Current Status of Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China

As an important component of traditional medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely spread and applied in more than 100 countries across the world. The standardization of TCM is very important for the international application of Chinese medicine. In this paper, we have explained and analyzed the standardization situations of TCM in China with the purpose of providing reference for standardization and international development of TCM

Antisense-induced suppression of taxoid 14β-hydroxylase gene expression in transgenic Taxus × media cells

The enzyme taxoid 14β-hydroxylase (14OH) directs a side-route of taxol pathway to 14β-hydroxy taxoids. Suppression of this side-route could increase the production of taxol. To suppress taxoid 14β- hydroxylase gene (14OH) expression in theTaxus × media TM3 cell line, antisense RNA inhibition approach was used in this study. Following the construction of an antisense RNA expression vector of 14OH from Taxus chinensis, the antisense 14OH cDNA (as14OH) was introduced into TM3 cells by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Southern blot analysis of hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (HYG) revealed that this selection gene was integrated successfully into the genome of Taxus × media cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the 14OH mRNA level in transgenic cells dropped dramatically, suggesting that the expression of endogenous14OH gene was significantly suppressed by the exogenous as14OH gene. Correspondingly, the total yield of three major C-14 oxygenated taxoids (yunnanxane, taxuyunnanine C, sinenxan C) was markedly reduced in the silenced cell lines when compared with those of the nontransgenic controls. These results indicated that the antisense RNA strategy is a useful tool in suppressing the expression of genes in Taxus and this method could be used to silence other important genes that divert Taxol pathway to side-route metabolites

Using γ\gamma-ray observations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies to test the possible common origin of the W-boson mass anomaly and the GeV γ\gamma-ray/antiproton excesses

A recent result from Fermilab suggests that the measured W-boson mass deviates from the prediction of the Standard Model (SM) with a significance of $>7\sigma$, and there may exist new physics beyond the SM. It is proposed that the inert two Higgs doublet model (i2HDM) can well explain the new W-boson mass. Meanwhile, the lightest neutral scalar $S$ in the i2HDM can be stable and play the role of dark matter with a preferred dark matter mass of $\sim 54-74$ GeV. It is also found that part of the parameter space of this model can explain both the Galactic center GeV gamma-ray excess detected by $Fermi$-LAT and the GeV antiproton excess detected by AMS-02 through a $SS\rightarrow WW^*$ annihilation. In this paper, we aim to test the possible common i2HDM origin of the three anomaly/excesses using the $Fermi$-LAT observations of Milky Way dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies. We perform single and stacking analyses on 19 dSphs that have J-factor measurements. We find that our upper limits are below the favored parameters and seems to be able to exclude the possibility of a common origin of the three anomaly/excesses. However, because the J-factor measurements include relatively large uncertainties, which come from the measurements of stellar kinematics, whether this model could be reliably excluded needs to be further confirmed by future observations.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, updated to match the accepted versio

New cell separation technique for the isolation and analysis of cells from biological mixtures in forensic caseworks

Aim To isolate mucosal cells of the perpetrator in a sexual assault case from a complex mixture of his mucosal cells and the victim’s skin by micromanipulation prior to genomic analysis. Methods To capture and analyze mucosal cells we used the micromanipulation with on-chip low volume polymerase chain reaction (LV-PCR). Consensus DNA profiles were generated from 5 replicate experiments. Results and conclusions We validated the use of micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR for genomic analysis of complex biological mixtures in a fatal rape case. The perpetrator’s mucosal cells were captured from nipple swabs of the victim, and a single-source DNA profile was generated from cell mixtures. These data suggest that micromanipulation with on-chip LV-PCR is an effective forensic tool for the analysis of specific cells from complex samples

排卵功能障碍性不孕症患者的中医五态人格及焦虑分析

Objective: Finding out the relationship between five-pattern personality and anxiety 、depression characteristics of the DOI patients. Methods: 200 DOI patients were selected in the Infertility Specialist of Guangzhou Liwan District Hospital of Chinese Medicine，at the same time, researchers choose normal women as controls. Respondents filled in the Five-pattern Personality Scales、SAS、SDS and general information questionnaire. Results: The proportion of shaoyin personality of the DOI patients(50%) is significantly higher than the normal women(22%). And no yin and yang personality was observed in patients with DOI. The SAS and SDS score of the DOI patients, listed in descending order, is as follow, taiyin personality、shaoyin personality、taiyang personality、shaoyang personality、yin and yang personality. Conclusion: The main five-pattern personality of DOI is shaoyin personality. The patients of the taiyin and shaoyin personality are more likely to have the characteristics of anxiety and depression.目的  探究排卵功能障碍性不孕症患者不同中医五态人格类型与焦虑、抑郁情绪的关联性。方法  确诊为排卵功能障碍性不孕症患者200例，同时在本院选择正常已育妇女作为对照组。采用《五态人格量表》、《焦虑自评量表（SAS）》、《抑郁自评量表（SDS）》及一般资料问卷进行调查。结果  排卵功能障碍性不孕症组中少阴型中医人格（50%）明显高于正常妇女组（22%），且没有出现阴阳平和型中医人格。不孕症组中太阳、少阳、少阴、太阴型中医人格的焦虑、抑郁总分4组间不全相等（P＜0.001）。结论  排卵功能障碍性不孕症患者以少阴型中医人格为主，且太阴、少阴型中医人格的患者更易出现高焦虑、高抑郁

Structure of the Mouse TRPC4 Ion Channel

Members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels conduct cations into cells. They mediate functions ranging from neuronally mediated hot and cold sensation to intracellular organellar and primary ciliary signaling. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of TRPC4 in its unliganded (apo) state to an overall resolution of 3.3 Å. The structure reveals a unique architecture with a long pore loop stabilized by a disulfide bond. Beyond the shared tetrameric six-transmembrane fold, the TRPC4 structure deviates from other TRP channels with a unique cytosolic domain. This unique cytosolic N-terminal domain forms extensive aromatic contacts with the TRP and the C-terminal domains. The comparison of our structure with other known TRP structures provides molecular insights into TRPC4 ion selectivity and extends our knowledge of the diversity and evolution of the TRP channels

Study of RNA Interference Targeting NET-1 Combination with Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy In Vitro

The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory effects of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting NET-1 or combined with sorafenib on HCC in vitro and in vivo and the possible underlying mechanisms. The expressions of NET-1 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-QPCR and western blot. The ability of proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry (FCM). Abilities of migration and invasion were measured by scratch-wound assay and transwell assay. MHCC97H cells with stable transfection of NET-1shRNA were injected subcutaneously to prepare nude mice model of HCC and Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Caspase-9 mRNAs of tumor tissues in different groups were examined. NET-1 mRNA and protein were reduced sharply in MHCC97H cells transfected with NET-1shRNA. The abilities of proliferation and migration were inhibited and apoptosis was promoted in either NET-1shRNA or sorafenib as compared with untreated cells in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 of tumor tissues were reduced in different treatment groups compared with untreated group, particularly in combination group. (P<0.05). The combination NET-1shRNA with sorafenib dramatically enhanced the effects of sorafenib antitumor ,which may involve in blocking ras signaling pathway and stimulating apoptotic pathways simultaneously

T-type Ca 2+ channel blocker mibefradil blocks ORAI channels via acting on extracellular surface

Background and purposeMibefradil (Mib), a T‐type Ca2+ channel blocker, has been investigated for treating solid tumours. However, its underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here we aimed to investigate the pharmacological aspect of Mib on ORAI store‐operated Ca2+ channels.Experimental approachHuman ORAI1‐3 in tetracycline‐regulated pcDNA4/TO vectors was transfected into HEK293 T‐REx cells with STIM1 stable expression. The ORAI currents were recorded by whole‐cell and excised‐membrane patch clamp. Ca2+ influx or release was measured by Fura‐PE3/AM. Cell growth and death were monitored by WST‐1, LDH assays and flow cytometry.Key resultsMib inhibited ORAI1, ORAI2 and ORAI3 currents in a dose‐dependent manner. The IC50 for ORAI1, ORAI2 and ORAI3 was 52.6 μM, 14.1 μM and 3.8 μM, respectively. Outside‐out patch demonstrated that perfusion of 10 μM Mib to the extracellular surface completely blocked ORAI3 currents and single channel activity evoked by 2‐APB. Intracellular application of Mib did not alter ORAI3 channel activity. Mib at higher concentrations (>50 μM) inhibited Ca2+ release, but had no effect on cytosolic STIM1 translocation evoked by thapsigargin. The inhibition of Mib on ORAI channels is structure‐related, since other T‐type Ca2+ channel blockers with different structures, such as ethosuximide and ML218, had no or very small effect on ORAI channels. Moreover, Mib inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and arrested cell cycle progression.Conclusions and implicationsOur results suggest that Mib is a potent extracellular ORAI channel blocker, which provides a new pharmacological profile for the compound in regulating cell growth and death as an anti‐cancer drug