Effect of Traditional Chinese Non-Pharmacological Therapies on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review of Clinical Application and Mechanism.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) stands as a degenerative ailment with a substantial and escalating prevalence. The practice of traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapy has become a prevalent complementary and adjunctive approach. A mounting body of evidence suggests its efficacy in addressing KOA. Recent investigations have delved into its underlying mechanism, yielding some headway. Consequently, this comprehensive analysis seeks to encapsulate the clinical application and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapy in KOA treatment. The review reveals that various therapies, such as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, tuina, and acupotomy, primarily target localized knee components like cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium. Moreover, their impact extends to the central nervous system and intestinal flora. More perfect experimental design and more comprehensive research remain a promising avenue in the future.

[Mercury in tree rings: Advances, problems and prospects]. / æ ‘æœ¨å¹´è½®æ±žè®°å½•: 进展、问题和展望.

As a highly biotoxic element, mercury (Hg) can be enriched by the food chain and has negative effect on ecosystems. Changes of Hg flux and reserves in forest have important effects on its biogeochemical cycle in forest ecosystem. Due to limitation of temporal and spatial monitoring, there is not comprehensive understanding on Hg distribution. Widely distributed trees can be used as effective bio-monitors and Hg records in tree rings can be used to study Hg temporal and spatial distribution. Hg accumulated by root, leaf, bark, and other tissues can be detained in bole and record environmental Hg variations. Therefore, historical Hg trends can be restructured by analyzing Hg concentration in tree rings and the biogeochemical characteristics can be understood with Hg isotope ratio. We reviewed the method of measurement of Hg concentration and isotope ratio and application of reconstruction using Hg concentration in tree ring. We suggested the great application potential of Hg isotope ratio in atmospheric Hg construction and biogeochemistry cycle and raised concerns in further studies.

Circular RNAs in liver diseases: Mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are formed from the genome through diverse back splicing and feature the closed loop. circRNAs are widely available in a variety of cells and characterized by conservation, structural stability, high abundance and tissue-specific or developmental-specific expression. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are closely related to liver diseases, such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. circRNAs play an important role in the progression of liver diseases, are potential diagnostic and prognostic markers, and have translational value in therapy. This article reviews the research on circRNAs in liver diseases, with a view to providing a theoretical basis and new ideas for future research and treatment of liver diseases.

[Mercury Transport from Glacier to Runoff in Typical Inland Glacial Area in the Tibetan Plateau].

To investigate the transport of mercury from glacier to runoff in typical inland glacial area in the Tibetan Plateau, we selected Zhadang glacier and Qugaqie river Basin located in the Nyainqentanglha Range region and collected samples from snow pit, glacier melt-water and Qugaqie river water during 15th August to 9'h September 2011. Mercury speciation and concentrations were determined and their distribution and controlling factors in different environmental compartments were analyzed. The results showed that the average THg concentrations were (3.79 +/- 5.12) ng x L(-1), (1.06 +/- 0.77) ng x L(-1) and (1.02 +/- 0.24) ng x L(-1) for glacier snow, glacier melt-water and Qugaqie river water, respectively, all of which were at the global background levels. Particulate-bound mercury accounted for large proportion of mercury in all environmental matrices, while mercury in glacial melt-water was controlled by total suspended particle, and mercury in Qugaqie river water co-varied with runoff. With the increase of temperature, glacier melted and released water as well as mercury into glacier-fed river. Total mercury concentrations in glacier melt water, upstream and downstream peaked at 14:00, 16:00 and after 20:00, respectively, reflecting the process of mercury release from glacier and its subsequent transport in the glacier fed river. The transport of riverine mercury was controlled by multiple factors. Under the context of climate change, glacier ablation and the increasing runoff will play increasingly important roles in mercury release and transport.

Suppression of scinderin modulates epithelial­mesenchymal transition markers in highly metastatic gastric cancer cell line SGC­7901.

Scinderin is a Ca2+­dependent filamentous actin (F­actin) severing and capping protein, which has a key role in regulated secretion. However, little is known regarding the function and mechanism of scinderin in human carcinoma development and progression. In the present study, the biological function of scinderin was investigated using a cell proliferation assay, flow cytometric analysis and a Transwell assay in highly tumorigenic and the metastatic human gastric cancer cell line SGC­7901 transfected with scinderin­small hairpin RNA lentivirus. The changes in the expression of epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were also investigated. The results indicated that scinderin knockdown effectively suppressed proliferation, reduced migration and arrested the cell cycle of the SGC­7901 cells at G2/M phase. Furthermore, scinderin knockdown altered the expression of EMT markers; the expression of E­cadherin was significantly upregulated, along with an evident decrease in N­cadherin and ß­catenin expression. In conclusion, the present study suggested that suppression of scinderin impaired proliferation and migration of gastric cancer SGC­7901 cells and attenuates its EMT process. Scinderin may therefore be a potential target for tumor EMT and therapy against gastric cancer.

Non-coding RNAs and gastric cancer.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play key roles in development, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Altered ncRNA expression is associated with gastric cancer occurrence, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is significantly related to gastric cancer tumor stage, size, differentiation and metastasis. MiRNAs interrupt cellular signaling pathways, inhibit the activity of tumor suppressor genes, and affect the cell cycle in gastric cancer cells. Some miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-106a and miR-421, could be potential markers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new research hotspot among cancer-associated ncRNAs, play important roles in epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Several gastric cancer-associated lncRNAs, such as CCAT1, GACAT1, H19, and SUMO1P3, have been explored. In addition, Piwi-interacting RNAs, another type of small ncRNA that is recognized by gastroenterologists, are involved in gastric carcinogenesis, and piR-651/823 represents an efficient diagnostic biomarker of gastric cancer that can be detected in the blood and gastric juice. Small interfering RNAs also function in post-transcriptional regulation in gastric cancer and might be useful in gastric cancer treatment.

New clerodane diterpenes from Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis.

Four new clerodane diterpenes, namely sagittatayunnanosides A-D (1-4), were isolated from the roots of Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis, together with two known compounds, tinospinoside C (5) and tinospinoside E (6). The structures of the four new compounds were well elucidated by extensive analyses of the MS, IR, and 1D and 2D NMR data. The cytotoxic and antifouling activities of compounds 1-6 were evaluated.

Phenolic glycosides from Ficus tikoua and their cytotoxic activities.

Four new phenolic glycosides, named 2-ethylene-3,5,6-trimethyl-4-phenol-1-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (1), 3-methoxy-4-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-ß-d-glucopyranosylpropiophenone (2), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-3-methoxyphenyl)propan-1-one (3) and 4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(3'-methyl-2-butenyl)benzoic acid-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (4), were isolated from the ethanol extract of Ficus tikoua, together with six known compounds: 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-1-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (5), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol-1-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (6), 3-methoxy-4-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranosylpropiophenone (7), baihuaqianhuoside (8), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (9) and 2-methoxy-4-allylphenyl-1-O-ß-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-d-glucopyranoside (10). The structures of the four new compounds were elucidated by chemical methods and MS and IR, as well as 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The cytotoxicities of the 10 compounds against HeLa, K562, HL60 and HepG2 cell lines were assessed.

Two new sphingolipids from the leaves of Piper betle L.

Two new sphingolipids, pipercerebrosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the leaves of Piper betle L. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. These two compounds did not show significant cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines K562 and HL-60 in a MTT assay.

Cytotoxic flavanes from Uraria clarkei.

Two new flavanes, (2R)-4'-hydroxy-2',5,7-trimethoxyflavane (1) and (2R,4R)-2',4'-dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavan-4-ol (2), were isolated from Uraria clarkei, together with two known compounds 5,7-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyflavan (3) and 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavan (4). The structures of the new flavanes were characterized by analyses of the MS, IR, UV, CD, 1D, and 2D NMR data. Cytotoxicity test suggested that compounds 1-4 possessed slight activity against K-562 and Hela cell lines, with the IC50 values ranging from 26.6 to 56.3 µM.

[Acting mechanisms and research methods of long noncoding RNAs].

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play biological roles through a variety of mechanisms, including genetic imprinting, chromatin remodeling, cell cycle control, splicing regulation, mRNA decay, and translational regulation. LncRNAs are involved in the regulation of gene expression through the above mechanisms in different levels. Establishment and application of research technologies are important in understanding of lncRNAs functions. Microarray, RNA sequencing, Northern blot, real time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA interference, and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation are major tools of exploring biological functions of lncRNAs. Here, we highlighted three advanced methods, i.e., fast predictions of RNA and protein interactions and domains (catRAPID), chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP), and combined knockdown and localization analysis of non-coding RNAs (c-KLAN).

[Spatial and temporal distribution of total mercury (T-Hg) in different water bodies of Nam Co, Tibetan Plateau].

To investigate the tempo-spatial distribution of total mercury (T-Hg) concentration in water bodies in the Nam Co basin on the Tibetan Plateau, inflowing river water and surface lake water samples were collected from 2007 to 2010. The T-Hg concentration and its relationship with precipitation and river runoff were analyzed. The results showed that the average T-Hg concentration was (1.09 +/- 0.73) ng x L(-1) and (2.87 +/- 2.59) ng x L(-1) for surface lake water and river water, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those of Hg contaminated waters. T-Hg concentration in off-shore lake water was much higher during the monsoon season than in the non-monsoon season, and its level and spatial variation were significantly greater than those in central lake water. T-Hg concentration in river water showed significant seasonal variations with the highest values during the monsoon season and the lowest during the post-monsoon season, which were in accordance with the variations of precipitation. A fixed point observation at Niyaqu River indicated that the temporal changes of the T-Hg concentrations in river water were in accordance with those of the runoff. The spatial distribution features of T-Hg concentrations in inflowing river water varied in different periods, possibly resulting from the differences in drainage areas, background mercury levels in soils, and water supplies for rivers at different locations of the Nam Co basin.

[Temporal and spatial variations of major ions in Nam Co Lake water, Tibetan Plateau].

In order to investigate the temporal and spatial variations, sources, and major controlling factors of the major ions in Nam Co Lake water, inshore surface water samples were collected at a fixed site (30 degrees 47.27'N, 90 degrees 58.53'E, 4718 m a. s. l.) from 2006 to 2010, at the vertical profiles in the center of the lake in August 2009, and at both the vertical profiles in the center of the lake and at the surface layers of different sites in the Nam Co Lake in October 2010. The results indicated that Na+ was the dominant cation and HCO3- was the dominant anion in the lake water. The concentrations of most ions were higher in monsoon seasons (June - September) and lower in non-monsoon seasons, especially when the lake was frozen (January -April). However, the Ca2+ concentration showed a reverse trend of seasonal variations, namely, higher values in the frozen period and lower in monsoon seasons. Analysis of water samples collected from the vertical profiles indicated that the concentrations of all ions except Ca2+ increased with the depth in nonmonsoon seasons (e. g. October). The major ions in Nam Co Lake were mainly contributed by river input. There were a variety of factors that influenced the temporal and spatial variations of the major ions in the Nam Co Lake, such as evaporation, precipitation, pH values, etc., among which, evaporation was the most important controlling factor, causing the increasing Na+ concentration and decreasing Ca2+ concentration in the lake water.

A novel antioxidant isobenzofuranone derivative from fungus Cephalosporium sp.AL031.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of metabolites from the fungus Cephalosporium sp.AL031 isolated from Sinarundinaria nitida led to the discovery of a new isobenzofuranone derivative, 4,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methylphthalide (1), together with three known compounds: 4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (2), 4,6-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (3) and 4,5,6-trihydroxy-7-methylphthalide (4). The structure of the new compound 1 was determined based on MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. Compounds 1-4 showed potent antioxidant activity with EC50 values of 10, 7, 22 and 5 µM by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.

Growth inhibitory effect of 4-phenyl butyric acid on human gastric cancer cells is associated with cell cycle arrest.

AIM: To investigate the growth effects of 4-phenyl butyric acid (PBA) on human gastric carcinoma cells and their mechanisms. METHODS: Moderately-differentiated human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 and lowly-differentiated MGC-803 cells were treated with 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 µmol/L PBA for 1-4 d. Cell proliferation was detected using the MTT colorimetric assay. Cell cycle distributions were examined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells was inhibited by PBA in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Flow cytometry showed that SGC-7901 cells treated with low concentrations of PBA were arrested at the G0/G1 phase, whereas cells treated with high concentrations of PBA were arrested at the G2/M phase. Although MGC-803 cells treated with low concentrations of PBA were also arrested at the G0/ G1 phase, cells treated with high concentrations of PBA were arrested at the S phase. CONCLUSION: The growth inhibitory effect of PBA on gastric cancer cells is associated with alteration of the cell cycle. For moderately-differentiated gastric cancer cells, the cell cycle was arrested at the G0 /G1 and G2/M phases. For lowly-differentiated gastric cancer cells, the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 and S phases.

A novel lignan glycoside with antioxidant activity from Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis.

A novel lignan glysocide, namely sagitiside A (1), together with two known ones, (+)-lyoniresinol-2α-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) and (+)-5'-methoxyisolariciresinol 3α-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), was isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of dry roots of Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis. The structure of the new compound (1) was determined based on MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. Compounds 1-3 showed antioxidant activity with EC(50) values 55, 75 and 80 µM by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.

[Indoor air pollution in the Nam Co and Ando Regions in the Tibetan Plateau].

Concentrations and variations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) within tents from the Nam Co and Ando regions were observed at summer 2009, in order to understand the concentrations and variations of PM2.5 and CO in these tents (or in rooms) and their main affect factors, as well as the exposure of different residents. The result indicates that the twenty-four hour average concentrations of PM2.5 and CO (V/V) in the tents without chimney are 1.272 mg x m(-3) and 5.035 x 10(-6), which are significantly higher than those of tents installed chimneys (0.097 mg x m(-3) and 0.089 x 10(-6)). Diurnal variations of PM2.5 and CO are similar and show multiple peaks, which is different with those in the eastern rural areas of China and closely connected with the behaviors of the residents within the tents. Generally, women and children spend three or four hours longer in tents than other family members every day. Children have the highest exposure of 0.972 mg x m(-3) and 0.132 x 10(-6) for PM2.5 and CO, respectively. Therefore, although the outdoor air in the Tibetan Plateau is very clean, the air of the Tibetan tents are seriously polluted and mainly caused by yak dung combustion.

piRNA, the new non-coding RNA, is aberrantly expressed in human cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding single strand RNAs. They are involved in germline development, in silencing of selfish DNA elements, and in maintaining germline DNA integrity. The relationship between piRNAs and carcinogenesis has not been shown yet. METHODS: The relationship between piRNAs and carcinogenesis was identified by microarray screening and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technology. The piR-651 inhibitor was transfected into gastric cancer cells to assess its influence on cell growth. Cell cycle analysis was used to reveal the cellular mechanisms of piR-651 in the genesis of gastric cancer. RESULTS: piR-651 expression was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared with paired non-cancerous tissues. The levels of piR-651 were associated with TNM stage (P=0.032). The expression of piR-651 in gastric, colon, lung, and breast cancer tissues was higher than that in paired non-cancerous tissues. The upregulated expression of piR-651 was confirmed in several cancer cell lines including gastric, lung, mesothelium, breast, liver, and cervical cancer cell lines. The growth of gastric cancer cells was inhibited by a piR-651 inhibitor and arrested at the G(2)/M phase. CONCLUSION: piR-651 might be involved in the development of gastric cancer and other cancers, and is a potential marker for cancer diagnosis.

A novel 18-norclerodane diterpenoid from the roots of Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis.

A novel 18-nor-clerodane diterpenoid named sagitone (1) was isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of dry roots of Tinospora sagittata var. yunnanensis together with the five known diterpenoids columbin (2), palmatoside C (3), fibleucin (4), tinophylloloside (5) and epitinophylloloside (6). The structure of the new compound 1 was determined based on MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. The compounds 1-6 did not show significant cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines K562 and HL-60.

[Determination of seven metal elements in Yunnan wild Schizophyllum commune Fr by atomic absorption spectrometry].

The seven metal elements in Yunnan wild schizophyllum commune Fr, including Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Cr and Mg, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry for providing a scientific basis of the development. The results show that Zn, Co, Ni, Fe, Cr and Mg are relatively rich in schizophyllum commune Fr and the content of Cu is lower. The ratio of the content of Zn to that of Cu is 7.4, which is consistent with the relative content level of Zn and Cu contained in many anticancer Chinese traditional plants, implying that the nutritive value of Yunnan wild schizophyllum commune Fr is high.