pH-Responsive Amphiphilic Triblock Fluoropolymers as Assemble Oxygen Nanoshuttles for Enhancing PDT against Hypoxic Tumor.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment strategy that utilizes photosensitizers to convert oxygen within tumors into reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) to lyse tumor cells. Nevertheless, pre-existing tumor hypoxia and oxygen consumption during PDT can lead to an insufficient oxygen supply, potentially reducing the photodynamic efficacy. In response to this issue, we have devised a pH-responsive amphiphilic triblock fluorinated polymer (PDP) using copper-mediated RDRP. This polymer, composed of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, and (perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate, self-assembles in an aqueous environment. Oxygen, chlorine e6 (Ce6), and doxorubicin (DOX) can be codelivered efficiently by PDP. The incorporation of perfluorocarbon into the formulation enhances the oxygen-carrying capacity of PDP, consequently extending the lifetime of 1O2. This increased lifetime, in turn, amplifies the PDT effect and escalates the cellular cytotoxicity. Compared with PDT alone, PDP@Ce6-DOX-O2 NPs demonstrated significant inhibition of tumor growth. This study proposes a novel strategy for enhancing the efficacy of PDT.

[Effects of chloropicrin fumigation on soil and growth and development of Panax notoginseng].

The continuous cropping obstacle of Panax notoginseng is serious, and effective control measures are lacking. Soil disinfection with chloropicrin(CP) has been proven to be effective in reducing the obstacles to continuous cropping of other crops. In order to ascertain the effect of CP in the continuous cropping of P. notoginseng, this paper explored the influences of CP at different treatment concentrations(0,30,40,50 kg/Mu, 1 Mu≈667 m~2) on soil macro-element nutrients, soil enzyme activity, growth and development of P. notoginseng, and the accumulation of medicinal components. The results showed that CP fumigation significantly increased the content of total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and available phosphorus in the soil, but it had no significant effect on potassium content. The soil protease activity showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the prolonging of the treatment time. Both the soil urease and acid phosphatase activities showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing with the prolonging of the treatment time. The higher the CP treatment concentration was, the lower the urease and acid phosphatase activities would be in the soil. The protease activity was relatively high after CP40 treatment, which was better than CP30 and CP50 treatments in promoting the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium accumulation in P. notoginseng. The seedling survival rates after CP0, CP30, CP40, and CP50 tratments in October were 0, 65.56%, 89.44%, and 83.33%, respectively. Compared with the CP30 and CP50 treatments, CP40 treatment significantly facilitated the growth and development of P. notoginseng, the increase in fresh and dry weights, and the accumulation of root saponins. In summary, CP40 treatment accelerates the increase in soil nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients and their accumulation in P. notoginseng, elevates the seedling survival rate of P. notoginseng, enhances the growth and development of P. notoginseng, and promotes the accumulation of medicinal components. CP40 treatment is therefore recommended in production.

Towards breeding of rapeseed (Brassica napus) with alien cytoplasm and powdery mildew resistance from Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata).

Powdery mildew (PM), caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum, is an epidemic of oil rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) growing worldwide, but PM resistant germplasm is rare in this species. We screened 102 accessions of B. napus and other cruciferous species and found an Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) cultivar 'White flower' immune to PM in both the field and greenhouse. Outcrossing in the female parent 'White flower' was promoted by using a chemical gametocide tribenuron-methyl, to obtain hybrid seeds of distant hybridization with an elite B. napus cultivar 'Zhongshuang11'. Three true F1 hybrids with B. carinata cytoplasm were obtained without using embryo rescue, which showed complete male sterility and light yellow petals. The hybrid plants and the progenies derived from backcrossing were validated using morphological traits, seed quality, and molecular markers. Five lines in the BC1F3 generation, named 'W7-1', 'W7-4', 'W7-6', 'W8-1', and 'W8-3', and one BC2F2 line 'W3PS-1', whose young leaf was yellow green, were identified to be resistant or moderately resistant to PM. The seed quality and some morphological traits of these lines resembled the parent 'Zhongshuang11', indicating that the resistance gene(s) has been preliminarily introduced into B. napus.

Optimization of Ultrasonic Flavonoid Extraction from Saussurea involucrate, and the Ability of Flavonoids to Block Melanin Deposition in Human Melanocytes.

(1) Background: Flavonoids are the primary medicinal ingredient of Saussurea involucrate, which have significant antioxidant capacity. Optimizing the extraction of Saussurea involucrate flavonoids (SIFs) and exploring the ability to block melanin deposition caused by reactive oxygen can greatly promote the development of S. involucrate whitening products. (2) Methods: Ultrasonic extraction process was optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Then, the effect of SIFs on antioxidant activity and anti-deposition of melanin, and genes related to the melanin synthesis are studied. (3) Results: The optimal extraction procedures are as follows: the extraction time, ethanol content, and solvent ratio (v/w) are 64 min, 54%, and 54:1, respectively. The reducing activity and scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and ABTS+ were promoted as more S. involucrate flavonoid extract was added. The SIFs extract induced a decrease in the melanin synthesis by inhibiting the human melanoma A375 cell tyrosinase activity. SIFs also depress expression of melanin synthesis related genes. (4) Conclusions: the highest SIFs content was obtained by using 54% ethanol and 54:1 solvent ratio (v/w) for 64 min. The extract of SIFs exhibited good ability of antioxidant and anti-deposition of melanin in human melanocytes.

iTRAQ-based proteomics screen for potential regulators of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) root cell wall component response to Al stress.

OBJECTIVE: The inhibition of Aluminum (Al)-induced root tip cell elongation is a major cause of plant root elongation suppression. The inhibition of root tip cell elongation is caused by a disruption of cell wall component metabolism, growth signaling, or cellular damage. The aim of this study was to identify the proteins involved in the metabolism of the root cell wall components under Al stress in the Al-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar ET8. METHODS: Differentially expressed proteins of Al-tolerant wheat roots were screened via isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). Furthermore, their expression changes were detected via RT-PCR analysis. The contents of major components of the cell wall and their changes in metabolic enzyme activities were also investigated. RESULTS: A total of 97 differentially expressed proteins from Al-tolerant wheat roots were screened and nine of these 97 proteins were root cell wall component related. The known nucleic acid sequences of proteins were 14-3-3 protein, the plasm membrane (PM) H+-ATPase, phospholipase D, peroxidase, and glycosyltransferase. For 14-3-3 protein, phospholipase D and peroxidase, the protein expression and mRNA expression were consistent with Al-treatment; however, for PM H+-ATPase and glycosyltransferase, the protein expression and mRNA expression were inconsistent under Al-stress. Furthermore, both cellulase activity and callase activity were down-regulated by Al stress, while the phenylalanineammonialyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and peroxidase (POD) activities were up-regulated. Furthermore, the PM H+-ATPase activity was decreased in response to Al stress. In addition, the contents of callose, cellulose, lignin, and H2O2 varied significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The cell wall components, relative metabolism enzymes activity, and gene expression also changed followed by protein expression changed in response to Al stress. The results suggest that Al stress leads to marked variations in metabolic enzyme activity, carbohydrate content, followed by changes of root cell components in wheat roots.

Optimization of Flavonoids Extraction Process in Panax notoginseng Stem Leaf and a Study of Antioxidant Activity and Its Effects on Mouse Melanoma B16 Cells.

The Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) stem leaf is rich in flavonoids. However, because of a lack of research on the flavonoid extraction process and functional development of P. notoginseng stem leaf, these parts are discarded as agricultural wastes. Therefore, in this study, we intend to optimize the extraction process and develop the skin-whitening functions of P. notoginseng stem leaf extracts. The extraction process of the stem and leaf of P. notoginseng flavonoid (SLPF) is optimized based on the Box⁻Behnken design (BBD) and the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction conditions of the SLPF are as follows: the extraction time, the ethanol concentration, the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) content and the liquid material ratio (v/w, which are 52 min, 48.7%, 1.9%, and 20:1, respectively. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the average total SLPF content is 2.10%. The antioxidant activity and anti-deposition of melanin of mouse B16 cells of P. notoginseng stem leaf extracts are studied. The results indicate that the EC50 values of reducing activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities, the superoxide anion removal ability, and the 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) free radical removal ability are 7.212, 2.893, 2.949, and 0.855 mg/mL, respectively. The extracts IC50 values of the tyrosinase and melanin synthesis are 0.045 and 0.046 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the optimal processing technology for the SLPF obtained in this study not only increases its utilization rate, but also decreases material costs. The extracts from the P. notoginseng stem leaf may be developed as food or beauty products.

Eudesmanolides and Other Constituents from the Flowers of Wedelia trilobata.

Two eudesmane sesquiterpene lactones, wedetrilides B (1) and C (2), along with five known analogues (3 - 8), an ent-kaurane diterpenoid (9), a steroid (10), as well as cinnamic acid derivatives (11 - 13), were isolated from the flowers of Wedelia trilobata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Furthermore, the structures of 1 and 3 - 5 were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activities against the MCF-7, HeLa, and A549 cell lines. Compounds 3 - 5 were also evaluated for their inhibitory effects against HIV lytic replication.

A new isoflavone from the roots of Ficus auriculata.

A new isoflavone, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-hydroxymethylisoflavone (1), together with three known isoflavones, 3'-formyl-5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavone (2), ficuisoflavone (3) and alpinumisoflavone (4), were isolated from the roots of Ficus auriculata. Among them, 1 is a rare isoflavone containing 16 carbon atoms on the carbon skeleton. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparisons with data reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against five terrestrial pathogenic bacteria in vitro. Compounds 1-4 showed significant antibacterial activities against various terrestrial pathogenic bacteria with MIC values ranging from 1.30 to 39.93 µM.

2-(Pro-1-ynyl)-5-(5,6-dihydroxypenta-1,3-diynyl) thiophene induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species-mediated JNK activation in human colon cancer SW620 cells.

2-(Pro-1-ynyl)-5-(5,6-dihydroxypenta-1,3-diynyl) thiophene (PYDDT) is a naturally occurring thiophene isolated from the roots of Echinops grijsii, a Chinese herbal medicine used to treat colon cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. There are many reports on the clinical use of Echinops grijsii alone or in combination with other herbs to treat malignant tumors. We previously reported that the expression and activity of phase II enzymes including GSTs and NQO1 could be induced through the activation of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway by the treatment of PYDDT. In this study, we reported the anticancer effect and mechanism of PYDDT against human colon cancer SW620 cells. Our results demonstrate that treatment of SW620 cells with PYDDT leads to induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, which is characterized by the cleavage of PARP, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and mitochondrial translocation of Bax. The PYDDT treatment caused the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activation of JNK but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and ERK1/2. Specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 prevented the PYDDT-induced down-regulation of Bcl-2, mitochondrial translocation of Bax, activation of caspase 3, and apoptosis of SW620 cells. Moreover, PYDDT-induced apoptosis as well as activation of JNK was abrogated by the pretreatment with antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Taken together, these findings suggest that PYDDT induces apoptosis in SW620 cells through a ROS/JNK-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Lactones from Ficus auriculata and their effects on the proliferation function of primary mouse osteoblasts in vitro.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the petroleum ether, chloroform and EtOAc extracts of the stems of Ficus auriculata led to the isolation of five new 12-membered lactones (3R,4R)-4-hydroxy-de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (1), 6-oxolasiodiplodin (2) and ficusines A-C (3-5), together with three known related analogues (6-8). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 3 and 8 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 3-5 represent the first 12-membered lactones with a quinone ring unit. Compounds 6 and 7 exhibited significant proliferation function of primary osteoblasts (OBs) in vitro. Especially, the promotion rate of 6 reached 151.55±1.34% (P<0.001) at the concentration of 100 µM.

Dracorhodin perchlorate induced human breast cancer MCF-7 apoptosis through mitochondrial pathways.

OBJECTIVE: Dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) was a synthetic analogue of the antimicrobial anthocyanin red pigment dracorhodin. It was reported that DP could induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer, human gastric tumor cells and human melanoma, but the cytotoxic effect of DP on human breast cancer was not investigated. This study would investigate whether DP was a candidate chemical of anti-human breast cancer. METHODS: The MTT assay reflected the number of viable cells through measuring the activity of cellular enzymes. Phase contrast microscopy visualized cell morphology. Fluorescence microscopy detected nuclear fragmentation after Hoechst 33258 staining. Flowcytometric analysis of Annexin V-PI staining and Rodamine 123 staining was used to detect cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Real time PCR detected mRNA level. Western blot examined protein expression. RESULTS: DP dose and time-dependently inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells. DP inhibited MCF-7 cell growth through apoptosis. DP regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, which were mitochondrial pathway proteins, to decrease MMP, and DP promoted the transcription of Bax and inhibited Bcl-2. Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and cytochrome c which localized in mitochondrial in physiological condition were released into cytoplasm when MMP was decreased. DP activated caspase-9, which was the downstream of mitochondrial pathway. Therefore DP decreased MMP to release AIF and cytochrome c into cytoplasm, further activating caspase 9, lastly led to apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Therefore DP was a candidate for anti-breast cancer, DP induced apoptosis of MCF-7 through mitochondrial pathway.

[Numerical simulation on HHG spectra of two-electron H3(+) model].

The authors present a one-dimensional calculation model of H3(+), and the time-dependent wavefunction was obtained by the symmetric split-operator method. The authors investigated the high-order harmonic generation (HHG) properties of H3(+) model exposed to 800 nm-wavelength ultrashort laser pulse. The effect of electron interaction on the HHG spectra is less profound than at the cut-off frequency. We also calculated the HHG spectra for different internuclear separation values close to realistic one. Most of the calculated cutoff frequencies are beyond the three-step model's prediction, and a preliminary scenario is suggested.

[Fluorescence properties of municipal wastewater with industrial wastewater as major components].

The present paper studied fluorescence fingerprint properties of the municipal wastewater with industrial wastewater as major components. There existed three typical fluorescence peaks in the excitation-emission matrix of the municipal wastewater, locating at about lambda(ex)/lambda(em) of 275/310, 230/340 and 220/310 nm respectively. The wastewater didn't display typical protein-like fluorescence as the municipal wastewater with domestic sewage as major component. The fluorescence intensity of the wastewater was quite high with remarkable difference between workday and weekend. These might relate to the high content of industrial wastewater. The advantages of the fluorescence fingerprint such as easy and fast measurement and rich information about the components of wastewater make it a novel tool in water quality monitoring and early-warning.

[Fluorescence fingerprint properties of refinery wastewater].

Fluorescence organic matters contain the information about total amount and components of organic substances and could be treated as a novel water quality parameter to make up the ambiguity of COD and BOD about the pollutant composition. Refinery wastewater is a type of nonbiodegradable industrial wastewater containing a large number of toxic pollutants. The investigation on the excitation-emission matrixes of the wastewater from a large-scale refinery plant indicated that the matrix was unique for each sample; the fluorescence was intensive and was derived from the overlaps of fluorescence related to peaks at around lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 270/300 nm, 220/300 nm and 230/350 nm. The intensity of 270/300 nm was the highest and that of 220/300 nm was the secondly highest. The location and intensities of peaks varied within small ranges. The fluorescence of the refinery wastewater contains information about products and raw materials. Phenol significantly contributed to the fluorescence intensity of 270/300 nm and 220/300 nm, and other compounds with one benzene ring such as dichlorobenzene and benzene contributed to the two peaks too. The fluorescence of 230/350 nm would be closely related to alkane and benzene. The location and intensity of peaks would be used to diagnose if the performance of the manufacturing processes and influent of treatment plant is proper.

[3-D fluorescence properties of petrochemical wastewater].

Petrochemical wastewater is one of major types of industrial wastewater in China. It is of huge quantity and causes serious pollution. Wastewater contains lots of fluorescence matters. Its fluorescence spectrum could exhibit organic components and unique for each sample like fingerprint. Thus it is referred to as fluorescence fingerprint of water quality, in brief aqueous fingerprint. This paper presented that there were almost 10 peaks in the aqueous fingerprint of petrochemical wastewater from a large-scale petrochemical plant, including the peak at the excitation/emission wavelengths (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)) of around 230/340 nm. That peak exists in the fluorescence spectra of various petroleum materials. The aqueous fingerprint was divided into 3 zones according to the relationship of fluorescence intensity of peaks: the linear relation between the peaks from different zones was not significant while that between the peaks from same zone was significant with coefficients of above 0.85. The zone around lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 230/305 nm might relate to benzene compounds and the zone around lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 220-320/230-440 nm (excluding the zone around lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 230/305 nm) showed close relation with the raw materials (petroleum materials). The intensity of each peak had a fixed range. That range and relationships between peaks could be the evidences for diagnosing if the performance of the production processes is proper.