Comparison of Ophiopogon japonicus and Liriope spicata var. prolifera from Different Origins Based on Multi-Component Quantification and Anticancer Activity.

The tuberous root of Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl. is a well-known Chinese medicine also called Maidong (MD) in Chinese. It could be divided into "Chuanmaidong" (CMD) and "Zhemaidong" (ZMD), according to the geographic origins. Meanwhile, the root of Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour. var. prolifera Y. T. Ma (SMD) is occasionally used as a substitute for MD in the market. In this study, a reliable pressurized liquid extraction and HPLC-DAD-ELSD method was developed for the simultaneous determination of nine chemical components, including four steroidal saponins (ophiopojaponin C, ophiopogonin D, liriopesides B and ophiopogonin D'), four homoisoflavonoids (methylophiopogonone A, methylophiopogonone B, methylophiopogonanone A and methylophiopogonanone B) and one sapogenin (ruscogenin) in CMD, ZMD and SMD. The method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability and accuracy, and then applied to the real samples from different origins. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the contents of the investigated compounds in CMD, ZMD and SMD. Ruscogenin was not detected in all the samples, and liriopesides B was only found in SMD samples. CMD contained higher ophiopogonin D and ophiopogonin D', while the other compounds were more abundant in ZMD. Moreover, the anticancer effects of the herbal extracts and selected components against A2780 human ovarian cancer cells were also compared. CMD and ZMD showed similar cytotoxic effects, which were stronger than those of SMD. The effects of MD may be due to the significant anticancer potential of ophiopognin D' and homoisoflavonoids. These results suggested that there were great differences in the chemical composition and pharmacological activity among CMD, ZMD and SMD; thus, their origins should be carefully considered in clinical application.

[Research Progress in Regulation of Allergic Diseases by Short-Chain Fatty Acids].

Gut microbiota-derived metabolites play vital roles in the regulation of host-gut microbiota mutualism, gut homeostasis and the pathogenesis of multiple human diseases. Fermentation of indigestible dietary fibers by gut microbiota produces a variety of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) consisting mainly of acetate, propionate and butyrate. Despite high concentrations of SCFAs in the gut, it has been reported in a large number of studies that SCFAs are involved in the onset and development of multiple diseases, including colitis, diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis, and obesity. Recent studies including our work found that SCFAs regulates allergic immune reactions and the pathogenesis of allergic diseases via their action on allergic effector immune cells, including T helper 2 (Th2) cells, type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), eosinophils, mast cells and basophils. Herein, we reviewed the association of SCFAs with human allergic diseases, their role in regulating the animal model of allergic diseases and the effects of different SCFAs in regulating the functions of allergic effectors cells and the underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide research clues for in-depth investigation in the role played by SCFAs in regulating various allergic diseases.

Clinical application and diagnostic value of noninvasive spinal angiography in spinal vascular malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the value of computed tomographic (CT) spinal angiography with 256-slice CT and fast dynamic contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3.0 T in the diagnosis of spinal vascular malformations. METHODS: Seventeen patients who presented with suspected spinal vascular diseases by initial magnetic resonance and clinical findings all underwent CT spinal angiography. Among these, 10 patients underwent MRA, 15 patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) within 3 to 5 days, and 8 patients finally underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: Computed tomographic angiography examination clearly showed the abnormal vascular lesions in 16 of the 17 patients, including 7 patients with the diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, 7 patients with perimedullary arteriovenous fistula, and 2 patients with spinal arteriovenous malformations. The results were consistent with the diagnosis of DSA or surgery. One patient was poorly diagnosed. The fistulas could be seen in 12 patients; feeding arteries were correctly displayed in 12 patients. The fistulas and feeding arteries were accurately shown in 7 of 10 patients by MRA; DSA results were also negative in the other 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal angiography with 256-slice CT and contrast-enhanced MRA at 3.0 T can clearly show the extent of spinal vascular malformations, feeding arteries, and fistulas. They are safe, noninvasive, as well as rapid and can shorten the time of DSA diagnosis and treatment.

Significant elevated CXCL14 and decreased IL-39 levels in patients with tuberculosis.

To explore the serum levels of IL-39, CXCL14, and IL-19 in patients with tuberculosis (TB) along with their clinical significances and their concentration changes in macrophages after Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) H37Rv stimulation in vitro. The serum levels of IL-39, CXCL14, and IL-19 of 38 TB patients, and 20 healthy staff members were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the levels of IL-19, CXCL14, and IL-39 in cultured THP-1 macrophages were detected at 12, 24, and 48 h after stimulation with BCG or M. tb H37Rv strains. It was found the serum level of IL-39 was significantly reduced and CXCL14 was remarkably elevated in TB patients. In vitro, at 48 h after stimulation, IL-39 level of cultured THP-1 macrophages in the H37Rv group was significantly lower than that in the BCG and control groups, and the CXCL14 level of cultured THP-1 macrophages in the H37Rv stimulation group was remarkably higher than that in the control group. Therefore, IL-39 and CXCL14 may be involved the pathogenesis of TB, and serum IL-39 and CXCL14 could potentially serve as a new biomarker of TB.

Metabolomic analysis reveals dynamic changes in secondary metabolites of Sophora japonica L. during flower maturation.

Sophora japonica L. is widely consumed in China because of its medicinal and nutritional value. Its quality is greatly affected by the accumulation of metabolites, which varies with the stage of flower development. However, changes in the characteristics of the secondary metabolites during flower maturity remain unclear. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTRAP-MS/MS) revealed dynamic changes in the secondary metabolites of S. japonica during the five flower-maturity stages. We monitored 331 metabolites and screened 164. The differential metabolites showed seven trends during flower maturation, with flavonoids and phenolic acids having the most varied expressions. Flower buds (S2-S3) are rich in flavonoids and are thus suitable for use in high-quality medicine or industrial extraction. Our study provides an empirical basis for the informed harvesting of S. japonica based on its mode of utilization.

All genera of the infraorder Gryllidea of the world: a full list and biodiversity information on the April 2020 release of the Orthoptera Species File (OSF).

According to the Orthoptera species file, there are 765 genera of the infraorder Gryllidea in the world, belonging to 2 superfamilies, 8 families, 37 subfamilies and 6159 species or subspecies in total. A complete list of all genera in the world is provided, including type species, synonyms and species richness. Through statistical analysis, there are 26 extant subfamilies, accounting for 70.27%, 692 extant genera, accounting for 90.46%, 6010 extant species or subspecies, accounting for 97.58%. At the same time, the composition characteristics of the extant genera and species or subspecies in all subfamilies: subfamily Gryllinae has the largest number of genera and species or subspecies, reaching 125 genera and 1221 species or subspecies, with the proportion of 16.34% and 20.34%, followed by subfamily Podoscrtinae, with the number of 99 genera, 770 species or subspecies, with the proportion of 12.94% and 12.83%; subfamily Gryllomiminae with the least number, the number and ratio is 1 genus, 2 species and 0.13%, 0.03%. Among all fossil genera, subfamily †Cearagryllinae is the largest, with 7 genera, 15 species. There are 21 free genera in infraorder Gryllidea, accounting for 2.75%, and 268 monotypic genera (only 1 species), accounting for 35.03%. The largest genus is Hapithus Uhler, 1864, with 209 species or subspecies.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. regulates the NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to alleviate cholestasis in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Cholestasis is a critical risk factor for severe hepatic disease or cirrhosis. The anti-inflammatory effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), named Chishao in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis model was tried to be elucidated in this research. METHODS: Therapeutic effect indices on hepatic function, including ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP, TBA and γ-GT, were measured. To further investigate the protective mechanism of PLP, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway were detected. RESULTS: Our results showed that compared with the model group, PLP could significantly reduce the increased serum indices such as ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP, TBA and γ-GT induced by ANIT in a dose-dependent way. Moreover, we found that PLP downregulated the mRNA expression levels including IKK, p65, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1ß, especially at the large dose. Furthermore, PLP also significantly inhibited NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by decreasing the protein levels of p65, p-p65, p-IKK, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that PLP could ameliorate ANIT-induced cholestasis in rats and the anti-inflammatory effect of PLP might be related to regulating NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. This study will provide scientific evidence for PLP as a potential drug candidate for cholestasis.

Correlation study of 3T-MR-DTI measurements and clinical symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the correlation between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements, diffusion tensor tractography and the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: Based on the Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score, 104 cervical spondylotic myelopathy cases were first divided into four groups: mild, moderate, severe and serious groups. According to lesion signal characteristics, all cases were again divided into three groups: A(N/N): normal signal in both T1WI and T2WI; B (N/H): normal signal in T1WI but high signal in T2WI; and C (L/H): low signal in T1WI and high signal in T2WI. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), λ1, λ2, and λ3 were measured and diffusion tensor tractography was performed in the seriously compressed section of the spinal cord. RESULTS: The FA values were positively correlated with JOA scores (r=0.883, P<0.05), and significantly different among four JOA groups (P<0.05). The ADC, λ2, and λ3 were significantly different among the moderate, severe and serious groups as well as among the A, B, and C groups (P<0.05). Declining FA values were found associated with increasing fiber bundle damage. CONCLUSIONS: The FA values and the change patterns of fiber bundle were more sensitive than T2WI for spinal cord lesion, and were positively correlated with clinical symptoms.

[Schistosomicidal effect of BTW5 on adult and juvenile Schistosoma japonicum in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the killing effect of BTW5 on both juvenile and adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum in vitro. METHODS: The mice were infected with cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum obtained from infected Oncomelania hupensis. The juvenile worms were obtained from the liver and mesenteric veins of the mice by perfusion 18 d after the infection, and the adult worms were obtained from the liver and mesenteric veins of the mice by perfusion 5 weeks after the infection. The adult and juvenile worms were cultivated in DMEM medium containing different concentrations of BTW5 and were observed for 3 d. After the observation, the worms were stained by hydrochloric acid carmine to observe the injuries. RESULTS: The death rates and motility reducing rates of adult and juvenile worms in DMEM medium containing different concentrations of BTW5 were significantly higher than those in the controls. The staining suggested that BTW5 had a damage effect on the tegument and the intestinal canal of the male and female worms, in addition to the ovaries of the female worms. CONCLUSION: BTW5 has an antischistosomal effect on adult and juvenile worms of Oncomelania hupensis.

[Preliminary study on molluscicidal effect of Euphorbia helioscopia L ethanol extracts against Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influences of Euphorbia helioscopia L. on glycogen contents of Oncomelania hupensis so as to explore its molluscicidal mechanism. METHODS: The different polar factions of Euphorbia helioscopia L. were separated by using the systemic solvent segregation method, and then its molluscicidal activity was detected according to the Laboratory Final Milluscicides Screening Method issued by WHO. The glycogen contents of soft tissues of Oncomelania hupensis snails treated by Euphorbia helioscopia L. ethanol extracts were determined by the anthrone method. RESULTS: After being immersed for 48 h with Euphorbia helioscopia L. ethanol extracts, the death rates of the snails at the concentrations of 400 mg/L and 800 mg/L were 50.43% and 77.50% respectively, while after 96 h, the death rates at the above concentrations were both 100%. The glycogen contents of the snails gradually reduced with the increase of the drug concentrations, the glycogen content decreased to the lowest while the concentration was 800 mg/L, and the glycogen content decreased by 69.49% compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The Euphorbia helioscopia L. ethanol extracts can significantly decrease the glycogen content of Oncomelania snails and the extracts have an adequate molluscicidal activity.