Identification of Putative Quantitative Trait Loci for Improved Seed Oil Quality in Peanuts.

Improving seed oil quality in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) has long been an aim of breeding programs worldwide. The genetic resources to achieve this goal are limited. We used an advanced recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from JH5 × KX01-6 to explore quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting peanut oil quality and their additive effects, epistatic effects, and QTL × environment interactions. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis suggested seven fatty acids components were obviously detected in both parents and analyzed in a follow-up QTL analysis. The major components, palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2), exhibited considerable phenotypic variation and fit the two major gene and minor gene mixed-inheritance model. Seventeen QTL explained 2.57-38.72% of the phenotypic variation in these major components, with LOD values of 4.12-37.56 in six environments, and thirty-five QTL explained 0.94-32.21% of the phenotypic variation, with LOD values of 5.99-150.38 in multiple environments. Sixteen of these QTL were detected in both individual and multiple environments. Among these, qFA_08_1 was a novel QTL with stable, valuable and major effect. Two other major-effect QTL, qFA_09_2 and qFA_19_3, share the same physical position as FAD2A and FAD2B, respectively. Eleven stable epistatic QTL involving nine loci explained 1.30-34.97% of the phenotypic variation, with epistatic effects ranging from 0.09 to 6.13. These QTL could be valuable for breeding varieties with improved oil quality.

Ailanthus Altissima-derived Ailanthone enhances Gastric Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Inducing the Repression of Base Excision Repair by Downregulating p23 Expression.

Chemotherapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of GC, but currently available chemotherapeutic drugs are not ideal. The application of medicinal plants is an important direction for new drug discovery. Through drug screening of GC organoids, we determined that ailanthone has an anticancer effect on GC cells in vitro and in vivo. We also found that AIL can induce DNA damage and apoptosis in GC cells. Further transcriptome sequencing of PDX tissue indicated that AIL inhibited the expression of XRCC1, which plays an important role in DNA damage repair, and the results were also confirmed by western blotting. In addition, we found that AIL inhibited the expression of P23 and that inhibition of P23 decreased the expression of XRCC1, indicating that AIL can regulate XRCC1 via P23. The results of coimmunoprecipitation showed that AIL can inhibit the binding of P23 and XRCC1 to HSP90. These findings indicate that AIL can induce DNA damage and apoptosis in GC cells. Meanwhile, AIL can decrease XRCC1 activity by downregulating P23 expression to inhibit DNA damage repair. The present study sheds light on the potential application of new drugs isolated from natural medicinal plants for GC therapy.

The Inhibitory Effects of Pentacyclic Triterpenes from Loquat Leaf against Th17 Differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Loquat leaf is an herb that is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Th17 cells play a fundamental role in mediating SLE pathological deterioration. In our study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of pentacyclic triterpenes from loquat leaf on T helper 17 (Th17) cells and the therapeutic efficacy of OA in Lupus nephritis (LN) development. METHODS: We isolated three pentacyclic triterpene compounds rom loquat leaf by bioassay-directed fractionation and separation method. There were methyl corosolate (MC), uvaol (UL), and oleanolic acid (OA) Firstly, we elucidated Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) inhibitory activity of these three compounds in the cell-based assay and Th17 differentiation in vitro assay. Then, we used OA-treated pristine-induced LN mice to evaluate the therapeutic effects of OA in LN development. Anti-dsDNA level in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression in spleen cells by Flow cytometry (FCM), histomorphologic examination of kidneys were performed by periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining and immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: Pentacyclic triterpene compounds (MC, UL, OA) displayed inhibition of RORγt activity in cell-based assay and Th17 differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, our results also showed that OA could significantly decrease serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels, IL-17A and IFN-γ expression and alleviate renal pathological damage in OA-treated group mice than in the model group mice. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that OA can improve the clinical manifestation of LN, indicating potential application in SLE therapy.

Rules of Meridians and Acupoints Selection in Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Based on Data Mining Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To help selecting appropriate meridians and acupoints in clinical practice and experimental study for Parkinson's disease (PD), the rules of meridians and acupoints selection of acupuncture and moxibustion were analyzed in domestic and foreign clinical treatment for PD based on data mining techniques. METHODS: Literature about PD treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in China and abroad was searched and selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure and MEDLINE. Then the data from all eligible articles were extracted to establish the database of acupuncture-moxibustion for PD. The association rules of data mining techniques were used to analyze the rules of meridians and acupoints selection. RESULTS: Totally, 168 eligible articles were included and 184 acupoints were applied. The total frequency of acupoints application was 1,090 times. Those acupoints were mainly distributed in head and neck and extremities. Among all, Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (DU 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4) and Chorea-tremor Controlled Zone were the top five acupoints that had been used. Superior-inferior acupoints matching was utilized the most. As to involved meridians, Du Meridian, Dan (Gallbladder) Meridian, Dachang (Large Intestine) Meridian, and Gan (Liver) Meridian were the most popular meridians. CONCLUSIONS: The application of meridians and acupoints for PD treatment lay emphasis on the acupoints on the head, attach importance to extinguishing Gan wind, tonifying qi and blood, and nourishing sinews, and make good use of superior-inferior acupoints matching.

RRLC-DAD-ESI-MS based and bioactivity guided phytochemical analysis and separation of coumarins from raw extracts of Trigonostemon lutescens.

As extensively active compounds, coumarins are rarely reported on the phytochemistry of the genus Trigonostemon. We herein proposed a fast strategy for analysis and separation of antitumoral active coumarins from the twigs of T. lutescens. Rapid Resolution liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (RRLC-DAD-ESI-MS) analysis indicated the existence of coumarins in the twig extracts. Bioactivity guided phytochemical analysis assays revealed that the twig extract contained some active components that significantly inhibited cancer cell viability. Accordingly, a series of coumarins including a new furanocoumarin have been isolated from the twigs of T. lutescens by semi-preparative chromatographic separation. All compounds, especially furan-type coumarins, were reported for the first time from the genus Trigonostemon. The proposed strategy, by combining RRLC-DAD-ESI-MS based and bioactivity guided phytochemical analysis, exemplify a fast method for screening and identifying active components from raw extracts of herbs.

Lutescins A and B, two new ellagitannins from the twigs of Trigonostemon lutescens and their antiproliferative activity.

Two new ellagitannins, lutescins A and B (1-2), along with eight known compounds (3-10), were isolated from the twigs of Trigonostemon lutescens. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses as well as by comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of ellagitannins reported in Trigonostemon Genus, and their structures featured a hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP) moiety less often as R configurations in natural products. In addition, all isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects against HeLa, HCT116 and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 1, 2, 5 showed potent antiproliferative activity, compared with the positive control Cisplatin.

YY1 promotes IL-6 expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells by interacting with p65 to promote transcriptional activation of IL-6.

Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the process of neurodegenerative disorders, during which microglia, the principal resident immune cells in the central nervous system, are activated and produce proinflammatory mediators. Yin-Yang 1 (YY1), a multi-functional transcription factor, is widely expressed in cells of the immune system and participate in various cellular processes. However, whether YY1 is involved in the process of neuroinflammation is still unknown. In the present study, we found that YY1 was progressively up-regulated in BV2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which was dependent on the transactivation function of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Furthermore, YY1 knockdown notably inhibited LPS-induced the activation of NF-κB signaling and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in BV-2 cells, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Moreover, YY1 strengthened p65 binding to IL-6 promoter by interacting with p65 but decreased H3K27ac modification on IL-6 promoter, eventually increasing IL-6 transcription. Taken together, these results for the first time uncover the regulatory mechanism of YY1 on IL-6 expression during neuroinflammation responses and provide new lights into neuroinflammation.

Mitochondria-Associated Apoptosis in Human Melanoma Cells Induced by Cardanol Monoene from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid.

Cardanol monoene (CM) is the major phenolic component extracted from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which has been relevant to wide range of biological effects. In this study, we found that CM could inhibit the M14 human melanoma cells proliferation in a dose dependent and time dependent manner, and the IC50 values were determined to be 23.15 ± 2.42 µM and 12.30 ± 1.67 µM after 24 and 48 h treatment, respectively. The flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that CM induced M14 cell cycle arrest at the S phase, along with the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in cells, but the apoptotic cells reduced when treated with Z-VAD-FMK (pan-caspase inhibitor). Western blotting showed that the expressions of p53, cytosol cytochrome C, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP were up-regulated, and the expression level of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased significantly. The 2527 significant differentially expressed genes were obtained by RNA-seq, which were assigned to 270 KEGG pathways. These results indicated that CM induced M14 cells apoptosis via the ROS triggered mitochondrial-associated pathways, which supports the potential application of CM for the therapy of melanoma cancer.

Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 attenuates brain death-induced renal injury by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and the SAPK and JAK-STAT signalings.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of EGb761, a Ginkgo Biloba extract, against brain death-induced kidney injury. Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham, brain-death (BD), BD + EGb b48h (48 hours before BD), BD + EGb 2 h (2 hours after BD), BD + EGb 1 h, and BD + EGb 0.5 h. Six hours after BD, serum sample and kidney tissues were collected for analyses. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine significantly elevated in the BD group than in sham group. In all the EGb761-treated BD animals except for the BD + Gb 2 h group, the levels of BUN and serum creatinine significantly reduced (all P < 0.01). EGb761 attenuated tubular injury and lowered the histological score. In addition, the longer duration of drug treatment was, the better protective efficacy could be observed. EGb761 significantly reduced IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, IP-10 mRNA expression and macrophage infiltration in the kidney. EGb761 treatment at 48 hour before brain death significantly attenuate the levels of p-JNK-MAPK, p-p38-MAPK, and p-STAT3 proteins (all P < 0.05, compared to BD group). In summary, our data showed that EGb761 treatment protected donor kidney from BD-induced damages by blocking SAPK and JAK-STAT signalings. Early administration of EGb761 can provide better protective efficacy.

[Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease Viewing from Modern Chinese Medicine].

Modern pathological studies of Parkinson's disease. (PD) reveal that 70% -80% sub- stantia nigra striatum nerve endings degenerate before -motor symptoms occur. But till now, Chinese medicine (CM) infers its pathogeneses still at the theoretical level. Braak H, et al. raised six pathological stages of PD. They also beleived that symptoms of PD occurred one by one acocrding to staging sequence. All these indicated important evidence for the developing process of PD's pathogenesis. Authors expounded modern CM pathogenesis of PD.

[The effect of breviscapine on the pulmonary arterial pressure and the expression of Rho-kinase in pulmonary arterioles of hypoxic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of breviscapine on the pulmonary artery pressure and the Rho-kinase and Rho-kinase mRNA in pulmonary arterioles of rats treated with hypoxia, and therefore to explore the mechanisms of breviscapine on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Eighteen adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. One group was exposed to air (normal group), the second group was exposed to isobaric hypoxia for 3 weeks (hypoxic group), and the third group was exposed to hypoxia for 3 weeks and treated with breviscapine (preventive group). Cardiac catheterization was used to measure the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP). The heart was isolated, and the right ventricle (RV), left ventricle plus ventricular septum (LV + S) were weighed to calculate the ratio RV/(LV + S). The ratio of vascular wall thickness/vascular external diameter (WT%) and the ratio of vascular wall area/total vascular area (WA%) were measured by image analysis. The quantity of Rho-kinase and Rho-kinase mRNA in rat pulmonary arterioles were determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively. RESULTS: The mPAP in the preventive group [(19.83 +/- 1.47) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] was significantly lower than that of the hypoxic group [(27.3 +/- 5.0) mm Hg], t = 4.28, P < 0.05. The RV/(LV + S) in the preventive group (0.29 +/- 0.03) was significantly lower than that in the hypoxic group (0.34 +/- 0.05, t = 2.39, P < 0.05). The WT% and WA% in the preventive group (25 +/- 5 and 45 +/- 5, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the hypoxic group (36 +/- 12 and 59 +/- 13, respectively, t = 4.89, 5.89, P < 0.05). The positive staining of ROCKI and ROCKII on pulmonary arterioles in the preventive group (1.18 +/- 0.10 and 1.30 +/- 0.12, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the hypoxic group (1.29 +/- 0.08 and 1.63 +/- 0.24, respectively, t = 3.90, 5.82, P < 0.05). The positive staining of ROCKI mRNA and ROCKII mRNA in the preventive group (1.23 +/- 0.13 and 1.22 +/- 0.06, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the hypoxic group (1.37 +/- 0.13 and 1.59 +/- 0.31, respectively, t = 3.94, 5.83, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Breviscapine was shown to prevent hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and decrease Rho-kinase and Rho-kinase mRNA.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with western medicine on paralytic strabismus].

OBJECTIVE: To find out a better therapy for paralytic strabismus. METHODS: Ninety cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medicine group, an acupuncture group, a western medicine group, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture-medicine group were treated with acupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Yiming (EX-HN 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), etc. intramuscular injection of Vit B1 and Vit B12, and oral administration of ATP; the acupuncture group were treated with simple acupuncture, and the western medicine group were treated with simple western medicine. Their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The cured rate of 66.7% in the acupuncture-medicine group was significantly higher than 26.7% in the acupuncture group and 26.7% in the western medicine group (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with western medicine has obvious therapeutic effect, which is better than that of simple acupuncture or simple western medicine.

Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with western medicine on paralytic strabismus / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find out a better therapy for paralytic strabismus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medicine group, an acupuncture group, a western medicine group, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture-medicine group were treated with acupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Yiming (EX-HN 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), etc. intramuscular injection of Vit B1 and Vit B12, and oral administration of ATP; the acupuncture group were treated with simple acupuncture, and the western medicine group were treated with simple western medicine. Their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate of 66.7% in the acupuncture-medicine group was significantly higher than 26.7% in the acupuncture group and 26.7% in the western medicine group (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture combined with western medicine has obvious therapeutic effect, which is better than that of simple acupuncture or simple western medicine.</p>