Refinement of Specialized Nursing Intervention in Elderly Patients with Diabetes Complicated by Pulmonary Infection and the Impact on the Patient's Condition and Prognosis.

Objective: Our aim was to analyze the effect of refined specialized nursing intervention in elderly patients with diabetes and concurrent pulmonary infection and the impact on patients' conditions and outcomes. Methods: Clinical data from 87 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) complicated by pulmonary infection treated in Lishui Municipal Central Hospital in China from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients conformed to complete inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into a control group (n=43) and an observation group (n=44) based on the nursing intervention they received. The control group received routine nursing intervention, while the observation group received refined specialized nursing intervention. The nursing intervention effects, hospitalization duration, disease knowledge acquisition, blood glucose indicators (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], 2-hour postprandial glucose [2hPG]), inflammatory marker indicators (C-reactive protein [CRP], heparin-binding protein [HBP]) levels, comfort levels and nursing satisfaction were compared between the 2 groups. Results: (1) Nursing intervention effect and hospitalization duration: The observation group showed significantly higher overall intervention effectiveness and notably shorter hospital stays compared with the control group (P < .05). (2) Disease knowledge acquisition and blood glucose indicator levels: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in disease knowledge acquisition, FPG or 2hPG levels between the 2 groups (P > .05); after the intervention, the observation group exhibited significantly higher disease knowledge acquisition and lower FPG and 2hPG levels than the control group (P < .05). (3) Inflammatory marker indicator levels: Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in CRP or HBP levels between the 2 groups (P > .05); post-intervention, the observation group showed markedly lower CRP and HBP levels compared with the control group (P < .05). (4) Comfort levels: Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in physiological, psychological, environmental or social comfort scores between the 2 groups (P > .05); after the intervention, the observation group exhibited significantly higher scores in all comfort aspects compared with the control group (P < .05). (5) Nursing satisfaction: Nursing satisfaction in the control group was 74.42%, while in the observation group it was 90.91%, indicating significantly higher nursing satisfaction in the observation group (P < .05). Conclusion: Refined specialized nursing intervention significantly improved outcomes in elderly patients with diabetes and concurrent pulmonary infection. Compared with routine nursing intervention, refined specialized nursing intervention remarkably enhanced patient comfort during hospitalization, improved disease knowledge acquisition, rapidly adjusted blood glucose levels and reduced systemic inflammatory response, facilitating better patient recovery. Moreover, it moderately enhanced satisfaction for patients and their families, holding significant implications for promoting harmonious doctor-patient relationships, hence advocating for its clinical dissemination.

Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments by a symbiotic system consisting of algae and bacteria: green and sustainable technology.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are genotoxic, carcinogenic, and persistent in the environment and are therefore of great concern in the environmental protection field. Due to the inherent recalcitrance, persistence and nonreactivity of PAHs, they are difficult to remediate via traditional water treatment methods. In recent years, microbial remediation has been widely used as an economical and environmentally friendly degradation technology for the treatment of PAH-contaminated water. Various bacterial and microalgal strains are capable of potentially degrading or transforming PAHs through intrinsic metabolic pathways. However, their biodegradation potential is limited by the cytotoxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons, unfavourable environmental conditions, and biometabolic limitations. To address this limitation, microbial communities, biochemical pathways, enzyme systems, gene organization, and genetic regulation related to PAH degradation have been intensively investigated. The advantages of algal-bacterial cocultivation have been explored, and the limitations of PAHs degradation by monocultures of algae or bacteria have been overcome by algal-bacterial interactions. Therefore, a new model consisting of a "microalgal-bacterial consortium" is becoming a new management strategy for the effective degradation and removal of PAHs. This review first describes PAH pollution control technologies (physical remediation, chemical remediation, bioremediation, etc.) and proposes an algal-bacterial symbiotic system for the degradation of PAHs by analysing the advantages, disadvantages, and PAH degradation performance in this system to fill existing research gaps. Additionally, an algal-bacterial system is systematically developed, and the effects of environmental conditions are explored to optimize the degradation process and improve its technical feasibility. The aim of this paper is to provide readers with an effective green and sustainable remediation technology for removing PAHs from aquatic environments.

Anti-Nasopharyngeal carcinoma mechanism of sanguinarine based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of sanguinarine (SAN) against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by means of network pharmacology, molecular docking technique, and experimental verification. METHODS: The SAN action targets were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction database, the related NPC targets were determined using the GEO database, and the intersection of drug and disease pathway targets were considered to be the potential targets of SAN against NPC. The target-protein interaction network map was constructed using the STRING database, and the core target genes of SAN against NPC were obtained via topological network analysis. "R" language gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to dock the core target genes with SAN with the help of AutodockVina. Cell proliferation was detected using MTT and xCELLigence real-time cell analysis. Apoptosis was identified via Hoechst 33342 staining, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane staining, and annexin V-FITC/PI double fluorescence staining, while protein expression was quantified using western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 95 SAN against NPC targets were obtained using target intersection, and 8 core targets were obtained by topological analysis and included EGFR, TP53, F2, FN1, PLAU, MMP9, SERPINE1, and CDK1. Gene ontology enrichment analysis identified 530 items, and 42 items were obtained by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome pathway enrichment analysis and were mainly related to the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that SAN had good binding activity to the core target. SAN inhibited the proliferation of NPC cells, induced apoptosis, reduced the expression levels of survivin and Bcl2, and increased the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-8. It also decreased the expression levels of the key proteins p-c-Raf, p-MEK, and p-ERK1/2 in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in NPC cells. CONCLUSION: SAN inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of NPC cells through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of an arabinogalactan from Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton tea processing waste.

An arabinogalactan named JSP-1a was isolated from Jasmine tea processing waste by DEAE Sepharose FF and Sephacryl S-200 HR chromatography. Polysaccharide JSP-1a, with an average molecular weight of 87.5 kDa, was composed of galactose (59.60 %), arabinose (33.89 %), mannose (4.81 %), and rhamnose (1.70 %). JSP-1a was found to be a type II arabinogalactan comprising the main backbone of 1, 6-linked Galp residues, and the side chain containing α-T-Araf, α-1,5-Araf, ß-T-Galp, ß-1,3-Galp, and ß-1,4-Manp residues was attached to the O-3 position of ß-1,3,6-Galp residues. Evidence from bioactivity assays indicated that JSP-1a possessed potent immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages: treatment with JSP-1a increased phagocytosis, activated NF-κB p65 translocation, and promoted the production of NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6. Furthermore, inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 caused the suppression of NO release and cytokines secretion, which indicated that TLR-4/NF-κB pathway might play a significant role in JSP-1a-induced macrophages' immune response. The results of this study could provide a theoretical basis of JSP-1a as a safe immunostimulatory functional foods or a treatment for immunological diseases.

Profile and activity of phenolic antioxidants in chrysanthemum (Huangshan Gongju) as affected by simulated digestions.

The phenolics are the main bioactive substances of Huangshan Gongju, a famous chrysanthemum of China, but their digestive characteristics are still unknown. To explore the digestive properties of Huangshan Gongju phenolics, the flower was extracted and subjected to simulated digestions, and their phenolic profile and activity were analyzed. The results indicated that the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the extract varied with the simulated digestion steps, and they generally decreased in the oral and small intestine digestions but increased in the gastric digestion, and high correlations were detected between the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity (0.873 < r < 0.979, p < .01). The change of phenolic profile during the simulated digestions was similar to that of total phenolics content, and six individual phenolics were identified and quantified, and three of them, including chlorogenic acid, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, and apigenin-7-O-6″-acetylglucoside showed higher recovery (>64.29%), implying they may be the main functional phenolics of Huangshan Gongju. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study proved that most phenolics in Huangshan Gongju were relatively stable during digestion. The finding may guarantee the application of Huangshan Gongju in the field of functional foods.

Rapid screening of hepatotoxic components in Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis based on "component-target-pathway" network.

As a multi-base source traditional Chinese medicine, the hepatotoxicity of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis (URCU) has been reported repeatedly in recent years. The lack of clarity of toxic components and toxicity mechanisms is a key issue that needs to be addressed. In this article, a "component-target-pathway" network strategy was established to firstly predicting the hepatotoxic components and the toxicity mechanism of URCU. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and data post-processing technology were used to classify and identify the main components in Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. (UR) and Uncaria sinensis (Oliv.) Havil. (US). Then, the potential hepatotoxic components were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking. As a result, 40 components and 39 ingredients were identified in UR and US, respectively. Cadambine, rhynchophylline, corynoxeine, isocorynoxeine, strictosamide and mitraphylline were screened as the potential hepatotoxic ingredients contained both in UR and US. The network pharmacology showed that the potential hepatotoxic components could affect the IL-17 signaling pathway by regulating related targets such as MAPK1 and MAPK14, which might lead to the occurrence of liver injury. This study not only provided a reasonable strategy for the rapid screening of hepatotoxic components in URCU, but also supplied reference and guidance for the rational clinical application and scientific supervision of URCU.

Purification and Identification of Flavonoid Molecules from Rosa setate x Rosa rugosa Waste Extracts and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and Antimicrobial Activities.

Rosa setate x Rosa rugosa is widely used in the essential oil industry and generates large amounts of waste annually. The purpose of this research is the recycling of bioactive flavonoids from rose waste biomass to develop high-value products. Resin screening and adsorption/desorption dynamic analysis showed that HP20 resin was suitable to purify the flavonoids from R. setate x R. rugosa waste extracts. Under the optimal enrichment process, the product had a 10.7-fold higher purity of flavonoids with a satisfactory recovery of 82.02%. In total, 14 flavonoids were identified in the sample after purification by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Moreover, the DPPH and ABTS assays revealed that the flavonoids-purified extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activities than the crude extracts. Meanwhile, the purified extracts presented stronger antiproliferative activity against HepG2, Caco-2, MCF-7 and A549 cell lines. The bacteriostatic effects of the purified extracts against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa)) and yeast (Candida albicans (C. albicans)) were stronger compared with the crude extracts. It was concluded that flavonoids-enriched extracts from R. setate x R. rugosa waste had the potential to be applied in functional food and pharmaceutical industries.

[Kinetics and variation of volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma during hot-air drying].

The present study explored the kinetics and variation of volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma during the hot-air drying process to obtain the optimal process parameters under multiple goals such as drying efficiency and drying quality. The dry basis moisture content and drying rate curves along with the change of drying time of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were investigated at five levels of drying air temperatures(30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 ℃). The relationship between moisture ratio and time in the drying process of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma was fitted and verified by Midilli model, Page model, Overhults model, Modified Page model, Logaritmic model, Two terms Exponential model, and Newton model. Meanwhile, the effective diffusion coefficient of moisture(D_(eff)) and activation energy(E_a) in Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were calculated under different drying air temperatures. GC-MS was used to determine the volatile components and content changes of the fresh Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and dried products at different temperatures. The dry basis moisture content and drying rate of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were closely related to the temperature of the drying medium, and the moisture of the Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decreased with the prolonged drying time. As revealed by the drying rate curve, the drying rate increased with the increase in hot air temperature, and the migration of moisture was accelerated. The comparison of the correlation coefficient(R~2), chi-square(χ~2), and root mean standard error(RMSE) of each model indicated that the parameter average of the Midilli model had the highest degree of fit, with R~2=0.999 2, χ~2=8.78×10~(-5), and RMSE=8.20×10~(-3). Besides, the D_(eff) at 30-70 ℃ was in the range of 1.04×10~(-9)-6.28×10~(-9) m~2·s~(-1), and E_a was 37.47 kJ·mol~(-1). The volatile components of fresh Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and dried products at different temperatures were determined by GC-MS, and 18, 18, 18, 17, 17, and 18 compounds were identified respectively, which accounted for more than 84.76% of the volatile components. In conclusion, the hot-air drying of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma can be model-fitted and verified and the variation law of the moisture and volatile components of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma with temperature is obtained. This study is expected to provide new ideas for exploring the drying characteristics and quality of aromatic Chinese medicine.

Combination treatment with photodynamic therapy and laser therapy in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis: A case report.

Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC) is a rare subtype of oral candidiasis. Due to the malignant transformation potential of this disease, its treatment deserves attention. Here we report a refractory case of an 85-year-old female with chronic hyperplastic candidiasis treated with combined photodynamic therapy and laser therapy with a superior clinical result. The patient had a two-months history of thick white plaque on her upper inner lip. Conventional antifungal therapy and repeated photodynamic therapy contributed slightly improvement to the hyperkeratosis lesion, and then it was removed by laser therapy. Recurrence was found at the follow-up visit of eighth- week, and the recurrent lesion was removed again by laser therapy and prophylactic photodynamic therapy was performed. The patient is still under follow-up.

Discovery of JMJD7 inhibitors with the aid of virtual screening and bioactivity evaluation.

Jumonji-C (JmjC) domain-containing 7 (JMJD7), which is a 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase, has been demonstrated to play an important role in the occurrence and development of a number of diseases, particularly cancer. Discovery of JMJD7 inhibitors is thus of great importance. Herein consensus docking/scoring strategy and bioactivity evaluation were used to identify JMJD7 inhibitors from various chemical databases. Seven active compounds were retrieved. The most potent compound, Cpd-3, showed an IC50 value of 6.62 µM against JMJD7. Further biophysical assays confirmed that Cpd-3 could efficiently bind to JMJD7 in vitro. Flexible docking was used to predict the binding mode of Cpd-3 with JMJD7. In a cellular assay, Cpd-3 displayed good inhibitory activity against cancer cell lines expressing a high level of JMJD7. As far as we know, Cpd-3 is the first JMJD7 inhibitor reported so far. Overall, this study established a good starting point for drug discovery targeting JMJD7.

An intracellular nanobody targeting T4SS effector inhibits Ehrlichia infection.

Infection with obligatory intracellular bacteria is difficult to treat, as intracellular targets and delivery methods of therapeutics are not well known. Ehrlichia translocated factor-1 (Etf-1), a type IV secretion system (T4SS) effector, is a primary virulence factor for an obligatory intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia chaffeensis In this study, we developed Etf-1-specific nanobodies (Nbs) by immunizing a llama to determine if intracellular Nbs block Etf-1 functions and Ehrlichia infection. Of 24 distinct anti-Etf-1 Nbs, NbD7 blocked mitochondrial localization of Etf-1-GFP in cotransfected cells. NbD7 and control Nb (NbD3) bound to different regions of Etf-1. Size-exclusion chromatography showed that the NbD7 and Etf-1 complex was more stable than the NbD3 and Etf-1 complex. Intracellular expression of NbD7 inhibited three activities of Etf-1 and E. chaffeensis: up-regulation of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase, reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of cellular apoptosis. Consequently, intracellular NbD7 inhibited Ehrlichia infection, whereas NbD3 did not. To safely and effectively deliver Nbs into the host cell cytoplasm, NbD7 was conjugated to cyclized cell-permeable peptide 12 (CPP12-NbD7). CPP12-NbD7 effectively entered mammalian cells and abrogated the blockade of cellular apoptosis caused by E. chaffeensis and inhibited infection by E. chaffeensis in cell culture and in a severe combined-immunodeficiency mouse model. Our results demonstrate the development of an Nb that interferes with T4SS effector functions and intracellular pathogen infection, along with an intracellular delivery method for this Nb. This strategy should overcome current barriers to advance mechanistic research and develop therapies complementary or alternative to the current broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Effectiveness of photobiomodulation in the treatment of primary burning mouth syndrome-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) on primary burning mouth syndrome (pBMS). We searched Chinese and English studies published before February 10, 2020. The databases used include PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that used the PBM to treat pBMS and reported specific treatment outcomes were considered for inclusion. We eventually included 12 RCTs, and 574 samples were included in these studies. The primary outcomes investigated were pain reduction and life quality improvement. A meta-analysis performed on 9 groups in 5 trials showed that PBM was effective in reducing pain compared with placebo (MD - 1.86, 95% CI - 2.59 to - 1.13, Z = 4.99, P < 0.00001). Meta-analysis was also performed on 7 groups in 4 trials and showed that PBM was effective in improving life quality compared with placebo (MD - 3.43, 95% CI - 5.11 to - 1.75, Z = 4.00, P < 0.0001). Qualitative analysis of the included RCTs found that PBM might also play a role in the decrease of TNF-α and IL-6 in saliva. Three studies that compared PBM with medications were evaluated by descriptive analysis. None of the treatment-related adverse event was reported. Up to date, PBM appears to have an effect on pain reduction and life quality improvement in pBMS patients. However, more evidence is still required to warrant its efficacy and safety in treating pBMS.

Structure characteristics, hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory activities of pectic polysaccharides from Rosa setate x Rosa rugosa waste.

In this study, two polysaccharide components named WSRP-2a and WSRP-2b, were purified from Rosa setate x Rosa rugosa waste via anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Monosaccharide composition, Congo red assay, FT-IR and NMR spectra analysis confirmed that both of these fractions were mainly composed of galacturonic acid, arabinose, galactose and rhamnose, which were pectin-type polysaccharides with non-triple-helix structure. WSRP-2a and WSRP-2b, however, differed in molecular weight of 56.8 kD and 23.9 kD. The followed bioassay presented their impressive hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory activities. WSRP-2a promoted more proliferation, NO release, and the secretion of cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages, while WSRP-2b presented higher α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Collectively, these results suggested that the Rosa Setate x Rosa Rugosa waste biomass could be used as a promising source of bioactive pectic polysaccharides.

Shenfu injection prevents sepsis-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shenfu injection (SFI) is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine widely used in the treatment of septic shock in China. AIMS: The aims of this study are to investigate the protective effects of SFI on sepsis-induced myocardial injury in mice and to identify the underlying mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two male C57/B6J mice (5-6 weeks old) were randomly divided into five groups: control (NC), sham sepsis (sham), sepsis (Lipopolysaccharide- LPS), sepsis treated with a low dose SFI, and sepsis treated with a high dose SFI. Sepsis was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Myocardial tissue samples were collected from different groups at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h post-LPS injection. Myocardial injury was examined using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and TUNEL staining. Western-blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), BH3 interacting-domain death agonist (Bid), truncated-Bid (t-Bid) and caspase-9 in all the groups. Moreover, the structural changes in the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were also observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: H&E staining revealed structural damage, local necrosis, interstitial edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar changes in the myocardial tissue in the sepsis (LPS) group; almost intact myocardial tissue was observed in the high dose SFI group with improvements in interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration. We observed that LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis was significantly improved with high dose SFI as compared with sepsis (LPS) group (P ˂ 0.05). LPS was found to decrease the protein expression of Bcl-2 and increase the level of Bid, t-Bid and caspase-9. Treatment with SFI significantly increased the Bcl-2 protein expression (P ˂ 0.05) and decreased the protein expression of Bid, t-Bid and caspase-9 as compared with LPS group (P ˂ 0.05). Markedly swollen myocardial mitochondria with partial vacuolation were observed in LPS treated mice while SFI treatment was found to significantly improve the LPS-induced morphological damage of the mitochondria. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrate that SFI protects against sepsis-induced myocardial injury in mice through the suppression of myocardial apoptosis. It upregulates the protein expression of Bcl-2 and downregulates the protein expression of Bid, t-Bid and caspase-9, and alleviates sepsis-induced mitochondrial damage.

Structure-Activity Relationship Study Enables the Discovery of a Novel Berberine Analogue as the RXRα Activator to Inhibit Colon Cancer.

We reported recently that berberine (Ber), a traditional oriental medicine to treat gastroenteritis, binds and activates retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) for suppressing the growth of colon cancer cells. Here, we extended our studies based on the binding mode of Ber with RXRα by design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a focused library of 15 novel Ber analogues. Among them, 3,9-dimethoxy-5,6-dihydroisoquinolino[3,2-a]isoquinolin-7-ium chloride (B-12) was identified as the optimal RXRα activator. More efficiently than Ber, B-12 bound and altered the conformation of RXRα/LBD, thereby suppressing the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and colon cancer cell growth via RXRα mediation. In addition, B-12 not only preserved Ber's tumor selectivity but also greatly improved its bioavailability. Remarkably, in mice, B-12 did not show obvious side effects including hypertriglyceridemia as other RXRα agonists or induce hepatorenal toxicity. Together, our study describes an approach for the rational design of Ber-derived RXRα activators as novel effective antineoplastic agents for colon cancer.

Growth and physiological responses of tree seedlings to oil sands non-segregated tailings.

Bitumen recovery from oil sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada produces large volumes of tailings, which are deposited in mining areas that must be reclaimed upon mine closure. A new technology of non-segregated tailings (NST) developed by Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) was designed to accelerate the process of oil sands fine tailings consolidation. However, effects of these novel tailings on plants used for the reclamation of oil sands mining areas remain to be determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of NST on seedlings of three species of plants commonly planted in oil sands reclamation sites including paper birch (Betula papyrifera), white spruce (Picea glauca) and green alder (Alnus viridis). In the controlled-environment study, we grew seedlings directly in NST and in the two types of reclamation soils with and without added NST and we measured seedling growth, gas exchange parameters, as well as tissue concentrations of selected elements and foliar chlorophyll. White spruce seedlings suffered from severe mortality when grown directly in NST and their needles contained high concentrations of Na. The growth and physiological processes were also inhibited by NST in green alder and paper birch. However, the addition of top soil and peat mineral soil mix to NST significantly improved the growth of plants, possibly due to a more balanced nutrient uptake. It appears that NST may offer some advantages in terms of site revegetation compared with the traditional oil sands tailings that were used in the past. The results also suggest that, white spruce may be less suitable for planting at reclamation sites containing NST compared with the two studied deciduous tree species.

Matrine Reverses the Warburg Effect and Suppresses Colon Cancer Cell Growth via Negatively Regulating HIF-1α.

The Warburg effect is a peculiar feature of cancer's metabolism, which is an attractive therapeutic target that could aim tumor cells while sparing normal tissue. Matrine is an alkaloid extracted from the herb root of a traditional Chinese medicine, Sophora flavescens Ait. Matrine has been reported to have selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells but with elusive mechanisms. Here, we reported that matrine was able to reverse the Warburg effect (inhibiting glucose uptake and lactate production) and suppress the growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we revealed that matrine significantly decreased the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of HIF-1α, a critical transcription factor in reprogramming cancer metabolism toward the Warburg effect. As a result, the expression levels of GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA, the downstream targets of HIF-1α in regulating glucose metabolism, were dramatically inhibited by matrine. Moreover, this inhibitory effect of matrine was significantly attenuated when HIF-1α was knocked down or exogenous overexpressed in colon cancer cells. Together, our results revealed that matrine inhibits colon cancer cell growth via suppression of HIF-1α expression and its downstream regulation of Warburg effect. Matrine could be further developed as an antitumor agent targeting the HIF-1α-mediated Warburg effect for colon cancer treatment.

Diterpenoid Lactones with Anti-Inflammatory Effects from the Aerial Parts of Andrographis paniculata.

Andrographis paniculata (AP) has been widely used in China for centuries to treat various diseases, and especially to treat inflammation. Diterpenoid lactones are the main anti-inflammatory components of AP. However, systematic chemical composition and biological activities, as well as key pharmacophores, of these diterpenoid lactones from AP have not yet been clearly understood. In this study, 17 diterpenoid lactones, including 2 new compounds, were identified by spectroscopic methods, and most of them attenuated the generation of TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 274.7 cells examined by ELISA. Pharmacophores of diterpenoid lactones responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities were revealed based on the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Moreover, new compounds (AP-1 and AP-4) exerted anti-inflammatory activity in LPS microinjection-induced zebrafish, which might be correlated with the inhibition of the translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus. Our study provides guidelines for future structure modification and rational drug design of diterpenoid lactones with anti-inflammatory properties in medical chemistry.

Convenient isolation of strictinin-rich tea polyphenol from Chinese green tea extract by zirconium phosphate.

Zirconium phosphate (ZrP) was prepared and employed to separate strictinin-rich tea polyphenol from Chinese green tea extracts. The influences of ZrP calcination temperatures, green tea extraction conditions, and the amounts of ZrP on the isolation of strictinin-rich tea polyphenol were evaluated; the absorption and desorption dynamics of strictinin on ZrP were also determined. Our results revealed that the HPLC content of strictinin increased from 4.96% in 70% ethanol extract of green tea to 58.2% in isolated strictinin-rich tea polyphenol obtained by ZrP-900 (ZrP calcined at 900°C). Furthermore, the suitable time for both strictinin absorption and desorption was 4 hours at 37°C. The method developed here consisted of easy steps such as ZrP absorption, water washing, and 0.4% phosphoric acid solution desorption, which may facilitate the detection and isolation of strictinin from different samples.

Protective Effect of Phillyrin on Lethal LPS-Induced Neutrophil Inflammation in Zebrafish.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Forsythia suspensa Vahl. (Oleaceae) fruits are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pneumonia, typhoid, dysentery, ulcers and oedema. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities have been reported for phillyrin (PHN), the main ingredient in Forsythia suspensa Vahl fruits, in vitro. However, the underlying mechanisms in vivo remain poorly defined. In this study, we discovered that PHN exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects in lethal LPS-induced neutrophil inflammation by suppressing the MyD88-dependent signalling pathway in zebrafish. METHODS: LPS-yolk microinjection was used to induce a lethal LPS-infected zebrafish model. The effect of PHN on the survival of zebrafish challenged with lethal LPS was evaluated using survival analysis. The effect of PHN on neutrophil inflammation grading in vivo was assessed by tracking neutrophils with a transgenic line. The effects of PHN on neutrophil production and migration were analysed by SB+ cell counts during consecutive hours after modelling. Additionally, key cytokines and members of the MyD88 signalling pathway that are involved in inflammatory response were detected using quantitative RT-PCR. To assess gene expression changes during consecutive hours after modelling, the IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, MyD88, TRIF, ERK1/2, JNK, IκBa and NF-κB expression levels were measured. RESULTS: PHN could protect zebrafish against a lethal LPS challenge in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by decreased neutrophil infltration, reduced tissue necrosis and increased survival rates. Up-regulated IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α expression also showed the same tendencies of depression by PHN. Critically, PHN significantly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of MyD88, IκBa, and NF-κB but did not affect the expression of ERK1/2 MAPKs or JNK MAPKs in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Additionally, PHN regulated the MyD88/IκBα/NF-κB signalling pathway by controlling IκBα, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. CONCLUSION: This study provides a rationale for the clinical application of PHN as an anti-inflammatory agent.