Characteristic Compounds Identification and Authenticity Evaluation of Heptapleurum Honey

In order to clarify the characteristic compounds and establish the authenticity evaluation method of heptapleurum honey, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS) was used to qualitative and quantitative analysis of characteristic compounds in heptapleurum honey. Five compounds were identified including 4-(1'-cyclodiethyl ether-3'-butanediol)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone (Unedone B), 3,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamyl alcohol, 4-(1'2'-dihydroxy-3'epoxypropane) -3,5,5-2-cyclohexenone (Unedone C), trans, trans abscisic acid, and cis, trans abscisic acid. Notably, 3,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamyl alcohol was first found in honey, and it could be a marker of heptapleurum honey. Moreover, 10 raw heptapleurum honey samples with different geographic origins were collected to establish HPLC fingerprint. The authenticity of six commercial heptapleurum honey samples were evaluated by combining characteristic compound with HPLC fingerprint. The results demonstrated that three brands of sample were genuine pure heptapleurum honey, two brands of sample might be mixed with other honeys. A brand sample did not contain characteristic compound and were significantly different with the standard fingerprints of heptapleurum honey. It was inferred that the sample was not heptapleurum honey. This study provides theoretical reference for the authenticity evaluation of heptapleurum honey

Overexpression of Sterol Carrier Protein 2 in Patients with Hereditary Cholesterol Gallstones

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lithogenic bile is the major cause of cholesterol gallstone, but its pathogenesis is not well understood. The hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol is believed to be an important cause of lithogenic bile. Sterol Carrier Protein 2 (SCP2) participates in cholesterol trafficking and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes and may play a key role in cholesterol gallstone formation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>21 cholesterol gallstone genealogies were studied to investigate the expression of SCP2 gene in liver tissue of hereditary and non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients as well as non-gallstone patients. The mRNA expression of liver SCP2 in 28 hereditary patients, 30 non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients and 32 non-gallstone patients was measured by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of liver SCP2 was also detected in all the patients by Western blotting. At the same time, the bile was also analyzed with biochemical techniques and the Cholesterol Saturation Index (CSI) was calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mRNA and protein expression of SCP2 was significantly increased in cholesterol gallstone patients compared to those of non-gallstone patients. Moreover, SCP2 was expressed at higher levels in hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients than that of non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients. There was significant difference observed in CSI between cholesterol gallstone patients and non-gallstone patients, but not in CSI between hereditary and non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>SCP2 was overexpressed in hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients compared to non-hereditary cholesterol gallstone patients. This finding indicated that SCP2 might be one of the genetic factors contributing to cholesterol gallstone formation, which was always accompanied by the increase of bile lithogenicity.</p

A novel fusion protein consisting of anti-ANGPTL3 antibody and interleukin-22 ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in mice

IntroductionThe pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy (DN) include podocyte injury, inflammatory responses and metabolic disorders. Although the antagonism of Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) can alleviate proteinuria symptoms by inhibiting the activation of integrin αvβ3 on the surface of podocytes, it can not impede other pathological processes, such as inflammatory responses and metabolic dysfunction of glucolipid. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is considered to be a pivotal molecule involved in suppressing inflammatory responses, initiating regenerative repair, and regulating glucolipid metabolism.MethodsGenes encoding the mIL22IgG2aFc and two chains of anti-ANGPTL3 antibody and bifunctional protein were synthesized. Then, the DN mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, anti-ANGPTL3 (20 mg/kg), mIL22Fc (12 mg/kg) or anti-ANGPTL3 /IL22 (25.3 mg/kg) and irrigation of positive drug losartan (20mg/kg/d) twice a week for 8 weeks.ResultsIn this research, a novel bifunctional fusion protein (anti-ANGPTL3/IL22) formed by the fusion of IL-22 with the C-terminus of anti-ANGPTL3 antibody exhibited favorable stability and maintained the biological activity of anti-ANGPTL3 and IL-22, respectively. The fusion protein showed a more pronounced attenuation of proteinuria and improved dysfunction of glucolipid metabolism compared with mIL22Fc or anti-ANGPTL3. Our results also indicated that anti-ANGPTL3/IL22 intervention significantly alleviated renal fibrosis via inhibiting the expression of the inflammatory response-related protein nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65 and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed the downregulation of signaling pathways associated with injury and dysfunction of the renal parenchymal cell indicating the possible protective mechanisms of anti-ANGPTL3/IL22 in DN.ConclusionCollectively, anti-ANGPTL3/IL22 bifunctional fusion protein can be a promising novel therapeutic strategy for DN by reducing podocyte injury, ameliorating inflammatory response, and enhancing renal tissue recovery

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Thalictrum foliolosum DC. 1817, a folk medicine plant in China

Thalictrum foliolosum DC. 1817, a widely distributed species in the genus of Thalictrum, is used as a traditional herbal medicine in China. For the first time, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of T. foliolosum was assembled and characterized for the first time in this study. The cp genome of T. foliolosum was 155,764 bp in length, including a large-single copy region of 85,086 bp, a small-single copy region of 17,636 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats region of 53,042 bp. The overall GC content was 38.50%. A total of 127 genes were predicted, including 82 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that T. foliolosum is closely related to T. petaloideum

MicroRNA-145 Suppresses Osteosarcoma Metastasis via Targeting MMP16

Background: Metastasis is a leading cause of mortality for osteosarcoma (OS) patients, and its molecular pathological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Previous studies have suggested a significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the control of cancel cell migration and invasion. Methods: Real-time PCR was used to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs between OS with or without metastasis, and miR-145 underexpression was observed in metastatic OS. Luciferase assay was performed to validate the target gene. Results: Further, we identified three genes, MMP16, ADAM17 and metadherin, as possible targets of miR-145. We identified MMP16 as a target gene of miR-145 and ruled out ADAM17 and metadherin as targets in OS using a dual luciferase reporter system. Subsequently, we determined and compared the expression level of MMP16 in human OS samples and showed that the mRNA and protein levels of MMP16 were significantly up-regulated in primary OS with metastasis compared with those without metastasis. We also altered miR-145 expression by transfecting OS cells with miR-145 mimics or inhibitors. MMP16 expression was similarly downregulated in the cells transfected with miR-145 mimics or MMP16-specific siRNA, and the invasive and migratory capability of those cells was significantly suppressed compared with negative controls. MMP16 expression was consistently significantly upregulated in the cells transfected with miR-145 inhibitors, and the invasive and migratory capability of those cells was significantly promoted compared with negative controls. Conclcusion: Our results suggest that miR-145 functions as a tumor metastasis suppressor gene by down-regulating MMP16 and may be a potential target in osteosarcoma treatment

Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram in gastric cancer with hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract Background Patients with HBsAg-positive gastric cancer (GC) are a heterogeneous group, and it is not possible to accurately predict the overall survival (OS) in these patients. Methods We developed and validated a nomogram to help improve prediction of OS in patients with HBsAg-positive GC. The nomogram was established by a development cohort (n = 245), and the validation cohort included 84 patients. Factors in the nomogram were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox hazard analysis. We tested the accuracy of the nomograms by discrimination and calibration, and plotted decision curves to assess the benefits of nomogram-assisted decisions in a clinical context. Then we evaluated the risk in the two cohort. Results Significant predictors were age, tumor stage, distant metastases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The proportional-hazards model (nomogram) was based on pre-treatment characteristics. The nomogram had a concordance index (C-index) of 0.812 (95% CI 0.762–0.862), which was superior than the C-index of AJCC TNM Stage (0.755, 95% CI 0.702–0.808). The calibration plot in the validation cohort based on 5 predictors suggested good agreement between actual and nomogram-predicted OS probabilities. The decision curve showed that the nomogram in predicting OS is better than that of TNM staging system in all range. Moreover, patients were divided into three distinct risk groups for OS by the nomogram: low risk group, middle risk group and high risk group, respectively. Conclusion This nomogram, using five pre-treatment characteristics, improves prediction of OS in patients with HBsAg-positive gastric cancer. It represents an improvement in prognostication over the current TNM stage. To generalize the use of this nomogram in other groups, additional validation with data from other institutions is required

Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analyses Reveal Defensive Responses and Flavonoid Biosynthesis of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen under Wound Stress in Natural Conditions

Dracaena cochinchinensis has special defensive reactions against wound stress. Under wound stress, D. cochinchinensis generates a resin that is an important medicine known as dragon&rsquo;s blood. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the defensive reactions is unclear. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses were performed on stems of D. cochinchinensis at different timepoints from the short term to the long term after wounding. According to the 378 identified compounds, wound-induced secondary metabolic processes exhibited three-phase characteristics: short term (0&ndash;5 days), middle term (10 days&ndash;3 months), and long term (6&ndash;17 months). The wound-induced transcriptome profile exhibited characteristics of four stages: within 24 h, 1&ndash;5 days, 10&ndash;30 days, and long term. The metabolic regulation in response to wound stress mainly involved the TCA cycle, glycolysis, starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylalanine biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis, along with some signal transduction pathways, which were all well connected. Flavonoid biosynthesis and modification were the main reactions against wound stress, mainly comprising 109 flavonoid metabolites and 93 wound-induced genes. A group of 21 genes encoding CHS, CHI, DFR, PPO, OMT, LAR, GST, and MYBs were closely related to loureirin B and loureirin C. Wound-induced responses at the metabolome and transcriptome level exhibited phase characteristics. Complex responses containing primary metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis are involved in the defense mechanism against wound stress in natural conditions, and flavonoid biosynthesis and modification are the main strategies of D. cochinchinensis in the long-term responses to wound stress

Corrosion behavior of ferritic ODS steel prepared by adding YH2 nanoparticles in supercritical water at 600 °C

The corrosion behavior of the ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel (14Cr-3Al-2W-0.1Ti) prepared by adding YH2 nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated in supercritical water (SCW) at 600 °C for 1500 h. The mass gain of the ODS steel (215.5 mg/dm2) was lower than that of SUS430 steel (357.2 mg/dm2). A dual oxide layer generated on the surface of ODS steel after corrosion in SCW. The outer layer was composed of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, while the inner layer composed of the spinel-type FeCr2O4 together with Al2O3. The generation of Y2Ti2O7 NPs in the ODS steel by adding YH2 NPs prohibits the formation of Y-Al-O particles and leaves more Al available to form a continuous protective oxide scale to improve the corrosion resistance. Moreover, the Y2Ti2O7 NPs act as efficient barriers to suppress the outward diffusion of metal atoms. This novel ODS steel shows potential applications in supercritical water. Keywords: Supercritical water, ODS steel, Corrosion behavior, Microstructur

Facile Synthesis of Mono-Dispersed Polystyrene (PS)/Ag Composite Microspheres via Modified Chemical Reduction

A modified method based on in situ chemical reduction was developed to prepare mono-dispersed polystyrene/silver (PS/Ag) composite microspheres. In this approach; mono-dispersed PS microspheres were synthesized through dispersion polymerization using poly-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant at first. Then, poly-dopamine (PDA) was fabricated to functionally modify the surfaces of PS microspheres. With the addition of [Ag(NH3)2]+ to the PS dispersion, [Ag(NH3)2]+ complex ions were absorbed and reduced to silver nanoparticles on the surfaces of PS-PDA microspheres to form PS/Ag composite microspheres. PVP acted both as a solvent of the metallic precursor and as a reducing agent. PDA also acted both as a chemical protocol to immobilize the silver nanoparticles at the PS surface and as a reducing agent. Therefore, no additional reducing agents were needed. The resulting composite microspheres were characterized by TEM, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), XRD, UV-Vis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The results showed that Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were homogeneously immobilized onto the PS microspheres’ surface in the presence of PDA and PVP. PS/Ag composite microspheres were well formed with a uniform and compact shell layer and were adjustable in terms of their optical property