Environmentally relevant concentrations of benzophenones exposure disrupt intestinal homeostasis, impair the intestinal barrier, and induce inflammation in mice.

The aim of this study is to investigate the adverse effects of benzophenones (BPs) on the intestinal tract of mice and the potential mechanism. F1-generation ICR mice were exposed to BPs (benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, and benzophenone-3) by breastfeeding from birth until weaning, and by drinking water after weaning until maturity. The offspring mice were executed on postnatal day 56, then their distal colons were sampled. AB-PAS staining, HE staining, immunofluorescence, Transmission Electron Microscope, immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and RT-qPCR were used to study the effects of BPs exposure on the colonic tissues of offspring mice. The results showed that colonic microvilli appeared significantly deficient in the high-dose group, and the expression of tight junction markers Zo-1 and Occludin was significantly down-regulated and the number of goblet cells and secretions were reduced in all dose groups, and the expression of secretory cell markers MUC2 and KI67 were decreased, as well as the expression of intestinal stem cell markers Lgr5 and Bmi1, suggesting that BPs exposure caused disruption of intestinal barrier and imbalance in the composition of the intestinal stem cell pool. Besides, the expression of cellular inflammatory factors such as macrophage marker F4/80 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α was elevated in the colonic tissues of all dose groups, and the inflammatory infiltration was observed, which means the exposure of BPs caused inflammatory effects in the intestinal tract of F1-generation mice. In addition, the contents of Notch/Wnt signaling pathway-related genes, such as Dll-4, Notch1, Hes1, Ctnnb1and Sfrp2 were significantly decreased in each high-dose group (P < 0.05), suggesting that BPs may inhibit the regulation of Notch/Wnt signaling pathway. In conclusion, exposure to BPs was able to imbalance colonic homeostasis, disrupt the intestinal barrier, and trigger inflammation in the offspring mice, which might be realized through interfering with the Notch/Wnt signaling pathway.

Etiological characteristics of acute respiratory infections during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Guizhou Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: Acute respiratory infections are a major global public health concern. However, there are few epidemiological studies investigating pathogens associated with respiratory tract infections in Guizhou Province, China. METHODS: We collected 17,850 blood samples from Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital between November 2018 and May 2023 to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens and their spread during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Guizhou Province. RESULTS: We identified influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the predominant pathogens involved in acute respiratory infections in the study area. Immunoglobulin M positivity for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and M. pneumoniae showed a strong correlation with the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Seasonal epidemic patterns were observed for influenza A and B viruses. Following the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, there was a significant decrease in the positive rates for most respiratory pathogens, particularly influenza A and B, Legionella pneumophila, and respiratory syncytial virus. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study contributes to the epidemiological evidence regarding respiratory pathogens in Guizhou Province, thereby enhancing the surveillance network for respiratory pathogens in China and providing valuable guidance for local hospitals.

Exploring the novel antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham: Preparation, purification, identification and molecular docking.

Dry-cured ham is important source of bioactive peptides. In this study, the antioxidant activities of peptides and components from low and fully salted dry-cured hams were compared by peptidomics. And novel antioxidant peptides were identified and characterized. The results showed that the peptides (<3 KDa) extracted from low-salt dry-cured ham had higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, the antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham were further characterized and the mechanism of their antioxidant activity was investigated. From the five candidate peptides selected, we found DWPDARGIWHND (DD12) to be highly stable, non-sensitizing, and non-toxic with the highest free radical scavenging activity. Molecular docking predicted that DD12 interacted with Keap1 through hydrogen-bond formation and hydrophobic interactions, suggesting that DD12 had good cellular antioxidant activity. DD12 peptide can bind to DPPH• and ABTS•+, resulting in strong free radical scavenging activity. Our findings support the development and application of natural antioxidant peptides in dry-cured ham.

New Iridoids and Acyclic Monoterpenoids from the Roots and Rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia.

Five new iridoids, valeralides A-E (1-5), two new acyclic monoterpenoids, valeralides F (6) and G (7), together with two known iridoids (8 and 9), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR, as well as HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compounds 1-4 were elucidated based on electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. In addition, all the isolates were evaluated for their inhibition on nitric oxide production, cytotoxicity and anti-influenza A virus activity.

[Analysis on Driving Factors, Reduction Potential, and Environmental Effect of Inorganic Fertilizer Input in Chongqing].

In this study, we sought to quantify the effect of planting structure change on fertilizer input and environmental cost in Chongqing and develop scientific and rational strategies for chemical fertilizer reduction. Based on the crop fertilizer quota standard and large sample farmer survey data under the medium productivity level in Chongqing, we evaluated and analyzed the application reduction potential and environmental benefits of fertilizer with the difference method and life cycle assessment. The results showed that:① since Chongqing became a municipality directly under the central government (1997), Chongqing crop planting structure had greatly changed, and the proportion of food crop (rice, corn, wheat, bean, and potato) decreased by 21%. The area of fruits and vegetables increased from 3.36×105 hm2 to 1.05×106 hm2, and their proportion increased by 20%. ② Nearly 55% of fertilizers had been consumed by vegetable (37%) and citrus production systems, and 11%, 12%, and 12% of fertilizers were consumed by rice, corn, and potato, respectively. ③ The total fertilizer reduction of the Chongqing planting industry could reach up to 1.69×105 tons during the period of "the 14th Five-Year Plan," with a fertilizer reduction potential of 18.6%. The fertilizer reduction potential (reduction amount) of rice, corn, citrus, and vegetables would reach 0.3% (2.9×102 tons), 12% (1.45×104 tons), 21% (3.65×104 tons), and 30% (1.18×105 tons), respectively. On the other hand, the rape system was insufficient in phosphorus potassium fertilizers, and the corn tended to be insufficient in potash fertilizer. ④ The current production level was low, and the nitrogen loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication potential in the planting industry of Chongqing reached 1.81×105 tons (N), 1.43×107 tons (CO2-eq), and 1.74×105 tons (PO4-eq). With the increase in the realization degree of the crop quota standard (60%-100%), the reactive nitrogen loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication potential decreased by 14.9%-24.9%, 10.1%-16.7%, and 13.8%-23%, respectively. The structure of the planting industry in Chongqing significantly changed, the total fertilizer consumption in Chongqing tended to decline gradually, and the fertilization intensity of commercial crops stayed at a high level. The agricultural fertilizer reduction potential and the reactive nitrogen and greenhouse gas emission reduction potential were large, especially for citrus and vegetable production systems. However, it is also necessary to pay attention to insufficient corn potash fertilizer and rape phosphorus potassium fertilizer investment and carry out collaborative promotion of fertilizer reduction.

Iridoids and other constituents from the leaves and stems of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia.

Fifty-nine compounds, including nineteen previously undescribed iridoids (valeriananols A-S) and an undescribed alkaloid (5'-isovaleryl uridine), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Valeriana officinalis var. latifolia. Their structures were elucidated based on Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of valeriananols A-C, E-N, P, Q and S was determined by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism. Structurally, valeriananols A and B were two 1,3-seco-iridoids with a 3,6-epoxy moiety, valeriananols K and L were a pair of C-4 epimers, while valeriananol S was a 4'-deoxy iridoid glycoside. In addition, valeriananol P, stenopterin A and patriscabioin C exhibited significant inhibition on nitric oxide production with IC50 values of 10.31, 3.93 and 8.69 µM, respectively. Furthermore, stenopterin A and patriscabioin C showed anti-proliferation activity on the MCF-7 cell line with IC50 values of 17.28 and 13.89 µM, respectively.

Novel isobavachalcone derivatives induce apoptosis and necroptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells.

In this study, seventeen isobavachalcone (IBC) derivatives (1-17) were synthesised, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human lung cancer cell lines. Among these derivatives, compound 16 displayed the most potent cytotoxic activity against H1975 and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 4.35 and 14.21 µM, respectively. Compared with IBC, compound 16 exhibited up to 4.11-fold enhancement of cytotoxic activity on human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. In addition, we found that compound 16 suppressed H1975 cells via inducing apoptosis and necroptosis. The initial mechanism of compound 16 induced cell death in H1975 cells involves the increasing of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Cyt C protein level, down-regulating of Akt protein level, and cleaving caspase-9 and -3 induced apoptosis; the up-regulation of RIP3, p-RIP3, MLKL, and p-MLKL levels induced necroptosis. Moreover, compound 16 also caused mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby decreasing cellular ATP levels, and resulting in excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.

Semi-synthesis and in vitro anti-cancer effects evaluation of novel xanthohumol derivatives.

Xanthohumol (Xn) is a chalcone compound isolated from Humulus lupulus Linn., that has various biological activities. In this study, eight Xn derivatives were synthesized by Williamson, Mannich, Reimer-Tiemann, and Schiff base reactions, and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, CNE-2Z, SMMC-7721, and H1975). Among these compounds, 2-((E)-2,4-dihydroxy-5-((E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acryloyl)-6-methoxy-3-(3- methylbut-2-en-1-yl)benzylidene)hydrazine-1-carboximidamide (8) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity against the five cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 4.87 to 14.35 µM. Wound-healing and transwell assays showed that compound 8 inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells by down-regulation HIF-1α, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression. We further demonstrated that compound 8 induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by increasing of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and down-regulation of Akt protein expression.

Prognostic Factors for Patients with Proliferative Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Resection.

Purpose: There is a scarcity of predictive models currently accessible for prognosticating proliferative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an integrated class of subtype, characterized by a dismal prognosis. Consequently, this study aimed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model capable of accurately predicting the prognosis of proliferative HCC after curative resection. Patients and Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients with solitary HCC who underwent curative liver resection from August 2014 to December 2020 (n = 816). Patients were stratified into either the proliferative HCC cohort (n = 259) or the nonproliferative HCC cohort (n = 557) based on histological criteria. Disease-free survival (DFS) was compared between the two groups before and after one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM). Of all the proliferative HCC patients, 203 patients were assigned to training cohort, and 56 patients were assigned to validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in training cohort to identify risk factors associated with worse DFS. Thereafter, a predictive model was constructed, subsequently validated in the validation cohort. Results: The DFS of proliferative HCC was significantly worse than nonproliferative HCC before and after PSM. Meanwhile, multivariate regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis (P = 0.032) and larger tumor size (P = 0.000) were independent risk factors of worse DFS. Lastly, the discriminative abilities of the predictive model for 1, 3, 5-year DFS rates, as determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, were 0.702, 0.720, and 0.809 in the training cohort and 0.752, 0.776, and 0.851 in the validation cohort, respectively. Conclusion: This study developed a predictive model with satisfactory accuracy to predict the worse DFS in proliferative HCCs after liver resection. Moreover, this predictive model may serve as a valuable tool for clinicians to predict postoperative HCC recurrence, thereby enabling them to implement early preventative strategies.

Semisynthesis and in Vitro Anti-cancer Effect of New Magnolol Derivatives on the Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC-7721 Cells.

Four new magnolol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anti-cancer properties. Among these, compound 3 showed the most potent cytotoxic activity against the SMMC-7721, SUN-449, and HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, with IC50 values of 3.39, 4.11, and 6.88 µM, respectively. Compound 3 also induced apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells by down-regulating Bcl-2 and Akt protein levels, up-regulating of Bax protein level, and cleaving caspase-9 and -3. In addition, transwell assays showed that compound 3 significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of SMMC-7721 cells, which was confirmed based on the down-regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2, and MMP-9) protein levels.

[Quality of moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios based on correlation analysis of thermogravimetric properties, cellulose content, and microscopic characteristics of non-secretory trichomes].

The quality of moxa is a key factor affecting the efficacy of moxibustion. Traditional moxa grades are evaluated by the leaf-to-moxa ratio, but there is a lack of support from scientific data. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Image Pro Plus, Van Soest method, and stimultaneous thermal analysis(TGA/DSC) were used to characterize the scientific implication of the combustion differences between moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios(processed by crusher). The results showed that the median lengths from non-secretory trichomes(NSTs) of natural NSTs and moxa with leaf-to-moxa ratios of 3∶1, 5∶1, 10∶1, and 15∶1 were 542.46, 303.24, 291.18, 220.69, and 170.61 µm, respectively. The cellulose content of moxa increased significantly(P<0.05) with the increase in leaf-to-moxa ratio and the combustion parameters(T_i, t_i, D_i, C,-R_p,-R_v, S, D_b, and J_(total)) all showed an increasing trend. The correlation results showed that the burning properties of moxa(T_i,-R_v, t_i, and J_2) were significantly and positively correlated with cellulose content. NSTs with a length of 1-200 µm were significantly and positively correlated with J_2. NSTs with a length of 200-600 µm were significantly and positively correlated with J_1, T_(peak2), T_(peak1), and-R_v, and negatively correlated with J_(total), T_b, and t_b. As the leaf-to-moxa ratio increases, the NSTs in the moxa become shorter and the cellulose content increases, which is more conducive to ignition performance, heat release, and a milder, longer-lasting burn. The "NSTs-cellulose-TGA/DSC" quantitative evaluation method scientifically reveals the scientific connotation of the combustion of moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios and provides a scientific basis for the establishment of quality evaluation methods for moxa with different leaf-to-moxa ratios.

Experimental Study of Shear Performance of High-Strength Concrete Deep Beams with Longitudinal Reinforcement with Anchor Plate.

As a transfer member at the discontinuous place of vertical load, the deep beam has a complex stress mechanism and many influencing factors, such as compressive strength of concrete, shear span ratio, and reinforcement ratio. At the same time, the stress analysis principle of traditional shallow beams is no longer applicable to the design and calculation of deep-beam structure. The main purpose of this paper was to use the strut-and-tie model to analyze its stress mechanism, and to verify the applicability of the model. Nine high-strength concrete deep-beam specimens with longitudinal reinforcement with an anchor plate of the same size were tested by two-point concentrated loading method. The effects of shear span ratio (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9), longitudinal reinforcement ratio (0.67%, 1.05%, and 1.25%), horizontal reinforcement ratio (0.33%, 0.45%, and 0.50%), and stirrup reinforcement ratio (0.25%, 0.33%, and 0.50%) on the failure mode, deflection curve, characteristic load, crack width, steel bar, and concrete strain of the specimens were analyzed. The results showed that the failure mode of deep-beam specimens was diagonal compression failure. The normal section cracking load was about 15 to 20% of the ultimate load, and the inclined section cracking load was about 30~40% of the ultimate load. The shear span ratio increased from 0.3 to 0.9, and the bearing capacity decreased by 32.9%. When the longitudinal reinforcement ratio increased from 0.67% to 1.25%, the ultimate load increased by 42.6%. The shear span ratio and longitudinal reinforcement ratio have a significant effect on the bearing capacity of the high-strength concrete deep beams with longitudinal reinforcement with an anchor plate. The shear capacity of nine high-strength concrete deep-beam specimens with longitudinal reinforcement with an anchor plate was calculated by national standards, and the results were compared with the calculation results of the Tan-Tang model, the Tan-Cheng model, SSTM, and SSSTM. The analysis showed that the softened strut-and-tie model takes into account the softening effect of compressive concrete, and is a more accurate mechanical model, which can be applied to predict the shear capacity of high-strength concrete deep-beam members with longitudinal reinforcement with an anchor plate.

Risk factors of peripheral venous catheter-related complication and infection in children with bronchopneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors associated with the peripheral venous catheter-related complication and infection in children with bronchopneumonia. METHODS: A total of 185 patients were divided into case group (n = 114) and control group (n = 71) according to the presence of catheter-related infection and complications related to indwelling needle. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors associated with the infection. RESULTS: Age was divided into 4 categories (0 < age ≤ 1, 1 < age ≤ 3, 3 < age ≤ 6, age > 6). The case group had a higher percentage of patients with 0 < age ≤ 1 than the control group (21% vs. 9.7%) and the age distribution was significant different between the two groups (P = 0.045). The case group had a longer retention time than the control group (≥ 3 days: 56% vs. 35%, P < 0.001). The results of binary logistics regression analysis revealed that the indwelling time and indwelling site were the factors that influenced the complications or bacterial infection. Among the three indwelling sites, the hand is more prone to infection and indwelling needle-related complications than the head (OR: 2.541, 95% CI 1.032 to 6.254, P = 0.042). The longer the indwelling time, the more likely the infection and indwelling needle related complications (OR: 2.646, 95% CI 1.759 to 3.979, P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Indwelling time and indwelling site are the influencing factors of complications or bacterial infection, which should be paid more attention to prevent the catheter-related infection in children with bronchophenumonia.

Enhanced expression of RAGE/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway and increased level of oxidative stress in brains of rats with chronic fluorosis and the protective effects of blockers.

This investigation was designed to examine the potential involvement of RAGE/NADPH oxidase signaling in the damage to the brain caused by chronic fluorosis. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 9 groups each containing 20 animals, Controls (C); rats receiving low (i.e., 10 ppm) (LF) or high does ( i.e., 50 ppm) (HF) of fluoride in their drinking water; and these same groups injected with FPS-ZM1, an inhibitor of RAGE, (CF, LFF and HFF, respectively) or administered EGb761, an active ingredient of Ginkgo biloba extract, intragastrically (CE, LFE, and HFE). Following 3 and 6 months of such treatment, the spatial learning and memory of the animals were assessed with the Morris water maze test; the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assayed by biochemical methods; and the levels of proteins related to the RAGE/NADPH pathway determined by Western blot and of the corresponding mRNAs by qPCR. After 6 months, the spatial learning and memory of the LF and HF groups had declined; their brain contents of MDA and H2O2 increased and SOD activity decreased; and the levels of the RAGE, gp91, P47, phospho-P47phox and P22 proteins and corresponding mRNAs in their brains were all elevated. Interestingly, all of these pathological changes caused by fluorosis could be attenuated by both FPS-ZM1 and EGb761. These findings indicate that the brain damage induced by fluorosis may be caused, at least in part, by enhanced RAGE/NADPH oxidase signaling and that FPS-ZM1 or EGb761 might be of clinical value in connection with the treatment of this condition.

[Theory and application of pulse diagnosis at Renying and Cunkou regions].

Renying and Cunkou pulse diagnostic method is one of the important parts of the pulse diagnosis in Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor) and has been controversial since its proposal. This article takes WANG Shu-he's diagnostic operation as the evidence, and is in reference of the statement, "Cun region (the region ahead of Guan region of Cunkou) determines the human life, that on the left hand refers to Renying, while on the right hand is Qikou". The pulse conditions on the left and right hands represent yin and yang. If Renying pulse on the left is greater, the diseases are in yang meridians, while if Cunkou pulse on the right is bustling, the diseases are in yin meridians. By comparing the pulse condition and strength, as well as the pulse beating (rapid and urgent) between Guan region and region ahead of Guan on the same side, the conditions of three yang and three yin meridians are detected. In treatment, based on the records of Renying and Cunkou pulse diagnosis in Huangdi Neijing, the principles are proposed for reinforcing and reducing methods on hand and foot meridians of yin and yang. Five-shu points and yuan-source points are taken as the main acupoints in acupuncture treatment. During treatment, the changes in pulse conditions should be emphasized specifically and those at Renying and Cunkou regions are the criteria for judging qi arrival and qi regulation.

[Diagnostic Efficacy of 68Ga-Labeled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen and 18F-Labeled Sodium Fluoride PET/CT in Prostate Cancer With Bone Metastasis].

Objective To compare the efficiency of 68Ga-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA-11) and 18F-labeled sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET/CT in the diagnosis of bone metastasis in the patients with prostate cancer.Methods The prostate cancer patients suspected of bone metastasis who underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 18F-NaF PET/CT from January 2018 to January 2021 were included in this study.The number of lesions,maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax),and tumor-to-background (T/B) ratio were compared between the two methods.Results 18F-NaF PET/CT detected more metastases than 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (310 vs.264,P<0.001).The median SUVmax[23.2 (16.4,33.4) vs.4.1 (2.5,5.6)] and median T/B ratio[7.0 (4.9,9.9) vs.6.7 (3.7,9.6)] of 18F-NaF PET/CT were higher than those of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (all P<0.001).With the number of lesions as the indicator,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of 18F-NaF PET/CT were 100.0%,92.0%,92.0%,98.7%,and 100.0% respectively,and those of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT were 85.2%,94.0%,79.2%,98.9%,and 50.5%,respectively.Conclusion 18F-NaF PET/CT is superior to 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in the detection of bone metastases of prostate cancer.

Potential benefits of Rehmanniae Radix after ancient rice-steaming process in promotion of antioxidant activity in rats' health.

Rice steam processed product of Rehmanniae Radix (RSRR), one of the processed products of Rehmanniae Radix (RR), is popular as an herbal medicine and food. However, the health-promoting effects and mechanisms of RSRR are still unclear. In this study, 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were treated with different processed products of RR. No organ coefficient differences were observed between RSRR and the control group, indicating that RSRR did not cause damage to the rats. Compared with other RR products, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels were significantly higher and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the RSRR group, indicating that RSRR exerted a better antioxidant effect. Gene expression analysis showed that hemoglobin genes (Hba-a1, Hba-a2, Hbb-bs, Hbb, Hbq1b, Hbb-b1, and LOC103694857) may be potential biomarkers to evaluate the antioxidant effect of RSRR. Antioxidation-related signaling pathways in GO annotation, including cellular oxidant detoxification, hydrogen peroxide metabolic process, hemoglobin complex, and oxygen binding signaling pathways were significantly enriched, indicating these pathways may represent the antioxidant mechanism of RSRR. To explore the main active compounds primarily responsible for the antioxidant activity of RSRR, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used and six components (catalpol, rehmannioside A, rehmannioside D, melittoside, ajugol, and verbascoside) were identified in rat serum. Catalpol and rehmannioside A were predicted to be the major active components by network pharmacology. These results suggested that RSRR exhibits antioxidant activity and has health-promoting properties. This study provides a scientific basis for the antioxidant mechanism and clinical use of RSRR.

Pogocablenes A-O, fifteen undescribed sesquiterpenoids with structural diversity from Pogostemon cablin.

Fifteen previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids (pogocablenes A-O), three first discovered natural patchoulol-type ones, coupled with fourteen known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Pogostemon cablin. Among them, pogocablenes A and B, a pair of C2 epimers, possessed an unusual carbon skeleton with bicyclo[4.3.1]decane core. Pogocablene C, originated from eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, had an unprecedented bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane scaffold with a peroxy hemiactetal moiety. Pogocablene D possessed a rare tricyclo[5.2.2.01,5]undecane carbon skeleton derived from guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid. Pogocablene E was a 4,5-seco-guaiane derivative owning a peroxy hemiactetal unit and a spirocyclic skeleton. Pogocablene M was a nor-patchoulol-type sesquiterpenoid with α,ß-unsaturated ketone moiety. Their structures with absolute configuration were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, in combination with quantum chemical calculation. In addition, the plausible biogenetic pathways of pogocablenes A-E were proposed. Furthermore, all isolates were evaluated for anti-influenza virus and anti-inflammatory effects.

Semisynthesis and anti-cancer properties of novel honokiol derivatives in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells.

In this study, 21 new honokiol derivatives were synthesised, and their anti-cancer properties were investigated. Among these, compound 1g exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells, human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells, human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and mouse leydig testicular cancer I-10 lines with IC50 values of 6.04, 7.17, 6.83, and 5.30 µM, respectively. Compared to the parental compound, 1g displayed up to 5.18-fold enhancement of the cytotoxic effect on CNE-2Z cells. We further demonstrated that 1g inhibited cell growth, suppressed migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis of CNE-2Z cells by down-regulating HIF-1α, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Akt and up-regulating Bax protein levels. Transfection of CNE-2Z cells with HIF-1α siRNA reduced cell migration and invasion. In addition, in vivo experiments confirmed that 1g inhibited tumour growth in CNE-2Z cell-xenografted nude mice with low toxicity. Thus, our data suggested that 1g was a potent and safe lead compound for nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy.

A truncated DNA aptamer with high selectivity for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.

The estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers constitute more than 50 % of breast cancers, seriously threatening the health of women. Unfortunately, the detection and targeted therapy of ER+ breast cancers remain a challenge. Here, a novel nucleic acid aptamer S1-4 was developed to specifically target ER+ breast cancer MCF-7 cells by using Cell-SELEX and nucleic acid truncation strategies. The affinity dissociation constant of the binding of aptamer S1-4 to MCF-7 cells was 97.6 ± 7.5 nM in vitro. Compared with HER2+ breast cells SK-BR-3 and triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 cells were selectively recognized and targeted by aptamer S1-4. Fluorescence tracing in vivo results also indicated that aptamer S1-4 selectively targeted the cell membrane of tumor tissues in MCF-7- but not in SK-BR3 or MDB-MA-231-bearing mice. This selectively developed novel aptamer probe S1-4 with high affinity could be used for the diagnosis and treatment of ER+ breast cancers.