Investigation of the Inhibitory Effects of Illicium verum Essential Oil Nanoemulsion on Fusarium proliferatum via Combined Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis.

Fusarium proliferatum is the main pathogen that causes Panax notoginseng root rot. The shortcomings of strong volatility and poor water solubility of Illicium verum essential oil (EO) limit its utilization. In this study, we prepared traditional emulsion (BDT) and nanoemulsion (Bneo) of I. verum EO by ultrasonic method with Tween-80 and absolute ethanol as solvents. The chemical components of EO, BDT, and Bneo were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the antifungal activity and mechanism were compared. The results show that Bneo has good stability and its particle size is 34.86 nm. The contents of (-) -anethole and estragole in Bneo were significantly higher than those in BDT. The antifungal activity against F. proliferatum was 5.8-fold higher than BDT. In the presence of I. verum EO, the occurrence of P. notoginseng root rot was significantly reduced. By combining transcriptome and metabolomics analysis, I. verum EO was found to be involved in the mutual transformation of pentose and glucuronic acid, galactose metabolism, streptomycin biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and other metabolic pathways of F. proliferatum, and it interfered with the normal growth of F. proliferatum to exert antifungal effects. This study provide a theoretical basis for expanding the practical application of Bneo.

The relationship between fat distribution and diabetes in US adults by race/ethnicity.

Introduction: This study examined the relationship between fat distribution and diabetes by sex-specific racial/ethnic groups. Methods: A secondary data analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 data (n = 11,972) was completed. Key variables examined were visceral adipose tissue area (VATA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), diabetes prevalence, and race/ethnicity. The association of VATA and SFA and diabetes prevalence was examined separately and simultaneously using multiple logistic regression. Bonferroni corrections were applied to all multiple comparisons between racial/ethnic groups. All analyses were adjusted for demographics and muscle mass. Results: VATA was positively associated with diabetes in both sexes (p < 0.001) and across all racial/ethnic groups (p < 0.05) except Black females. No statistically significant relationships were observed between SFA and diabetes while accounting for VATA with the exception of White females (p = 0.032). When comparing racial/ethnic groups, the relationship between VATA and diabetes was stronger in White and Hispanic females than in Black females (p < 0.005) while the relationship between SFA and diabetes did not differ between any racial/ethnic groups. Conclusion: This study found that VATA is associated with diabetes for both sexes across almost all racial/ethnic groups independent of SFA whereas the only significant relationship between SFA and diabetes, independent of VATA, was observed in White females. The findings indicated that visceral fat was more strongly associated with diabetes than subcutaneous. Additionally, there are health disparities in sex-specific racial/ethnic groups thus further study is warranted.

Foeniculum vulgare essential oil nanoemulsion inhibits Fusarium oxysporum causing Panax notoginseng root-rot disease.

Background: Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) is the primary pathogenic fungus that causes Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) root rot disease. To control the disease, safe and efficient antifungal pesticides must currently be developed. Methods: In this study, we prepared and characterized a nanoemulsion of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (Ne-FvEO) using ultrasonic technology and evaluated its stability. Traditional Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (T-FvEO) was prepared simultaneously with 1/1000 Tween-80 and 20/1000 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The effects and inhibitory mechanism of Ne-FvEO and T-FvEO in F. oxysporum were investigated through combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses. Results: Results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ne-FvEO decreased from 3.65 mg/mL to 0.35 mg/mL, and its bioavailability increased by 10-fold. The results of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed that T-FvEO did not contain a high content of estragole compared to Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (FvEO) and Ne-FvEO. Combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that both emulsions inhibited the growth and development of F. oxysporum through the synthesis of the cell wall and cell membrane, energy metabolism, and genetic information of F. oxysporum mycelium. Ne-FvEO also inhibited the expression of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase and reduced the content of 2-oxoglutarate, which inhibited the germination of spores. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Ne-FvEO effectively inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum in P. notoginseng in vivo. The findings contribute to our comprehension of the antifungal mechanism of essential oils (EOs) and lay the groundwork for the creation of plant-derived antifungal medicines.

A cross-sectional study of the relationship between physical activity, diet quality, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in US adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with many diseases, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research into the independent and integrated relationships of physical activity and diet quality with hs-CRP across sex-specific cohorts is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2015-2018) was used to examine the relationship between physical activity and diet quality with hs-CRP and hs-CRP classified CVD risk using multiple multinormal logistic regression adjusted for covariates including demographics. Physical activity was measured using a self-reported survey and further categorized to those who met (MPAR) or did not meet (NPAR) national recommendations. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2015, and further categorized to higher (HDQ) and lower (LDQ) diet quality. hs-CRP was also categorized as low, average, and high CVD risk using established cut-points. Physical activity was inversely related to hs-CRP in males (p < 0.001) whereas diet quality was inversely related to hs-CRP in females (p = 0.031). Compared to those with NPAR and LDQ, the hs-CRP for males with NPAR and HDQ and females with MPAR and HDQ was 1.18 mg/L and 0.75 mg/L lower respectively. Although, diet quality was inversely associated with high CVD risk in both sexes (p < 0.05), the lowest proportion of high and average CVD risk was observed in males and females with MPAR and HDQ. CONCLUSION: Physical activity and diet-quality lowered CVD risk regardless of sex. However, the independent effects of physical activity and diet quality on hs-CPR differs between sexes.

SNHG14 Elevates NFAT5 Expression Through Sequestering miR-375-3p to Promote MPP + -Induced Neuronal Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) was found to promote neuron injury in PD. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of SNHG14 in PD process. In vivo or in vitro PD model was established by using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mice or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP +)-stimulated SK-N-SH cells. The expression of genes and proteins was measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In vitro assays were conducted using ELISA, CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, flow cytometry, and Western blot assays, respectively. The oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The direct interactions between miR-375-3p and NFAT5 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5) or SNHG14 was verified using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. SNHG14 and NFAT5 were elevated, while miR-375-3p was decreased in MPTP-mediated PD mouse model and MPP + -induced SK-N-SH cells. Knockdown of SNHG14 or NFAT5, or overexpression of miR-375-3p reversed MPP + -induced neuronal apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, SNHG14 directly bound to miR-375, which targeted NFAT5. Inhibition of miR-375-3p abolished the inhibitory activity of SNHG14 knockdown on MPP + -evoked neuronal damage. Besides that, NFAT5 up-regulation counteracted the effects of miR-375-3p on MPP + -mediated neuronal damage. SNHG14 contributed to MPP + -induced neuronal injury by miR-375/NFAT5 axis, suggesting a new insight into the pathogenesis of PD.

The hypothalamic steroidogenic pathway mediates susceptibility to inflammation-evoked depression in female mice.

BACKGROUND: Depression is two-to-three times more frequent among women. The hypothalamus, a sexually dimorphic area, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Neuroinflammation-induced hypothalamic dysfunction underlies behaviors associated with depression. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of depression has been well-validated in numerous laboratories, including our own, and is widely used to investigate the relationship between neuroinflammation and depression. However, the sex-specific differences in metabolic alterations underlying depression-associated hypothalamic neuroinflammation remain unknown. METHODS: Here, we employed the LPS-induced mouse model of depression to investigate hypothalamic metabolic changes in both male and female mice using a metabolomics approach. Through bioinformatics analysis, we confirmed the molecular pathways and biological processes associated with the identified metabolites. Furthermore, we employed quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and pharmacological interventions to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: A total of 124 and 61 differential metabolites (DMs) were detected in male and female mice with depressive-like behavior, respectively, compared to their respective sex-matched control groups. Moreover, a comparison between female and male model mice identified 37 DMs. We capitalized on biochemical clustering and functional enrichment analyses to define the major metabolic changes in these DMs. More than 55% of the DMs clustered into lipids and lipid-like molecules, and an imbalance in lipids metabolism was presented in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, steroidogenic pathway was confirmed as a potential sex-specific pathway in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Pregnenolone, an upstream component of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, was downregulated in female mice with depressive-like phenotypes but not in males and had considerable relevance to depressive-like behaviors in females. Moreover, exogenous pregnenolone infusion reversed depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. The 5α-reductase type I (SRD5A1), a steroidogenic hub enzyme involved in pregnenolone metabolism, was increased in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Its inhibition increased hypothalamic pregnenolone levels and ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings demonstrate a marked sexual dimorphism at the metabolic level in depression, particularly in hypothalamic steroidogenic metabolism, identifying a potential sex-specific pathway in female mice with depressive-like behaviors.

Cloning and Functional Characterization of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductases in Aconitum vilmorinianum.

Diterpenoid alkaloids (DAs) are major pharmacologically active ingredients of Aconitum vilmorinianum, an important medicinal plant. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are involved in the DA biosynthetic pathway, and the electron transfer reaction of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) with P450 is the rate-limiting step of the P450 redox reaction. Here, we identified and characterized two homologs of CPR from Aconitum vilmorinianum. The open reading frames of AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 were found to be 2103 and 2100 bp, encoding 700 and 699 amino acid residues, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis characterized both AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 as class II CPRs. Cytochrome c and ferricyanide could be reduced with the recombinant proteins of AvCPR1 and AvCPR2. Both AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 were expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of A. vilmorinianum. The expression levels of AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 were significantly increased in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. The yeasts co-expressing AvCPR1/AvCPR2/SmCPR1 and CYP76AH1 all produced ferruginol, indicating that AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 can transfer electrons to CYP76AH1 in the same manner as SmCPR1. Docking analysis confirmed the experimentally deduced functional activities of AvCPR1 and AvCPR2 for FMN, FAD, and NADPH. The functional characterization of AvCPRs will be helpful in disclosing molecular mechanisms relating to the biosynthesis of diterpene alkaloids in A. vilmorinianum.

Geographic differences in the magnitude of black-white disparities in having obesity.

Background: Obesity disparities in the United States are well documented, but the limited body of research suggests that geographic factors may alter the magnitude of these disparities. A growing body of evidence has identified a "rural mortality penalty" where morbidity and mortality rates are higher in rural than urban areas, even after controlling for other factors. Black-White differences in health and mortality are more pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas. Objective: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how rural-urban status and region moderate Black-White health disparities in obesity. Methods: Data were abstracted from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with the sample being restricted to Black and White respondents (n = 403,231). Respondents' county of residence was linked to US Census information to obtain the county-level Index of Relative Rurality (IRR) and Census division. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were utilized to assess the magnitude of Black-White disparities in having obesity (yes/no) by IRR quartile and by Census division. Results: Overall, Black-White differences in obesity were wider in rural than in urban counties, with a significant linear trend (p < 0.001). Furthermore, when stratified by US Census division, results revealed that disparities were significantly wider in rural than urban areas for respondents living in the Middle Atlantic and South Atlantic divisions. In contrast, the association was reversed for the remaining divisions (New England, East North Central, West North Central, Mountain, and Pacific), where the magnitude of the Black-White difference was the largest in urban areas. Conclusion: Findings highlight the need to understand and account for critical place-based factors that exacerbate racial obesity disparities to develop and maximize the effectiveness of policies and programs designed to reduce racial inequalities and improve population health.

The Facilitators and Barriers to Digital Health for Managing Nutrition in People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Caregivers: A Formative, Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Identify techniques to assist in designing digital health platforms for nutrition services for people with Parkinson's disease and caregivers to improve their quality of life. DESIGN: Semistructured, dyadic interviews with 20 dyads (20 people with Parkinson's disease and 20 caregivers). SETTING: Home visits were conducted in the northeast US. PARTICIPANTS: People with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers were recruited via email, flyers, news articles and announcements at support groups. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Identification of facilitators and barriers to using digital health platforms to inform future digital nutrition services. ANALYSIS: Interviews were recorded, transcribed and double-coded using a framework analysis method. RESULTS: Reported digital health platforms utilization facilitators were: knowledge acquisition, convenience, intention to use, socializing, enjoyment, and forced adoption. Barriers included: negative feelings toward technology, lack of access or knowledge, disinterest, product design, frustration and functional reliability, and applying health information. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although dyads often lack knowledge on both how to use technology and nutrition, they are willing to use digital health platforms to increase their nutrition knowledge if platforms are convenient. Based on the identified facilitators and barriers, the added benefits of access and training nutrition digital health platforms must be clearly communicated to end-users to improve their quality of life.

Multiomics strategies for decoding seed dormancy breakdown in Paris polyphylla.

BACKGROUND: The disruption of seed dormancy is a complicated process and is controlled by various factors. Among these factors, membrane lipids and plant hormones are two of the most important ones. Paris polyphylla is an important Chinese herbaceous species, and the dormancy trait of its seed limits the cultivation of this herb. RESULTS: In this study, we investigate the global metabolic and transcriptomic profiles of Paris polyphylla during seed dormancy breaking. Widely targeted metabolomics revealed that lysophospholipids (lysoPLs) increased during P. polyphylla seed dormancy breaking. The expression of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), genes correlated to the production of lysoPLs, up-regulated significantly during this process. Abscisic acid (ABA) decreased dramatically during seed dormancy breaking of P. polyphylla. Changes of different GAs varied during P. polyphylla seeds dormancy breaking, 13-OH GAs, such as GA53 were not detected, and GA3 decreased significantly, whereas 13-H GAs, such as GA15, GA24 and GA4 increased. The expression of CYP707As was not synchronous with the change of ABA content, and the expression of most UGTs, GA20ox and GA3ox up-regulated during seed dormancy breaking. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PLA2 mediated production of lysoPLs may correlate to the seed dormancy breaking of P. polyphylla. The conversion of ABA to ABA-GE catalysed by UGTs may be the main cause of ABA degradation. Through inhibition the expression of genes related to the synthesis of 13-OH GAs and up-regulation genes related to the synthesis of 13-H GAs, P. polyphylla synthesized more bioactive 13-H GA (GA4) to break its seed dormancy.

A molecular network-based pharmacological study on the protective effect of Panax notoginseng rhizomes against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective: We aimed to explore the protective effect of Panax notoginseng rhizomes (PNR) on renal ischemia and reperfusion injury (RIRI) and the underlying molecular network mechanism based on network pharmacology and combined systemic experimental validation. Methods: A bilateral RIRI model was established, and Cr, SCr, and BUN levels were detected. Then, the PNR was pretreated 1 week before the RIRI model was prepared. To determine the effects of the PNR in RIRI, histopathological damage and the effect of PNRs to the kidney was assessed, using TTC, HE, and TUNEL staining. Furthermore, the underlying network pharmacology mechanism was detected by screening drug-disease intersection targets from PPI protein interactions and GO and KEGG analysis, and the hub genes were screened for molecular docking based on the Degree value. Finally, the expression of hub genes in kidney tissues was verified by qPCR, and the protein expression of related genes was further detected by Western blot (WB). Results: PNR pretreatment could effectively increase Cr level, decrease SCr and BUN levels, reduce renal infarct areas and renal tubular cell injury areas, and inhibit renal cell apoptosis. By using network pharmacology combined with bioinformatics, we screened co-targets both Panax notoginseng (Sanchi) and RIRI, acquired ten hub genes, and successfully performed molecular docking. Of these, pretreatment with the PNR reduced the mRNA levels of IL6 and MMP9 at postoperative day 1 and TP53 at postoperative day 7, and the protein expression of MMP9 at postoperative day 1 in IRI rats. These results showed that the PNR could decrease kidney pathological injury in IRI rats and inhibit apoptotic reaction and cell inflammation so as to improve renal injury effectively, and the core network mechanism is involved in the inhibition of MMP9, TP53, and IL-6. Conclusion: The PNR has a marked protective effect for RIRI, and the underlying mechanism is involved in inhibiting the expression of MMP9, TP53, and IL-6. This striking discovery not only provides fruitful evidence for the protective effect of the PNR in RIRI rats but also provides a novel mechanic explanation.

[Prenatal diagnosis for a fetus with Walker-Warburg syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology for a fetus with Walker-Warburg syndrome(WWS). METHODS: A fetus with WWS diagnosed at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in June 9, 2021 was selected as the study subject. Genomic DNA was extracted from amniotic fluid sample of the fetus and peripheral blood samples from its parents. Trio-Whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) was carried out. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the POMT2 gene, namely c.471delC (p.F158Lfs*42) and c.1975C>T (p.R659W), which were respectively inherited from its father and mother. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), they were respectively rated as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PP4) and likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP3_Moderate+PP4). CONCLUSION: Trio-WES may be used for the prenatal diagnosis of WWS. The compound heterozygous variants of the POMT2 gene probably underlay the disorder in this fetus. Above finding has expanded the mutational spectrum of the POMT2 gene and enabled definite diagnosis and genetic counseling for the family.

Middle Age and Older Adults: Their Nutrition and Physical Activity Needs and How Best to Address Them.

This cross-sectional study assessed the nutrition and physical activity (PA) needs, practices, and programming preferences of adults ages 40+ years from seven states (n = 1,250). Respondents were mostly educated, White, food-secure, adults ages 60+ years. Many were married, suburban-residing, and interested in health programming. By self-report most respondents were "at nutritional risk" (59.3%), in "somewhat good health" (32.3%), and sedentary (49.2%). One-third reported PA intention in the next two months. Desired programs were less than four weeks and under 4 h weekly. Respondents preferred to attend self-directed online lessons (41.2%). Program format preference varied by age (P < 0.05). More respondents aged 40-49 years and 70+ years reported a preference for online group sessions compared to those aged 50 to 69 years. Respondents ages 60 to 69 years reported the highest preference for interactive apps. More older respondents (60 years and older) preferred asynchronous online lessons compared to the younger respondents (age 59 years and younger). There were significant program participation interest differences by age, race, and location (P< 0.05). These results revealed a need and preference for self-directed, online health programming for middle-aged and older adults.

Sex and race/ethnicity specific reference predictive equations for abdominal adiposity indices using anthropometry in US adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal adiposity indices have stronger associations with cardiometabolic risk factors compared to anthropometric measures but are rarely used in large scale studies due to the cost and efficiency. The aim of this study is to establish sex and race/ethnicity specific reference equations using anthropometric measures. METHODS AND RESULTS: A secondary data analysis (n = 6589) of healthy adults was conducted using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Variables included in the analyses were anthropometric measures (height; weight; waist circumference, WC) and abdominal adiposity indices (android percent fat; android to gynoid ratio, A/G ratio; visceral adipose tissue area, VATA; visceral to subcutaneous adipose area ratio, VSR). Multivariable prediction models were developed using quantile regression. Bland-Altman was used for external validation of prediction models. Reference equations to estimate android percent fat, A/G ratio, VATA and VSR from anthropometric measurements were developed using a randomly selected subsample of 4613. These reference equations for four abdominal adiposity indices were then cross-validated in the remaining subsample of 1976. The measured and predicted android percent fat, A/G ratio, VATA and VSR were not statistically different (p > 0.05) except for the A/G ratio in Asian males and VSR in White females. The results of Bland-Altman further revealed that ≥93% of predicted abdominal adiposity indices fell within the limits of agreement (±1.96 standard deviation). CONCLUSION: The sex and race/ethnicity specific reference equations for abdominal adiposity indices established using anthropometrics in the present study have strong predictive ability in US healthy adults.

Does Healthcare Provider Counseling for Weight Management Behaviors among Hispanic Adults Who Are Overweight/Obese Vary by Acculturation Level?

This cross-sectional study explored differences in the receipt of health care provider (HCP) counseling to control/lose weight and adopt weight-related lifestyle behavior changes among Hispanic respondents according to acculturation level. Differences in reported action regarding HCP counseling were also examined. Data from four National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2011-2018) were analyzed, with the analytic sample limited to Hispanic respondents who were overweight/obese. Respondents' acculturation levels were derived from their reported country of origin and the primary language spoken at home. Respondents who reported speaking only Spanish or more Spanish than English at home were classified as primarily speaking Spanish at home. In contrast, those who reported speaking Spanish and English equally, more English than Spanish, or only English were categorized as primarily speaking English at home. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine if differences in acculturation levels existed regarding the likelihood of receiving HCP counseling to (1) control/lose weight, (2) increase exercise/PA, and (3) reduce fat/calorie intake. Similar analyses examined differences in reported action regarding HCP counseling according to acculturation level. The analysis found no significant differences in receiving HCP counseling according to acculturation level. However, non-US-born respondents who primarily spoke Spanish at home were less likely than US-born respondents to report acting to control/lose weight (p = 0.009) or increase exercise/PA (p = 0.048), but were more likely to report having taken action to reduce fat/calorie intake (p = 0.016). This study revealed differences between acting on recommendations of health care professionals according to acculturation level, indicating a need for interventions tailored to acculturation levels.

Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Panax vietnamensis.

Panax vietnamensis is a valuable medicinal resource with promising preclinical applications. Ginsenosides, which are triterpenoids, are the primary active components in P. vietnamensis. Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) catalyze the formation of the basic skeleton of triterpenes from 2,3-oxidosqualene, which is a crucial step in the biosynthesis of triterpenoids. The OSCs involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis in P. vietnamensis have not yet been characterized. Four OSC genes (PvOSC1-4) were cloned from P. vietnamensis and functionally characterized via heterologous expression in yeast. Transgenic yeast expressing PvOSC1, PvOSC3, and PvOSC4 produced the corresponding products ß-amyrin, cycloartenol, and dammarenediol-II, respectively. PvOSC1, PvOSC3, and PvOSC4 are monofunctional OSCs. In this study, we characterized three PvOSC genes, providing a better understanding of the biosynthesis of triterpenoids in P. vietnamensis and the multiple choices of plant OSCs for metabolic engineering in yeast and other hosts.

Network pharmacology and fingerprint for the integrated analysis of mechanism, identification and prediction in Panax notoginseng.

INTRODUCTION: Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen ex C. H. Chow, is a well-known herb with multitudinous efficacy. In this study, a series of overall analyses on the action mechanism, component content, origin identification, and content prediction of P. notoginseng are conducted. OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to analyse the mechanism of pharmacological efficacy, differences between contents and groups of P. notoginseng from different origins, and to identify the origin and predict the content. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The P. notoginseng samples from four different origins were used for analysis by the database, network pharmacology (Q-marker) and fingerprint analysis [high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and near-infrared (NIR)] combined with data fusion strategy (low- and feature-level). RESULTS: Four saponins were identified as Q-markers, and exerted pharmacological effects on signalling pathways through 24 core targets. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of HPLC showed that there were differences among groups and different origins. Therefore, considering the need to treat diseases, combined with network database and network pharmacology, the suitable producing areas were determined through the mechanism of action and the required saponin content. The low-level data fusion successfully identified the origin and predicted the content of P. notoginseng from different origins. The accuracy rate of each evaluation index of the partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was 1, and the t-SNE (t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding) visualisation results were good. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) of the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model ranged from 0.9235-0.9996, and the root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) range is 0.301-1.519. CONCLUSION: This study was designed to provide a sufficient theoretical basis for the quality control of P. notoginseng.

Authentication of Herbal Medicines Based on Modern Analytical Technology Combined with Chemometrics Approach: A Review.

Since ancient times, herbal medicines (HMs) have been widely popular with consumers as a "natural" drug for health care and disease treatment. With the emergence of problems, such as increasing demand for HMs and shortage of resources, it often occurs the phenomenon of shoddy exceed and mixing the false with the genuine in the market. There is an urgent need to evaluate the quality of HMs to ensure their important role in health care and disease treatment, and to reduce the possibility of threat to human health. Modern analytical technology is can be analyzed for analyzing chemical components of HMs or their preparations. Reflecting complex chemical components' characteristic curves in the analysis sample, and the comprehensive effect of active ingredients of HMs. In this review, modern analytical technology (chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry), chemometrics methods (unsupervised, supervised) and their advantages, disadvantages, and applicability were introduced and summarized. In addition, the authentication application of modern analytical technology combined with chemometrics methods in four aspects, including origin, processing methods, cultivation methods, and adulteration of HMs have also been discussed and illustrated by a few typical studies. This article offers a general workflow of analytical methods that have been applied for HMs authentication and explains that the accuracy of authentication in favor of the quality assurance of HMs. It was provided reference value for the development and application of modern HMs.

Integrated physiological, metabolomic, and proteome analysis of Alpinia officinarum Hance essential oil inhibits the growth of Fusarium oxysporum of Panax notoginseng.

Fusarium oxysporum is the main pathogen of Panax notoginseng root rot, and chemical fungicides remain the primary measures to control the disease. Plant essential oil (EO) is a volatile plant secondary metabolic product that does not produce any residue to replace chemical pesticide. To comprehensively understand the antifungal mechanism of Alpinia officinarum Hance EO, the physiological indicators, proteome and metabolome were analyzed using F. oxysporum spores and hyphae treated with different EO concentrations. The cell membrane was damaged after both low and high concentrations of EO treatment, along with leakage of the cell contents. To resist the destruction of membrane structure, fungi can increase the function of steroid biosynthesis and expression of these catalytic enzymes, including squalene monooxygenase (SQLE), sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51, CYP61A), delta14-sterol reductase (TM7SF2, ERG4), methylsterol monooxygenase (MESO1), and sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (SMT1). Furthermore, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) was influenced by inhibiting the expression of glutamate synthase (GLT1), 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (ABAT), and succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (gabD); increasing malate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); and decreasing citrate content. The spore germination rate and mycelia growth were decreased because the expression of cohesin complex subunit SA-1/2 (IRR1) and cohesion complex subunit (YCS4, BRN1, YCG1) were inhibited. Particularly, under high EO concentrations, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDC28) and DNA replication licensing factor (MCM) were further inhibited to disrupt the cell cycle and meiosis, thus affecting cell division. The results of this study will enrich the understanding of the antifungal mechanism of EOs and provide an important basis to develop new plant-derived fungicides.

The Sex and Race/Ethnicity-Specific Relationships of Abdominal Fat Distribution and Anthropometric Indices in US Adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine demographic-specific relationships between direct abdominal fat measures and anthropometric indices. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing abdominal fat measures (visceral fat area, VFA; visceral to subcutaneous adipose area ratio, VSR) and anthropometrics (body mass index, BMI; waist circumference, WC) data from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Linear or polynomial linear regression models were used to examine the relationships of abdominal fat measures to anthropometrics with adjustment for demographics. The results revealed that while VFA was linearly related to BMI and WC across all demographics (p < 0.001), the relationships between VSR and both BMI and WC were concave in men and convex in women. The relationships between VFA, VSR, and BMI, WC varied by sex and race/ethnicity. In conclusion, increasing BMI and WC were linearly associated with increased VFA, but their relationships with VSR were nonlinear and differed by sex.