Efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide and synergism with paclitaxel/cisplatin in ovarian cancer in mice

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in ovarian cancer, and the synergistic effect when used in combination with paclitaxel/cisplatin (PXT∕DDP).Methods: ID-8 cells were injected subcutaneously into 5 groups of female C57BL/6 mice (5 mice/group): control (Con), chemotherapy (CH, PTX/DDP), combination therapy 1 (co-CH1, PTX/DDP + 50 mg/kg LBP), combination therapy 2 (co-CH2, 100 mg/kg LBP) and combination therapy 3 (co-CH3, 150 mg/kg LBP). Tissue morphological changes were monitored by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Protein and mRNA levels of Keap1, Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HemO-1) were analyzed by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as applicable.Results: Growth rate and volume of tumors were significantly reduced in the chemotherapy and combination therapy groups, while organ index increased significantly in co-CH group. Morphological structure of tumor, liver and kidney became normal after combination therapy. Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly decreased in co-CH group relative to CH group. Lymphocytes, monocytes (MNC), neutrophils, basophils and eosnophils were significantly regulated by combination therapy. In CH and co-CH1-3 groups, the mRNA and protein levels of Keap1, HO-1 and Nrf2 were significantly increased relative to those of control mice.Conclusion: LBP in combination with PXT∕DDP enhances the efficacy of the latter, and reduced its toxicity when used for the treatment of ovarian malignant tumor in mice, by activating Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and promoting immunity.Keywords: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), Paclitaxel/Cisplatin, Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, Cytotoxicit

Analysis of Aroma Components of Red Jujube from Different Origins Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Chemometrics

To compare the volatile flavor characteristics of red jujube from different origins, volatile aroma components of jujube fruit from five origins (Xinzheng, Lingbao, Yulin, Hotan and Dezhou) were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The results showed that a total of 51 compounds were identified, among which the most volatile compounds were contained in Xinjiang Hotan jujube. Combined with multivariate statistical analysis, the differences in the overall volatile flavor substances of red jujube from different origins could be well distinguished. Under the conditions of satisfying the variable importance in projection>1 and P<0.05, 13 differential characteristic aroma substances, including methyl caproate, methyl decanoate, hexanal, and benzaldehyde, were screened out from red jujube samples, which imparted unique almond, sweet, and fruity flavors to red jujube. The results of this study clarify the chemical substance basis of the aroma quality of red jujube from different origins, provide a new idea for the origin tracing study of red jujube, and further provide a scientific basis for the rational processing and utilization of jujube fruit resources

Genetic differences and variation in polysaccharide antioxidant activity found in germplasm resources for Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.)

Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is an ancient plant with high nutritional and medicinal value. In this study, using 11 Chinese germplasm resources for Job’s tears, we examined genetic differences among the germplasms and differences in the in vitro antioxidant activities of coixan, and sought to identify inter-relationships between these two variables. We found that the intraspecific conservation of DNA sequences was high, with ITS regions and cpDNA trnL-F and trnH-psbA non-coding sequences showing no sequence variation, whereas the GBSSI gene showed a certain degree of variation among the different germplasms. EST-SSR analysis also revealed a relatively low level of genetic diversity among the germplasms. Coixan was shown to be an efficient antioxidant, and among the germplasms examined, the LNYX, FJPC, and AHBZ had the highest antioxidant activities. However, none of the four in vitro antioxidant activity indices we assessed were significantly correlated with the geographical origin of the germplasm (latitude and longitude); however, one of them was significantly associated with genetic diversity. Although the factors affecting the antioxidant activity of coixan are complex, the role of heredity should not be ignored. Our findings have implications for the scientific evaluation, identification, and sustainable utilization of the germplasm resources for Job’s tears.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Evaluation and Impact Factors of the Mechanical Properties of Phloem Bundle Fibers Obtained from Kenaf Germplasm

The mechanical properties of kenaf phloem bundle fibers are valuable for reinforced composites or boards, more so than similar materials also used in textile or papermaking applications. 55 kenaf germplasm studied here showed an average phloem bundle fiber tensile strength of 643.6 MPa and an average elastic modulus of 23.3 GPa after chemical retting treatment. 19 of these kenaf germplasm had fiber tensile strengths >700 MPa, which can be attributed to intensive breeding programs. The fiber tensile strength and elastic modulus of kenaf germplasm had a significant positive correlation, but there was no such correlation between a fiber’s mechanical properties and its diameter or agronomic characteristics. Among 56 hybridized combination F1 generations, the highest tensile strength was 928.3 MPa from a combination of No.30 of Xinan Wuchi × Guatemala 4. Therefore, breeding and screening are both useful for improving the mechanical properties of kenaf phloem bundle fibers. However, the effects of the used bundle fiber preparation method or cultivation year on the fiber’s mechanical properties were more pronounced than those of the type of kenaf germplasm or breeding operation used. The mechanical properties of kenaf phloem bundle fibers treated by chemical retting were superior to those treated using natural retting

MAPKAP1 rs10118570 Polymorphism Is Associated with Anti-Infection and Anti-Hepatic Fibrogenesis in Schistosomiasis Japonica

Chronic infection with Schistosoma japonicum is an important cause of hepatic fibrosis (HF). Human 9q33.3 is one of the most important loci for stress-related diseases. We examined the potential associations of 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with S. japonicum infection and HF in epidemic region in China. We identified a SNP (rs10118570 GG in mitogen-activated protein kinase associated protein 1, MAPKAP1) contributes to anti-infection (adjusted OR = 0.35) and anti-fibrogenesis (adjusted RR = 0.44) in the discovery study. Replicative and combined studies showed consistent protective quality for this genotype (replicative: adjusted OR = 0.37 for anti-infection, and adjusted RR = 0.40 for anti-fibrogenesis; Combined: adjusted OR = 0.45 for anti-infection, and adjusted RR = 0.42 for anti-fibrogenesis). Univariate and multivariate analysis in the discovery, replicative and combined studies, suggested that durations (years), splenomegaly, serum ALB and rs10118570 were independent predictors influencing the fibrogenesis. The analysis of gene-gene interaction showed rs10118570 functions independently. We conclude that MAPKAP1 may represent a novel anti-infection and anti-fibrogenesis genomic locus in chronic schistosomiasis japonica. And rs10118570 may be a potential biomarker and target for the treatment of this life-threatening ancient disease

Aligning potential differences within carbon nitride based photocatalysis for efficient solar energy harvesting

Photocatalysis is essentially triggered by the photoinduced charge carriers, which are then oriented for the targeted redox reactions. However, the effects of intrinsic driving forces on charge carriers and their resulting photocatalytic throughputs remain unclear. Herein, we focus on two main potential differences (PDs), e.g., intralayer PD (IPD) within two-dimensional carbon nitride hybrids, and band PD (BPD) between the band positions of a semiconductor and the redox potentials of reactants that can actuate charge carriers for photocatalysis. In situ experiments and theoretical computations identify and differentiate the roles of the two PDs on the separation, transportation and catalytic utilization of charge carriers. It is noteworthy that the enhancement from PDs alignment in this work is higher than other physiochemical modifications (e.g., mass transfer and polymerization degree) for photocatalysis. This study may offer a guiding principle for aligning a photocatalyst with target reactions for energy conversion and chemical synthesis

Regulation of energetic hot carriers on Pt/TiO2 with thermal energy for photothermal catalysis

Thermal and solar energies are two pivotal components in photothermal catalysis, however, their synergistic energy efficiency for a maximum yield is more important but less investigated. Herein, systematic studies unveil the promotion effects of external heat on the excitation and utilization of energetic hot carriers (EHC) on Pt/TiO2 in photothermal catalysis. Onset reaction temperature of a reaction is found to be the key in control of the energy synergy. When the minimum onset reaction temperature of uphill processes is exceeded, a smaller number of active sites on the catalyst are available to EHC, resulting in a suppressed thermal effect. Rational regulation of EHC and thermal energy in photothermal catalysis leads to optimum quantum efficiencies of both dry reforming of methane and reverse water-gas shift reactions at a medium level of temperature. This work provides new insights to balance thermal and solar-driven catalysis to better conduct photothermal catalysis for fossil fuels upgrading