Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing ameliorates adverse reactions of polygalae radix in zebra fish and rabbit models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Polygala tenuifilia Willd (Polygalaceae), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for a long time to treat various illnesses with serious adverse reactions. Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing is generally used to reduce the adverse reactions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to validate the irritation caused by raw Polygalaceae (RPA), to investigate whether processed Polygalaceae (PGA) was less irritating, and to screen and validate irritant properties of virgaureagenin G (polygala acid, PA), 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose (DSS), Tenuifolia (TEN) and polygalaxanthone III (POL), which had pharmacologically active in Polygalaceae. Zebrafish model, Draize test and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were utilized to achieve the aim.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope were used to determine the presence of calcium oxalate needle crystal in RPA and PGA. Zebrafish egg spinning changes and zebrafish embryo behavior were used for irritation validation, irritation comparison and irritant screening. For additional evidence, the Draize test, HE staining of rabbit eyes and ELISA kit were used. Finally, changes in the composition of RPA and PGA were investigated using HPLC.

RESULTS

SEM and optical microscopy revealed no calcium oxalate needle crystals in Polygalaceae. RPA, PGA, PA and DSS were able to accelerate the spinning of zebrafish eggs and the movement of embryos, while TEN and POL were not. RPA, PGA, DSS and PA may cause rabbit eyes to become hyperemic and swollen, resulting in damage to the iris, cornea and conjunctiva and increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Comparatively, the effects caused by PGA were less severe than those caused by RPA. In addition, compared to RPA, PGA had lower levels of DSS and PA.

CONCLUSIONS

RPA, PGA, DSS, and PA were irritating. However, processing and curing could reduce the irritation by reducing the levels of DSS and PA. DSS and PA could be two potential irritants of Polygalaceae.

[Clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis analysis of gray zone lymphoma]

To explore the clinical and pathological characteristics as well as therapies and prognosis of gray zone lymphoma (GZL). The clinical data of 10 GZL patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2016 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics, therapies and prognosis were analyzed. The cut-off time for follow-up visits was December 31, 2022, and the median time for follow-up visits [M(Q1, Q3)] was 40.0 (28.3, 59.8) months. Treatment efficacy was divided into complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).　There were 6 males and 4 females, with a median age [M(Q1, Q3)] of 33.5 (27.3-39.5) years. Among them, 8 patients had mediastinal (thymus) involvement and 7 patients were accompanied with extranodal involvement. According to Ann Arbor staging, 1 case was in the limited stage and 9 cases were in the progressive stage. The immunophenotypes of 4 patients were strong expression of CD20, expression of CD30, and no expression of CD15. The immunophenotypes of 6 patients were unequal expression of CD20 and strong expression of CD30 and CD15. One patient received classical hodgkin lymphoma(cHL)-like immunochemotherapy and only achieved PR, and then received enhanced diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-like immunochemotherapy to achieve CR. Five patients received enhanced DLBCL-like immunochemotherapy for induction therapy and achieved CR. All 4 patients who did not achieve CR achieved CR after receiving second-line or third-line salvage therapy. All patients were given autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for consolidation therapy. One patient relapsed and died during the follow-up visit in the 33rd month, and the remaining patients currently maintained a state of sustained remission. It is found that GZL mostly occurs in young patients, mediastinal involvement is common, and diagnosis relies on pathological morphology and immunophenotype. GZL may be more sensitive to DLBCL-like intensive immune regimens. Sequential ASCT for consolidation can reduce the risk of relapse.

[Effect of dynamic balance during the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on residual dizziness after successful repositioning: a multicenter prospective cohort study]

Objective: To explore the characteristics of dynamic balance during the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its prediction of residual symptoms after successful repositioning. Methods: From January 2018 to August 2019, patients diagnosed with unilateral posterior semicircular canal or horizontal semicircular canal BPPV were consecutively enrolled from five otolaryngology clinics in Shanghai. The dynamic balance function was measured by sensory organization test (SOT) before repositioning maneuver, and the residual symptoms and its duration were followed up from one week to up to three months. Results: A total of 260 patients were recruited. After excluding 17 cases, 243 cases were successfully followed up including 89 males and 154 females, with an average age of (52.9±13.0) years. There were 175 cases of posterior semicircular BPPV, 61 cases of horizontal semicircular BPPV and 7 cases of canal conversion (from horizontal to posterior semicircular). Among 243 patients, 118 cases reported residual symptoms, with an incidence of 48.6%. The results of SOT showed that 58.0%(141/243) of the patients had abnormal vestibular input and 41.6%(101/243) were categorized as "near falls". With respect to the detailed residual symptoms, 47 cases (39.8%) reported unsteadiness or floating, 35 cases (29.7%) had fogginess/heaviness feeling, 22 cases (18.6%) had transient dizzy while head moving, and 15 cases (12.7%) reported that the symptom was too subtle to describe. Compared with the group without residual symptoms, the group with residual symptoms had more abnormal vestibular input(χ²=67.25, P<0.001) and near falls(χ²=74.78, P<0.001) as identified by SOT test. Cox proportional hazards regression failed to reveal any SOT results having significantly impact on the duration of residual symptoms [abnormal vestibular input (HR= 0.93, 95%CI: 0.48, 1.80), and near falls (HR= 0.90, 95%CI: 0.56, 1.46)]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the duration of residual symptoms among patients with different SOT manifestations [Log rank (Mantel-Cox) test, P>0.05]. Conclusions: The impaired dynamic balance during the onset of BPPV is characterized by "abnormal vestibular input". The residual symptoms are mainly characterized by unsteadiness or floating feeling. The defect of dynamic balance function is a predictor of the residual symptoms after successful repositioning, but not for the duration of such symptoms.

Photocatalytic three-component annulation enabling stereoselective generation of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides

A new photocatalytic three-component annulation of 2-alkynylaryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates with γ-hydroxyl terminal alkynes and sodium metabisulfite is reported and used to produce a series of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides.

In vitro screening of technical lignins to determine their potential as hay preservatives

Our objectives were to evaluate technical lignins for their antifungal properties against 3 molds and 1 yeast causing hay spoilage, and their ability to preserve ground high-moisture alfalfa hay nutritive value in vitro. In experiment 1, 8 technical lignins and propionic acid (PRP; positive control) were tested at a dose of 40 mg/mL. The experiment had a randomized complete block design (RCBD, 4 runs) and a factorial arrangement of 3 molds × 10 additives (ADV). The effects of the ADV on yeast were evaluated separately with a RCBD. Sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and PRP were the only treatments with 100 ± 2.8% inhibition of fungi. In experiment 2, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for selected lignins and PRP were determined. At pH 4, NaL had the lowest MIC across the molds (20-33.3 mg/mL) and magnesium lignosulfonate (MgL) for the yeast (26.7) among the lignins. However, PRP had MIC values that were several-fold lower across all fungi (1.25-3.33). In experiment 3, a RCBD (5 blocks) with a 3 (ADV; NaL, MgL, and PRP) × 4 (doses: 0, 0.5, 1, and 3% wt/wt fresh basis) factorial arrangement of treatments was used to evaluate the preservative effects of ADV in ground high-moisture alfalfa hay inoculated with a mixture of the fungi previously tested and incubated under aerobic conditions in vitro. After 15 d, relative to untreated hay (14.9), dry matter (DM) losses were lessened by doses as low as 1% for NaL (3.39) and 0.5% for PRP (0.81 ± 0.77%). The mold count was reduced in both NaL at 3% (3.92) and PRP as low as 0.5% (3.94) relative to untreated hay (7.76 ± 0.55 log cfu/fresh g). Consequently, sugars were best preserved by NaL at 3% (10.1) and PRP as low as 0.5% (10.5) versus untreated (7.99 ± 0.283% DM), while keeping neutral detergent fiber values lower in NaL (45.9) and PRP-treated (45.1) hays at the same doses, respectively, relative to untreated (49.7 ± 0.66% DM). Hay DM digestibility was increased by doses as low as 3% for NaL (67.5), 1% MgL (67.0), and 0.5% PRP (68.5) versus untreated hay (61.8 ± 0.77%). The lowest doses increasing neutral detergent fiber digestibility relative to untreated hay (23.3) were 0.5% for MgL and PRP (30.5 and 30.1, respectively) and 1% for NaL (30.7 ± 1.09% DM). Across technical lignins, NaL showed the most promise as a potential hay preservative. However, its effects were limited compared with PRP at equivalent doses. Despite not having an effect on preservation, MgL improved DM digestibility by stimulating neutral detergent fiber digestibility. This study warrants further development of NaL under field conditions.

Knockdown of human serine/threonine kinase 33 suppresses human small cell lung carcinoma by blocking RPS6/BAD signaling transduction

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth rate and a tendency to metastasize to distinct sites of patients' bodies. The human serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33) gene has shown its potency as a therapeutic target for prevention of lung carcinomas including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its function in the oncogenesis and development of SCLC remains unrevealed. In the current study, it was hypothesized that STK33 played a key role in the proliferation, survival, and invasion of SCLC cells. The expression of STK33 in human SCLC cell lines NCI-H466 and DMS153 was inhibited by specific shRNA. The cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and cell invasion of the cells were assessed with a series of in vitro assays. To explore the mechanism through which STK33 gene exerted its function in the carcinogenesis of SCLC cells, the effect of STK33 knockdown on the activity of S6K1/RPS6/BAD signaling was detected. Then the results were further confirmed with STK33 inhibitor ML281 and in vivo assays. The results demonstrated that inhibition of STK33 in SCLC cells suppressed the cell proliferation and invasion while induced cell apoptosis. Associated with the change in the phenotypic features, knockdown of STK33 also decreased the phosphorylation of RPS6 and BAD while increased the expression of cleaved caspase 9, indicating that apoptosis induced by STK33 suppression was mediated via mitochondrial pathway. Similar to the results of STK33 knockdown, incubating NCI-H466 cells with STK33 inhibitor also reduced the cell viability by suppressing RPS6/BAD pathways. Additionally, STK33 knockdown also inhibited tumor growth and RPS6/BAD activity in mice models. Findings outlined in our study were different from that in NSCLC to some extent: knockdown of STK33 in SCLC cells induced the apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway but independent of S6K1 function, inferring that the function of STK33 might be cancer type specific.

[A case report of plasma cell granuloma in maxillary sinuses]

Plasma cell granuloma is a kind of the disease with low incidence at head and neck，which is a benign lesions with malignant biological performance. The diagnosis of plasma cell granuloma is difficult as the symptom is not typical and it is difficult to distinguish with cancers and other diseases through the physical sign and imaging manifestation. The golden standard of diagnosis is histopathological examination. The therapy of plasma cell granuloma is still controversial, but the first choice is the operation. The other therapy such as hormone therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy etc., should be applied according to special conditions. Surgery has advantage with high cure rate and very low reoccurance rate. In this paper, we reported a case of plasma cell granuloma, occurred in maxillary sinus and summarizes the experiences about diagnosis and therapy of plasma cell granuloma in maxillary sinus through review previous literature.

Effects of genotype, wilting, and additives on the nutritive value and fermentation of bermudagrass silage

Bermudagrass is the main warm-season grass species used for livestock production in the southeastern United States; however, when it is ensiled, the silage fermentation parameters are often less than desirable. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of management practices on the nutritive value and fermentation characteristics of bermudagrass silage. In Exp. 1, treatments were the factorial combinations of 2 bermudagrass genotypes, 'Jiggs' () and 'Tifton 85' ( sp.), 4 additives, and 2 DM concentrations at ensiling. The additives were 1) untreated control (deionized water), 2) Ecosyl, 3) B500, or 4) sugarcane molasses. The 2 DM concentrations at ensiling were low DM (22% DM) or high DM (53% DM). Treatments were replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design. Silage treated with molasses had a lesser ( < 0.05) pH and greater ( < 0.01) lactate concentrations than the control, Ecosyl, and B500 in silage with low DM concentrations and greater ( < 0.01) in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) and lesser ( < 0.01) ADF concentrations than the other treatments at either DM concentration. Silage treated with B500 had the greatest ( < 0.01) aerobic stability, whereas that treated with molasses had the least aerobic stability. However, all treatments presented long aerobic stability (≥150 h). Jiggs had lesser ( < 0.01) ADF and NDF and NDF digestibility (NDFD) concentrations than Tifton 85 and Tifton 85 had greater ( < 0.01) IVTD than Jiggs in the silage with a high DM concentration. In Exp. 2, Jiggs silage treated with either molasses (20 g molasses [DM]/kg forage [as-fed basis]) or nothing (control, untreated silage) was fed to 16 beef heifers ( sp.) in individual drylot pens in a completely randomized design with 8 replicates for voluntary DMI, in vivo apparent DM digestibility, and NDFD evaluations. There were no differences ( = 0.36) among treatments in NDFD; however, there was a trend ( < 0.08) for greater in vivo apparent DM digestibility and DMI in heifers fed the molasses-treated silage. Microbial inoculants had decreased effects on Jiggs and Tifton 85 bermudagrass silage ensiled at a low DM concentration; however, adding molasses was an effective management practice to improve its nutritive value and fermentation characteristics.

Ruminant Nutrition Symposium: Improving cell wall digestion and animal performance with fibrolytic enzymes

This paper aimed to summarize published responses to treatment of cattle diets with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE), to discuss reasons for variable EFE efficacy in animal trials, to recommend strategies for improving enzyme testing and EFE efficacy in ruminant diets, and to identify proteomic differences between effective and ineffective EFE. A meta-analysis of 20 dairy cow studies with 30 experiments revealed that only a few increased lactational performance and the response was inconsistent. This variability is attributable to several enzyme, feed, animal, and management factors that were discussed in this paper. The variability reflects our limited understanding of the synergistic and sequential interactions between exogenous glycosyl hydrolases, autochthonous ruminal microbes, and endogenous fibrolytic enzymes that are necessary to optimize ruminal fiber digestion. An added complication is that many of the standard methods of assaying EFE activities may over- or underestimate their potential effects because they are based on pure substrate saccharification and do not simulate ruminal conditions. Our recent evaluation of 18 commercial EFE showed that 78 and 83% of them exhibited optimal endoglucanase and xylanase activities, respectively, at 50 °C, and 77 and 61% had optimal activities at pH 4 to 5, respectively, indicating that most would likely act suboptimally in the rumen. Of the many fibrolytic activities that act synergistically to degrade forage fiber, the few usually assayed, typically endoglucanase and xylanase, cannot hydrolyze the recalcitrant phenolic acid-lignin linkages that are the main constraints to ruminal fiber degradation. These factors highlight the futility of random addition of EFE to diets. This paper discusses reasons for the variable animal responses to dietary addition of fibrolytic enzymes, advances explanations for the inconsistency, suggests a strategy to improve enzyme efficacy in ruminant diets, and describes differences among the proteomes of effective and ineffective EFE.

Detection of novel SNPs and mapping of the fatness QTL on pig chromosome 7q1.1-1.4 region

Many QTLs for fatness traits have been mapped on pig chromosome 7q1.1-1.4 in various pig resource populations. Eight novel markers, including seven SNPs and one insertion or deletion within BTNL1, COL21A1, PPARD, GLP1R, MDFI, GNMT, ABCC10, and PLA2G7 genes, as well as two previously reported SNPs in SLC39A7 and HMGA1 genes, were genotyped in Large White and Meishan pig breeds. Except for two SNPs in HMGA1 and ABCC10 genes, allele frequencies of the other eight markers are highly significant different between Chinese indigenous Meishan breeds and Large White pig breeds. Eight polymorphic sites were then used for linkage and QTL mapping to refine the fatness QTL in a Large White × Meishan F(2) resource population. Five chromosome-wise significant QTLs were detected, of which the QTLs for leaf fat weight, backfat thickness at 6-7th rib and rump, and mean backfat thickness were narrowed to the interval between PPARD and GLP1R genes and the QTL for backfat thickness at thorax-waist between GNMT and PLA2G7 genes on SSC7p1.1-q1.4.

Molecular characterization and association with carcass traits of the porcine SLC39A7 gene

In this study, the molecular characterization and potential association of SLC39A7 gene with carcass traits were investigated in pigs. The sequence of SLC39A7 cDNA was obtained by in silico cloning and RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two transcripts, variant 1 (2398 bp) and variant 2 (2088 bp), of the SLC39A7 gene were identified. Expression analysis of SLC39A7 in 10 different tissues by RT-PCR showed that variant 1 was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues analysed, but variant 2 was not found in fat tissue. The cDNA regions of variant 1 and 2 were organized in seven and eight exons respectively. A c.205G>A substitution in exon 3, which changes a codon for glycine into a codon for arginine, (p.Gly69Arg) and a c.1138-216T>C substitution in intron 6 were detected by PCR-HpaII-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and PCR-cofI-RFLP respectively. Significant differences were found in the allele frequencies of c.205G>A among six Chinese indigenous pig breeds and two commercial pig breeds. Linkage analysis showed that the c.205G>A polymorphism within the SLC39A7 gene was closely linked to the marker Sw1856 on pig chromosome 7 in a Large White x Meishan F(2) resource population. The QTL and association studies between polymorphisms of the SLC39A7 gene and carcass traits were carried out. Significant associations of the SLC39A7 polymorphisms with backfat thickness at thorax-waist (p < 0.05), average backfat thickness (p < 0.05) and leaf fat weight (p < 0.01) were found. Additional F-drop test or marker assisted association analyses also supported the association of the mutation in SLC39A7 with the above traits. Together, the present study provided the useful information for the characterization of SLC39A7 gene and potential association with carcass traits in pigs.

[Mitochondrial DNA sequence variations of Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi]

The mtDNA hypervariable segment I sequences (515bp) were sequenced in 83 Zhuangs from Gunngxi Province, with the aim to learn more about the origin and genetic structure of the current Zhuangs. 66 haplotypes were identified in the samples, with 71 sites showing polymorphism. Phylogenetic analysis of the 66 haplotypes suggests that there are geographic differentiation in current Zhuangs, and those from the 4 geographic regions (Nanning, Hechi, Baise and Liuzhou) have different distribution frequencies in the cluster I, II and III in the tree. More than 50% individuals from Liuzhou and Hechi converge into cluster II, while those from Nanning and Baise have high frequency in cluster I. Combined with the analysis of the reported data, the Zhuang ethnic group shows remote affinity to those from North China, whereas it is close to those in South China. The frequencies of the radiation groups in Zhuangs, together with the phylogenetic relationship of the Zhuang ethnic group in the tree suggest that the Zhuang is a typical south population.

[Clinical study on effects of buyang huanwu decoction on coronary heart disease]

102 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) were divided randomly into two groups, 70 cases were given orally the Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) for 15 days and were compared with 32 control patients. The effect of BYHWD in treating angina pectoris and the change of EKG before and after the treatment were observed. The results were as follows: in BYHWD group the serum level of lipoperoxide (LPO), apolipoprotein (apo) B100, LPO/SOD (superoxide dismutase) and apo B100/apo A1 were lowered remarkably, the serum of SOD and apo A1 were elevated significantly (P < 0.01) comparing with the control group. The total effective rate of treating angina pectoris was 91.4%. But the difference was insignificant compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The EKG improvement rate was 85.7% in BYHWD group, the difference was very significant comparing with control group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that BYHWD had a good effect on removing the oxygen free radicals, reducing the injury of LPO and regulating the apolipoprotein metabolism in the patients with CHD. Therefore BYHWD is an effective TCM remedy for CHD.

Effects of 2,2'-O-cyclocytidine and acyclovir on latent herpes simplex virus in trigeminal ganglia of mice

The effects of 2,2'-O-cyclocytidine (CC) and acyclovir (ACV) on latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) in trigeminal ganglia were studied in an in vitro model using reactivation of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) as a model. It was shown that both CC (10 micrograms/ml) and ACV (2.5 micrograms/ml) significantly inhibited the reactivation of the latent HSV-1 in infected ganglia. The effect of CC (25 micrograms/ml), which was as good as that of ACV (10 micrograms/ml), did not last as long as that of ACV after removal of the drugs. The latent state of HSV-1 in vitro was dependent on the continuous presence of either drug. Even though the latent HSV-1 could not be eliminated completely from the trigeminal ganglia by discontinuous administration of either drug, its titers were markedly reduced. The combination of CC and ACV had a synergistic effect on preventing the reactivation of the latent HSV-1 in vitro.

Determination of antibodies in dried blood from earlobes of leprosy patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay--a preliminary report

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used with soluble antigens of Mycobacterium leprae. All blood samples collected from the earlobes of 109 leprosy patients and 100 healthy controls (from a non-endemic area of leprosy) were absorbed with M. vaccae, BCG, cardiolipin, and lecithin according to the technology of the FLA-ABS test before being tested in the ELISA. The results (at a 1:200 blood dilution) showed that antibody activity gradually increased from TT to LL (mean OD values: TT = 0.43, BT = 0.62, BB = 0.72, BL = 0.84, LL = 0.89), and the rates of positive reactions were 100% in all classifications of patients except TT (66.6%). Antibody activity in the controls was less pronounced than in leprosy patients, their mean OD value being only 0.15. We suggest that the ELISA is highly sensitive and specific for the determination of anti-M. leprae antibodies, and is useful for clinical serodiagnosis and for the study of subclinical infections in leprosy.

Imbalance of hemispheric functions in the major psychoses: a study of handedness in the People's Republic of China

A study of hand preference and eye dominance in schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, and normal controls was carried out in the People's Republic of China. An excess of sinistrality was found in both men and women schizophrenics, but not in manic-depressive patients. Both the manic-depressive and schizophrenic psychoses are characterized by a significant excess of left eye dominance and by an increasing divergence between eye and hand dominance when compared to the controls. The major published studies investigating hand preference in psychopathology are reviewed, and possible interpretations of the conflicting findings are suggested.