[Correlation between rhizosphere environment and content of medicinal components of Arnebia euchroma].

This study aimed to explore the correlation between rhizosphere soil microorganisms of wild Arnebia euchroma and the content of medicinal components to provide guidance for the selection of the ecological planting base. The total DNA of rhizosphere soil microorganisms of wild A. euchroma was extracted, and the microbial community structure of rhizosphere soil microorganisms was analyzed by IlluminaMiseq high-throughput sequencing technology. The content of total hydroxynaphthoquinone pigment and ß,ß'-dimethylacrylalkannin in medicinal materials was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The physicochemical pro-perties of rhizosphere soil of wild A. euchroma in main producing areas were determined, and the correlation of soil microbial abundance with index component content and soil physicochemical properties was analyzed by SPSS software. The results showed that the species composition of rhizosphere fungi and bacteria in A. euchroma from different habitats was similar at the phylum and genus levels, but their relative abundance, richness index(Chao1), and community diversity(Simpson) index were different. Correlation analysis showed that the content of available phosphorus in soil was positively correlated with the content of total hydroxynaphthoquinone pigment and ß,ß'-dimethylacrylalkannin, and the abundance of five fungal genera such as Solicoccozyma and six bacterial genera such as Pseudo-nocardia and Bradyrhizobium was positively correlated with the content of medicinal components in medicinal materials. The abundance of Bradyrhizobium was significantly positively correlated with the content of ß,ß'-dimethylacrylalkanin. The abundance of fungi such as Archaeorhizomyces was significantly positively correlated with the content of available phosphorus in rhizosphere soil, and Bradyrhizobium was significantly negatively correlated with soil pH. Therefore, the abundance of fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere of A. euchroma has a certain correlation with the medicinal components and the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil, which can provide a scientific basis for the selection of ecological planting bases in the later stage.

Detection of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Human Saliva Based on a Pregnancy Test Strip Platform.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is closely correlated with tumorigenesis and progression. Establishing a low-cost, simple, rapid, and sensitive method for its detection is highly desired for the broad-spectrum screening of oral cancer. Herein, we combine the MMP-specific cleavage ability with magnetic separation technology and a commercial test strip to construct a sensitive biosensor to detect MMP-1 conveniently for the first time. The method involves two DNA probes, peptide-DNA1 and hCG-DNA2, where DNA1 and DNA2 are complementary sequences, and the peptide labeled with biotin can bind streptavidin-modified magnetic nanoparticles stably. The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the target of the pregnancy test strip. The cleavage reaction mediated by MMP-1 releases peptide-DNA1 and the hybridized hCG-DNA2 into the solution, and the hCG probe in the solution can develop color on the test strip for the determination of MMP-1 after magnetic separation. This method utilizes the high specificity of MMP-1's proteolytic cleavage and the high sensitivity of the test strip to the target probe, achieving a sensitive detection of MMP-1 with a visual detection limit of 65.5 pg/mL. The method shows better anti-interference and sensitivity than the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the application of a biological sample matrix, suggesting its great potential for clinical diagnosis, especially for broad-spectrum oral cancer screening.

Development of precocious puberty in children: Surmised medicinal plant treatment.

Precocious puberty in children is one of the common endocrine diseases in paediatrics. Epidemiological surveys have shown that the number of children with precocious puberty has significantly increased globally. Precocious puberty negatively affects the physical and mental health of children and may increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and infertility in adulthood. Therefore, the initiating factors of adolescence have become core issues in the study of sexual development in children. Owing to developments in molecular genetics, many studies have been able to show that precocious puberty is mostly resulted in autosomal inheritance. For instance, makorin ring finger protein 3 gene (MKRN3) may be implicated in familial CPP. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is the gold standard for treatment, but its safety still requires long-term evaluation and management. Traditional medicinal plants have been used in clinical treatments and in exploring novel treatment methods. From the collected datas, in Asia, traditional Chinese medicine treatment is based on the principles of nourishing Yin, lowering fire and draining fire from the liver to help precocious children and alleviate or delay the onset of precocious puberty by medicinal plants such as Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge., Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Rehmannia glutinosa and Poria cocos Wolf. They play an important role in exploring the pharmacological mechanisms of precocious puberty treatment effects and drug development. Therefore, by elucidating the occurrence and development of precocious puberty, this review provides novel and valuable insights of paediatric endocrine therapy accessing the published researches on the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of precocious puberty and its therapeutic mechanisms.

[Comprehensive analysis of components in Chinese medicines derived from Apocynum venetum and Poacynum pictum in Xinjiang based on HPLC fingerprint and chemometrics].

This study established high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of Chinese medicines derived from Apocynum venetum and Poacynum pictum in Xinjiang and explored their composition differences with the combination of content determination, similarity analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The HPLC conditions included Phenomenex Kinetex C_(18) column(4.6 mm ×100 mm, 2.6 µm), acetonitrile-0.01% trifluoroacetic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase, gradient elution, flow rate of 0.6 mL·min~(-1), detection wavelength of 281 nm and column temperature of 25 ℃. The content of chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-sophoroside, rutin, hyperin, isoquercitrin, trifolin and astragalin was determined in 31 batches of medicinal materials, and fingerprint research and chemometric analysis were performed with Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(Version 2004 A) and SPSS 21.0. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020, the quality of Apocyni Veneti Folium is controlled by character identification, microscopic identification, thin layer chromatography identification and quantitative determination of hyperin. There were 21 common peaks of A. venetum and P. pictum in the HPLC fingerprints, 5 of which were identified as chlorogenic acid, hyperin, isoquercitrin, trifolin and astragalin, with their content also determined. Except for 3 batches of medicinal materials, the similarity of other 28 batches was higher than 0.83, indicating good similarity. Two categories were formed in the cluster analysis based on content determination, which showed that some differences existed in similarities between different regions of Xinjiang. The medicinal materials were ranked by quality with principal component analysis, and the results indicated that the top 15 all came from northern Xinjiang. The quality difference of A. venetum and P. pictum had a correlation with the place of origin. This study provides a reference for the analysis and evaluation of A. venetum and P. pictum from different habitats and the selection of introduction and cultivation areas.

Xanthohumol ameliorates memory impairment and reduces the deposition of ß-amyloid in APP/PS1 mice via regulating the mTOR/LC3II and Bax/Bcl-2 signalling pathways.

OBJECTIVES: Xanthohumol (XAN) is a unique component of Humulus lupulus L. and is known for its diverse biological activities. In this study, we investigated whether Xanthohumol could ameliorate memory impairment of APP/PS1 mice, and explored its potential mechanism of action. METHODS: APP/PS1 mice were used for in vivo test and were treated with N-acetylcysteine and Xanthohumol for 2 months. Learning and memory levels were evaluated by the Morris water maze. Inflammatory and oxidative markers in serum and hippocampus and the deposition of Aß in the hippocampus were determined. Moreover, the expression of autophagy and apoptosis proteins was also evaluated by western blot. KEY FINDINGS: Xanthohumol significantly reduced the latency and increased the residence time of mice in the target quadrant. Additionally, Xanthohumol increased superoxide dismutase level and reduced Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-1ß levels both in serum and hippocampus. Xanthohumol also significantly reduced Aß deposition in the hippocampus and activated autophagy and anti-apoptotic signals. CONCLUSIONS: Xanthohumol effectively ameliorates memory impairment of APP/PS1 mice by activating mTOR/LC3 and Bax/Bcl-2 signalling pathways, which provides new insight into the neuroprotective effects of Xanthohumol.

Hypolipidemic effect of SIPI-7623, a derivative of an extract from oriental wormwood, through farnesoid X receptor antagonism.

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. As a metabolic regulator, FXR plays key roles in bile acid and cholesterol metabolism and lipid and glucose homeostasis. Therefore, FXR is a potential drug target for several metabolic syndromes, especially those related to lipidemia disorders. In the present study, we identified small molecule SIPI-7623, a derivative of an extract from Oriental wormwood (Artemisia capillaris), and found that it specifically upregulated the expression of cholesterol-7-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), downregulated the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in the liver, and inhibited the expression of ileal bile acid binding-protein (IBABP) in the ileum of rats. We found that inhibition of FXR by SIPI-7623 decreased the level of cholesterol and triglyceride. SIPI-7623 reduced the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in in vitro HepG2 cell models, ameliorated diet-induced atherosclerosis, and decreased the serum lipid content on rats and rabbits model of atherosclerosis in vivo. Furthermore, SIPI-7623 decreased the extent of atherosclerotic lesions. Our resutls demonstrated that antagonism of the FXR pathway can be employed as a therapeutic strategy to treat metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. In conclusion, SIPI-7623 could be a promising lead compound for development of drugs to treat hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

[Effects of Canalization on the Iron Deposition in Sanjiang Plain].

Canalization is the representative process and landscape of wetland reclamation. A typical ditch system of four levels near the Honghe National Nature Reserve in Sanjiang Plain was selected. Deposition plates were set on the sediments along the ditch level and the remained natural wetland nearby was quantitatively sampled for two years as the control. The deposition fluxes, total iron concentration, iron oxides and their components, as well as biogenic elements in the sediments collected by deposition plates were measured. The results showed that the litter, mud/sand and total deposition fluxes showed no significant differences between different ditch levels, with the means of (57.00 ± 16.90) g x (m2 x a)(-1), (3 997.57 ± 798.98) g x (m2 x a)(-1) and (4054.57 ± 792.91) g x (m2 x a)(-1), respectively. The litter flux decreased with the increase of ditch level, and the flux in the natural wetland [ (120.26 ± 19.42) g x (m2 x a)(-1) ] was significantly greater than that of the ditches. The mud/sand [ (35.41 ± 11.15 ) g x (m2 x a)(-1)] and total deposition fluxes [ (155.67 ± 20.75) g x ( m2 x a](-1) ] were significantly smaller than those of the ditches. There were no significant differences in the total iron between different ditches and natural wetland, while the free iron oxide content in the ditch sediments was significantly lower than that of natural wetland sediment. Except for the main ditch, the amorphous and complex iron oxides in the other ditch and natural wetland sediments showed no significant differences. The free degree of the iron oxide in ditch sediments was 60.2% of that in the natural wetland, while the differences in the complex degree and the activated degree were insignificant. The differences in the total organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were insignificant, and all were smaller than those of the natural wetland, with the percentages of 14.6%, 31.6% and 41.0%, respectively. It could be concluded that the effects of canalization on iron and biogenic elements were significant. Consequently, rational agricultural water managements are strongly recommended to avoid the potential environmental and ecological risks caused by canalization in Sanjiang Plain.

[Identification of original plants of uyghur medicinal materials fructus elaeagni using morphological characteristics and DNA barcode].

Morphology and molecular identification technology were used to identify 3 original plants of Fructus Elaeagni which was commonly used in Uygur medicine. Leaves, flowers and fruits from different areas were selected randomly for morphology research. ITS2 sequence as DNA barcode was used to identify 17 samples of Fructus Elaeagni. The genetic distances were computed by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model, and the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA5.0. The results showed that Elaeagnus angustifolia, E. oxycarpa and E. angustifolia var. orientalis cannot be distinguished by morphological characteristics of leaves, flowers and fruits. The sequence length of ITS2 ranged from 220 to 223 bp, the average GC content was 61.9%. The haplotype numbers of E. angustifolia, E. oxycarpa and E. angustifolia var. orientals were 4, 3, 3, respectively. The results from the NJ tree and ML tree showed that the 3 original species of Fructus Elaeagni cannot be distinguished obviously. Therefore, 3 species maybe have the same origin, and can be used as the original plant of Uygur medicineal material Fructus Elaeagni. However, further evidence of chemical components and pharmacological effect were needed.

[Detection for alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting polyhydroxyalkaloid ingredients of Commelina communis L. by ESIMS].

For detecting polyhydroxyalkaloids-type alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting ingredients of Commelina communis L grown in China, total alkaloids were obtained from the plant by extraction with water, removal of precipitation after the addition of alcohol, enrichment and purification by ion exchange resin and sephadex LH 20 chromatography. Polyhydroxyalkaloids in the total alkaloids were detected by ion trap electron-spray ionization mass spectra (ESIMS). Several reported and unreported polyhydroxyalkaloids in the plant were detected from the material collected from Jixi county, Anhui province. The crude drug growing in China contains alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting polyhydroxyalkaloids and can be used to therapy in diabetes.

[Phosphorus fractions under different land uses in Sanjiang plain].

Five land-uses type (soybean-filed, rice-field, abandoned cultivation, artificial forest, natural wetland) were obtained before planting and soil P fractions were determined by a modified Hedley fraction method. The result showed that the content of total P (TP) in natural wetland was higher than other soil. While the proportion of total inorganic P (TPi) in TP of farm land soil was higher than that of wetland. Adversely, the proportion of total organic P (TPo) was higher in wetland and least in rice-field. There was no obvious difference between that of abandoned field and artificial forest. The values of labile inorganic phosphorus (labile Pi) under different land-uses were similar. The contents of Resin-P and NaHCO3-Pi varied at a range of 32-36.3 mg x kg(-1) and 33.77-50.42 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The contents of NaOH-Pi and C.HCl-Pi in farmland were higher than those of wetland, especially in rice-field which was 152.4 mg x kg(-1). But for D.HCl-Pi, the content was higher in wetland with the value of 84.3 mg x kg(-1), and the contents of NaOH-Pi, C. HCl-Pi and D.HCl-Pi in abandoned field and artificial forest were in the middle of the above two land use patterns, which indicated that the restoration of soil P in abandoned farmland tended to approach the level of natural wetland. The value and percentage of Po was decreased greatly with the reclamation of wetland, and the decrease of C. HCl-Po was the most significant in all forms of organic P, and its values in soybean-filed and rice-field were only 25.96% and 19.26% of that in wetland. As the time went by the content of Po in abandoned arable land increased with very slow speed, which indicated that the restoration of wetland after reclamation would need a long time. The distribution of soil P in different P fractions has significant difference for the land-use change in Sanjiang plain.

[MESH diagrams of Chinese in Beijing and its preliminary application in practice].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the normal MESH diagrams of Chinese in Beijing, and to build a computerized MESH analysis system for orthodontic practice. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects with normal occlusion were selected in Beijing and their lateral cephalograms were taken at the age of thirteen and eighteen, respectively. Individual MESH diagrams were then established for each subject mainly according to Moorrees' method from the cephalograms orientated in estimated natural head position. Male and female normal MESH diagrams were created. A computerized MESH analysis system was also developed. RESULTS: The normal MESH diagrams of Chinese in Beijing, thirteen and eighteen years old respective, were established. The computerized MESH analysis system was constructed and used in orthodontic patients. CONCLUSIONS: MESH analysis is a proportional analysis method. It can show the results directly, succinctly and holistically. It is also a favorable complement and amendment to the commonly used angle and linear X-ray analysis methods.

The long-term nutrient accumulation with respect to anthropogenic impacts in the sediments from two freshwater marshes (Xianghai Wetlands, Northeast China).

Sediment cores, representing a range of watershed characteristics and anthropogenic impacts, were collected from two freshwater marshes at the Xianghai wetlands (Ramsar site no. 548) in order to trace the historical variation of nutrient accumulation. Cores were (210)Pb- and (137)Cs-dated, and these data were used to calculate sedimentation rates and sediment accumulation rates. Ranges of dry mass accumulation rates and sedimentation rates were 0.27-0.96 g m(-2)yr(-1) and 0.27-0.90 cm yr(-1), respectively. The effect of human activities on increased sediment accumulation rates was observed. Nutrients (TOC, N, P, and S) in sediment were analyzed and nutrient concentration and accumulation were compared in two marshes with different hydrologic regime: an "open" marsh (E-0) and a partly "closed" marsh (F-0). Differences in physical and chemical characteristics between sediments of "open" and partly "closed" marsh were also observed. The "open" marsh sequestered much higher amounts of TOC (1.82%), N (981.1 mg kg(-1)), P (212.17 mg kg(-1)), and S (759.32 mg kg(-1)) than partly "closed" marsh (TOC: 0.32%, N: 415.35 mg kg(-1), P: 139.64 mg kg(-1), and S: 624.45 mg kg(-1)), and the "open" marsh indicated a rather large historical variability of TOC, N, P, and S inputs from alluvial deposits. Nutrient inputs (2.16-251.80 g TOC m(-2) yr(-1), 0.43-20.12 g N m(-2) yr(-1), 0.39-3.03 g P m(-2) yr(-1), 1.60-15.13 g S m(-2) yr(-1)) into the Xianghai wetlands of China are in the high range compared with reported nutrient accumulation rates for freshwater marshes in USA. The vertical variation, particularly for N, P, and S indicated the input history of the nutrients of the Xianghai wetlands developed in three periods--before 1950s, 1950-1980s, and after 1980s. The ratios between anthropogenic and natural inputs showed that the relative anthropogenic inputs of TOC, N, P, and S have been severalfold (TOC: 1.68-11.21, N: 0.47-3.67, P: 0.24-1.36, and S: 1.46-2.96) greater than values of their natural inputs after 1980s. The result is probably attributable, in part, to two decades of surface coal mining activities, urban sewage, and agriculture runoff within the upstream region of the Huolin River. Our findings suggest that the degree of anthropogenic disturbance within the surrounding watershed regulates wetland sediment, TOC, N, P, and S accumulation.

[Effect of API 0134 on platelet membrane glycoprotein expression in patients with hyperlipemia].

OBJECTIVE: By observing the effect of API 0134, an active ingredient of green chiretta, on platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) in patients with hyperlipemia to explore the mechanism of the anti-platelet aggregation effect of API. METHODS: The mean immunofluorescent intensity (MFI) of the platelet membrane glycoprotein GP II b/III a, GPIb, P-selectin (GMP-140) and von Willebrand's factor (vWF) in resting platelet, activated platelet (untreated or treated with API 0134 of different concentrations) were detected in 30 randomly selected patients with hyperlipemia, using immunofluorescent marker and flow cytometry. RESULTS: API of all concentrations (25 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) could significantly decrease the MFI of GP II b/III a in a positive dose-dependent manner, as compared with that in activated platelet untreated with API; API of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L could also reduce the MFI of GMP-140 and vWF in activated platelet (P < 0.01); but API of 100 mg/L showed insignificant influence on GPIb expression in activated platelet membrane. CONCLUSION: API 0134 exerts obvious anti-platelet GP II b/III a effect on activated platelets, middle or large dose of API also shows inhibiting effect on GMP-140 and vWF expression in platelet.