouse colonic mucosal epithelial (MCME) cells. Mechanistically, SLBZS inhibits inflammation by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Further mechanistic analyses showed that SLBZS attenuates the expression levels of pyroptosis-related genes, including NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD-N in the colons of mice. In addition, SLBZS restores the levels of the colon tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin, suggesting that it protects colonic barrier integrity and ameliorates the progression of colitis. In this paper, we demonstrate that SLBZS attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis injury in mice via the MAPK/NF-κB and pyroptosis signaling pathway. These results indicate that SLBZS is a potential drug for the treatment of UC.

Systems Pharmacology and Microbiome Dissection of Shen Ling Bai Zhu San Reveal Multiscale Treatment Strategy for IBD.

Generally, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be caused by psychology, genes, environment, and gut microbiota. Therefore, IBD therapy should be improved to utilize multiple strategies. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (SLBZS) adheres to the aim of combating complex diseases from an integrative and holistic perspective, which is effective for IBD therapy. Herein, a systems pharmacology and microbiota approach was developed for these molecular mechanisms exemplified by SLBZS. First, by systematic absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion (ADME) analysis, potential active compounds and their corresponding direct targets were retrieved. Then, the network relationships among the active compounds, targets, and disease were built to deduce the pharmacological actions of the drug. Finally, an "IBD pathway" consisting of several regulatory modules was proposed to dissect the therapeutic effects of SLBZS. In addition, the effects of SLBZS on gut microbiota were evaluated through analysis of the V3-V4 region and multivariate statistical methods. SLBZS significantly shifted the gut microbiota structure in a rat model. Taken together, we found that SLBZS has multidimensionality in the regulation of IBD-related physiological processes, which provides new sights into herbal medicine for the treatment of IBD.

Explore the potential effect of natural herbals to resist Newcastle Disease Virus.

In this study, we examined the dose-dependent effects of the formula on Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In in-vitro test, the formula within safety concentration scope and NDV were added into cultured chick embryo fibroblast in 3 modes, and the cellular A570 values were determined by MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyithiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. In in-vivo test, we examined the expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) and Interferons (IFNs) in NDV-infected chickens. The results showed that the highest virus inhibitory rates of the formula at optimal concentration group were the highest (15.625 mg/mL) in post-adding and simultaneous-adding drug and virus modes, whereas medium concentration (7.813 mg/mL) showed the highest virus inhibitory rates in pre-adding drug mode. In vivo, the formula significantly upregulated the expression of IFITM3 in NDV-infected chickens at 3-D post-infection. However, the levels of IFNs were significantly downregulated. On days 5 and 7 post-infection, the levels of IFNs quickly upregulated. Moreover, the formula can significantly upregulate the antibody to resist the NDV compared with model control group on days 5 and 7 post-infection. In animals treated with the formula, the survival rate was nearly 37% higher at 7 d post-infection. We also found that the formula had a significantly stronger effect than a single herb on upregulating the expression of IFITM3. It confirmed that the formula could significantly inhibit the infectivity of NDV to chick embryo fibroblast. Also, the formula could significantly upregulated IFITM3 expression and inhibited virus replication in NDV-infected chickens. During the early stage of infection, IFNs were consumed to stimulate IFITM3 to inhibit virus replication, whereas during later stages of the infection, the formula upregulated the levels of IFNs and their antibodies to maintain a high level of immunity.

[Temporal and spatial variations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the typical reaches of Qinhuai River].

The year-round concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were monitored from June 2010 to May 2011 in the typical reaches of the Qinhuai River. The spatial and temporal variations in TN and TP concentrations and the pollution status of the river water were investigated using typical statistics analysis. Results showed that the river water was seriously polluted in terms of TN and TP, and that the concentrations of both TN and TP showed high spatial and temporal variations. The average TN concentrations of the river water in the traditionally managed agricultural area, intensively managed agricultural area, and urban area were 1.80, 3.97 and 9.25 mg L(-1), respectively; The corresponding average TP concentrations were 0.03, 0.11 and 0.50 mg L(-1), respectively, showing similar spatial patterns with those of TN. The spatial variations in TN and TP concentrations in river water indicated that the urban area and intensively managed agricultural area, rather than the traditionally managed agricultural area, were the major sources for TN and TP in the river water. The average TN concentrations of river water during the wet season and dry season were 1.89 and 4.58 mg x L(-1), respectively; and the corresponding average TP concentrations were 0.11 and 0.14 mg x L(-1), respectively. The temporal variations indicated that the pollution status of the river water was more serious during the dry season than that during the wet season. Assessment results of eutrophication indicated that the majority of Qinhuai River reaches were in the stage of eutrophication, thus deserving immediate controlling measures.