Lycium barbarian seed oil activates Nrf2/ARE pathway to reduce oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effects of Lycium berry seed oil on Nrf2/ARE pathway and oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats. Methods Fifty out of 60 male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were subcutaneously injected with 125 mg • kg"D-galactosidase in the neck for 8 weeks to establish a subacute senescent rat model. The presence of senescent cells was observed using P-galactosidase ((3-gal), while testicular morphology was examined using HE staining. Serum levels of testosterone (testosterone, T), follicle-stimulating hormone ( follicle stimulating hormone, FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( luteinizing hormone, LH ) , superoxide dis-mutase ( superoxide dismutase, SOD ) , glutathione ( glutathione, GSH) and malondialdehyde ( malondial-dehyde, MDA) were measured through ELISA, and the expressions of factors related to aging, oxidative damage, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting. Results After successfully identifying the model, the morphology of the testis was improved and the intervention of Lycium seed oil led to a down-regulation in the expression of [3-gal and -yH2AX. The serum levels of SOD, GSH, T, and FSH increased while MDA and LH decreased (P 0. 05) . Additionally, there was an up-regulated expression of Nrf2, GCLC, NQOl, and SOD2 proteins in testicular tissue ( P 0. 05 ) and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in sertoli cells. Conclusion Lycium barbarum seed oil may reduce oxidative damage in testes of subacute senescent rats by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Novel phenolic metabolites isolated from plant endophytic fungus Fusarium guttiforme.

Two new phenolic compounds Fusagunolics A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the plant endophytic fungus Fusarium guttiforme, in addition to the previously known metabolites (3-6). The structures of these compounds was elucidated using a combination of spectroscopic analyses, including UV, HRESIMS, 1 D, and 2 D NMR, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and the optical rotatory dispersion (ORD). Further, the anti-inflammatory activity of all the compounds was evaluated to assess their capability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production by RAW 264.7 macrophages. The bioactive screening revealed that compounds 2 and 6 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against NO production with the IC50 values 28.6 and 37.6 µM, respectively.

Structures and biological evaluation of phenylpropanoid derivatives from Dendrobium Sonia.

Two new phenylpropanoid derivatives (1-2), together with eight known compounds (3-10) were isolated from the stems of Dendrobium sonia. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including HRESIMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR experiments. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their Nitric Oxide (NO) Inhibitory Activities. The results of bioactive screening showed that compounds 2, 8, 9 and 10 exerted inhibitory effects on NO production with IC50 values in the range of 26.3 to 31.6 µM. Compound 8 and 9 exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 values 26.3 and 27.7 µM, comparable to that of the positive control.

Transcriptome and metabolite profiling reveals the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on the roots of continuously cropped soybeans.

BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the most widely distributed mycorrhizal fungi, which can form mycorrhizal symbionts with plant roots and enhance plant stress resistance by regulating host metabolic activities. In this paper, the RNA sequencing and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) technologies were used to study the transcriptome and metabolite profiles of the roots of continuously cropped soybeans that were infected with F. mosseae and F. oxysporum. The objective was to explore the effects of F. mosseae treatment on soybean root rot infected with F. oxysporum. RESULTS: According to the transcriptome profiles, 24,285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and the expression of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), trans-cinnamate monooxygenase (CYP73A), cinnamyl-CoA reductase (CCR), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and coffee-coenzyme o-methyltransferase were upregulated after being infected with F. oxysporum; these changes were key to the induction of the soybean's defence response. The metabolite results showed that daidzein and 7,4-dihydroxy, 6-methoxy isoflavone (glycine), which are involved in the isoflavone metabolic pathway, were upregulated after the roots were inoculated with F. mosseae. In addition, a substantial alteration in the abundance of amino acids, phenolic and terpene metabolites all led to the synthesis of defence compounds. An integrated analysis of the metabolic and transcriptomic data revealed that substantial alterations in the abundance of most of the intermediate metabolites and enzymes changed substantially under pathogen infection. These changes included the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway, which suggests that isoflavonoid biosynthesis plays an important role in the soybean root response. CONCLUSION: The results showed that F. mosseae could alleviate the root rot caused by continuous cropping. The increased activity of some disease-resistant genes and disease-resistant metabolites may partly account for the ability of the plants to resist diseases. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism by which AMF alleviates soybean root rot, which is important in agriculture.

Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis Revealed the Effect of Funneliformis mosseae in Soybean Roots Differential Expression Genes and Proteins.

Glycine max is easily infected with root rot in continuous cropping systems, which can severely affect crop yield. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can reduce the incidence of root rot and increase plant height and biomass indices. However, the molecular changes that occur during soybean symbiosis with AMF remain largely unknown. To better understand the molecular mechanism underlying soybean symbiosis with AMF, we performed transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to explore the changes in protein expression during a high-incidence period (79 days) in asymbiotic and symbiotic plants and to identify the key proteins that regulate the mechanism of soybean symbiosis with AMF. A total of 10 104 genes were identified in the CK-vs-F comparison, and 11 562 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the AF group compared with the F group. A total of 9488 proteins were identified, with 256 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the CK-vs-F comparison and 651 DEPs in the F-vs-AF comparison. Key pathways and DEPs were found to be involved in processes associated with "phenylalanine metabolism", "plant hormone signal transduction", "plant-pathogen interaction", and "metabolic pathways". The expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK), and other defense-related proteins was upregulated by Funneliformis mosseae, indicating that inoculation promotes the development of soybean and increases disease resistance. Our results suggest that symbiosis promotes the growth and development of soybean and increases disease resistance. This study provides new insight into the molecular basis of the mechanism by which AMF affect plant disease resistance.

Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Amino Acid for Monitoring Protein Interactions through FRET.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a well-established method for studying macromolecular interactions and conformational changes within proteins. Such a method normally uses fluorescent proteins or chemical-labeling methods which are often only accessible to surface-exposed residues and risk-disturbing target protein structures. Here, we demonstrate that the genetic incorporation of a synthetic fluorescent amino acid, L-(7-hydroxycoumarin-4-yl) ethylglycine (Cou) and natural endogenous fluorophore Tryptophan (Trp) residues of a protein could serve as an efficient FRET pair to monitor protein interactions, using the signaling transducer ß-arrestin-1 as a model system. We used this technology to record the dynamic spectra in both binding and competition experiments of ß-arrestin-1, the contribution of each specific phosphate in ternary complex formation, in a rapid and efficient manner. The determined Kd value for the association between the active arrestin and Fab30 is 0.68 µM in the three-component interaction system. Moreover, we were able to determine the contributions of the site 3 phospho-site and the site 6 phospho-site binding, each contributing to the high affinity ternary complex assembly as 2.7 fold and 15.5 fold, respectively, which were never determined before. These results thus highlighted the potential usage of this new method in measurement of the allosteric-induced enhanced affinity with small amount proteins and in a fast manner and in a complex system. Collectively, our newly developed Trp:Cou FRET system based on genetic expansion technology has extended the molecular toolboxes available for biochemical and structural biology studies.

iTRAQ Proteomic Analysis of Continuously Cropped Soybean Root Inoculated With Funneliformis mosseae.

Soybean (Glycine max) is susceptible to root rot when subjected to continuous cropping, and this disease can seriously diminish the crop yield. Proteomics analyses can show the difference of protein expression in different treatment samples. Herein, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were employed for proteomic analysis of continuously cropped soybean inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae. The AMF can reduce the incidence of root rot and increase plant height, biomass index in 1, 2, and 4 year of continuous cropping. Differential expression of proteins in soybean roots was determined following 1 year of continuous cropping. A total of 131 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in F. mosseae-treated samples, of which 49 and 82 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. The DEPs were annotated with 117 gene ontology (GO) terms, with 48 involved in biological processes, 31 linked to molecular functions, and 39 associated with cell components. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis mapped the DEPs to 113 mainly metabolic pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. Expression of glucan 1,3-beta-glucosidase, chalcone isomerase, calcium-dependent phospholipid binding and other defense-related proteins was up-regulated by F. mosseae, suggesting inoculation promotes the growth and development of soybean and increases disease resistance. The findings provide an experimental basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms of AMF in resolving problems associated with continuous soybean cropping.

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae on Root Metabolites and Rhizosphere Soil Properties to Continuously-Cropped Soybean in the Potted-Experiments.

Continuous cropping in soybean is increasingly practiced in Heilongjiang Province, leading to substantial yield reductions and quality degradation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms that form mutualistic interactions with plant roots and can restore the plant rhizosphere microenvironment. In this study, two soybean lines (HN48 and HN66) were chosen as experimental materials, which were planted in different years of continuous cropping soybean soils and were inoculated or not with Funneliformis mosseae in potted-experiments. Ultimately, analysis of root tissue metabolome and root exudates, soil physicochemical properties, plant biomass, as well as rhizosphere soil properties in different experimental treatments, inoculated or not with F. mosseae, was performed. Experimental results showed that: (a) The disease index of soybean root rot was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, and there were differences in disease index and the resistance effect of F. mosseae between the two cultivars; (b) compared with the control, the root tissue metabolome and root exudates remained unchanged, but there were changes in the relative amounts in the treatment group, and the abundant metabolites differed by soybean cultivar; (c) soybean biomass was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group, and the effect of F. mosseae on biomass differed with respect to the soybean cultivar; and (d) there were differences in the physiochemical indexes of soybean rhizosphere soil between the treatment and control groups, and the repairing effect of F. mosseae differed between the two cultivars. Therefore, F. mosseae can increase the biomass of continuously cropped soybean, improve the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil, regulate the root metabolite profiles, and alleviate barriers to continuous cropping in potted-experiments of soybean.

Collision risk analysis based train collision early warning strategy.

A Train Collision Early Warning System (TCEWS) has been developed for collision avoidance. However, there are few studies regarding how to evaluate the collision risk and provide an early warning concerning a preceding train on the railway. In this paper, we have found that the time for collision avoidance is constrained by the timing of events, such as wireless communication latency, driver reaction, safety protection distance and deceleration rate. Considering these timing components, the time to avoid a collision is calculated accurately. To evaluate the potential collision severity when the following train approaches, the collision risk is defined based on the time to avoid a collision. The train collision early warning signal is divided into a four-tier color-coded system based on the collision risk, with red representing the most severe collision risk, followed by orange, yellow and blue. A field test of the train collision early warning strategy on the Hankou-Yichang Railway is analysed. It is demonstrated that the strategy has sufficient capability to indicate a potential collision and warn the following train.

Two new terpenoids from Kalimeris indica.

A new nor-sesquiterpene kalimeristone A (1), a new nor-triterpenoid kalimerislactone B (2) and eight known compounds 7-hydroxy-4'methoxyisoflavone (3), episyringaresinol (4), epipinoresinol (5), rhamnetin (6), vanillin (7), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (8), syringic acid (9) and 3, 4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (10) were isolated from the herbs of Kalimeris indica. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, such as NMR and MS. All of the compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time. The cytotoxicities against four cancer cell lines were evaluated in vitro, but were inactive.

Progress on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with ethnodrugs / 中国中药杂志

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, belonging to the "Arthromyodynia (Bi Zheng)" category in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the ethnomedicine has a unique understanding of RA, with a long-term clinical experience accumulation and significant efficacy in the treatment of RA, and it has now become one of the important means in treatment of RA. On the basis of literature research, the understanding of RA and commonly used Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, Hui medicine and other herbs and preparations were reviewed in this paper, with the aim of providing a reference for its clinical treatment of RA and research and development of innovative drugs.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Kalimeris indica].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from the active fractions of Kalimeris indica. METHODS: The chemical constituents were extracted of different concentrations and isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column and preparative HPLC. The chemical structures were further elucidated by the physicochemical characters, MS and NMR spectral data. RESULTS: Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as α-spinasterol(1), dibutylphthalate (2), (22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-ol(3), oleanolic acid(4), coniferyl alcohol(5), umbelliferone(6), syringaresinol(7), 15-oxo-14,16H-strictic acid(8), lariciresinol(9), (Z)-3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6-dodecadien-3,10,11-triol(10), neoechinulin A(11), pinoresinol(12), 4-allyl-3,5-dimethoxyphenol(13), and 3,4,5-tri-methoxyacetophenone (14). CONCLUSION: Except compound 1, the other compounds are isolated from this genus for the first time.

Advances on chemical constituents and bioactivities of genus Stellera / 中国中药杂志

Advance on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Stellera plants have been conducted. The chemical constituents include terpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, volatile oils, and other compounds. Pharmacological studies showed that diterpenoids and biflavones showed strong activities, such as antitumor, anti-HIV, and immune regulations. This review hopes to provide a scientific basis for further research and explorations of the medicinal values of the genus.

[Smoking cessation among rural populations in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the smoking cessation among rural populations in Beijing. METHODS: One natural village in Beijing suburb was sampled and all the 1901 villagers were surveyed by face-to-face interview to collect information on smoking status and smoking cessation. The potential factors related with smoking prevalence and smoking cessation were analzyed. RESULTS: The response rate was 91.2%. The ever-smoking rate was 35.8%. Among the 621 ever-smokers, 35.5% had tried or were trying to quit smoking. The vast majority (93.9%) of smoking cessation methods was self-service method. The overall rate of abstinence was 12.4%, and the success rate was higher in those groups of elder age, lower educational level, lower income level, having respiratory symptoms, and/or without nicotine dependence. There were 291 responders (46.9%) had the willingness to quit. Responders at older age, having respiratory symptoms, or with nicotine dependence had higher willingness to quit. CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco control efforts in rural areas should be strengthened. In part of motivated intervention, the advice should be given from the family, friends, doctors to young, asymptomatic smokers.

Expert consensus on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the People's Republic of China.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease that severely threatens human health. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is a major cause of disease progression and death, and causes huge medical expenditures. This consensus statement represents a description of clinical features of AECOPD in the People's Republic of China and a set of recommendations. It is intended to provide clinical guidelines for community physicians, pulmonologists and other health care providers for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AECOPD.

Prognostic factors for survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following conventional fractionation radiotherapy.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients receiving conventional fractionation radiotherapy. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 100 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radiotherapy was conducted. The Chi-square test was used to screen the relevant factors and Cox multiple-factor analysis was used to investigate the risk factors influencing the survival of patients. One-factor analysis results revealed that tumor stage, tumor diameter, prescription dose completion and radiotherapy regularity are related to the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and multiple-factor analysis results revealed that tumor stage, radiotherapy dose and radiotherapy regularity are independent risk factors influencing prognosis. The prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving radiotherapy is related to tumor progression and an adequate dose of regular radiotherapy improves the prognosis of patients.

[Clinical characteristic analysis of 96 cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis].

OBJECTIVE: To improve understanding of the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, including clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, exposure, pulmonary function tests, chest CT imaging and cytological classification of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 96 patients with HP from Jan 2001 to Jun 2011 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. We divided the patients into 2 groups: a pathologically-confirmed group and a clinically-suspected group. RESULTS: There were 58 females and 41 males. The median age at the diagnosis was 53 years. The most common exposures were low-molecular-weight chemicals (42.7%) and animal proteins (37.5%). Common clinical symptoms included dyspnea on exertion (90.6%) and cough (76.0%). Pulmonary function test showed diffusion abnormality (73.5%) and restrictive ventilatory impairment (59.7%). Chest CT scan revealed patchy or diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities (64.6%), centrilobular nodules (21.9%), and air trapping (15.6%). Reticulation (45.8%), traction bronchiectasis (21.9%) and honeycombing(9.4%) were present in chronic HP. BAL lymphocyte counts > 0.2 and CD4/CD8 < 0.9 were more commonly seen in patients with a disease course of less than 1 year. The pathologically-confirmed group and the clinically-suspected group shared many similar characteristics including age at diagnosis, gender, clinical manifestation, pulmonary function impairments and imaging findings, but significant differences existed in certain parameters. In the pathologically- confirmed group, the duration of disease was longer (24 months vs 6 months, Z = -2.492, P = 0.013) and clubbed fingers were more common (23.4% vs 8.2%, χ(2) = 4.227, P = 0.040). Diffusion abnormality was present in more patients of this group (90.7% vs 44.0%, χ(2) = 35.219, P < 0.01). By CT scan, reticulation, traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing (57.5% vs 26.5%, χ(2) = 9.434, P < 0.01) were more evident as compared to the clinically-suspected group. The value of transbronchial lung biopsy for diagnosing HP was limited, with a positive result of only 8.2%. Surgical lung biopsy was needed in uncertain cases. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of HP was difficult. In some cases a clinical diagnosis can be made by combination of history of exposure, CT manifestations and cell classification of BAL. For atypical cases a multi-disciplinary approach including pathologists, radiologists and pulmonologists is needed.

[Clinical features of thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma: analysis of 21 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the understanding of thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma (TNC) by retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 21 cases. METHODS: The clinical data of 21 patients with TNC treated in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1998 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 12 males and 9 females, with onset age ranging from 13 to 67 years and the mean age of 43 years. The clinical manifestation was diverse, in which the malaise of chest and back accounted for 57.1% (12/21), Cushing's syndrome 33.3% (7/21), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 accounted for 4.8% (1/21), pharyngeal malaise 4.8%, superior vena cava syndrome 4.8% (1/21) and asymptomatic patients accounted for 4.8% (1/21). Eighteen of them demonstrated metastasis, in which 13 had metastasis to lymph nodes and local vascular invasion, 9 to lung or pleura, 5 to bone, 1 to liver and 1 was recurred in situ. Twenty of them were treated by surgical resection. Eleven of them received radiotherapy and 9 chemotherapy after surgery. One patient was too severe to endure surgery, and was a treated by chemotherapy only. CONCLUSION: TNC is rare, and its clinical features are complex, with a high level of malignancy. The first choice of treatment is resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may be applied in patients with metastasis.