Physiological and proteomic analyses of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-treated tubers reveals that StPOD42 promotes sprouting in potato.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that plays vital roles in plant growth and developmental processes. However, its role in regulating potato sprouting is unknown. Therefore, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the sprouting process were assessed, and we found that GABA promoted sprouting after treatment for 50 d. In addition, the GABA and soluble sugar contents increased while the starch content decreased. To study the molecular mechanism by which exogenous GABA accelerates tuber sprouting, comparative proteomic analysis of tuber bud eyes was performed after GABA treatment for 48 h. Further analysis revealed 316 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) that are mainly involved in fatty acid and sugar metabolism and cutin, suberin and wax biosyntheses. The qRT‒PCR results suggested that the GABA transaminase 2 (GABA-T2) and GABA-T3 expression levels showed the greatest decrease at 30 d of storage. Peroxidase 42 (StPOD42) expression showed the greatest increase at 30 d. Overexpression of StPOD42 in potato was found to promote tuber sprouting. Our results provide new insights into the role of GABA in regulating the sprouting process and indicate that StPOD42 is a target gene for molecular breeding to modulate potato sprouting.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and quality control methods of Succus Bambusae].

Through the investigation of a large number of both domestic and overseas literatures and related quality standards, chemical compositions, quality evaluation system and quality control methods of Succus Bambusae were systematic summarized in this study. There were abundant chemical constituents in Succus Bambusae, mainly including volatile ingredients, amino acids, flavonoids, trace elements and vitamins, with high medicinal and edible value. The quality control methods involved traditional morphological identification, spectroscopy, chromatography and other techniques. However, the current quality standards of Succus Bambusae are relatively low, lacking safety indicators, and cannot effectively ensure its quality, seriously affecting the safety and effectiveness of its clinical use. Therefore, it is particularly important to establish a set of highly sensitive and specific quality evaluation system for Succus Bambusae. In this paper, the current research status of the chemical compositions and quality standards of Succus Bambusae were reviewed, with the purpose of providing a basis for further improvement of its quality evaluation system.

Research progress on chemical constituents and quality control methods of Succus Bambusae / 中国中药杂志

Through the investigation of a large number of both domestic and overseas literatures and related quality standards, chemical compositions, quality evaluation system and quality control methods of Succus Bambusae were systematic summarized in this study. There were abundant chemical constituents in Succus Bambusae, mainly including volatile ingredients, amino acids, flavonoids, trace elements and vitamins, with high medicinal and edible value. The quality control methods involved traditional morphological identification, spectroscopy, chromatography and other techniques. However, the current quality standards of Succus Bambusae are relatively low, lacking safety indicators, and cannot effectively ensure its quality, seriously affecting the safety and effectiveness of its clinical use. Therefore, it is particularly important to establish a set of highly sensitive and specific quality evaluation system for Succus Bambusae. In this paper, the current research status of the chemical compositions and quality standards of Succus Bambusae were reviewed, with the purpose of providing a basis for further improvement of its quality evaluation system.

Comparative Morphology, Transcription, and Proteomics Study Revealing the Key Molecular Mechanism of Camphor on the Potato Tuber Sprouting Effect.

Sprouting regulation in potato tubers is important for improving commercial value and producing new plants. Camphor shows flexible inhibition of tuber sprouting and prolongs the storage period of potato, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. The results of the present study suggest that camphor inhibition caused bud growth deformities and necrosis, but after moving to more ventilated conditions, new sprouts grew from the bud eye of the tuber. Subsequently, the sucrose and fructose contents as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were assessed after camphor inhibition. Transcription and proteomics data from dormancy (D), sprouting (S), camphor inhibition (C), and recovery sprouting (R) samples showed changes in the expression levels of approximately 4000 transcripts, and 700 proteins showed different abundances. KEGG (Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes) pathway analysis of the transcription levels indicated that phytohormone synthesis and signal transduction play important roles in tuber sprouting. Camphor inhibited these processes, particularly for gibberellic acid, brassinosteroids, and ethylene, leading to dysregulation of physiological processes such as cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism, resulting in bud necrosis and prolonged storage periods. The KEGG pathway correlation between transcripts and proteins revealed that terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and plant-pathogen interaction pathways showed significant differences in D vs. S samples, but 13 pathways were remarkably different in the D vs. C groups, as camphor inhibition significantly increased both the transcription levels and protein abundance of pathogenesis-related protein PR-10a (or STH-2), the pathogenesis-related P2-like precursor protein, and the kirola-like protein as compared to sprouting. In recovery sprouting, these genes and proteins were decreased at both the transcriptional level and in protein abundance. It was important to find that the inhibitory effect of camphor on potato tuber sprout was reversible, revealing the action mechanism was similar to resistance to pathogen infection. The present study provides a theoretical basis for the application of camphor in prolonging seed potato storage.

Identifying the Genes Regulated by AtWRKY6 Using Comparative Transcript and Proteomic Analysis under Phosphorus Deficiency.

Phosphorus (P) is an important mineral nutrient for plant growth and development. Overexpressing AtWRKY6 (35S:WRKY6-9) was more sensitive and wrky6 (wrky6-1) was more resistant under low Pi conditions. To better understand the function of AtWRKY6 under low phosphate stress conditions, we applied two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to analyse differentially expressed proteins in the shoots and roots between wild type, 35S:WRKY6-9 and wrky6-1 after phosphorus deficiency treatment for three days. The results showed 88 differentially abundant protein spots, which were identified between the shoots and roots of 35S:WRKY6-9 and wrky6-1 plants. In addition, 59 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the leaves and roots of 35S:WRKY6-9 plants. After analysis, 9 genes with W-box elements in their promoter sequences were identified in the leaves, while 6 genes with W-box elements in their promoter sequences were identified in the roots. A total of 8 genes were identified as potential target genes according to the quantitative PCR (QPCR) and two dimension difference gel electrophoresis, (2D-DIGE) results, including ATP synthase, gln synthetase, nitrilase, 14-3-3 protein, carbonic anhydrases 2, and tryptophan synthase. These results provide important information concerning the AtWRKY6 regulation network and reveal potential vital target genes of AtWRKY6 under low phosphorus stress. two dimension difference gel electrophoresis, 2D-DIGE.

Mechanisms of Heshouwuyin in regulating apoptosis of testicular cells in aging rats through mitochondrial pathway.

BACKGROUND: Polygonum multiflorum has important effects on anti-aging and immunity enhancement. Many traditional Chinese medicine preparations based on Polygonum multiflorum are widely used for the clinical prevention and treatment of aging. However the mechanisms of these herb mixtures are often unknown. This study investigates the effect of Heshouwuyin, a Chinese herbal compound for invigorating the kidney, on the regulation of testicular cells apoptosis in aging rats. METHODS: In this study, 18-month-old Wistar rats served as a model of natural aging and 12-month-old rats served as a young control group. Heshouwuyin group 1 and group 2 were comprised 18-month-old rats given Heshouwuyin intragastrically for 60 days and 30 days respectively. Then testes of the young control group were isolated in the age of 12 months, the other three groups were in the age of 18 months. RESULTS: TUNEL assay showed that the rate of testicular cell apoptosis was obviously higher and Flow cytometry analysis showed that the rate of cell proliferation was significantly lower in the natural aging group than in the young control group and that intervention with Heshouwuyin could reverse this phenomenon. Therefore, we further applied microarray analysis to screen out differentially expressed genes regulated by Heshouwuyin and related to cell apoptosis. The expression of these genes was observed by quantitative fluorescence PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and western blot. The results showed that the expression of 14-3-3σ was significantly lower and that the expression of DR6, BAX, caspase-3 and Cytc were significantly higher in the natural aging group than in the young control group, but intervention with Heshouwuyin significantly reversed this phenomenon. Moreover, the curative efficacy of Heshouwuyin after 60 days was better than that of Heshouwuyin after 30 days. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Heshouwuyin has anti-aging effects on the testis by means of inhibiting the occurrence of apoptosis in spermatogenic cells, thus improving the spermatogenic function of the testis. This is mainly achieved by regulating the expression of key genes in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Delayed activation of spinal microglia contributes to the maintenance of bone cancer pain in female Wistar rats via P2X7 receptor and IL-18.

Accumulating evidence suggests that activation of spinal microglia contributes to the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, the role of spinal microglia in the maintenance of chronic pain remains controversial. Bone cancer pain shares features of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, but the temporal activation of microglia and astrocytes in this model is not well defined. Here, we report an unconventional role of spinal microglia in the maintenance of advanced-phase bone cancer pain in a female rat model. Bone cancer elicited delayed and persistent microglial activation in the spinal dorsal horn on days 14 and 21, but not on day 7. In contrast, bone cancer induced rapid and persistent astrocytic activation on days 7-21. Spinal inhibition of microglia by minocycline at 14 d effectively reduced bone cancer-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. However, pretreatment of minocycline in the first week did not affect the development of cancer pain. Bone cancer increased ATP levels in CSF, and upregulated P2X7 receptor, phosphorylated p38, and IL-18 in spinal microglia. Spinal inhibition of P2X7/p-38/IL-18 pathway reduced advanced-phase bone cancer pain and suppressed hyperactivity of spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons. IL-18 induced allodynia and hyperalgesia after intrathecal injection, elicited mechanical hyperactivity of WDR neurons in vivo, and increased the frequency of mEPSCs in spinal lamina IIo nociceptive synapses in spinal cord slices. Together, our findings demonstrate a novel role of microglia in maintaining advanced phase cancer pain in females via producing the proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 to enhance synaptic transmission of spinal cord nociceptive neurons.

[Present situation and development strategies of Chinese medicine preparation in medical institutions].

As the actual clinical reflecting of transform Chinese medicine special curative effect, Chinese medicine preparation not only satisfies the need of hospital clinic, scientific research and teaching, but also plays an important role in deepening medical and health system reform, improving people's health level and contributing to the economic growth. However, some problems about administration and approval (tending to western medicine), contraction of the scale, lack of synchronization for clinic and scientific research, and the imbalance of regional development make Chinese medicine preparation move forwards slowly in contradiction. It has not only reduced the effectiveness of the Chinese medicine preparation in hospital clinic, but also brought bad effect on modernized development of Chinese medicine preparation. Research shows that main influencing factors of status quo of Chinese medicine preparation in medical institution include imperfect laws and regulations, high cost than income, and shortage of talents in preparation research. The analysis indicated that the necessary measures to break the contradiction, improve clinical effect of Chinese medicine, and promote the modernization development of Chinese drugs preparation were as follows: government and related departments should strengthen the supporting force in policy by adjusting the examination and approval policy, speeding up dispensing use, reforming pricing system, including into medicare reimbursement, integrating advantage resources and so on; medical institution should actively carry out research and development of traditional Chinese Medicine through drawing the traditional and modern essence, reserving professional talents, and developing characteristic preparation; companies cooperate with hospitals for complementary advantages, which can rapidly transform Chinese medicine preparation into clinical practice.

Present situation and development strategies of Chinese medicine preparation in medical institutions / 中国中药杂志

As the actual clinical reflecting of transform Chinese medicine special curative effect, Chinese medicine preparation not only satisfies the need of hospital clinic, scientific research and teaching, but also plays an important role in deepening medical and health system reform, improving people's health level and contributing to the economic growth. However, some problems about administration and approval (tending to western medicine), contraction of the scale, lack of synchronization for clinic and scientific research, and the imbalance of regional development make Chinese medicine preparation move forwards slowly in contradiction. It has not only reduced the effectiveness of the Chinese medicine preparation in hospital clinic, but also brought bad effect on modernized development of Chinese medicine preparation. Research shows that main influencing factors of status quo of Chinese medicine preparation in medical institution include imperfect laws and regulations, high cost than income, and shortage of talents in preparation research. The analysis indicated that the necessary measures to break the contradiction, improve clinical effect of Chinese medicine, and promote the modernization development of Chinese drugs preparation were as follows: government and related departments should strengthen the supporting force in policy by adjusting the examination and approval policy, speeding up dispensing use, reforming pricing system, including into medicare reimbursement, integrating advantage resources and so on; medical institution should actively carry out research and development of traditional Chinese Medicine through drawing the traditional and modern essence, reserving professional talents, and developing characteristic preparation; companies cooperate with hospitals for complementary advantages, which can rapidly transform Chinese medicine preparation into clinical practice.

[Development of Chinese herbal pieces and analysis of problems of total quality management].

Chinese herbal pieces are a key factor to protecting the quality of the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it is one of the basic elements of ensuring the quality of TCM and people's usage safety. However, Chinese herbal pieces has massive problem such as adulteration and counterfeit, dyeing and weighting, pesticide residues, heavy metals in excess of the standards, and all the issues are repeated excessive in the clinic treatment. These issues impacted sound development of production, management and use of TCM, but also brings common people hidden trouble for the clinical safety of medication. Protect and improve the quality of the Chinese herbal pieces demand that continue improve quality system, in-depth scientific research, and strengthen self-discipline and other factors. So it is fundamentally to ensure good quality of Chinese herbal pieces with the color, taste and shape by systematic supervision to it from the source, production, management and research, with strengthened implementation and en- forcement of the "3G".

Development of Chinese herbal pieces and analysis of problems of total quality management / 中国中药杂志

Chinese herbal pieces are a key factor to protecting the quality of the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and it is one of the basic elements of ensuring the quality of TCM and people's usage safety. However, Chinese herbal pieces has massive problem such as adulteration and counterfeit, dyeing and weighting, pesticide residues, heavy metals in excess of the standards, and all the issues are repeated excessive in the clinic treatment. These issues impacted sound development of production, management and use of TCM, but also brings common people hidden trouble for the clinical safety of medication. Protect and improve the quality of the Chinese herbal pieces demand that continue improve quality system, in-depth scientific research, and strengthen self-discipline and other factors. So it is fundamentally to ensure good quality of Chinese herbal pieces with the color, taste and shape by systematic supervision to it from the source, production, management and research, with strengthened implementation and en- forcement of the "3G".

Synergetic analgesia of propentofylline and electroacupuncture by interrupting spinal glial function in rats.

Previous studies indicated that disruption of glial function in the spinal cord enhanced electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in arthritic rats, suggesting glia is involved in processing EA analgesia. To probe into the potential value for clinical practice, the present study was to investigate the effect of propentofylline, a glia inhibitor, on EA analgesia in rats. Mechanical allodynia induced by tetanic stimulation of sciatic nerve (TSS) was used as a pain model. On day 7 after TSS, EA treatment induced a significant increase in paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation. Intrathecal or intraperitoneal injection of propentofylline relieved TSS-induced mechanical allodynia. The combination of low dosage of propentofylline and EA produced more potent anti-allodynia than propentofylline or EA alone. Immunohistochemistry exhibited that TSS-induced activation of microglia and astrocytes was inhibited significantly by propentofylline. These results indicate that propentofylline and EA induce synergetic analgesia by interrupting spinal glial function.

Survey of feeding patterns in 437 infants from Huining County of Gansu Province / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feeding patterns of infants in Huining County, Gansu Province, an economically undeveloped county in China, so as to provide scientific evidence for nutritional intervention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By cluster sampling based on the area distribution and the economic state, 437 children from 7 different areas in Huining County, Gansu Province were enrolled. A questionnaire on the feeding patterns within 24 months of age was completed by the caregivers. The addition of nutrient supplements (calcium, zinc, ferri, vitamin AD, etc.) during the last year was investigated using the food frequency questionnaires.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average percentages of breast feeding, mixed feeding and artificial feeding were 45.3%, 40.5% and 14.2% respectively. Delayed introduction of complementary food was the most common. Formula powder was added earliest, at age of 6.4 months. The meats were added latest, at age of 17.2 months. Only 66.8% of infants received an addition of complementary food at age of 4-6 months. Grains, vegetables, fruits and eggs were common complementary additional diets, but fishes and shrimps were seldom provided. The proportion of nutrient supplement use was low. The choice of nutrient supplements in urban districts mainly depended on the physicians' suggestions, but in rural area it depended on the caregivers' experience and media advertisements.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The feeding patterns for the infants are not reasonable in Huining County, Gansu Province. It is important to provide nutritional education and reasonable feeding program for caregivers from economically undeveloped areas.</p>

[Cultivation and characteristic of aerobic granular sludge enriched by phosphorus accumulating organisms].

This research focused on the enrichment of phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAO) and the formation of granular sludge simultaneously. After fed with flocculent sludge the SBR was run for two months for the cultivation of PAO. Then the granular sludge enriched by PAO was found. After that acetate was used instead of propionate to inhibit the glycogen accumulating organisms(GAO). The experiment testified that acetate was beneficial to the growth of the PAO granules. The system could release and take up more phosphorus when it was fed by acetate. Moreover, when the size of the granules became bigger, the performance indexes of the granules, for example the settling velocity, OUR, density, aquiferous rate and integral rate were also improved. On the other hand, the amount of PAO was found to become more and more in this process by the system performance evaluation and FISH analysis. As a result, the ratio of PAO could reach 70% of the total bacteria. The aerobic granular sludge enriched by PAO showed very good capability of COD and phosphorus removal. The COD removal efficiency could reach about 95% and phosphorus removal efficiency could reach almost 100%.