Tetramethylpyrazine alleviates hypoxia-induced proliferation, migration, and inflammatory response of fibroblast-like synoviocytes via inhibiting the HIF-1α- circCDC42BPB pathway.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which might trigger cartilage, bone damage, and disability. Recent studies have suggested that Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an alkaloid monomer isolated from the rhizome of the traditional herbal medicine Ligusticum wallichii Franch, exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, containing anti-inflammatory. This study aimed to analyze the role and underlying mechanism of TMP in RA. METHODS: Under Hypoxia condition, RA-Fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) were treated with TMP at different doses. Cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration were detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. Cyclin D1, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein levels were measured using western blot assay. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 were evaluated using ELISA. Circular RNA (circRNA) hsa_circ_0005178 (circCDC42BPB), CDC42BPB, and HIF-1α expression were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Binding between HIF-1α and CDC42BPB promoter was predicted by JASPAR and verified using dual-luciferase reporter and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS: TMP might hinder FLS proliferation, cycle progression, migration, and inflammatory response under hypoxic conditions. CircCDC42BPB expression was increased in RA patients and RA-FLSs treated with hypoxia, while its level was obviously reduced in RA-FLSs treated with hypoxia and TMP. TMP might abolish hypoxia-induced circCDC42BPB expression. Upregulation of circCDC42BPB might partially overturn the repression of TMP on hypoxia-caused RA-FLS damage. TMP might regulate circCDC42BPB level via HIF-1α in RA-FLSs under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: TMP might block RA-FLS injury partly via regulating the HIF-1α- circCDC42BPB pathway, providing a promising therapeutic target for RA.

HIGHLIGHTS: • TMP suppressed hypoxia-induced RA-FLS growth and inflammatory response.• TMP might repress circCDC42BPB expression in RA-FLSs under hypoxic conditions.• TMP might inhibit HIF-1α-induced circCDC42BPB transcription under hypoxic conditions.

Screening of anti-melanoma compounds from Morus alba L.: Sanggenon C promotes melanoma cell apoptosis by disrupting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Morus alba L. is a widespread plant that has long been considered to have remarkable medical values, including anti-inflammation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The components of Morus Alba L. constituents have been extensively studied and have been shown to have high prospects for cancer therapy. However, limited investigations have been done on the bioactive compounds in Morus alba L. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to systematically examine the anticancer properties of 28 commercially available compounds from Morus alba L. against melanoma cells in vitro. Additionally, the anticancer mechanisms of the bioactive compound exhibiting the most significant potential were further studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-proliferative effects of Morus alba L.-derived compounds on melanoma cells were determined by colony formation assays. Their effects on cell viability and apoptosis were determined using the CCK8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The binding affinity of identified Morus alba L. compounds with anticancer activities towards melanoma targets was analyzed via molecular docking. The molecular mechanism of Sanggenon C was explored using soft agar assays, EdU incorporation assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, transcriptome analysis, and xenograft assays. RESULTS: Based on colony formation assays, 11 compounds at 20 µM significantly inhibited colony growth on a panel of melanoma cells. These compounds displayed IC50 values (half maximal inhibitory concentrations) ranging from 5 µM to 30 µM. Importantly, six compounds were identified as novel anti-melanoma agents, including Sanggenon C, 3'-Geranyl-3-prenyl-2',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, Moracin P, Moracin O, Kuwanon A, and Kuwanon E. Among them, Sanggenon C showed the most potent effects, with an IC50 of about 5 µM, significantly reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells. Based on the xenograft model assay, Sanggenon C significantly inhibited melanoma cell proliferation in vivo. Sanggenon C triggered ER stress in a dose-dependent manner, which further disrupted cellular calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis. The Ca2+ chelator BAPTA partially restored cell apoptosis induced by Sanggenon C, confirming that Ca2+ signaling contributed to the anticancer activity of Sanggenon C against melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 11 compounds demonstrated anti-melanoma properties. Notably, Sanggenon C was found to promote apoptosis by disrupting the intracellular calcium homeostasis in melanoma cells. This study provides valuable information for the future development of novel cancer therapeutic agents from Morus alba L.

Association between metal(loid)s in serum and leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Heavy metals and metalloids are recognized as environmental threats, which are considered highly toxic and carcinogenic. Epidemiologically, their association with leukemia is under debate. We aim to clarify the association between the heavy metal(loid)s in serum and leukemia via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases for all related articles. The standardized mean difference and its 95% confidence interval was used to evaluate the association of leukemia with heavy metal(loid)s in serum. The statistical heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the Q-test and I 2 statistics. Results: Among 4,119 articles related to metal(loid)s and leukemia, 21 studies met our inclusion criteria, which are all cross-sectional studies. These 21 studies involved 1,316 cases and 1,310 controls, based on which we evaluate the association of heavy metals/metalloids in serum with leukemia. Our results indicated positive differences for serum chromium, nickel, and mercury in leukemia patients, while a negative difference for serum manganese in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Conclusion: Our results suggested an elevated trend of serum chromium, nickel, and mercury concentrations in leukemia patients while descending trend of serum manganese concentration in ALL patients. The result of sensitivity analysis between lead, cadmium, and leukemia and publication bias of association between chromium and leukemia also needed attention. Future research work may focus on the dose-response relationship between any of these elements and the leukemia risks, and further elucidation of how these elements are related to leukemia may shed light on the prevention and treatment of leukemia. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-023-00853-2.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of HnSaratin from Hirudo nipponia.

In order to finish a bloodmeal successfully, hematophagous organisms often stored a variety of anticoagulant proteins in their salivary glands, such as proteins that inhibit platelet aggregation. When they ingest a bloodmeal, these proteins are injected into the host to prevent the blood from clotting. As one of the origins of leeches used in traditional Chinese medicine, H. nipponia was proved to be clinically effective in treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This study cloned the sequence of HnSaratin cDNA derived from salivary glands of H. nipponia. The sequence contains an open reading frame of 387 bp, encoding a protein of 128 amino acids containing a signal peptide of 21 amino acids. After removal of the signal peptide, the molecular mass of mature HnSaratin was 12.37 kDa, with a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 3.89. The N-terminal of mature HnSaratin was folded into a globular structure, in which 3 disulfide bonds, a ßßαßßß topology and 2 Glu residues that binds collagenous Lys2 were located, and the C-terminal formed a flexible region. The fusion HnSaratin protein was obtained by a prokaryotic expression system. The protein showed anti-platelet aggregation activity, and was observed to prevent blood clotting in rats. The significant high expression of HnSaratin mRNA in salivary glands was induced by bloodmeal ingestion of H. nipponia. Briefly, our work provides theoretical basis for further development and utilization of H. nipponia.

Humic acid and phosphorus fractions transformation regulated by carbon-based materials in composting steered its potential for phosphorus mobilization in soil.

This study investigated the effects of different carbon-based additives including biochar, woody peat, and glucose on humic acid, fulvic acid, and phosphorus fractions in chicken manure composting and its potential for phosphorus mobilization in soil. The results showed that the addition of glucose effectively increased the total humic substance content (90.2 mg/g) of composts, and the fulvic acid content was significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05). The addition of biochar could effectively improve the content of available phosphorus by 59.9% in composting. The addition of carbon-based materials to the composting was beneficial for the production of more stable inorganic phosphorus in the phosphorus fraction. The highest proportion of soluble inorganic phosphorus components of sodium hydroxide was found in group with woody peat addition (8.7%) and the highest proportion of soluble inorganic phosphorus components of hydrochloric acid was found in group with glucose addition (35.2%). The compost products with the addition of biochar (humic acid decreased by 17.9%) and woody peat (fulvic acid decreased by 72.6%) significantly increased soil humic acid mineralization. The compost products with the addition of biochar was suitable as active phosphate fertilizer, while the compost products with the addition of glucose was suitable as slow-release phosphate fertilizer.

Cortex Mori extracts induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor invasion via blockage of the PI3K/AKT signaling in melanoma cells.

Melanoma, the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer, has attracted increased attention due to its increasing incidence worldwide. The Cortex Mori (CM) has long been used as a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various diseases, including cancer. The bioactive components and underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely unknown. The current study aims to investigate the anti-melanoma effects of CM and potential mechanisms through combined network pharmacology and bioinformatic analyses, and validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. We report here that CM has anti-melanoma activity both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, 25 bioactive compounds in CM were found to share 142 melanoma targets, and network pharmacology and enrichment analyses suggested that CM inhibits melanoma through multiple biological processes and signaling pathways, particularly the PI3K-AKT signaling inhibition and activation of apoptotic pathways, which were further confirmed by biochemical and histological examinations. Finally, partial CM-derived bioactive compounds were found to show anti-melanoma effects, validating the anti-melanoma potential of bioactive ingredients of CM. Taken together, these results reveal bioactive components and mechanisms of CM in inhibiting melanoma, providing them as potential anti-cancer natural products for the treatment of melanoma.

Variational Mode Decomposition Weighted Multiscale Support Vector Regression for Spectral Determination of Rapeseed Oil and Rhizoma Alpiniae Offcinarum Adulterants.

The accurate prediction of the model is essential for food and herb analysis. In order to exploit the abundance of information embedded in the frequency and time domains, a weighted multiscale support vector regression (SVR) method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), namely VMD-WMSVR, was proposed for the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectral determination of rapeseed oil adulterants and near-infrared (NIR) spectral quantification of rhizoma alpiniae offcinarum adulterants. In this method, each spectrum is decomposed into K discrete mode components by VMD first. The mode matrix Uk is recombined from the decomposed components, and then, the SVR is used to build sub-models between each Uk and target value. The final prediction is obtained by integrating the predictions of the sub-models by weighted average. The performance of the proposed method was tested with two spectral datasets of adulterated vegetable oils and herbs. Compared with the results from partial least squares (PLS) and SVR, VMD-WMSVR shows potential in model accuracy.

Deoxyelephantopin Induces Apoptosis and Enhances Chemosensitivity of Colon Cancer via miR-205/Bcl2 Axis.

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the major causes of cancer death in humans. Despite recent advances in the management of CC, the prognosis is still poor and a new strategy for effective therapy is imperative. Deoxyelephantopin (DET), extracted from an important medicinal plant, Elephantopus scaber L., has been reported to exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory and -cancer activities, while the detailed anti-cancer mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we found that DET showed a significant CC inhibiting effect in vitro and in vivo without obvious organ toxicity. Mechanistically, DET inhibited CC cells and tumor growth by inducing G2/M phase arrest and subsequent apoptosis. DET-mediated cell cycle arrest was caused by severe DNA damage, and DET decreased the Bcl2 expression level in a dose-dependent manner to promote CC cell apoptosis, whereas restoring Bcl2 expression reduced apoptosis to a certain extent. Moreover, we identified a microRNA complementary to the 3'-UTR of Bcl2, miR-205, that responded to the DET treatment. An inhibitor of miR-205 could recover Bcl2 expression and promoted the survival of CC cells upon DET treatment. To further examine the potential value of the drug, we evaluated the combinative effects of DET and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) through Jin's formula and revealed that DET acted synergistically with 5FU, resulting in enhancing the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of CC to 5FU. Our results consolidate DET as a potent drug for the treatment of CC when it is used alone or combined with 5FU, and elucidate the importance of the miR-205-Bcl2 axis in DET treatment.

Preclinical study of Shen Qi Li Xin formula in improving the development of chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common clinical heart disease. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicines have shown good outcomes in CHF treatment. We aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of Shen Qi Li Xin formula (SQLXF) in CHF. CHF rats were treated with SQLXF at the doses of 8.48, 16.96, and 33.92 g/kg/d once a day for 4 weeks by intragastric administration. The hemodynamic and cardiac function parameters of the rats were monitored by conduction echocardiography. In our results, SQLXF treatment at the doses of 16.96 and 33.92 g/kg/d significantly improved the haemodynamics and cardiac function of CHF rats by enhancing the levels of LVSP, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax, LVEF and LVFS and reducing the levels of LVEDP, LVEDD and LVESD. SQLXF treatment at 16.96 and 33.92 g/kg/d also attenuated the damage of myocardial tissues in CHF rats. In addition, compared with normal rats, the number of pericytes was reduced in myocardial tissues of CHF rats. SQLXF treatment at the doses of 16.96 and 33.92 g/kg/d obviously increased the number of pericytes and proliferation of endothelial cells and promoted angiogenesis in myocardial tissues of CHF rats. In vitro, SQLXF impaired low-oxygen-induced inhibition of cell viability and promotion of apoptosis in primary pericytes. Importantly, SQLXF enhanced the adhesion ability of pericytes to endothelial cells. In conclusion, SQLXF improved myocardial injury in CHF rats by enhancing the interaction between pericytes and endothelial cells, suggesting that SQLXF may be a potential drug for CHF treatment.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of medicinal plant Centipeda minima (Compositae).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun et Aschers (Compositae) has been characterized by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The chloroplast genome is 152,351 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,004 bp (12.1%) and a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) region of 83,972 bp (55.1%) and 18,371 bp (32.8%), respectively. The chloroplast genome includes 127 genes, which contain 83 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. The nucleotide composition is asymmetric (31.1% A, 18.5% C, 19.0% G, 31.4% T). The overall GC content of C. minima chloroplast genome is 37.5%. Phylogenetic analysis illustrates that C. minima is closely related to other Asteraceae species, including Helianthus annuus subsp. texanus, Tithonia diversifolia and Xanthium sibiricum with a strong bootstrap value of 100.

[A photothermal/chemotherapy injectable paclitaxel gel with irradiation stability].

The aim of this study is to construct an injectable gel with stable phototherapy and chemotherapy. Res-PTX@IR780 gel with phototherapy and chemotherapy property was prepared by introduction of photosensitizer IR780 and antioxidant resveratrol (Res) into the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of paclitaxel (PTX). The results showed that PTX, PTX@IR780 and Res-PTX@IR780 could form gels and the gels were injectable. ATR-FTIR results indicated not only components of the gels but also the formation of hydrogen bonding during the gelation. The results of UV showed instability of IR780 solution and stability improvement of Res-IR780 solution under infrared radiation (IR) irradiation. Photothermal tests showed that Res-PTX@IR780 displayed better photothermal conversion and photothermal stability under multiple irradiations than PTX@IR780. The results of in vivo exploration in mice showed that the skin site injected with Res-PTX@IR780 gel heated up from 35 ℃ to 64 ℃, and the temperature difference was up to 30 ℃. Res-PTX@IR780 gel is very promising as a combination agent of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy for the in situ treatment of tumors due to good photothermal conversion and photothermal stability under multiple irradiations.

Shenling Baizhu Powder () Ameliorates Pi (Spleen)-Deficiency-Induced Functional Diarrhea in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Pi (Spleen)-deficiency-induced functional diarrhea (FD) model rats treated by Shenling Baizhu Powder (, SBP). METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups including control, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose SBP groups (SBPLDG, SBPMDG, SBPHDG), 6 rats in each group, respectively. Pi-deficiency-induced FD rats model was developed through Radix et Rhizoma Rhei gavage for 7 days. After modeling, the rats were treated with 3 doses of SBP [0.93, 1.86, and 3.72 g/(kg·d)], and the rats in the control and model groups were given pure water for 7 days. The diarrhea index was calculated. On the 7th and 14th days, the traveled distance of rat was measured by the open field test. Serum D-xylose content was determined by the phloroglucinol method and interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The content of Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the diarrhea index and IL-17 level in the model group were significantly higher and the total exercise distance and D-xylose content significantly decreased (P>0.05). The expression of IL-10 in the SBPHDG group was significantly up-regulated, and serum D-xylose level and Treg cells increased significantly compared with the model group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose SBP exhibited ameliorating effects against Pi-deficiency induced FD, which might be attributed to its modulations on intestinal absorption function as well as adaptive immunity in mesenteric lymph nodes of rat.

The combined therapy of a traditional Chinese medicine formula and Western medicine for a critically ill case infected with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a case illustrating the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in critically ill patients. CLINICAL FEATURES AND OUTCOME: A 58-year-old woman presented with cough, fever, dizziness, chest tightness, polypnea and poor appetite. She was admitted to Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, and diagnosed with critically ill type of COVID-19 in February 2020. According to the patient's symptoms and signs, the TCM syndrome differentiation was qi deficiency, dampness-stasis and toxin accumulation. Then she received the combined therapy of a modified Chinese herbal formula and Western medicine. During a twelve-day period of treatment, her respiratory distress and appetite quickly improved. Abnormal laboratory indicators were resumed in time and lung lesions in CT scan largely absorbed. No side effects associated with this Chinese herbal formula were found. Before discharge, two consecutive nasopharyngeal swabs were shown to be negative for severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CONCLUSIONS: Our case report suggests that collaborative treatments with traditional Chinese medicine prove beneficial in the management of COVID-19 in critically ill patients. In order to give optimal care for this COVID-19 crisis for the whole world, Chinese medicine practitioners and Western medical doctors should work together in frontline.

The effectiveness of Tai Chi for patients with Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common degenerative neurological disorder that causes loss of independence and decreased quality of life. The prevalence of PD tends to increase with age. In China, the morbidity rate of PD among people aged more than 65 years old is 1.70%. As an important component of traditional Chinese Qigong exercises, Tai Chi is a popular and safe exercise, especially for older adults in China. And it may result in promising gains for PD patients. However, current evidence is insufficient to inform the use of Tai Chi in the management of PD. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to systematically evaluate the effect of Tai Chi on PD and determine whether Tai Chi is an eligible exercise program for Chinese PD patients. METHODS/DESIGN: A single-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial will be conducted. One hundred and forty-two patients with PD will be randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group (n = 71) or routine exercise group (n = 71). Subjects will participate in supervised study programs 3 times per week for 2 months and will be followed for an additional 6 months after formal training stops. The primary outcome measures include Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test and Six-Minute Walk Test, which are known to be valid and reliable clinical instruments. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Section and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 will be used as the secondary outcome measure. All outcomes will be measured at baseline, 2 and 8 months. The sample for this trial (N = 142) will provide relevant information to detect the improvement of balance, gait and quality of life in either of the 2 exercise groups. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study will provide insights into the effects of Tai Chi in people with PD. The information gained from this project has the potential to influence the clinical decisions of Chinese doctors, and will provide clear evidence as to whether Tai Chi should be advocated in people with PD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at ( ChiCTR-TRC-14004549 ) on 22 April 2014.

Antenatal care attendance, a surrogate for pregnancy outcome? The case of Kumasi, Ghana.

Antenatal care (ANC) has been shown to influence infant and maternal outcomes. WHO recommends 4 ANC visits for uncomplicated pregnancies. However, pregnant women in Ghana are required to attend 8-13 antenatal visits. We investigated the association of ANC attendance with adverse pregnancy outcomes (defined as low infant birth weight, stillbirth, preterm delivery or small for gestational age). A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 629 women, age 19-48 years who presented for delivery at two selected public hospitals and 16 traditional birth attendants from July to November 2011. Socio-demographic and antenatal information were collected using a structured questionnaire. ANC attendance, medical and obstetric/gynecological history were abstracted from maternal antenatal records. Data were analyzed using Chi square and logistic regression. Twenty-two percent of the women experienced an adverse outcome. Eleven percent of the women attended <4 ANC visits. In an unadjusted model, these women had an increased likelihood of experiencing an adverse outcome (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.30-3.94; p = 0.0038). High parity (>5 children) was also associated with adverse birth outcomes. Women screened for syphilis or use of insecticide-treated bed nets had a 40 and 36% (p = 0.0447 and p = 0.0293) reduced likelihood of experiencing an adverse pregnancy outcome respectively. After adjusting for confounders, attending <4 antenatal visits was associated with adverse pregnancy outcome compared with ≥4 ANC visits (Adjusted OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.16-5.63; p = 0.0202). Attending <4 antenatal visits and high parity were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes for uncomplicated pregnancies.

Determinants of access to antenatal care and birth outcomes in Kumasi, Ghana.

This study aimed to investigate factors that influence antenatal care utilization and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes (defined as low birth weight, stillbirth, preterm delivery or small for gestational age) among pregnant women in Kumasi. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted of 643 women aged 19-48 years who presented for delivery at selected public hospitals and private traditional birth attendants from July-November 2011. Participants' information and factors influencing antenatal attendance were collected using a structured questionnaire and antenatal records. Associations between these factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression. Nineteen percent of the women experienced an adverse pregnancy outcome. For 49% of the women, cost influenced their antenatal attendance. Cost was associated with increased likelihood of a woman experiencing an adverse outcome (adjusted OR=2.15; 95% CI=1.16-3.99; p=0.016). Also, women with >5 births had an increased likelihood of an adverse outcome compared with women with single deliveries (adjusted OR=3.77; 95% CI=1.50-9.53; p=0.005). The prevalence of adverse outcomes was lower than previously reported (44.6 versus 19%). Cost and distance were associated with adverse outcomes after adjusting for confounders. Cost and distance could be minimized through a wider application of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme.

Electrochemiluminescence energy transfer-promoted ultrasensitive immunoassay using near-infrared-emitting CdSeTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots and gold nanorods.

The marriage of energy transfer with electrochemiluminescence has produced a new technology named electrochemiluminescence energy transfer (ECL-ET), which can realize effective and sensitive detection of biomolecules. To obtain optimal ECL-ET efficiency, perfect energy overlapped donor/acceptor pair is of great importance. Herein, we present a sensitive ECL-ET based immunosensor for the detection of tumor markers, using energy tunable CdSeTe/CdS/ZnS double shell quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanorods (GNRs) as the donor and acceptor, respectively. Firstly a facile microwave-assisted strategy for the synthesis of green- to near-infrared-emitting CdSeTe/CdS/ZnS QDs with time- and component-tunable photoluminescence was proposed. And, on the basis of the adjustable optical properties of both CdSeTe/CdS/ZnS QDs and GNRs, excellent overlap between donor emission and acceptor absorption can be obtained to ensure effective ECL-ET quenching, thus improving the sensing sensitivity. This method represents a novel approach for versatile detection of biomolecules at low concentrations.

Prostatic alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is positively associated with aggressive prostate cancer: a relationship which may depend on genetic variation in ALA metabolism.

Previous observational studies have reported associations between prostate cancer and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). However, few investigations have been able to study this relationship prospectively and in well-controlled settings. Moreover, no studies have determined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence ALA metabolism are associated with this common cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between prostatic levels of ALA, SNPs and prostate cancer-specific biomarkers in samples collected from a previous randomized clinical trial conducted using a presurgical model and which tested the effects of flaxseed supplementation, a rich source of ALA, prior to prostatectomy (n = 134). Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was determined and immunohistochemistry was used to assess tumor proliferation rate (Ki67). Prostatic ALA was determined with gas chromatography. Seven previously identified SNPs associated with delta-6 desaturase activity (rs99780, rs174537, rs174545, rs174572, rs498793, rs3834458 and rs968567) were tested for associations with prostatic ALA, PSA and Ki67. Despite consuming seven times more ALA per day, men in the flaxseed arm had similar amounts of prostatic ALA relative to men not consuming flaxseed. In unadjusted analysis, there were significant positive associations between prostatic ALA and PSA (ρ = 0.191, p = 0.028) and Ki67 (ρ = 0.186, p = 0.037). After adjusting for covariates (flaxseed, age, race, BMI and statin-use) the association between ALA and PSA remained (p = 0.004) but was slightly attenuated for Ki67 (p = 0.051). We did not observe associations between any of the SNPs studied and prostatic ALA; however, in models for PSA there was a significant interaction between rs498793 and ALA and for Ki67 there were significant interactions with ALA and rs99780 and rs174545. Independent and inverse associations were observed between rs174572 and Ki67. This study provides evidence that prostatic ALA, independent of the amount of ALA consumed, is positively associated with biomarkers of aggressive prostate cancer and that genetic variation may modify this relationship.

[Effects of Epimedium on proliferation, function and apoptosis of mouse osteoblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Epimedium on proliferation, function and apoptosis of mouse osteoblasts in vitro. METHODS: Primary osteoblasts were obtained by sequential digestion of mouse calvaria with collagenase and hyaluronidase. The identification of derived cells was done by histochemical staining of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) and immunohistochemical staining of type I collagen, bone sialoprotein and osteopontin. MTT assay was employed to examine the proliferation of osteoblasts after treatment with Epimedium. The alkaline phosphatase activity level of mouse osteoblasts was also determined through an enzyme dynamical method. Apoptosis of osteoblasts was induced by dexamethasone and flow cytometry was utilized to examine the effects of Epimedium on the dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts. RESULTS: Five populations of bone cells were obtained by sequential digestion. Osteoblasts were purely obtained by discarding the first two populations and identified by the positive staining of ALPase, type I collagen, bone sialoprotein, and osteopontin. The alkaline phosphatase activity level of osteoblasts was significantly increased by the addition of Epimedium at 0.1 - 10 g/L, with the most significant increase at 1 g/L. On the other hand, the proliferation of osteoblasts was not affected after different doses of Epimedium added into the culture medium. Determined by flow cytometry, apoptosis of osteoblasts were induced by treatment with dexamethasone for 72 h. However, simultaneous administration of 1 g/L Epimedium had no effects on dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts. CONCLUSION: Epimedium did not affect the cell proliferation and cell survival of mouse osteoblasts, but could significantly increase alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells. The increase of alkaline phosphatase activity by Epimedium in osteoblasts may be one of the important mechanisms by which Epimedium can effectively prevent osteoporosis.

[Effects of Shenqi Bufei Tang on expessions of NF-kappaB, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in airway remodeling of COPD rat model with lung-Qi deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Jiajian Bufei Tang on expessions of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), metalloproteinase (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the airway remodeling of COPD rat model with lung-Qi deficiency syndrome. METHOD: Make quantitative stimulation with tobacco, SO2 and papin to establish COPD rat model with lung-Qi deficiency syndrome. Sixty male rats were randomly divided into: normal group (N), model group (M), low dose treatment group (LT), medium dose treatment group (MT), high dose treatment group (HT), and glucocorticoid treatment group (GCT). To observe the lung histopathological features. To measure the thinknesses of the airway wall and smooth muscle layer of the small airway by means of image analyzer, The NF-kappaB activity and the protein expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULT: The NF-kappaB activity and the protein expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in brouch and lung and the thinknesses of the airway wall and smooth muscle layer in the M group were significanthly higher than those in the N group (P<0.01). After treatment, the NF-kappaB activity and the protein expressions of MMP-9 in the HT, MT and GCT group were lower than those in the M group (P<0.01), the GCT group was better than the HT, MT group. The protein expressions of TIMP-1 in HT, MTgroup were lower than that in the M group. The thinknesses of the airway wall and smooth muscle layer were lower in the HT group than those in the M group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Shenqi Bufei Tang may downregulate the NF-kappaB activity and the protein expressions of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and intervene in the airway remodeling of COPD rat model with lung-Qi deficiency syndrome.