Pan-Cancer analyses of Necroptosis-Related genes as a potential target to predict immunotherapeutic outcome

Necroptosis is a unique programmed death mechanism of necrotic cells. However, its role and specific mechanism in cancer remain unclear, and a systematic pan-cancer analysis of necroptosis is yet to be conducted. Thus, we performed a specific pan-cancer analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases to analyse necroptosis expression in terms of cancer prognosis, DNA methylation status, tumour mutative burden, microsatellite instability, immune cell infiltration in different types of cancer and molecular mechanisms. For the first time, we explored the correlation between necroptosis and immunotherapy prognosis. Thus, our study provides a relatively comprehensive understanding of the carcinogenicity of necroptosis in different types of cancer. It is suggested that necroptosis can be used to evaluate the sensitivity of different patients to immunotherapy and may become a potential target for tumour immunotherapy.     

ent-Pimarane Diterpenes from the Aerial Parts of Siegesbeckia pubescens

Five new ent-pimarane diterpenes ( 1 – 5 ) and five known analogs ( 6 – 10 ) were isolated from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia pubescens. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic methods especially 1D and 2D NMR and quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism calculations. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human BT549, A549 and H157 cancer cell lines. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 showed mild cytotoxicity against lung cancer cell lines H157 with IC₅₀ values of 16.35±2.59 and 18.86±4.83 μM, respectively.     

放线菌素D和环已亚胺对伊贝母胚性愈伤组织中胚性细胞团和球形胚发生及大分子代谢动态的影响

伊贝母(F.pallidiflora Schrenk)胚性愈伤组织接种于NAA 1.0mg/L+6-BA2.0 mg/L的MS培养基上,在培养10天前可产生大量单细胞到多细胞胚性细胞团,培养10至15天,逐渐形成大量球形胚。利用这样一个实验体系,在培养0、1、2、3和4天后加入放线菌素D(AMD,20μg/ml)和环己亚胺(CHM,20μg/ml),继续培养至第6天,分析大分子代谢动态和观察胚性细胞团的形成情况;培养6和10天后加入同样浓度的AMD和CHM。继续培养至第15天,分析大分子代谢动态及观察球形胚形成情况。结果表明:(1)培养0、1、2、3和4天加入AMD的分别抑制胚性细胞团的100%、63%和45%,加入CHM的抑制100%、85%和75%,培养6和10天后加入CHM抑制球形胚的100%和75%;(2)DNA、RNA和蛋白质在胚性细胞团和球形胚形成时出现两个峰值,其中RNA变化剧烈,最早出现峰值。AMD和CHM分别抑制RNA和蛋白质的合成;(3)过氧化物酶同工酶带在胚性细胞团和球形胚形成过程中顺序表达,AMD和CHM分别在转录和转译水平上对其进行规律性抑制。根据以上结果,本文对伊贝母体细胞胚胎发生的机制进行了初步讨论。     

Structural Optimization,Fungicidal Activities Evaluation,DFT Study and Structure-Activity Relationship of Dopamine Derivatives with Benzothiazole Fragment from Polyrhachis dives

In our previous work, two dopamine derivatives with benzothiazole fragment were isolated and identified from Polyrhachis dives (P. dives). Based on their characteristic structure, we used them as lead compound to carry out structural optimization and subsequent fungicidal evaluation. Here 20 dopamine derivatives with benzothiazole fragment were designed and synthesized by a facile method, and their structures were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³CNMR and HMRS. In bioassays, most of the title compounds possess potential fungicidal activities against Altenaia alternala (A. alternala) and Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea). Especially, (E)-N-(2-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)ethyl)-3-(p-tolyl)acrylamide and (E)-N-(2-(benzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)ethyl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acrylamide displayed 29.3 mg/L and 10.7 mg/L EC₅₀ value against A. alternala, respectively, which possessed equivalent fungicidal activities level to hymexazol.     

Quantitative Detection of 15 Serum Bile Acid Metabolic Products by LC/MS/MS in the Diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

To determine 15 bile acid metabolic products in human serum by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and value their diagnostic outcome in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Serum from 20 healthy controls and 26 patients with PBC were collected and went LC/MS/MS analysis of 15 bile acid metabolic products. The test results were analyzed by bile acid metabolomics, and the potential biomarkers were screened and their diagnostic performance was judged by statistical methods such as principal component and partial least squares discriminant analysis and area under curve (AUC). 8 differential metabolites can be screened out: Deoxycholic acid (DCA), Glycine deoxycholic acid (GDCA), Lithocholic acid (LCA), Glycine ursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA), Taurolithocholic acid (TLCA), Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), Glycine chenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA). The performance of the biomarkers was evaluated by the AUC, specificity and sensitivity. In conclusion, DCA, GDCA, LCA, GUDCA, TLCA, TUDCA, TDCA and GCDCA were identified as eight potential biomarkers to distinguish between healthy people and PBC patients by multivariate statistical analysis, which provided reliable experimental basis for clinical practice.     

Effect of Flowering Stages on the Content of Active Ingredients and Antioxidant Capability of Bletilla striata Flowers

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f. is a perennial herb with abundant active ingredients. Previous research mainly focused on its tubers, however, the study on flowers, especially the variation of active ingredient contents at different flowering stages, was rarely seen. This study analyzed the total phenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside content of B. striata flowers which were in cultivated in Herb Garden of Zhejiang A&F University and collected in May, 2019, in order to investigate the changes in active ingredients and antioxidant capacity among different flowering stages (bud, initial, and full bloom). Changes in radical scavenging capability of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS (2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)), and hydroxy were analyzed. Significant differences in active ingredient content of flowers were detected among different flowering stages. The total phenolic content increased continuously during the entire flowering stage. The contents of total flavonoid, total polysaccharide, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside reached peaks at the initial blooming stage and then fell as the flowering process continued. The antioxidant activity in initial stage was the highest than in any other flowering stages. Therefore, we conclude that the initial blooming stage is the best harvesting stage of B. striata flowers. This study provides a robust basis for the harvest and utilization of B. striata flowers in food, medical, and cosmetic industries.     

By-Products of Zea mays L.: A Promising Source of Medicinal Properties with Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Comprehensive Review

Zea mays (Z. mays) is one of the main cereal crops in the world, and it′s by-products have exhibited medicinal properties to explore. This article intends to review the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of by-products of Z. mays (corn silks, roots, bract, stems, bran, and leaves) which support the therapeutic potential in the treatment of different diseases, with emphasis on the natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. Based on this review, 231 natural compounds are presented. Among them, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids are the most frequently reported. The by-products of Z. mays possess diuretic effects, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, plant protection activity, and other activities. This article reviewed the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. mays for comprehensive quality control and the safety and effectiveness to enhance future application.     

Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Black Ginseng

In recent years, black ginseng, a new type of processed ginseng product, has attracted the attention of scholars globally. Ginsenoside and ginseng polysaccharide, the main active substances of black ginseng, have been shown to carry curative effects for many diseases. This article focuses on the mechanism of their action in anti-inflammatory response, which is mainly divided into three aspects: activation of immune cells to exert immune regulatory response; participation in inflammatory response-related pathways and regulation of the expression level of inflammatory factors; effect on the metabolic activity of intestinal flora. This study identifies active anti-inflammatory components and an action mechanism of black ginseng showing multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel characteristics, providing ideas and a basis for a follow-up in-depth study of its specific mechanism.