[Mechanisms of changes of active components in Chinese medicinal materials during drying: a review].

Drying is an indispensable processing step for Chinese medicinal materials after harvesting. It often leads to significant changes in the active components of these materials, thus impacting their medicinal values. Understanding the mechanisms behind the changes during the drying process is of great importance for regulating the transformation of key active components. Therefore, this paper reviews the available studies and comprehensively expounds the mechanisms underlying the changes in active components during the drying process. The aim is to offer insights for the development of regulatory strategies and the improvement of drying techniques for Chinese medicinal materials.

Lycium barbarum glycopetide prolong lifespan and alleviate Parkinson's disease in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Introduction: Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp) is the main bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine. L. barbarum berries and has been proven to have numerous health benefits, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cytoprotective activities. However, the antiaging effect of LbGp remains unknown. Methods: The lifespan and body movement of C. elegans were used to evaluate the effect of LbGp on lifespan and health span. The thrashing assay was used to determine the role of LbGp in Parkinson's disease. To investigate the mechanisms of LbGp-induced antiaging effects, we analyzed changes in lifespan, movement, and the expression of longevity-related genes in a series of worm mutants after LbGp treatment. Results: We found that LbGp treatment prolonged the lifespan and health span of C. elegans. Mechanistically, we found that LbGp could activate the transcription factors DAF-16/FOXO, SKN-1/Nrf2, and HSF-1, as well as the nuclear receptor DAF-12, thereby upregulating longevity-related genes to achieve lifespan extension. In addition, we found that the lifespan extension induced by LbGp partially depends on mitochondrial function. Intriguingly, LbGp also ameliorated neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease in a DAF-16-, SKN-1-, and HSF-1-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our work suggests that LbGp might be a viable candidate for the treatment and prevention of aging and age-related diseases.

Effects of intensive speech treatment on Mandarin speakers with Parkinson's Disease: A review.

BACKGROUND: Benefits of intensive speech treatment have been documented for a range of speech signs in English speakers with Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, the answer to a critical question that whether the same treatment benefits speech variables including intelligibility in Mandarin speakers is still unclear. In order to develop a targeted speech treatment for Mandarin speakers with PD, we reviewed the efficacy of intensive speech treatment to improve vocal loudness and functional communication and discuss possible explanations for efficacy on Mandarin speakers with PD. METHODS: Literatures about intensive speech treatment for Mandarin speakers with PD were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP) Database. Search strategy was (voice therapy OR speech therapy OR voice treatment OR speech treatment OR voice training OR speech training OR voice rehabilitation OR speech rehabilitation OR Lee Silverman voice treatment OR intensive speech treatment) and (Parkinson's disease) and (Mandarin speakers OR Chinese OR Chinese people). RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials were selected and possible explanations for efficacy on individuals with PD are discussed. Further research directions are suggested. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence from treatment efficacy studies of intensive speech treatment provides support for improving vocal loudness, speech intelligibility, pitch and rate in Mandarin speakers with PD. Our future research will continue to work to conduct a large sample multicenter randomized controlled trial to provide high quality evidence and understand the basic mechanisms accompanying treatment-related change.

Shengmai San for Treatment of Cardiotoxicity from Anthracyclines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Shengmai San in patients with cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase Databases from the inceptions until December 2020. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Totally 19 RCTs with 2,331 participants were included in this review. Results showed that in improving arrhythmia (13 RCTs, n=1,877, RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.52, P<0.00001), the treatment group was superior to the control group. In terms of reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.79, 95%CI -0.93 to -0.65, P<0.00001) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.58, 95%CI -0.82 to -0.35, P<0.00001), the treatment group was also better than the control group. In reducing myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) [(3 RCTs, n=256, SMD=-0.80, 95%CI -1.16 to -0.44, P<0.0001), (2 RCTs, n=126, SMD=-0.62, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.26, P=0.0007)], the treatment group was superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: Shengmai San has a positive effect on the treatment of cardiotoxicity from anthracyclines. However, in the future, it is still necessary to conduct high-quality RCTs to verify its efficacy.

Shengmai San for Treatment of Cardiotoxicity from Anthracyclines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Shengmai San in patients with cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines.@*METHODS@#Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase Databases from the inceptions until December 2020. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.@*RESULTS@#Totally 19 RCTs with 2,331 participants were included in this review. Results showed that in improving arrhythmia (13 RCTs, n=1,877, RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.52, P<0.00001), the treatment group was superior to the control group. In terms of reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.79, 95%CI -0.93 to -0.65, P<0.00001) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.58, 95%CI -0.82 to -0.35, P<0.00001), the treatment group was also better than the control group. In reducing myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) [(3 RCTs, n=256, SMD=-0.80, 95%CI -1.16 to -0.44, P<0.0001), (2 RCTs, n=126, SMD=-0.62, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.26, P=0.0007)], the treatment group was superior to the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#Shengmai San has a positive effect on the treatment of cardiotoxicity from anthracyclines. However, in the future, it is still necessary to conduct high-quality RCTs to verify its efficacy.

Epithelial phenotype restoring drugs suppress macular degeneration phenotypes in an iPSC model.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a blinding eye disease, is characterized by pathological protein- and lipid-rich drusen deposits underneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and atrophy of the RPE monolayer in advanced disease stages - leading to photoreceptor cell death and vision loss. Currently, there are no drugs that stop drusen formation or RPE atrophy in AMD. Here we provide an iPSC-RPE AMD model that recapitulates drusen and RPE atrophy. Drusen deposition is dependent on AMD-risk-allele CFH(H/H) and anaphylatoxin triggered alternate complement signaling via the activation of NF-κB and downregulation of autophagy pathways. Through high-throughput screening we identify two drugs, L-745,870, a dopamine receptor antagonist, and aminocaproic acid, a protease inhibitor that reduce drusen deposits and restore RPE epithelial phenotype in anaphylatoxin challenged iPSC-RPE with or without the CFH(H/H) genotype. This comprehensive iPSC-RPE model replicates key AMD phenotypes, provides molecular insight into the role of CFH(H/H) risk-allele in AMD, and discovers two candidate drugs to treat AMD.

Use of decision aid to improve informed decision-making and communication with physicians on the use of oral complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients on chemotherapy treatment: a randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients and is concerning as concomitant oral CAM and chemotherapy use may result in adverse interactions and toxicities. We hypothesise that a decision aid (DA) may promote informed and rational use of oral CAM during chemotherapy, and increase patients' discussion with their oncologists on CAM use. METHODS: We randomised 240 patients initiating chemotherapy to receive DA or none. Questionnaires were administered at randomisation (visit 1), 1 month (visit 2) and 3 months (visit 3). The primary endpoint was the decisional conflict score (DCS) for decision made on CAM use during chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include patients' decision regret score (DRS) on CAM use, CAM uptake, discussion with oncologists on CAM usage, and difference in quality of life (QoL) score between CAM and non-CAM users at visit 3. RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean DCS (mean difference 2.7 [95 CI - 2.9 to 8.3, p = 0.345]) and DRS (mean difference - 0.3 [95% CI - 6.3 to 5.8, p = 0.926]) between the two arms. There was a reduction in odds of CAM usage in the intervention arm compared to control arm (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.78, p = 0.009), but there was no difference in discussion with oncologists on CAM usage (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.07 to 3.01, p = 0.419), or in the QoL between CAM and non-CAM users. CONCLUSION: Our DA did not reduce DCS among cancer patients on chemotherapy. DA that provides more evidence-based information on CAM, and non-judgemental discussion initiated by oncologists to discuss CAM, may improve its effectiveness.

Inositol polyphosphate multikinase IPMK-1 regulates development through IP3/calcium signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is a conserved protein that initiates the production of inositol phosphate intracellular messengers and is critical for regulating a variety of cellular processes. Here, we report that the C. elegans IPMK-1, which is homologous to the mammalian inositol polyphosphate multikinase, plays a crucial role in regulating rhythmic behavior and development. The deletion mutant ipmk-1(tm2687) displays a long defecation cycle period and retarded postembryonic growth. The expression of functional ipmk-1::GFP was detected in the pharyngeal muscles, amphid sheath cells, the intestine, excretory (canal) cells, proximal gonad, and spermatheca. The expression of IPMK-1 in the intestine was sufficient for the wild-type phenotype. The IP3-kinase activity of IPMK-1 is required for defecation rhythms and postembryonic development. The defective phenotypes of ipmk-1(tm2687) could be rescued by a loss-of-function mutation in type I inositol 5-phosphatase homolog (IPP-5) and improved by a supplemental Ca2+ in the medium. Our work demonstrates that IPMK-1 and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) pathway modulate rhythmic behaviors and development by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ in C. elegans. Advances in understanding the molecular regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis and regulation of organism development may lead to therapeutic strategies that modulate Ca2+ signaling to enhance function and counteract disease processes. Unraveling the physiological role of IPMK and the underlying functional mechanism in C. elegans would contribute to understanding the role of IPMK in other species, especially in mammals, and benefit further research on the involvement of IPMK in disease.

Diagnostic value of parameters from a spot urine sample for renal potassium loss in hypokalemia.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the value of 1) a spot urine test for diagnosing hypokalemia caused by renal potassium loss, and 2) actual 24-hour urine potassium excretion (24 hUK-actual) for diagnosing hypokalemia caused by renal potassium loss in patients treated with potassium supplementation. The study population was from Southwest China. METHODS: Patients with hypokalemia were divided into 2 groups: hypokalemia caused by renal potassium loss (n = 67) and hypokalemia caused by extrarenal potassium loss (n = 63). Urine potassium concentration (UK), urine creatinine concentration (UCr), urine potassium-creatinine ratio (UK/UCr), fractional excretion of potassium (FEK), transtubular potassium concentration gradient (TTKG), and 24-h urine potassium excretion (24 hUK-calculated) were derived from spot urine samples collected on admission, before initiation of therapy. Patients received intravenous potassium chloride 0.4 or 0.6 g/h. 24 hUK-actual was detected in patients whose serum potassium did not return to normal after 24 h of therapy. RESULTS: Patients with hypokalemia caused by renal potassium loss had significantly higher UK, UK/UCr, FEK, TTKG and 24 hUK-calculated compared to patients with hypokalemia caused by extrarenal potassium loss (P < 0.05). FEK predicted renal potassium loss in hypokalemia with high accuracy at a cut-off of 9.29% (sensitivity, 80.6%; specificity, 85.7%). The area under the curve for 24 hUK-actual in predicting renal potassium loss in patients with hypokalemia treated with low or high-dose potassium chloride infusion were 0.939 or 0.956, respectively. On the spot urine test, FEK showed the highest correlation with 24 hUK-actual during low or high dose potassium chloride infusion (r = 0.831, p < 0.001 or r = 0.764, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FEK from a spot urine sample represents a convenient and reliable parameter to predict renal potassium loss in patients with hypokalemia.

Improving medication adherence with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor in women with breast cancer: A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of short message service (SMS) reminder.

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in the treatment of patients. We evaluate the effect of short message service (SMS) reminder on medication adherence and serum hormones in patients with breast cancer on aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: An open-label, multi-centre, prospective randomised controlled trial of SMS versus Standard Care was conducted. Medication adherence was assessed via self-report using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire at baseline, 6 month, and 1 year. Androstenedione, estradiol, and estrone were measured at baseline and 1 year. The χ2 test and mixed effects logistic regression was performed to compare medication adherence between groups. Difference in androstenedione and estrone levels were assessed using analysis of covariance, whereas χ2 test and logistic regression was used for estradiol. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were randomised to receive weekly SMS reminder (n = 123) or Standard Care (n = 121) between May 2015 and December 2018. The odds of adherence was higher at 6-month in SMS (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.04-3.05, p = 0.034), and not significantly different at 1-year (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.67-1.96 p = 0.617). Mixed effects logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of adherence in SMS over the 1-year period (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.01-5.49, p = 0.048). There was no difference in serum hormone levels between groups. CONCLUSION: SMS reminder improved medication adherence in the short-term but had no effect on serum hormones levels in the longer term. Future studies could investigate the use of tailored SMS intervention according to patient preference to improve its sustainability.

Effect of family support on quality of postoperative life in patients with digestive cancer.

BACKGROUND: Digestive tumors are malignant tumors of epithelial origin with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. At present, surgery is the main treatment for patients with digestive tumors. In this study, we conducted a survey of patients with digestive cancers to explore the influence of family support on postoperative quality of life, with the aim of providing a basis of reference for further improvement of the quality of life of such patients. METHODS: A total of 82 patients with digestive cancer who underwent surgery in Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between October, 2018 and April, 2019 were selected to take part. The self-made questionnaire, the European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization's Core Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer Patients, and the Family Support Scale were used to investigate the patients, and the collected data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The family support scores of the 82 enrolled patients ranged from 5 to 15 points, with an average score of (8.86±2.47) points; 60 cases (73.17%) scored ≥10 points and 12 cases (26.83%) scored <10 points. Patients who were married, aged under 30 years old, or employed as civil servants had higher family support scores than other patients (P<0.05). The scores for physical function, emotional function, and overall health status/quality of life in patients who had a high family support score were higher than those in patients who had a low family support score (P<0.05). According to the logistic regression model, Patients with higher age, getting married, with education level of bachelor degree or above, occupation as farmer and with other digestive tract tumor got higher family support score. (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Good family support can effectively improve quality of postoperative life for patients with digestive cancer. Education, age, occupation and marriage are all independent factors that affect family support.

Resistant starch ameliorated insulin resistant in patients of type 2 diabetes with obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Resistant starch (RS) is a starch that can be fermented by the microbial flora within gut lumen. Insulin resistance (IR) is a pathophysiological condition related to diabetes and obesity. RS could reduce blood glucose and ameliorate IR in animals, but its effect in human population is controversial. OBJECTIVE: The authors conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the effect of RS diet supplement on ameliorating IR in patients with T2DM and simple obesity. METHODS: Databases that supplemented with RS in ameliorating IR in T2DM and simple obesity were queried for studies on or before August 15, 2018. Parameters including fasting insulin, fasting glucose, body mass index (BMI), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) etc. were extracted from studies to systemically evaluate effects of RS. RESULTS: The database search yielded 14 parallel or crossover studies that met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the amelioration of BMI, HOMA-%S and HOMA-%B in T2DM patients between RS and the non-RS supplementation. However, the fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in T2DM with obesity who supplemented RS were lower than control group, and the subgroup analysis according to the dose of RS supplementation was inconsistency. There was no significant difference between RS and non-RS supplements in patients with simple obesity. CONCLUSION: RS supplementation can ameliorate IR in T2DM, especially for the patients of T2DM with obesity, but not in simple obesity.

[Effects of gap and growth substrate on nitrogen and phosphorus contents of bryophytes in an alpine forest]. / 高山森林林窗和生长基质对苔藓植物氮和磷含量的影响.

Bryophyte plays an important role in nutrient enrichment and cycling in the forest ecosystems. The role of bryophyte in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles might be affected by forest regeneration and growth substrate. To understand the role of bryophyte in N and P cycling in the forest ecosystem, we measured the contents of N and P in the bryophytes that grew on different positions (gap center, gap edge, and closed canopy) and growth substrates (standing tree, fallen log, snag, large dead branch, stump and forest floor) in an alpine forest ecosystem. The results showed that the N content in the bryophyte on the forest floor was 3.12 mg·g-1, which was significantly lower than those on other growth substrates. Although N content in the bryophyte on the snag reached up to 17.41 mg·g-1, no significant differences of N contents in the bryophytes were observed among standing tree, fallen log, large dead branch and snag. The highest and lowest P contents was 1.09 mg·g-1 in the bryophyte on the forest floor and 0.61 mg·g-1 in the bryophytes on the snag, respectively. Furthermore, P content in the bryophyte on the forest floor was significantly higher than that on other growth substrates, but no significant differences of P contents in the bryophytes were detected among standing tree, fallen log, large dead branch and stump. The gap position significantly affected N and P contents in the bryophytes, with the N and P contents in the bryophytes on fallen log and large dead branch at gap center being significantly higher than those at the gap edge. The effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) on the N and P contents in the bryophyte depended on its types and decay classes, with their interaction having much stronger effects on N and P contents in the bryophytes. The N contents in the epiphytic bryophytes on fallen logs with V decay class were significantly higher than those with other decay classes. Similarly, the N contents in the epiphytic bryophytes on large dead branches with III decay class were significantly higher than those with other decay classes. Meanwhile, the P contents in the bryophytes on fallen logs with 2 decay class were significantly higher than those with other decay classes. Moreover, the P contents in the epiphytic bryophytes on the snags with 4 decay class were significantly higher than those with other decay classes. In conclusion, both forest gap regeneration and CWD decay process can affect the N and P contents in the bryophytes, and thereafter manipulate the nutrient cycles in the forest ecosystems.

Otophylloside B Protects Against Aß Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health concern worldwide and the few drugs currently available only treat the symptoms. Hence, there is a strong need to find more effective anti-AD agents. Cynanchum otophyllum is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating epilepsy, and otophylloside B (Ot B), isolated from C. otophyllum, is the essential active component. Having previously identified anti-aging effects of Ot B, we evaluated Ot B for AD prevention in C. elegans models of AD and found that Ot B extended lifespan, increased heat stress-resistance, delayed body paralysis, and increased the chemotaxis response. Collectively, these results indicated that Ot B protects against Aß toxicity. Further mechanistic studies revealed that Ot B decreased Aß deposition by decreasing the expression of Aß at the mRNA level. Genetic analyses showed that Ot B mediated its effects by increasing the activity of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) by upregulating the expression of hsf-1 and its target genes, hsp-12.6, hsp-16.2 and hsp-70. Ot B also increased the expression of sod-3 by partially activating DAF-16, while SKN-1 was not essential in Ot B-mediated protection against Aß toxicity.

[Effects of altitudes on soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity in alpine-gorge regions.] / æµ·æ‹”å¯¹é«˜å±±å³¡è°·åŒºåœŸå£¤å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©ç”Ÿç‰©é‡å’Œé ¶æ´»æ€§çš„å½±å“.

In order to understand the variations of soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities with the change of altitude, a field incubation was conducted in dry valley, ecotone between dry valley and mountain forest, subalpine coniferous forest, alpine forest and alpine meadow from 1563 m to 3994 m of altitude in the alpine-gorge region of western Sichuan. The microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and the activities of invertase, urease and acid phosphorus were measured in both soil organic layer and mineral soil layer. Both the soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities showed the similar tendency in soil organic layer. They increased from 2158 m to 3028 m, then decreased to the lowest value at 3593 m, and thereafter increased until 3994 m in the alpine-gorge region. In contrast, the soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities in mineral soil layer showed the trends as, the subalpine forest at 3028 m > alpine meadow at 3994 m > montane forest ecotone at 2158 m > alpine forest at 3593 m > dry valley at 1563 m. Regardless of altitudes, soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities were significantly higher in soil organic layer than in mineral soil layer. The soil microbial biomass was significantly positively correlated with the activities of the measured soil enzymes. Moreover, both the soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities were significantly positively correlated with soil water content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. The activity of soil invertase was significantly positively correlated with soil phosphorus content, and the soil acid phosphatase was so with soil phosphorus content and soil temperature. In brief, changes in vegetation and other environmental factors resulting from altitude change might have strong effects on soil biochemical properties in the alpine-gorge region.

[Soluble nitrogen and soluble phosphorus dynamics during foliar litter decomposition in winter in alinine forest streams].

In order to understand the dynamic pattern of soluble nitrogen and soluble phosphorus in the headwater streams during the process of litter decomposition in winter, a field experiment using litterbag method was conducted in an alpine forest in Western Sichuan, China. The foliar litter of two dominant canopy trees (Sabina saltuaria, and Larix mastersiana) and two shrubs (Salix paraplesia and Rhododendron lapponicum) were selected. The litterbags were placed in a headwater stream, river, riparian zone and closed canopy, and sampled in different freezing-thawing periods of winter (pre-freezing period, freezing period and thawing period). The results indicated that the soluble nitrogen content of foliar litter showed little changes over a whole winter decomposition regardless of species. In contrast, the soluble phosphorus content displayed the order as river < stream < riparian zone < closed canopy, and showed a decrease tendency in stream, river and riparian, although little changes under closed canopy over a whole winter decomposition. Correlation analysis suggested that the dynamics of soluble phosphorus content significantly correlated to the average temperature, positive accumulated temperature, negative accumulated temperature and flow velocity during the decomposition in winter. The dynamics of soluble nitrogen content only exhibited significant correlations with positive accumulated temperature. Additionally, litter quality (species) also controlled the dynamics of soluble nitrogen and soluble phosphorus content as litter decomposition proceeded. The results implied that soluble phosphorus could be more liable to loss in streams and rivers during litter decomposition compared with soluble nitrogen, which could further provide some new ideas in understanding nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in this alpine forest.

Scorpion Venom Heat-Resistant Peptide Attenuates Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression via c-Jun/AP-1.

Scorpion venom has been used in the Orient to treat central nervous system diseases for many years, and the protein/peptide toxins in Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) venom are believed to be the effective components. Scorpion venom heat-resistant peptide (SVHRP) is an active component of the scorpion venom extracted from BmK. In a previous study, we found that SVHRP could inhibit the formation of a glial scar, which is characterized by enhanced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, in the epileptic hippocampus. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain to be clarified. The results of the present study indicate that endogenous GFAP expression in primary rat astrocytes was attenuated by SVHRP. We further demonstrate that the suppression of GFAP was primarily mediated by inhibiting both c-Jun expression and its binding with AP-1 DNA binding site and other factors at the GFAP promoter. These results support that SVHRP contributes to reducing GFAP at least in part by decreasing the activity of the transcription factor AP-1. In conclusion, the effects of SVHRP on astrocytes with respect to the c-Jun/AP-1 signaling pathway in vitro provide a practical basis for studying astrocyte activation and inhibition and a scientific basis for further studies of traditional medicine.

The Lifespan-Promoting Effect of Otophylloside B in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aging is the major risk factor for many human diseases and degeneration. Thus, clinically effective medicine could delay the process of aging and aging-related diseases are desperately wanted. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), some were claimed to slow down aging. Qingyangshen (Cynanchum otophyllum schneid) is such a TCM. Here, we assayed the longevity effect of compound Otophylloside B (Ot B), a C-21 steroidal glycoside isolated from Qingyangshen, in Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a popular model for aging research. Our results showed that Ot B could modestly extend the lifespan of C. elegans, delay the age-related decline of body movement and improve the stress resistance. Further investigating the molecular mechanism of lifespan extension effect revealed that Ot B could activate the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16. Ot B could not further extend the lifespan of long-lived mutant of insulin/IGF-1-like receptor (daf-2). In addition, Ot B also requires SIR-2.1 and CLK-1 which is an enzyme in ubiquinone synthesis, for lifespan extension.

[C, N and P stoichiometric characteristics of different root orders for three dominant tree species in subalpine forests of western Sichuan, China].

Fine root order was classified according to Pregitzer's method. This study measured carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations of the 1-5 root orders (diameter < 2 mm) in three dominant subalpine tree species (Betula albosinensis, Abies faxoniana and Picea asperata) of western Sichuan. Their stoichiometric ratios of different root orders were also calculated. The results showed that C concentration, C/N and C/P increased, but N and P concentrations decreased from the first to fifth order of fine root for all tree species. No significant changes in N/P among root orders were detected in each species. There were significant differences in C, N, P concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios among the tree species. The species-associated differences were dependent on root order. There were significant correlations between C, N, P concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios in the three tree species.

[Decomposition and nutrient release of root with different diameters of three subalpine dominant trees in western area of Sichuan Province, China].

In this study, a buried bag experiment was used to investigate mass loss and C, N and P release patterns of fine (≤2 mm), medium (2-5 mm) and coarse (≥ 5 mm) roots of 3 subalpine dominant trees, i. e., Betula albosinensis, Abies faxoniana and Picea asperata in the growing and non-growing seasons. In general, the remaining mass of B. albosinensis was lower than that of A. faxoniana and P. asperata. In addition, root remaining mass increased with the increase of root diameter for the same species. The mass losing rate in the non-growing season was 52.1%-64.4% of a year. The C release of B. albosinensis was the highest, but that of A. faxoniana was the lowest. Also, C release decreased with the increase of root diameter. N of A. faxoniana and P. asperata were enriched in the non-growing season but released in the growing season. However, the opposite pattern was found for B. albosinensis. During the non-growing season, the amount of N enrichment increased with the increase of root diameter. The P release of 3 species was characterized as the enrichment-release pattern. P enrichment of A. faxoniana was significantly greater than that of P. asperata and B. albosinensis. Nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between diameter sizes. In conclusion, diameter size had significant effect on root decomposition in the subalpine forests of western Sichuan, and the diameter effect was dependent on tree species and season.