A new xanthone isolated from Garcinia bracteata and its important effect on NO levels.

A new xanthone, allanxanthone F (1), and 10 known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Garcinia bracteata. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated based on spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR). In addition, compounds 1-9 were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activities based on the expression of nitric oxide (NO) levels on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, and compounds 1-3, 4 and 6-9 suggested potential anti-inflammatory activities.

Comparatively analyzing of chloroplast genome and new insights into phylogenetic relationships regarding the genus Stephania.

The medicinal plant of the genus Stephania holds significant economic importance in the pharmaceutical industry. However, accurately classifying and subdividing this genus remains a challenge. Herein, the chloroplast (cp) genomes of Stephania and Cyclea were sequenced, and the primary characteristics, repeat sequences, inverted repeats regions, simple sequence repeats, and codon usage bias of 17 species were comparatively analyzed. Twelve markers were identified through genome alignment and sliding window analysis. Moreover, a molecular clock analysis revealed the divergence between subgenus (subg.) Botryodiscia and the combined Cyclea, subg. Stephania and Tuberiphania during the early Oligocene epoch. Notably, the raceme-type inflorescence represents the ancestral state of the Stephania and Cyclea. The genetic relationships inferred from the cp genome and protein-coding genes exhibited similar topologies. Additionally, the paraphyletic relationship between the genera Cyclea and Stephania was confirmed. Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and neighbor-joining trees consistently showed that section Tuberiphania and Transcostula were non-monophyletic. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights for further investigations into species identification, evolution, and phylogenetics within the Stephania genus.

Comparative analysis of chloroplast genome and new insights into phylogenetic relationships of Ajuga and common adulterants.

Introduction: The potential contamination of herbal medicinal products poses a significant concern for consumer health. Given the limited availability of genetic information concerning Ajuga species, it becomes imperative to incorporate supplementary molecular markers to enhance and ensure accurate species identification. Methods: In this study, the chloroplast (cp) genomes of seven species of the genus Ajuag were sequenced, de novo assembled and characterized. Results: exhibiting lengths ranging from 150,342 bp to 150,472 bp, encompassing 86 - 88 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 35 - 37 transfer RNA, and eight ribosomal RNA. The repetitive sequences, codon uses, and cp genomes of seven species were highly conserved, and PCGs were the reliable molecular markers for investigating the phylogenetic relationship within the Ajuga genus. Moreover, four mutation hotspot regions (accD-psaI, atpH-atpI, ndhC-trnV(UAC), and ndhF-rpl23) were identified within cp genomes of Ajuga, which could help distinguish A. bracteosa and its contaminants. Based on cp genomes and PCGs, the phylogenetic tree preliminary confirmed the position of Ajuga within the Lamiaceae family. It strongly supported a sister relationship between Subsect. Genevense and Subsect. Biflorae, suggesting the merger of Subsect. Biflorae and Subsect. Genevenses into one group rather than maintaining separate categorizations. Additionally, molecular clock analysis estimated the divergence time of Ajuga to be around 7.78 million years ago. Discussion: The species authentication, phylogeny, and evolution analyses of the Ajuga species may benefit from the above findings.

The potential, challenges, and prospects of the genus Spirulina polysaccharides as future multipurpose biomacromolecules.

Spirulina has been widely used worldwide as a food and medicinal ingredient for centuries. Polysaccharides are major bioactive constituents of Spirulina and are of interest because of their functional properties and unlimited application potential. However, the clinical translation and market industrialization of the polysaccharides from genus Spirulina (PGS) are retarded due to the lack of a further understanding of their isolation, bioactivities, structure-activity relationships (SARs), toxicity, and, most importantly, versatile applications. Herein, we provide an overview of the extraction, purification, and structural features of PGS; meanwhile, the advances in bioactivities, SARs, mechanisms of effects, and toxicity are discussed and summarized. Furthermore, the applications, potential developments, and future research directions are scrutinized and highlighted. This review may help fill the knowledge gap between theoretical insights and practical applications and guide future research and industrial application of PGS.

First-Principles Study of Atomic Diffusion by Vacancy Defect of the L12-Al3M (M = Sc, Zr, Er, Y) Phase.

Atomic diffusion by the vacancy defect of L12-Al3M (M = Sc, Zr, Er, Y) was investigated based on a first-principles calculation. The point defect formation energies were firstly evaluated. Then, the migration energy for different diffusion paths was obtained by the climbing-image nudged elastic band (CI-NEB) method. The results showed that Al atomic and M atomic diffusions through nearest-neighbor jump (NNJ) mediated by Al vacancy (VAl) were, respectively, the preferred diffusion paths in Al3M phases under both Al-rich and M-rich conditions. The other mechanisms, such as six-jump cycle (6JC) and next-nearest-neighbor jump (NNNJ), were energetically inhibited. The order of activation barriers for NNJ(Al-VAl) was Al3Zr < Al3Y < Al3Er < Al3Sc. The Al3Sc phase had high stability with a high self-diffusion activation barrier, while the Al3Zr and Al3Y phases were relatively unstable with a low self-diffusion activation energy. Moreover, the atomic-diffusion behavior between the core and shell layers of L12-Al3M was also further investigated. Zr atoms were prone to diffusion into the Al3Y core layer, resulting in no stable core-shelled Al3(Y,Zr), which well agreed with experimental observation.

Efficacy of metformin adjunctive therapy as the treatment for non-diabetic patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, the anticancer effects of metformin on different types of lung cancer have been frequently studied. However, the relationship between metformin and prognosis in nondiabetic patients with lung cancer remains controversial. To systematically evaluate the efficacy of metformin adjunctive therapy as the treatment for nondiabetic patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to provide an evidence-based reference for clinical medication. Materials and Methods: The literatures related to Phase II or III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of metformin adjunctive therapy in nondiabetic patients with advanced NSCLC, including EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus database, were retrieved by computer, and the search time ranged from January 2017 to August 2022. The risk of bias assessment tool recommended by Cochrane Systematic Evaluator Manual 5.1.0 was used to evaluate the quality of the RCTs included. Rev Man 5.3 software and STATA15.0 were used for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 8 studies were included (925 patients). Meta-analysis results showed that there were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-1.36, P = 0.77), overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.61-1.30, P = 0.55, n =7), objective response rate (ORR) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.76-2.46, P = 0.30), and 1-year PFS rate (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.39-1.94, P = 0.73, n = 3). Sensitivity analysis showed that PFS and OS indexes were stable. Conclusion: Metformin adjunctive therapy can improve the DCR of nondiabetic patients with advanced NSCLC. In addition, the patients cannot obtain a prolonged PFS, OS, 1-year PFS rate, and higher ORR rate.

Application of chloroplast genome in the identification of Phyllanthus urinaria and its common adulterants.

Background: Phyllanthus urinaria L. is extensively used as ethnopharmacological material in China. In the local marketplace, this medicine can be accidentally contaminated, deliberately substituted, or mixed with other related species. The contaminants in herbal products are a threat to consumer safety. Due to the scarcity of genetic information on Phyllanthus plants, more molecular markers are needed to avoid misidentification. Methods: In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of nine species of the genus Phyllanthus was de novo assembled and characterized. Results: This study revealed that all of these species exhibited a conserved quadripartite structure, which includes a large single copy (LSC) region and small single copy (SSC) region, and two copies of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), which separate the LSC and SSC regions. And the genome structure, codon usage, and repeat sequences were highly conserved and showed similarities among the nine species. Three highly variable regions (trnS-GCU-trnG-UCC, trnT-UGU-trnL-UAA, and petA-psbJ) might be helpful as potential molecular markers for identifying P. urinaria and its contaminants. In addition, the molecular clock analysis results showed that the divergence time of the genus Phyllanthus might occur at ~ 48.72 Ma. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information for further species identification, evolution, and phylogenetic research of Phyllanthus.

Analysis of subjective and objective safety risks in nursing care of pediatric hematologic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore safety risks in the common nursing care of pediatric hematologic diseases. METHODS: A total of 100 children with hematologic diseases treated in our hospital were included and randomly divided into a control group (n = 49) and an observation group (n = 51). Children in the control group received routine nursing according to previous practice, while children in the observation group received special environmental nursing with a large number of nurses who had received professional nursing education. After a period of time, the related satisfaction of the two groups of patients was investigated and compared. RESULTS: There were significant differences in nursing environment, the quantity of nursing staff, and the nursing level between the control group and the observation group. The proportion of patients with treatment compliance and accident incidence in the observation group was significantly different from that in the control group, indicating some safety risks in the nursing care of pediatric hematologic diseases. CONCLUSION: Reducing the probability of various risks in the process of nursing care can create a high-quality and comfortable rehabilitation environment for patients, so as to improve the patients' satisfaction with the service of medical staffs.

Investigation of bone matrix composition, architecture and mechanical properties reflect structure-function relationship of cortical bone in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.

Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common negative consequence of long-term glucocorticoid treatment, leading to increased fracture risk followed by loss of mobility and high mortality risk. These biologically induced changes in bone quality at molecular level lead to changes both in bone matrix architecture and bone matrix composition. However, the quantitative details of changes in bone quality - and especially their link to reduced macroscale mechanical properties are still largely missing. In this study, a mouse model for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) was used to investigate mechanical and material alterations in bone cortex (natural nanocomposite) at different scale. By combining quantitative backscattered electron (qBSE) imaging, nanoindentation and high brilliance synchrotron X-ray nanomechanical imaging on a genetically modified mouse model of GIOP, we were able to quantify the local indentation modulus, mineralization distribution and the alterations of nanoscale structures and deformation mechanisms in the mid-diaphysis of femur, and relate them to the macroscopic mechanical changes. Our results showed clear and significant changes in terms of material quality of bone at nanoscale and microscale, which manifests itself in development of spatial heterogeneities in mineralization and indentation moduli across the bone organ, with potential implications for increased fracture risk.

Expression profiling of TRIM protein family in THP1-derived macrophages following TLR stimulation.

Activated macrophages play an important role in many inflammatory diseases including septic shock and atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms limiting macrophage activation are not completely understood. Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family have recently emerged as important players in innate immunity and antivirus. Here, we systematically analyzed mRNA expressions of representative TRIM molecules in human THP1-derived macrophages activated by different toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Twenty-nine TRIM members were highly induced (>3 fold) by one or more TLR ligands, among which 19 of them belong to TRIM C-IV subgroup. Besides TRIM21, TRIM22 and TRIM38 were shown to be upregulated by TLR3 and TLR4 ligands as previous reported, we identified a novel group of TRIM genes (TRIM14, 15, 31, 34, 43, 48, 49, 51 and 61) that were significantly up-regulated by TLR3 and TLR4 ligands. In contrast, the expression of TRIM59 was down-regulated by TLR3 and TLR4 ligands in both human and mouse macrophages. The alternations of the TRIM proteins were confirmed by Western blot. Finally, overexpression of TRIM59 significantly suppressed LPS-induced macrophage activation, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of TRIM59 enhanced LPS-induced macrophage activation. Taken together, the study provided an insight into the TLR ligands-induced expressions of TRIM family in macrophages.