Effects of repeated afidopyropen treatment on the structure and function of the soil microbial community.

Chemical insecticides are the most effective pest control agents. Afidopyropen is a novel insecticide used against sap-sucking insects, such as aphids. However, the effects of repeated afidopyropen application on the structure and function of soil microorganisms remain unknown. In this study, the changes in the enzyme activities, community structure and function, and relative abundance of antibiotic resistance ontology (ARO) of soil microorganisms were investigated during three repeated afidopyropen applications under laboratory conditions at the maximum recommended dosage (M1) and 10 times the M1 (M10). The neutral phosphatase (NPA) and catalase (CAT) activities in the soil were significantly suppressed after afidopyropen treatment. The Simpson diversity index (1/D) and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) also decreased in both the M1 and M10 afidopyropen-treated soils, indicating a remarkable decrease in soil microorganism diversity. The average well color development (AWCD) first increased and subsequently recovered to normal levels after the third application of the insecticide, suggesting that afidopyropen application could increase the metabolic activity of soil microorganisms. Metagenomic analysis showed that repeated afidopyropen application in both the M1 and M10 treatment groups altered the community structure of soil microorganisms, albeit in different ways. Furthermore, repeated afidopyropen application significantly increased the relative ARO abundance, especially in the M10 treatment, with the most dominant AROs being adeF, baeS, and IND-6. These findings reveal the effects of excessive afidopyropen application on soil microorganisms and lay an important foundation for the comprehensive evaluation of the impact of this insecticide on the environment.

A Comprehensive Identification and Expression Analysis of VQ Motif-Containing Proteins in Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) under Phytohormone Treatment and Cold Stress.

The VQ motif-containing proteins play a vital role in various processes such as growth, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and development. However, there is currently no report on the VQ genes in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Herein, 78 VQ genes in Saccharum spontaneum were identified and classified into nine subgroups (I-IX) by comparative genomic analyses. Each subgroup had a similar structural and conservative motif. These VQ genes expanded mainly through whole-genome segmental duplication. The cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of the VQ genes were widely involved in stress responses, phytohormone responses and physiological regulation. The RNA-seq data showed that SsVQ gene expression patterns in 10 different samples, including different developmental stages, revealed distinct temporal and spatial patterns. A total of 23 SsVQ genes were expressed in all tissues, whereas 13 SsVQ genes were not expressed in any tissues. Sequence Read Archive (SRA) data showed that the majority of SsVQs responded to cold and drought stress. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the SsVQs were variously expressed under salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA) and cold treatment. This study conducted a full-scale analysis of the VQ gene family in sugarcane, which could be beneficial for the functional characterization of sugarcane VQ genes and provide candidate genes for molecular resistance breeding in cultivated sugarcane in the future.

Efficacy of intermittent iron supplementation in children with mild iron-deficiency anemia. / å„¿ç«¥è½»åº¦ç¼ºé“æ€§è´«è¡€é—´æ­‡è¡¥é“ç–—æ³•çš„æœ‰æ•ˆæ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of intermittent iron supplementation in children with mild iron-deficiency anemia. METHODS: A total of 147 children with mild iron-deficiency anemia were enrolled in this prospective study. They were divided into an intermittent iron supplementation group (n=83) and a conventional iron supplementation group (n=64). The levels of hemoglobin were measured before treatment and after 1 and 3 months of treatment. The treat response rate and the incidence rate of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Both groups had a significant increase in the level of hemoglobin after iron supplementation (P<0.05). After 1 month of treatment, the conventional iron supplementation group had a significantly higher treatment response rate than the intermittent iron supplementation group (61% vs 42%, P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in the treatment response between the two groups (86% vs 78%, P>0.05). The incidence rate of adverse drug reactions in the conventional iron supplementation group was significantly higher than that in the intermittent iron supplementation group (25% vs 8%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For children with mild iron-deficiency anemia, although intermittent iron supplementation is inferior to conventional iron supplementation in the short-term efficacy, there is no significant difference in the long-term efficacy between the two methods, and compared with conventional iron supplementation, intermittent iron supplementation can reduce the incidence of adverse drug reactions, alleviate family financial burdens, and improve treatment compliance of children, thus holding promise for clinical application.

[Effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (, BYHWD) on X-ray evaluation of early callus and level of serum alkaline phosphatase in elderly patients with Colles fracture after manual reduction and splint external fixation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (, BYHWD) on early callus X-ray evaluation and level of serum alkaline phosphatase in elderly patients with Colles fracture after manual reduction and splint external fixation. METHODS: From October 2016 to October 2018, 60 elderly patients with Colles fractures were treated with manual reduction and splint external fixation and were divided into experimental group and control group. There were 30 patients in control group, including 15 males and 15 females; aged from 56 to 75 years old with an average of (67.81±5.41) years old; bone mineral density was (0.82±0.24) g/cm 2; patients were performed lift shoulders, bend and extend elbow joint, stretch five fingers and make a fist at 3 days after operation, 3 times daily for 1 month, 30 min once a time. There were 30 patients in experimental group, including 13 males and 17 females; aged from 57 to 77 years old with an average of (66.02±5.16) years old; bone mineral density was (0.76±0.23) g/cm2; patients performed rehabilitation exercise as control group and combined with BYHWD, 400 ml per dose, 2 times daily, 7 days as one course, totally 4 courses. RUSS scores at 14 and 28 days after reduction between two groups were compared, serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum calcium concentration were observed at immediately, 14 and 28 days after reduction. RESULTS: The patients between two groups were successfully fixed without re fractures and complications occurred. The patients were followed up for 30 to 35 days with an average of (31.60±1.03) days. RUSS score in experimental group at 14 and 28 days after reduction were 4.58±0.31 and 7.07±0.36, respectively; while in control group were 3.98±0.30 and 6.15±0.35, respectively; RUSS score in experimental group was significantly higher than that of control group. Serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations in experimental group at immediately, 14 and 28 days after reduction were (90.62±12.19) mmol/L ,(105.40±11.63) mmol/L, and (160.86±35.77) mmol/L respectively; while in controlgroup were (91.27±13.52) mmol/L ,(94.60±11.10) mmol/L ,(144.17±26.27) mmol/L respectively; there was no statistically difference between two groups at immediately; and had statistically differences between two groups at 14 and 28 days after reduction. There was no significant difference in serum calcium concentration between two groups at immediately, 14 and 28 days after reduction. CONCLUSION: BYHWD for elderly patients with Colles fracture could promote early formation of callus, effectively increase concentration of serum alkaline phosphatase and promote fracture healing.

The hippo pathway provides novel insights into lung cancer and mesothelioma treatment.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two types of respiratory disease that have fatal courses and poor prognoses. Although a substantial number of targeted small molecules and antibody drugs have been developed, the 5-year survival rates of these patients remain relatively low. Moreover, most patients inevitably develop clinical resistance to treatment. Therefore, novel therapeutic options and cancer prognostic biomarkers are urgently needed. METHODS: In this review, we summarized the recent literature from various electronic databases, including PubMed, and highlighted the most advanced findings regarding the hippo pathway in lung cancer and mesothelioma. CONCLUSION: The hippo signaling transduction pathway has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in lung cancer and mesothelioma pathogenesis, including tumor development and multidrug resistance, and is emerging as a promising therapeutic target, potentially providing new tools for the detection of these tumors at an early stage.

Natural Product Vibsanin A Induces Differentiation of Myeloid Leukemia Cells through PKC Activation.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-based cell differentiation therapy has been successful in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, a unique subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, other subtypes of AML display resistance to ATRA-based treatment. In this study, we screened natural, plant-derived vibsane-type diterpenoids for their ability to induce differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells, discovering that vibsanin A potently induced differentiation of AML cell lines and primary blasts. The differentiation-inducing activity of vibsanin A was mediated through direct interaction with and activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Consistent with these findings, pharmacological blockade of PKC activity suppressed vibsanin A-induced differentiation. Mechanistically, vibsanin A-mediated activation of PKC led to induction of the ERK pathway and decreased c-Myc expression. In mouse xenograft models of AML, vibsanin A administration prolonged host survival and inhibited PKC-mediated inflammatory responses correlated with promotion of skin tumors in mice. Collectively, our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for vibsanin A as a myeloid differentiation-inducing compound, with potential application as an antileukemic agent. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2698-709. ©2016 AACR.

Influence of trace elements mixture on bacterial diversity and fermentation characteristics of liquid diet fermented with probiotics under air-tight condition.

Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- are often supplemented to the diet of suckling and early weaning piglets, but little information is available regarding the effects of different Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- mixtures on bacteria growth, diversity and fermentation characteristics of fermented liquid diet for piglets. Pyrosequencing was performed to investigate the effect of Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- mixtures on the diversity, growth and fermentation characteristics of bacteria in the liquid diet fermented with Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis under air-tight condition. Results showed that the mixtures of Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- at different concentrations promoted Bacillus growth, increased bacterial diversity and lactic acid production and lowered pH to about 5. The importance of Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- is different for Bacillus growth with the order Zn2+> Fe2+>Cu2+> I- in a 21-d fermentation and Cu2+>I->Fe2+>Zn2+ in a 42-d fermentation. Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and I- is recommended at a level of 150, 60, 150 and 0.6 mg/kg respectively for the production of fermented liquid diet with Bacillus subtilis. The findings improve our understanding of the influence of trace elements on liquid diet fermentation with probiotics and support the proper use of trace elements in the production of fermented liquid diet for piglets.

[Research progress on effect factors of secondary metabolites content in callus].

Secondary metabolites are the result of that plant interaction with biological and non-biological factors in the long-term evolution process, and play an important role in plant growth, development and physiology. The effective components of medicinal plant are usually the secondary metabolites in plant cells, and the synthesis of them are affected by a variety of factors, such as environmental impact. Acquirement of the secondary metabolites via callus culture has the advantage of low cost and less environmental impact. The synthesis and accumulation of medicinal plant secondary metabolites are not only controlled by light, temperature and pH, but also infected by germplasm, plant growth regulator and elicitor. This article presents a review of the influencing factors, and provides a basis for further study and development.

Effects of Wen Dan Tang on insomnia-related anxiety and levels of the brain-gut peptide Ghrelin.

Ghrelin, a brain-gut peptide that induces anxiety and other abnormal emotions, contributes to the effects of insomnia on emotional behavior. In contrast, the traditional Chinese Medicine remedy Wen Dan Tang reduces insomnia-related anxiety, which may perhaps correspond to changes in the brain-gut axis. This suggests a possible relationship between Wen Dan Tang's pharmacological mechanism and the brain-gut axis. Based on this hypothesis, a sleep-deprived rat model was induced and Wen Dan Tang was administered using oral gavage during model establishment. Wen Dan Tang significantly reduced insomnia-related anxiety and prevented Ghrelin level decreases following sleep deprivation, especially in the hypothalamus. Increased expression of Ghrelin receptor mRNA in the hypothalamus was also observed, suggesting that reduced anxiety may be a result of Wen Dan Tang's regulation of Ghrelin-Ghrelin receptors.

Wen-dan decoction improves negative emotions in sleep-deprived rats by regulating orexin-a and leptin expression.

Wen-Dan Decoction (WDD), a formula of traditional Chinese medicine, has been clinically used for treating insomnia for approximately 800 years. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of WDD remain unclear. Orexin-A plays a key role in the sleep-wake cycle, while leptin function is opposite to orexin-A. Thus, orexin-A and leptin may be important factors in sleep disorders. In this study, 48 rats were divided into control, model, WDD-treated, and diazepam-treated groups. The model of insomnia was produced by sleep deprivation (SD) for 14 days. The expressions of orexin-A, leptin, and their receptors in blood serum, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and real time PCR. Open field tests showed that SD increased both crossing movement (Cm) and rearing-movement (Rm) times. Orexin-A and leptin levels in blood serum increased after SD but decreased in brain compared to the control group. mRNA expressions of orexin receptor 1 and leptin receptor after SD were decreased in the prefrontal cortex but were increased in hypothalamus. WDD treatment normalized the behavior and upregulated orexin-A, leptin, orexin receptor 1 and leptin receptor in brain. The findings suggest that WDD treatment may regulate SD-induced negative emotions by regulating orexin-A and leptin expression.

[Effects and mechanism of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in mouse experimental colitis treated by CLYSTER No. 1].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanism of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mouse experimental colitis treated by CLYSTER No. 1. METHOD: The mouse model of experimental colitis was established by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-acetic acid (AA) in mice DNCB and AA. Adult KM mouse were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, experimental colitis model group, SASP and Chinese medicine therapeutic groups. Proportion of CD4 CD25+ Tregs in peripheral blood (PB) and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) was estimated by flow cytometry at the end of one or two week after treating with SASP and CLYSTER No. 1. RESULT: The model of experimental colitis in mouse was successfully established. Compared with normal control group, the proportion of CD4 CD25 Tregs was markedly decreased in PB and MLN of model control group of experimental colitis. But it was significantly increased in therapeutic groups of SASP and CLYSTER No. 1, and their CD4+ CD25+ Tregs in PB and MLN were much more than the model control group at the end of one or two weeks after treating with SASP and CLYSTER No. 1. CONCLUSION: CD4+ CD25+ Tregs with strong immune suppression could play a central role in the initiation and development of mouse experiment colitis, and the CLYSTER No. 1 might exert its therapeutic effects on UC by the regulation of number and function of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs.

[Effects of different ridge-furrow planting patterns of potato on soil evaporation in semiarid area].

This paper studied the soil evaporation in potato field in semi-arid area under effects of covering ridge with plastic film (CR), uncovering ridge but compacted (UR), and belt planting on flat soil without ridge (CK). The results showed that in the whole growth season of potato, soil evaporation was 122.9-165 mm, 90.9-101.2 mm, and 80.7 mm under CR, UR, and CK, respectively. Treatment CR60 had the maximum soil evaporation (2.6 mm x d(-1)) at maturing stage, with a mean of 1. 46 mm x d(-1), while the soil evaporation in CK was 0.65 mm x d(-1). In treatment UR30, soil evaporation was the minimum (0.2 mm x d(-1)) at seedling stage, with a mean of 0.39 mm x d(-1), while CK was 0.58 mm x d(-1). However, water surface evaporation was the maximum at budding and flowering stages, with the daily average evaporation being 8.3 mm and 9.0 mm, respectively, and not in-phase with soil evaporation. At maturing stage, soil evaporation was the maximum in all treatments. It was suggested that covered ridge had high efficiency of rainfall harvesting, but owing to its maximum soil evaporation, measures should be taken to inhibit soil evaporation to increase water use efficiency.

Use of oolong tea extract (OTE) for elastin staining and enhancement in ultrathin sections.

To assess the usefulness of oolong tea extract (OTE) staining for connective tissue observation, we examined the visceral pleural mesothelium of rat lung by transmission electron microscope. Four kinds of electron microscopic staining methods (routine, tannic acid, OTE in distilled water, and OTE in 0.1 M phosphate buffer) were compared to determine the most suitable method for electron microscopic observation of ultrathin sections. Elastin (elastic laminae) was selectively stained by tannic acid and both water and buffered OTE. Except for elastin, connective tissue and cell ultrastructures were also electron enhanced by tannic acid and both water and buffered OTE staining. However, using water OTE, the electron-dense filaments (10-12 nm in diameter) were obscured. In tannic acid staining, the unit membranes of the visceral pleural mesothelial cells were weaker as compared with routine and buffered OTE stains. Thus, the buffered OTE staining method is a highly useful technique for connective tissue observation and electron-enhanced staining in transmission electron microscopic preparations.