TMEM45B is a novel predictive biomarker for prostate cancer progression and metastasis

It is urgently needed to explore the clinical relevance of TMEM45B expression and Prostate cancer(PCa), and determine the predictive significance of TMEM45B as a biomarker for PCa patients.Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of PCa with different metastatic potential (LTL-418, LTL-313B, LTL-313H and LTL-331) were developed. The gene expression microarray of LTL-313H and LTL-313B, which derived from a single PCa patient, was performed to identify the candidate biomarker gene, TMRM45B. MSKCC and TCGA PCa patient cohorts were introduced to analyzed the clinical significance of TMEM45B expression. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that there was a significant increase of TMEM45B expression in high metastatic potential tumor lines LTL-313H and LTL-331 compared with the other two low metastatic potential tumor lines(LTL-418, LTL-313B). In MSKCC PCa cohort, the mRNA level of TMEM45B in patients with metastasis was significantly higher than that in primary PCa (P=0.001) and begin prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients (P<0.001). In addition, the increased TMEM45B expression was positively related with a higher possibility of biochemical recurrence (P=0.016), distant metastasis occurrence(P<0.001) and overall patient survival (P=0.07). Moreover, TMEM45B expression was considered as an independent risk factor for metastasis of PCa based on multivariate logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with elevated TMEM45B had a shorter biochemical recurrence free survival (RFS). For primary PCa patients, subgroup analysis showed that there was a significant association between TMEM45B expression and clinical features in primary PCa cohort. Meanwhile, cases with elevated TMEM45B were more likely to develop metastasis compared to the normal group among N0 primary PCa patients (P=0.010). Primary PCa patient cohort TCGA was used to validate the results, and an obvious relationship was found between TMEM45B and clinical characteristic of PCa (T/N stage, Gleason score, Recurrence / Progress). Furthermore, a significant poor disease free survival (DFS) was investigated in high-level of TMEM45B patients compared with the other remaining cases (P=0.007). Taken together, the increased expression of TMEM45B appears to be significantly associated with prostate carcinoma progression and metastasis which provide a new prognostic biomarker for predicting metastatic potential of PCa patients, especially for primary PCa.

Geographic identification of Boletus mushrooms by data fusion of FT-IR and UV spectroscopies combined with multivariate statistical analysis

Boletus griseus and Boletus edulis are two well-known wild-grown edible mushrooms which have high nutrition, delicious flavor and high economic value distributing in Yunnan Province. In this study, a rapid method using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopies coupled with data fusion was established for the discrimination of Boletus mushrooms from seven different geographical origins with pattern recognition method. Initially, the spectra of 332 mushroom samples obtained from the two spectroscopic techniques were analyzed individually and then the classification performance based on data fusion strategy was investigated. Meanwhile, the latent variables (LVs) of FT-IR and UV spectra were extracted by partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and two datasets were concatenated into a new matrix for data fusion. Then, the fusion matrix was further analyzed by support vector machine (SVM). Compared with single spectroscopic technique, data fusion strategy can improve the classification performance effectively. In particular, the accuracy of correct classification of SVM model in training and test sets were 99.10% and 100.00%, respectively. The results demonstrated that data fusion of FT-IR and UV spectra can provide higher synergic effect for the discrimination of different geographical origins of Boletus mushrooms, which may be benefit for further authentication and quality assessment of edible mushrooms.

[Data fusion and multi-components quantitative analysis for identification and quality evaluation of Gentiana rigescens from different geographical origins]

The accumulation of secondary metabolites of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is closely related to its origins. The identification of origins and multi-components quantitative evaluation are of great significance to ensure the quality of medicinal materials. In this study, the identification of Gentiana rigescens from different geographical origins was conducted by data fusion of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in combination of partial least squares discriminant analysis; meanwhile quantitative analysis of index components was conducted to provide an accurate and comprehensive identification and quality evaluation strategy for selecting the best production areas of G. rigescens. In this study, the FTIR and HPLC information of 169 G. rigescens samples from Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces were collected. The raw infrared spectra were pre-treated by multiplicative scatter correction, standard normal variate (SNV) and Savitzky-Golay (SG) derivative. Then the performances of FTIR, HPLC, and low-level data fusion and mid-level data fusion for identification were compared, and the contents of gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, loganic acid and sweroside were determined by HPLC. The results showed that the FTIR spectra of G. rigescens from different geographical origins were different, and the best pre-treatment method was SNV+SG-derivative (second derivative, 15 as the window parameter, and 2 as the polynomial order). The results showed that the accuracy rate of low- and mid-level data fusion (96.43%) in prediction set was higher than that of FTIR and HPLC (94.64%) in prediction set. In addition, the accuracy of low-level data fusion (100%) in the training set was higher than that of mid-level data fusion (99.12%) in training set. The contents of the iridoid glycosides in Yunnan were the highest among different provinces. The average content of gentiopicroside, as a bioactive marker in Chinese pharmacopoeia, was 47.40 mg·g⁻¹, and the maximum was 79.83 mg·g⁻¹. The contents of loganic acid, sweroside and gentiopicroside in Yunnan were significantly different from other provinces (P<0.05). In comparison of total content of iridoid glycosides in G. rigescens with different geographical origins in Yunnan, it was found that the amount of iridoid glycosides was higher in Eryuan Dali (68.59 mg·g⁻¹) and Yulong Lijiang (66.68 mg·g⁻¹), significantly higher than that in Wuding Chuxiong (52.99 mg·g⁻¹), Chengjiang Yuxi (52.29 mg·g⁻¹) and Xundian Kunming (46.71 mg·g⁻¹) (P<0.05), so these two places can be used as a reference region for screening cultivation and excellent germplasm resources of G. rigescens. A comprehensive and accurate method was established by data fusion of HPLC-FTIR and quantitative analysis of HPLC for identification and quality evaluation of G. rigescens, which could provide a support for the development and utilization of G. rigescens.

Traceability of Boletaceae mushrooms using data fusion of UV-visible and FTIR combined with chemometrics methods

BACKGROUND

Boletaceae mushrooms are wild-grown edible mushrooms that have high nutrition, delicious flavor and large economic value distributing in Yunnan Province, China. Traceability is important for the authentication and quality assessment of Boletaceae mushrooms. In this study, UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies were applied for traceability of 247 Boletaceae mushroom samples in combination with chemometrics.

RESULTS

Compared with a single spectroscopy technique, data fusion strategy can obviously improve the classification performance in partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and grid-search support vector machine (GS-SVM) models, for both species and geographical origin traceability. In addition, PLS-DA and GS-SVM models can provide 100.00% accuracy for species traceability and have reliable evaluation parameters. For geographical origin traceability, the accuracy of prediction in the PLS-DA model by data fusion was just 64.63%, but the GS-SVM model based on data fusion was 100.00%.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that the data fusion strategy of UV-visible and FTIR combined with GS-SVM could provide a higher synergic effect for traceability of Boletaceae mushrooms and have a good generalization ability for the comprehensive quality control and evaluation of similar foods. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Establishment of a cell line from the kidney of black carp and its susceptibility to spring viremia of carp virus

In this study, we established and characterized a cell line derived from the kidney of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), which is an important freshwater aquaculture species. The cell line was designated as MPK and subcultured for more than 70 passages in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 28°C. MPK had a modal diploid chromosome number of 48. Moreover, a transient MPK transfection efficiency was up to 18% using a green fluorescent protein plasmid by a modified electroporation. In addition, the MPK cells showed susceptibility to spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), as demonstrated by the presence of severe cytopathic effects (CPEs) and increased viral RNA. Unexpectedly, the MPK cells expressed pluripotency-associated genes such as nanog, oct4 and vasa, indicating that these are possibly adult stem cells. Taken together, we have established a stable cell line from kidney that may potentially be utilized as an in vitro platform for genetic modifications and host-pathogen analysis in black carp.

Histochemical distribution of four types of enzymes and mucous cells in the gastrointestinal tract of reared half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

The histochemical distribution of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), non-specific esterase (NSE), peroxidase (POD) and mucous-cell types was evaluated in the gastrointestinal tract of the half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis. The enzymes were detected in the entire stretch of the gastrointestinal tract. ACP activity was found in the supranuclear region of enterocytes and the lamina propria of the intestine, as well as the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the stomach. The staining intensity of ACP in the anterior and posterior intestines was stronger than in the stomach. ALP activity was detected in the striated border of enterocytes and muscularis of the whole intestine, lamina propria and supranuclear cytoplasm of the enterocytes in the anterior intestine, as well as in the blood vessels of the stomach. The staining intensity for ALP in the anterior intestine was stronger than in the posterior segment and the latter was stronger than in the stomach. NSE activity was detected in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in the entire gastrointestinal tract, with the anterior intestine showing stronger intensity than the stomach. POD activity was located in the blood cells of the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract and the levels in the stomach were similar to the anterior and posterior intestines. Alcian blue (pH 2·5) periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) histochemical results revealed three types of mucous cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Type I cells (PAS+AB-) were observed among the gastric mucosa columnar cells in the stomach and enterocytes in the basal region of the villi and in the middle and top regions of the intestinal villi. Type II cells (PAS-AB+) and type III cells (PAS+AB+) were not detected in the stomach but were distributed ubiquitously among enterocytes in the middle and top regions of the intestinal villi.

Comprehensive Quality Assessment Based Specific Chemical Profiles for Geographic and Tissue Variation in Gentiana rigescens Using HPLC and FTIR Method Combined with Principal Component Analysis

Roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of Longdan (Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl) were collected from six geographic origins of Yunnan Province (n = 240) to implement the quality assessment based on contents of gentiopicroside, loganic acid, sweroside and swertiamarin and chemical profile using HPLC-DAD and FTIR method combined with principal component analysis (PCA). The content of gentiopicroside (major iridoid glycoside) was the highest in G. rigescens, regardless of tissue and geographic origin. The level of swertiamarin was the lowest, even unable to be detected in samples from Kunming and Qujing. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between gentiopicroside, loganic acid, sweroside, and swertiamarin were found at inter- or intra-tissues, which were highly depended on geographic origins, indicating the influence of environmental conditions on the conversion and transport of secondary metabolites in G. rigescens. Furthermore, samples were reasonably classified as three clusters along large producing areas where have similar climate conditions, characterized by carbohydrates, phenols, benzoates, terpenoids, aliphatic alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, and so forth. The present work provided global information on the chemical profile and contents of major iridoid glycosides in G. rigescens originated from six different origins, which is helpful for controlling quality of herbal medicines systematically.

[A cross-sectional study of seroepidemiology of viral hepatitis among Uighurs in Shufu of Xinjiang]

Objective: To explore the status of seroepidemiology on hepatitis A, B and C among students and residents aged equal or greater than 18 years in south Xinjiang, and to provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of viral hepatitis. Methods: Uyghur students in four towns and villages were selected by cluster random sampling from Feb to May, 2015, and Uyghur residents aged 18 to 69 years were selected by stratified cluster sampling from May to September, 2016. 4 507 middle and primary Uygur students and 4 833 Uyghur resides equal or greater than 18 years attended this survey. Self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information. And Elisa test was adopted to detect HAV-IgG, HBsAg, HBsAb and HCV-IgG. Chi-square test was used to calculate the difference on antibody positive rate of three types of hepatitis among the participants. Results: The overall HAV-IgG positive rate was 99.45% (9 289/9 340). The positive rates were 99.70% (4 006/4 018) in male and 99.27% (5 283/5 322) in female (χ(2)=7.95, P=0.005). The HAV-IgG positive rate among people aged 10 to 14 years was the highest (99.91%, 2 233/2 235), and the difference between the age specific HAV-IgG positive rates was statistical significant (χ(2)=38.21, P<0.001). The overall HBsAg positive rate was 4.11% (384 cases), with 4.55% (183 cases) for male and 3.78% (201 cases) for female. The HBsAg positive rate among participants 19 to 24 years old was the highest (9.46%, 21/222) and the differences between the age specific HBsAg was statistically significant (χ(2)=116.22, P<0.001). The HBsAb positive rate was 35.03% (3 272 cases), with 35.59% (1 430 cases) for male and 34.61% (1 842 cases) for female, and the HBsAb positive rate among participants aged 15 to 18 years was the highest, which was 69.12% (696/1 007). The differences between the age specific HBsAb rates appeared statistically significant (χ(2)=671.80, P<0.001). The overall HCV-IgG positive rate was 0.65%(61 cases). The HCV-IgG positive rate in female was 0.86% (46 cases) and 0.37% (15 cases) in male (χ(2)=8.51, P=0.004).The HCV-IgG positive rate among participants aged over 70 years was the highest (3.78%,9/238) , and the difference between the age specific HCV-IgG positive rates had statistic significance (χ(2)=70.30, P<0.001). The HAV-IgG positive rate in hepatitis A vaccinees (100%, 876/876) was higher than that among the non-vaccinees (99.40%, 8 413/8 464) (χ(2)=4.26, P=0.039). The HBsAb positive rate in hepatitis B vaccinees was 39.32% (1 816/4 619) which was higher than that among the non-vaccinees (30.84%, 1 456/4 721) (χ(2)=73.68, P<0.001). Conclusion: The positive rate of overall HAV-IgG was high, male and participants aged between 10 to 14 had higher probability to be infected. But the infection rates of hepatitis B and C were low, with the low vaccination rate and the poor protective effectiveness of hepatitis B.

[Protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii against intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A total of 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean body weight of 180±20 g were randomly divided into control group, model group, and treatment group, with 12 rats in each group, after adaptive feeding for 1 week. The rats in the control group were given basic feed, and those in the model group and treatment group were given high-fat feed. After 12 weeks of feeding, the treatment group was given Saccharomyces boulardii (75×10⁸ CFU/kg/d) by gavage, and those in the control group and model group were given isotonic saline by gavage. At the 20th week, blood samples were taken from the abdominal aorta to measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and endotoxins. The liver pathological changes, intestinal histopathological changes, and expression of occludin in the intestinal mucosa were observed. Fecal samples were collected to measure the changes in Escherichia coli and Bacteroides. A one-way analysis of variance and the SNK test were used for comparison between multiple groups, and the rank sum test was used as the non-parametric test. Results: Compared with the control group, the model group had significantly higher body weight, liver mass, and liver index (P < 0.05), and compared with the model group, the treatment group had significant reductions in body weight, liver mass, and liver index (P < 0.05). The model group had significant increases in TG, ALT, and AST compared with the control group (P < 0.05), the treatment group had a significant reduction in AST compared with the model group (P < 0.05), and the treatment group had slight reductions in TG and ALT compared with the model group (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α, and IFABP (P < 0.05), and the treatment group had significant reductions in the levels of endotoxin, TNF-α, and IFABP (P < 0.05). Liver tissue staining showed that the model group had significantly increased hepatocyte steatosis compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and that the treatment group had significantly reduced hepatocyte steatosis compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The intestinal villi in the control group had ordered arrangement and a complete structure; in the model group, the intestinal villi were shortened with local shedding and a lack of ordered arrangement; compared with the model group, the treatment group had mild edema and ordered arrangements of the intestinal villi. The model group had a significantly reduced level of occludin protein compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and the treatment group had a slight increase compared with the model group. The model group had a significantly increased number of Escherichia coli and a significantly reduced number of Bacteroides compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and the treatment group had a significantly reduced number of Escherichia coli and a significantly increased number of Bacteroides compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: High-fat diet can successfully induce NAFLD in rats, and intervention with Saccharomyces boulardii can reduce body weight and improve hepatocyte steatosis. Saccharomyces boulardii can reduce endotoxemia in NAFLD rats and thus alleviate inflammatory response. Saccharomyces boulardii can also adjust the proportion of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides in the intestine of NAFLD rats.

[Effect of curcumin on intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To investigate the effect of curcumin on intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into normal control group, model group, and curcumin intervention group. The rats in the model group and the curcumin intervention group were given high-fat feed for 16 weeks, and those in the curcumin intervention group were given curcumin 200 mg/kg/day by gavage once a day after 8 weeks of high-fat feeding. The rats were sacrificed at the end of week 16. A light microscope was used to observe pathological changes in the liver, an electron microscope was used to observe the tight junction of the intestinal mucosa, an automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), chromogenic substrate Limulus amebocyte lysate assay was used to measure plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level, spectrophotometric method was used to measure the activity of serum diamine oxidase, ELISA was used to measure the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of the tight junction protein occludin. One-way ANOVA test and SNK-q test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Under the light microscope, the control group had no hepatocyte steatosis, the model group had significant hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration, and the curcumin intervention group had reduced hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Under the electron microscope, the control group had a clear and complete structure of the tight junction of the intestinal mucosa and normal structures of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum; in the model group, the structure of the tight junction of the intestinal mucosa was destroyed, the intercellular space was widened, the desmosomes had a loose structure, there was edema in some mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated; the curcumin intervention group had improvements in the structure of tight junction of the intestinal mucosa, intercellular space, edema in the mitochondria, and dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of AST, ALT, DAO, TNFα, and LPS (q = -15.918, -14.402, -33.700, -8.944, and -10.832, P < 0.05); compared with the model group, the curcumin intervention group had significant reductions in the serum levels of AST, ALT, DAO, TNFα, and LPS (q = 10.457, 7.752, 18.802, 5.202, and 4.279, P < 0.05). In the control group, occludin showed a linear distribution along the top of small intestinal mucosal epithelial cells. The model group had a significant reduction in positive staining compared with the control group, and the curcumin intervention group had a significant increase in positive staining compared with the model group. The relative expression of occludin was 0.29±0.03 in the control group, 0.12±0.02 in the model group, and 0.21±0.02 in the curcumin intervention group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier is impaired in rats with NAFLD. Curcumin can reduce such damage, and its mechanism of action may be related to up-regulating the expression of occludin in the intestinal mucosa and reducing the levels of TNFα and LPS.

[Rapid prediction of the content of polyphyllin in various species of Paris by infrared spectrometry]

Polyphyllin is the main active constituent in Paris which was a traditional Chinese medicine. In order to evaluate the quality of Paris rapidly and ensure the efficacy in clinical therapy, we quantified the contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ using infrared spectroscopy with partial least squares regression(PLSR). The method for evaluating the quality of Paris was established. Infrared spectra of 78 samples from various species in different origins were collected. The contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅶ were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The HPLC data were combined with the spectral data to predict the contents of three polyphyllin rapidly. Multiplicative signal correction(MSC), standard normal variate(SNV), orthogonal signal correction(OSC), first derivative and second derivative were utilized for the spectral preprocessing. Then, the optimized spectral data were used to establish the quantitative prediction model based on PLSR. The results showed that the best spectral pretreatment of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ were MSC+OSC+2nd Der and that of polyphyllin Ⅶ was MSC+SNV+OSC+2nd Der. In the quantitative calibration model, the determination coefficients (R²) of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ were 0.930 8, 0.934 8 and 0.912 3, respectively while the Root mean square error of estimation(RMSEE) were 1.855 0, 0.632 3 and 0.001 6 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. In the verification model, the R² of polyphyllin Ⅰ, polyphyllin Ⅱ and polyphyllin Ⅶ were 0.948 8, 0.703 6 and 0.801 7, respectively, and the root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP)were 1.704 6, 1.227 8 and 0.002 0 mg•g⁻¹, respectively. Because of the predictive value of quantitative model was closed to the real value, the effect of the model was good. The model of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ were better than that of polyphyllin Ⅶ. The developed method was non-destructive, fast, and accurate. It was feasible to determine the content of polyphyllin in Paris.

[DNA damage associated genetic variants contribute to lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between DNA damage-related genetic variants and lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population.

METHODS

This case-control study enrolled patients from the Cancer Hospital of Jiangsu Province and Jiangsu Province Hospital from 2003 to 2009. Controls were randomly selected from individuals who visited the same hospital or a community-based health examination program during the same time period. A 5 ml venous blood sample was obtained from each participant and epidemiological information was collected on a standard questionnaire. Illumina Infinium(®) BeadChip was used for genotyping of 35 DNA damage-related single nucleotide variations (SNVs), which were identified in our previous study. Multivariate and binary logistic regressions were used to calculate the OR and 95%CI for lung cancer risk. HaploReg V4.1 and Regulome DB were used to understand functional annotation on important SNV.

RESULTS

The distributions of age (61.06±10.15) vs. (61.32±11.07) years; t=-0.72, P=0.473) and sex (χ(2)=1.81, P=0.179) were similar between cases and controls. However, the case group had a higher frequency of smokers (61.08% vs. 48.54%; χ(2)=50.04, P<0.001) and heavy smokers (42.28% vs. 24.07%; χ(2)=122.32, P<0.001). Among the 34 SNVs that passed quality control, two SNVs were significantly associated with lung cancer risk after adjustments for age, sex and cumulative smoking dose: rs9267576 C>A (CA genotype/CC genotype, OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.40) and rs3130683 A>G (AG genotype/AA genotype, OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.09). After step-wise logistic regression analysis, only the rs3130683 SNV was retained in the model, indicating that the association between rs9267576 and lung cancer may be due to the effect of rs3130683. Functional annotation indicated that rs3130683 was located in the promoter and enhancer regions, and was an expression quantitative trait loci of HLA. The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that expression of HLA-C, DQB1, DRB1 and DRB5 in lung cancer tissue was significantly lower than in paired normal tumor-adjacent tissue, with down-regulation of the four respective genes in 81.3%, 88.8%, 90.7% and 90.7% of lung cancer tissues (P-values were 6.68×10(-15), 2.21×10(-13), 2.20×10(-16), 2.58×10(-13), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The SNV rs3130683 (A>G) was associated with the risk of lung cancer in a Han Chinese population. This SNV may affect the risk of lung cancer by regulating HLA expression.

[Prevalence of hypertension and risk factors in Uygur population in Kashgar area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension and risk factors in Uygur adults in Kashgar of Xinjiang. Methods: A total of 4 748 Uygur adults aged ≥18 years selected through cluster random sampling in Shufu county of Kashgar prefecture were surveyed by means of questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory test. The prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rate of hypertension of different groups were calculated and risk factors of hypertension was analyzed by using non-conditional logistic regression model. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 15.73% (age-adjusted prevalence was 13.75%). The prevalence rates of hypertension in men and women were 16.36% (age-adjusted prevalence was 12.96%), 15.39% (age-adjusted prevalence was 14.34%), respectively. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were 59.57%, 52.74%, 21.29%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age. Compared with age group 18-34 years, the age groups 55-64, ≥65 years had higher risk of hypertension and the OR values were 10.53, 20.96 for men and 16.27, 33.20 for women. The overweight (OR=1.47 for men, OR=1.82 for women, P<0.05) and obesity (OR=1.88 for men, OR=2.66 for women, P<0.05) also increased the risk of hypertension. The groups with family history of hypertension (OR=3.85 for men, OR=2.34 for women, P<0.05) also had higher risk of hypertension. Hypertriglyceridemia was positively correlated with the prevalence of hypertension in men (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.09-2.41). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in Uygur adults in Kashgar area of Xinjiang was at relatively low level. The related risk factors were age, overweight, obesity, family history and hypertriglyceridemia in men and the risk factors were similar in women except hypertriglyceridemia.

[Knowledge, attitude and practice to chronic diseases and associated influencing factors in Uygur population in Kashgar area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) to chronic diseases and associated influencing factors in Uygur adults in Kashgar of southern Xinjiang, and provide basic information for developing ethnic specific prevention and control strategies for chronic diseases. Methods: With stratified cluster random sampling, investigations, including questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests were performed among local residents who were aged ≥18 years and selected in Shufu county in southern Xinjiang. KAP scores were calculated and unconditional logistic regression models were used to analyze influencing factors. Results: A total of 4 772 Uygur adults were surveyed. The awareness rate of chronic disease related knowledge ranged from 4.32% to 56.04%, while the awareness rate of preventive measures were from 1.76% to 85.18% and the participation rate of prevention program varied from 4.00% to 97.99%. The average KAP score was 15.90±4.20 and the rate of total KAP was 47.86%. Multi-factor analysis suggested the pass rate of total KAP score increased with educational level. Other factors positively associated with 'KAP score pass rate' were commercial insurance investment, hypertension, family history of common chronic diseases, female and abdominal obesity, while overweight was negatively associated with the KAP score pass rate. Conclusions: The KAP level on chronic diseases was low in Uygur adults in Kashgar. It is necessary to continuously implement ethnic targeted health education and health promotion campaigns, especially in low education level, low income level, overweight and male groups.

[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in Uygur population in Kashgar area of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Uygur residents in Kashgar of Xinjiang. Methods: The survey was conducted among the Uygur residents aged ≥18 years selected through stratified cluster sampling in Kashgar by means of questionnaire survey, physical examination and basic laboratory test. The prevalence of different groups were calculated and risk factors of DM was analyzed by logistic vegression model. Results: A total of 4 608 adults were surveyed. The prevalence of DM was 11.31% (standardized prevalence: 10.59%) and the prevalence was 13.65% (standardized prevalence: 12.34%) in males and 10.04% (standardized prevalence: 9.83%) in females. The prevalence increased with age. The prevalence of DM was higher than the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in people aged >60 years, especially in females. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of DM were 28.02%, 21.31% and 5.57%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that people aged 45-55, 55-65 and >65 years had higher risk of DM and the odds ratio were 2.08 (95%CI: 1.24-3.48), 2.73 (95%CI: 1.63-4.56) and 3.90 (95%CI: 2.24-6.78) for men and 2.63 (95% CI: 1.71-4.02), 3.14 (95%CI: 2.00-4.94) and 5.56 (95%CI: 3.47-8.92) for woman, respectively. Family history of DM (OR=2.88 for men, 95% CI: 1.45-5.72; OR=2.52 for women, 95% CI: 1.49-4.26) and BMI≥28.0 kg/m(2) (OR=1.77 for men, 95% CI: 1.19-2.64, OR=1.80 for women, 95% CI: 1.30-2.50) were also risk factors for DM. Conclusion: The prevalence of DM was high in Uygur residents in Kashgar, but the rate of awareness, treatment and control of DM were low. It is necessary to improve the detection rate of DM and conduct targeted prevention and control of DM.

Quantitative and Qualitative Characterization of Gentiana rigescens Franch (Gentianaceae) on Different Parts and Cultivations Years by HPLC and FTIR Spectroscopy

Gentiana rigescens Franch (Gentianaceae) is a famous medicinal plant for treatments of rheumatism, convulsion, and jaundice. Comprehensive investigation of different parts and cultivation years of this plant has not yet been conducted. This study presents the quantitative and qualitative characterization of iridoid glycosides from G. rigescens performed by HPLC and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The accumulations of loganic acid, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and sweroside were determined. Results indicated that their content and distribution in different parts and cultivation years exhibit great variations. Gentiopicroside was identified as the most abundant compound among iridoid glycosides and its highest level was observed in the root of 2-year-old plant. With respect to qualitative variation of metabolic profile, the 1800-800 cm^-1 band of FTIR spectra successfully discriminated different parts and cultivation years with the aid of PLS-DA. In addition, combined with PLSR, the feasibility of FTIR spectroscopy for determination of gentiopicroside was investigated by selecting characteristic wavelengths (1800-800 cm^-1), which presented a good performance with a residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 3.646. Our results suggested that HPLC and FTIR techniques can complement each other and could be simultaneously applied for comparing and analyzing different parts and cultivation years of G. rigescens.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of the Genus Swertia (Gentianaceae): A Review

Swertia plants have been considered to be medicinal plants useful for the treatment of various ailments for thousands of years, especially in Asian countries. This is due to the broad variety of chemical compounds that provide multiple ligands for bonding to different endogenous biomacromolecules for patients. Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Swertia plants are summarized in this paper. Approximately 419 metabolites and 40 bioactive compounds have been reported from 30 Swertia species, including xanthones, flavonoids, seco-iridiods, iridiods, triterpenoids, alkaloids, volatiles, and other secondary metabolites. The bioactivities of Swertia plants include anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, gut, and airways modulatory, metabolizing isozymes inhibitory, neuroprotective, HIV-I reverse transcriptases inhibitory, anticholinergic, and CNS-depressant activities, etc. In addition, biosynthetic pathways of xanthones, and seco-iridiods, two most important secondary metabolites for Swertia, are elucidated. The xanthones biosynthetic pathway is a mixed biosynthetic pathway involved the shikimate and the malonate routes, and the seco-iridoid pathway starts with geraniol derived from IPP which is produced either via the MEP or the MVA pathway. This review will offer a reference for future researches on the protection of natural resources, the investigation of therapeutic basis, new drug development, and so forth. Metabolic pathways of some crucial active compounds were also discussed in this review.

Using UHPLC and UV-vis Fingerprint Method to Evaluate Substitutes for Swertia mileensis: An Endangered Medicinal Plant

BACKGROUND

Millions of people are killed by viral hepatitis every year in the world, whereas many relevant medicines are too expensive to purchase. Swertia mileensis, a medicinal plant for hepatitis in the system of traditional Chinese medicine, has been vanishing gradually because of overexploitation.

OBJECTIVE

To find substitutes of S. mileensis and reduce the cost of purchasing drugs for hepatitis patients, the similarity of phytochemical constituents between S. mileensis and other three Swertia species was compared.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both ultra high performance liquid chromatographies and ultraviolet-vis fingerprints of four Swertia species were developed. Methanol extracts of the stems and leaves were used as samples to establish the fingerprint. The calibration curve was drawn for quantitative analysis of swertiamarin. The data of ultra high performance liquid chromatographies were evaluated statistically using similarity analysis and principal component analysis.

RESULTS

The result shows a significant difference at area of 204-290 nm in the ultraviolet fingerprint. Swertiamarin, the only one common peak, was defined in chromatographic fingerprints of four Swertia species. The quantitative analysis suggested that the highest concentration of swertiamarin is in S. davidii. The similarity indexes between different samples were almost under 0.60. In the principal component analysis, separate points not only represent the distinction among different species, but also perform chemical discrepancies in content between stems and leaves of one same species.

CONCLUSIONS

S. angustifolia, S. davidii, and S. punicea are not suitable as substitutes of S. mileensis because of their remarkable differences in entirety and local part. In order to address issues about substitutes and high cost of purchasing drugs, more studies need to undertake.

SUMMARY

The UHPLC fingerprint method indicated the significant difference on chemical ingredients in four plants from Swertia.Swertiamarin is the unique common compounds for four plants, which exist are in leaves of S. davidii with the highest content.The obvious diversity in four plants was displayed from comprehensive point of view though similarity assay and PCA analysis.The UV fingerprint method offsets the defect that the UHPLC fingerprint reflected messages of secoiridoid glycosides only. Abbreviation used: UHPLC: Ultra high performance liquid chromatography, UV-vis: Ultraviolet-vis, HBV: Anti-hepatitis virus, DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, PCA: Principal component analysis, D-GaIN: D-Galactosamine, BCG: Bacille Calmette-Guerin, LPS: Lipopolysaccharide.

Mercury in forest mushrooms and topsoil from the Yunnan highlands and the subalpine region of the Minya Konka summit in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

This study aimed to investigate and discuss the occurrence and accumulation of mercury in the fruiting bodies of wild-growing fungi (Macromycetes) collected from montane forests in two regions of southwestern China with differences in soil geochemistry, climate and geographical conditions. Fungal mycelia in soils of the subalpine region of the Minya Konka (Gongga Mountain) in Sichuan and in the highlands of Yunnan efficiently accumulated mercury in fruiting bodies (mushrooms). The examined sites in Yunnan with highly mineralized red and yellow soils showed Hg contents ranging from 0.066 to 0.28 mg kg^-1 dry biomass (db) which is roughly similar to the results obtained for samples collected from sites with dark soils relatively rich in organic matter from a remote, the subalpine region of Minya Konka. Due to the remoteness of the subalpine section of Minya Konka, as well as its elevation and climate, airborne mercury from long-range transport could be deposited preferentially on the topsoil and the Hg levels determined in soil samples taken beneath the fruiting bodies were up to 0.48 mg kg^-1 dry matter. In Yunnan, with polymetallic soils (Circum-Pacific Mercuriferous Belt), Amanita mushrooms showed mercury in caps of fruiting bodies of up to 7.3 mg kg^-1 dry biomass. Geogenic Hg from the mercuriferous belt seems to be the overriding source of mercury accumulated in mushrooms foraged in the regions of Yunnan, while long-range atmospheric transport and subsequent deposition are the mercury sources for specimens foraged in the region of Minya Konka.

Maternal dietary linoleic acid supplementation promotes muscle fibre type transformation in suckling piglets

As meat quality is basically dependent on muscle fibre characteristics, it is important to know how muscle fibres are regulated and transformed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation on muscle fibre types using 3% saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, PA) or 3% unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA) from 80 days of gestation to the weaning of offspring (25 days post-natal). The results indicated that higher mRNA levels of MyHCI type genes were found in the soleus muscles of piglets that suckled from LA-supplemented sows than from PA-supplemented sows. In addition, LA treatment increased the gene expression of the type I muscle fibre marker troponin I (p < 0.01), suggesting that LA promoted muscle fibre type transformation to type I fibres. Moreover, PGC-1α (p < 0.01) and MEF2c (p < 0.05) mRNA levels were higher in the piglets from the LA treatment group than in those from the PA treatment group. Furthermore, LA supplementation also significantly increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA levels (p < 0.05), which is an upstream regulator of PGC-1α. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that maternal dietary LA supplementation promoted muscle fibre transformation to type I fibre and that this process may be mediated through an AMPK-dependent pathway.

Characteristic fingerprinting based on macamides for discrimination of maca (Lepidium meyenii) by LC/MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis

BACKGROUND

Macamides with a benzylalkylamide nucleus are characteristic and major bioactive compounds in the functional food maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp). The aim of this study was to explore variations in macamide content among maca from China and Peru. Twenty-seven batches of maca hypocotyls with different phenotypes, sampled from different geographical origins, were extracted and profiled by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-UV/MS/MS).

RESULTS

Twelve macamides were identified by MS operated in multiple scanning modes. Similarity analysis showed that maca samples differed significantly in their macamide fingerprinting. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to differentiate samples according to their geographical origin and to identify the most relevant variables in the classification model. The prediction accuracy for raw maca was 91% and five macamides were selected and considered as chemical markers for sample classification.

CONCLUSION

When combined with a PLS-DA model, characteristic fingerprinting based on macamides could be recommended for labelling for the authentication of maca from different geographical origins. The results provided potential evidence for the relationships between environmental or other factors and distribution of macamides. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Association between the cardiovascular health score and new-onset atrial fibrillation]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the association between the cardiovascular health score and new-onset atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

A total of 95 026 participants who participated the health examination between July 2006 and October 2007 at Kailuan group and without history of atrial fibrillation were selected as the observation cohort. The second, the third and the fourth health examination were performed between July 2008 to October 2009, July 2010 to October 2011, July 2012 to October 2013, respectively.A total of 85 028 participants were included in the final analysis after excluding participants who had new-onset valvular atrial fibrillation and participants lost to follow-up. The participants were divided into 4 subgroups by cardiovascular health score at baseline according to the definition of AHA and cardiovascular health scoring system, namely group of 0-6 points (n=11 103), 7-8 points (n=24 487), 9-10 points (n=32 556), and 11-14 points (n=16 882). The incidence of atrial fibrillation in each subgroup was observed, and the association between cardiovascular health score and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation was analyzed using multiple Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 254 participants developed atrial fibrillation during the median of (5.6±1.4) years follow-up. The total incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was 0.53/1 000 person-year. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was 0.69/1 000 person-year, 0.60/1 000 person-year, 0.56/1 000 person-year, and 0.30/1 000 person-year, respectively in 0-6 points, 7-8 points, 9-10 points, and 11-14 points subgroups, respectively(P<0.01). After adjustment of age, gender, education level, income, drink, history of myocardial infarction, history of stroke, serum uric acid and C reactive protein level, multiple Cox regression analysis showed that one health score point increase was related to 8% reduction of new onset atrial fibrillation(HR=0.92, 95%CI 0.86-0.99, P<0.05). Compared with the group of 0-6 points group, the risk of atrial fibrillation in the group of 11-14 points group was reduced by 49% (HR=0.51, 95%CI 0.31-0.83, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation is reduced in proportion to increase of cardiovascular health score. Clinical Trail Registry: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ChiCTR-TNRC-11001489.

Genomic identification, phylogeny, and expression analysis of MLO genes involved in susceptibility to powdery mildew in Fragaria vesca

The MLO (powdery mildew locus O) gene family is important in resistance to powdery mildew (PM). In this study, all of the members of the MLO family were identified and analyzed in the strawberry (Fragaria vesca) genome. The strawberry contains at least 20 members of the MLO family, and the protein sequence contained between 171 and 1485 amino acids, with 0-34 introns. Chromosomal localization showed that the MLOs were unevenly distributed on each of the chromosomes, except for chromosome 4. The greatest number of MLOs (seven) was found on chromosome 3. A phylogenetic tree showed that the MLOs were divided into seven groups (I-VII), four of which consisted of MLOs from strawberry, Arabidopsis thaliana, rice, and maize, suggesting that these genes may have evolved after the divergence of monocots and dicots. Multiple sequence alignment showed that strawberry MLO candidates related to powdery mildew resistance possessed seven highly conserved transmembrane domains, a calmodulin-binding domain, and two conserved regions, all of which are important domains for powdery mildew resistance genes. Expressed sequence tag analysis revealed that the MLOs were induced by multiple abiotic stressors, including low and high temperature, drought, and high salinity. These findings will contribute to the functional characterization of MLOs related to PM susceptibility, and will assist in the development of disease resistance in strawberries.

Arsenic, cadmium and lead in sclerotia of Wolfiporia extensa of Yunnan, China

Considering the environmental pollution, edible mushroom safety is of great concern to consumers. This study aimed at providing and evaluating data on As, Cd and Pb content of sclerotia of Wolfiporia extensa collected across Yunnan in China. For the presented survey As, Cd, and Pb concentration in sclerotia of wild and cultivated W. extensa was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that As, Cd, and Pb content were below the limit promulgated by WHO, with the ranges 5.27-161, 1.51-42.1 and < 1-634 ng g(-1) dry matter. Calculated hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were used to evaluate the non-carcinogenic health risk from individual and combined metals via daily consumption of 50 g sclerotia. Both HQ and HI through consumption of sclerotia were below 1, indicating that weekly consumption of sclerotia at the indicated doses poses no significant health risk to an adult consumer.

Evaluation and quantitative analysis of different growth periods of herb-arbor intercropping systems using HPLC and UV-vis methods coupled with chemometrics

As a result of the pressure from population explosion, agricultural land resources require further protecting and rationally utilizing. Intercropping technique has been widely applied for agricultural production to save cultivated area, improve crop quality, and promote agriculture economy. In this study, we employed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) combined with chemometrics for determination and qualitative evaluation of several kinds of intercropping system with Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. (GR), which is used as an hepatic protector in local communities in China. Results revealed that GR in a Camellia sinensis intercropping system contained most gentiopicroside, sweroside, and total active constituents (six chemical indicators), whose content reached 91.09 ± 3.54, 1.03 ± 0.06, and 104.05 ± 6.48 mg g(-1), respectively. The two applied quantitative and qualitative methods reciprocally verified that GR with 2 years of growth period performed better in terms of quality than 1 year, collectively.

Chemotaxonomic Studies of Nine Gentianaceae Species from Western China Based on Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

INTRODUCTION

Gentianaceae species which widely occur all over the world are used as folk medicine and raw food material with bitter properties. Although comparative analysis on metabolites in several Gentianaceae species has been reported, metabolic similarities used for chemotaxonomic studies are not yet clear.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically characterise the variations of holistic metabolome and characteristic metabolites (iridoid glycosides and phenols) in nine Gentianaceae species from western China.

METHODOLOGY

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was applied to determine the variations of holistic metabolome. A targeted metabolic profiling using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was established for determination of seven characteristic metabolites and identification of their derivatives. Both FT-IR and LC-MS/MS data were subjected to chemometrics analysis for exploring variations in iridoid glycosides and phenols within these species.

RESULTS

Holistic metabolome in genera Gentiana and Swertia was largely different. Diversity of the biosynthetic pathway of iridoid glycosides was also observed in these species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation according to infrageneric classifications of genus Gentiana. Some secondary metabolites, such as mangiferin, rhodenthoside A-C, isoorientin, isovitexin, amarogentin, and swertianolin would serve as potential chemotaxonomic markers to differentiate Gentianaceae species. Furthermore, the accumulation of the six major metabolites seems to depend on geographical regions in Sect. Monopodiae and Sect. Cruciata.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of LC-MS/MS and FT-IR would provide some potential evidence on chemotaxonomic studies of Gentianaceae. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development of dual-wavelength fiber ring laser and its application to step-height measurement using self-mixing interferometry

A dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber (EDF) ring laser was developed and its application to step-height measurement using two-wavelength self-mixing interferometry (SMI) was demonstrated. The fiber laser can emit two different wavelengths without any laser mode competition. It is composed of two EDF laser cavities and employs fiber Bragg gratings to determine which wavelengths are emitted. The step heights can be measured using SMI of the two wavelengths, and the maximum height that can be measured is half the synthetic wavelength of the two wavelengths. A step height of 1mm was constructed using two gauge blocks and then measured using the laser. The measurement was repeated ten times, and the standard deviation of the measurements was 2.4nm.

Investigation of metabolites accumulation in medical plant Gentiana rigescens during different growing stage using LC-MS/MS and FT-IR

BACKGROUND

Gentiana rigescens, an important medicinal plant in China, has been widely cultivated in Yunnan province, China. Previous studies were focused on analysis and determination of the metabolites isolated from this species, the accumulation of these metabolites during growth period are not yet clear. In this study, samples for the experiments were obtained by tissue culture. FT-IR and LC-MS/MS method were performed to distinguish the variation on the major metabolites in G. rigescens during growing stage when combined with chemometrics.

RESULTS

Methodology validations were all within the required limits. The metabolites were visually different in tissue culture samples and mature plants. The diversity of metabolites increased proportionally with plant growth. The quantitative analysis showed the content of gentiopicroside was significantly vary during different growing stage. The highest content of gentiopicroside (122.93 ± 7.01 mg/g) was detected in leaf of regenerated plantlet, whereas its content in root significantly increased along with underground parts growth. Moreover, flavonoids mainly distributed in aerial parts showed potential competitive relationship during plant growth.

CONCLUSION

The distribution and accumulation of metabolites are associated with different parts and plant growth, which provide potential evidences for the rational application and exploitation of G. rigescens.

Selection of an effective microsatellite marker system for genetic control and analysis of gerbil populations in China

Although gerbils have been widely used in many areas of biological research over many years, there is currently no effective genetic quality control system available. In the present study, we sought to establish a microsatellite marker system for quality control and conducted an optimized analysis of 137 microsatellite loci in two laboratory gerbil populations and one wild population. Independent sample t-tests on the mean effective allele number, mean of Shannon's information index, and mean HE suggested that 28 of the 137 microsatellite markers were informative for gerbil genetic control. Analysis of 4 laboratory gerbil populations and 1 wild population using the 28 microsatellite loci indicated that allele numbers varied from 1.9639 (Guangzhou, GZ) to 6.6071 (North-West wild, NW). The average of HO versus HE was 0.6236/0.3802, 0.6671/0.4159, 0.4185/0.3464, 0.4592/0.3821, and 0.3972/0.4167 for the Beijing, NW, Hangzhou, Dalian, and GZ populations, respectively. The GZ population showed the greatest differentiation, having higher RST and Nei's standard genetic distances. An AMO-VA revealed high genetic differentiation among the five populations (FST = 0.296). The microsatellite system established here is effective and will be important in future studies for genetic quality control and monitoring of gerbil breeds.

Comparison of Mineral Element Content in a Functional Food Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) from Asia and South America

Contents of eight mineral elements in maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) from China and Peru were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Cu contents in maca samples from China (2.5-31 mg kg(-1) dry weight, dw) were higher than the samples from Peru (<2.1 mg kg(-1) dw). Na in two samples from China was found to be significantly of high content (2400 and 2600 mg kg(-1) dw). The contents (mg kg(-1) dw) of B, Co, Cr, Li, Ni, and Zn were, respectively, 8.1-21, <0.023, <1.1~3.5, 0.020-0.17, 0.085-4.5, and 10-39 for the samples from China, while being 6.6-12, <0.023, <1.1~2.3, 0.035-0.063, 0.68-1.7, and 27-39 for the samples from Peru.

Content and Bioaccumulation of Nine Mineral Elements in Ten Mushroom Species of the Genus Boletus

Concentrations and bioconcentration potential of nine elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn) in ten species of wild edible Boletus and the corresponding underlying soils were analyzed. The analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. Boletus showed relative abundant contents of P, K, Fe, Mg, Ca, and Na and less of Zn, Cu, and Mn. Caps compared to stalks were enriched in P, K, Cu, Mg, and Zn, while stalks were enriched in Mn. The elements such as P and K were accumulated (BCF > 1), while Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Na were excluded (BCF < 1) in the fruiting bodies. The correlation analysis indicated high correlations between Cu, Mn, Ca, and Fe in the mushrooms as compared to the corresponding soils. Significant correlations were also obtained between Cu-P (r = 0.775), Fe-P (r = 0.728), and Zn-P (r = 0.76) for caps and Cu-Mg (r = 0.721), Fe-Mg (r = 0.719), Zn-Mg (r = 0.824), and Zn-P (r = 0.818) for stalks. The results of this study imply that ability of fungi to accumulate elements from substrate could be influenced by mushroom species and underlying soil substrates.

Variation of plasma levels of endothelin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde in acute myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in a rabbit model

We examined the variation in plasma levels of endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, in acute myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in a rabbit model. Seventy rabbits were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Open-chest surgery (OCS) was performed for all rabbits. Group A (N = 20) received sham-surgery, group B (N = 25) was the reperfusion group, and group C (N = 25) was the infarction group. At 12 h after chest clo-sure, plasma ET levels in groups B and C were clearly increased, while CGRP levels were clearly decreased, particularly in group B. At 24 h after chest closure, ET levels were higher than before OCS, while there was no significant difference between groups B and C. ET in group B was decreased, while that in group C was increased at 12 h. No significant difference in CGRP was observed between 12 and 24 h after chest closure. NO levels in groups B and C at 12 h after chest closure were significantly decreased compared to those before OCS. NO levels in group B at 24, 48, and 72 h were significantly lower than those at 12 h, while those of group C were not significantly changed after 12 h. Dynamic monitoring and comparison of plasma levels of ET, CGRP, NO, and MDA as well as SOD activity revealed that appropriate intervention of these factors may reduce reperfusion injury.