Identification of protein c activator from nine species of Chinese snake venoms

AIM:To determine which species of snake venoms contained protein c activator among 9 species of Chinese snake venoms. METHODS: Anticoagulant activity was examined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay,and amidolytic activity was measured with activated protein c (APC) specific chromogenic peptide substrate-chromozy APC. RESULTS: Among 9 species of Chinese snake venoms,Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom and Agkistrodon halys venom were not only able to generate amidolytic activity from purified human PC, but also prolonged APTT strongly even at such a concentration as 1.5 mg/L. CONCLUSION:Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom and Agkistrodon halys venom contain protein c activator which activating human plasma PC into APC.     

Induction of histamine release from human mast cells by Chinese cobra snake venom metalloproteinase

AIM: To investigate the ability of Chinese cobra snake venom-metalloproteinase (MT) to induce the histamine release from human mast cells and its potential mechanisms. METHODS: MT was purified from the snake venom by using heparin agarose and Superdex75 chromatography. Mast cells were dispersed from human lung, colon and tonsil tissues after digestion with collagenase and hyaluronidase. The dispersed mast cells were then challenged with MT, stimulus and control in LP4 tubes for 15 min at 37 ℃. A glass fibre-based fluorometric assay was used to measure histamine in the supernatants of dispersed mast cells. RESULTS: MT induced a dose-dependent release of histamine from human colon, lung and tonsil mast cells. As low as 0.03 mg/L of MT was able to stimulate significant histamine release from human colon mast cells, but a minimum of 0.3 or 30 mg/L of MT was required to stimulate a similar level of histamine release from lung or tonsil mast cells, respectively. The release of histamine from colon and lung mast cells in response to MT was maximized at 12 min following the addition of the stimulus. This was quite different from the picture of the peak histamine release from tonsil mast cells, in which histamine release was maximized at 8 min following the addition of MT. Pretreatment of cells with metabolic inhibitors and pertussis toxin reduced dramatically histamine release from human colon, lung and tonsil mast cells by MT. In exogenous Ca2+ and Mg2+ free experiments, the release of histamine induced by MT was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Cobra snake venom MT induces human mast cells to release histamine through a G-protein-related mechanism, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of venomous snake bite.     

The apoptosis of HUVCE cell line induced by L-amino acid oxidase from snake of bungarus fasciatus

AIM: To investigate the effect of purifried L-amino acid oxidase (LAO) from bungarus fasciatus snake venom on apoptosis and growth of HUVCE cell line. METHODS: The L-amino acid oxidase was purified by SP-sepharose HP column followed by Heperin-Sepharose (FF) column. The homogeneity of the preparation was examined by SDS-PAGE and the molecular weight of LAO was determined by SDS-PAGE and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gel-filtration. The MTT assay was used to detect the viability of cells. Flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy were used to identiyfy the cell cycle and apoptotic morphology after cells treated with LAO. RESULTS: An L-amino acid oxidase (BF-LAO) was successfully purified from the venom of bungarus fasciatus. It showed a single band in SDS-PAGE under both reduced and non-reduced conditions. The apparent molecular weight was determined to be 60 kD by SDS-PAGE and 70 kD by HPLC gel filtration. LAO inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of HUVCE cell line in a dose-dependent manner after 12 h incubation, with the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) being of 2.8 mg/L. Flow cytometry and laser confocal microscope showed a typical apoptotic peak and morphological changes of these cells. CONCLUSION: The L-amino acid oxidase from bungarus fasciatus snake venom could inhibit the HUEVC cell growth and induce the cell apoptosis.     

蓝莓果实中营养成分的生物学功能

整理分析了蓝莓果实中果胶、微量元素K、维生素、花青素等成分的功能与功效;阐述了蓝莓具有降低胆固醇、防止冠状动脉硬化、抑制动脉内斑块的形成和预防多种癌症的多种营养保健功能。以期对蓝莓果实成分的分析和为蓝莓产品的开发提供借鉴。     

Toxicological hazards of natural environments: Clinical reports from Poison Control Centre of Milan

The belief that approaching nature can enhance well-being, widely promoted by mass media, is widespread. People explore parks and forests searching for wild herbs, berries and mushrooms that could be used as food or medicines, thinking that all things natural are healthy and harmless while picking up toxic species or encountering a snake is not so infrequent. To point out the Italian cases concerning these natural poisons, all cases handled between 2001 and 2005 by Poison Control Centre of Milan, the leading toxicological centre in Italy, have been reviewed. Regarding plants, 4432 records were collected; the patients most frequently involved were children that had picked poisonous species at home, at school or in other public places, but the most serious cases were related to wild plants used by adults for health enhancement: three deaths were recorded. Among 4289 calls concerning mushrooms several life-threatening cases, 6 transplants and 9 deaths were recorded. Eventually, 2072 records connected to snake bites were collected, among them at least 1061 were related to Vipera spp.: three patients died. These accidents can lead to severe or lethal poisonings that, requiring intensive medical cares and antidotes, have also a social and economic cost to the National Health Service. A public information campaign should be promoted to make people more aware of the risks of these events and of the detrimental consequences that this could have. Some cases of poisonings have arisen due to incorrect information conveyed through radio, television, press and the Internet; we highlight the need for better control on the content of messages diffused through mass media.     

石榴籽油的提取工艺及生理功能研究进展

石榴籽油富含多不饱和共轭脂肪酸,具有极好的营养价值和药用价值.本文对石榴籽油的化学成分、提取工艺及生理功能进行了综述.通过比较发现,不同提取方法对石榴籽油提取率有较大影响;石榴籽油的主要脂肪酸是石榴酸,具有延缓衰老、预防动脉粥样硬化和减缓癌变进程等作用.此外,石榴籽油及其提取物还具有较好的抗氧化、防治乳腺癌、降血糖、抗...     

Population genetic structure and landscape connectivity of the Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coluber constrictor flaviventris</Emphasis>) in the contiguous tallgrass prairie of northeastern Kansas,USA

The tallgrass prairie of North America has undergone widespread habitat loss and fragmentation (<4% remains). The Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma is the largest tallgrass prairie remaining and therefore provides an opportunity to study the population genetic structure of grassland species in a relatively contiguous landscape and set a baseline for evaluating changes when the habitat is fragmented. We adopted a landscape genetics approach to identify how landscape structure affected dispersal, population genetic structure, and landscape connectivity of the Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) across a 13,500-km² landscape in northeastern Kansas, USA. The racer population had high allelic diversity, high heterozygosity, and was maintaining migration-drift equilibrium. Autocorrelation between genetic and geographic distance revealed that racers exhibited restricted dispersal within 3 km, and isolation-by-distance. Significant isolation-by-distance occurred at broad regional scales (>100 km), but because of sufficient gene flow between locations, we were unable to define discrete subpopulations using Bayesian clustering analyses. Resistance distance, which considers the permeability of habitats, did not explain significant variation in genetic distance beyond Euclidean distance alone, suggesting that racers are not currently influenced by landscape composition. In northeastern Kansas, racers appear to be an abundant and continuously distributed snake that perceives the landscape as well connected with no cover type currently impeding snake dispersal or gene flow.     

Protective effect of bivalent anti-snake venom IgY administered intragastrically on mice with cobra or viper envenomation

AIM: The different effect of bivalent immunoglobulin Yolk (IgY) was evaluated against snake venom between intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection in mice with cobra or viper envenomation. METHODS: The venom of naja and viper was injected alternately into the leghorn hen. Bivalent anti-snake venom IgY was extracted by water dilution. The concentration of bivalent IgY in plasma was observed in indirect ELISA assay after bivalent anti-snake venom IgY taken orally. The gastric emptying function test was used for determining optimization time after gastric administration of IgY. The protective effect of bivalent anti-snake venom IgY was compared between intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection in mice with cobra or viper envenomation. RESULTS: Bivalent anti-snake venom IgY was extracted from eggs laid in 28-42 d after the first immunization. The titers of Bivalent IgY against cobra and viper venom were 1∶12 800 and 1∶6 400. At the time of 2.5-3.5 h after bivalent anti-snake venom IgY was taken orally in three concentrations (75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg·0.5 mL-1·20 g-1 BW), the gastric evacuation rate of mice was above 68.9%, with the plasma concentration of bivalent IgY in peak. The survival time of mice envenomation with snake venom was extremely prolonged (P<0.01), after IgY was taken by intragastric administration or intraperitoneal injection. While administration with the same dose of IgY, the survival rate of mice envenomation with cobra venom was higher than that of viper venom. The effective dose of intragastric administration was decuple higher than that of intraperitoneal injection. CONCLUSION: The animal envenomation with cobra or viper venoms can be significantly protected by bivalent anti-snake venom IgY with intragastric administration or intraperitoneal injection.     

瓜类蔬菜化感作用研究进展

化感作用是造成瓜菜连作障碍和后茬蔬菜产量、品质显著下降的重要原因。瓜类蔬菜化感作用的研究主要集中于黄瓜、西瓜、南瓜和甜瓜,苦瓜和瓠瓜较少,冬瓜、丝瓜、笋瓜、西葫芦、节瓜、佛手瓜和蛇瓜的化感作用尚鲜见报道。目前,对于引起瓜类蔬菜连作障碍的自毒作用现象、自毒作用机理、化感物质、化感物质对连作瓜菜的土壤性状及枯萎病菌的影响方面研究较为深入。瓜类蔬菜对其它植物的化感效应研究主要集中于对其它蔬菜种子萌发和幼苗生长等表象的影响方面,对化感作用机理、环境效应、具体化感物质及利用等方面的研究尚薄弱;对蔬菜之外其它作物和杂草的化感作用研究较少。因此,未来应注重多学科交叉研究,使研究结果可应用于生产实际指导间作套种和轮作,增产增收的同时减肥减药。     

Anti-inflammatory effect of triterpenoids from Antrodia camphorat a

The morbidity of inflammation-associated tumor is high. Prevention and treatment of inflammation play a positive role in delaying the occurrence and development of cancer.Antrodia camphorata, an endemic fungus in Taiwan, possesses significant anti-inflammatory effect. So far, 35 anti-inflammatory active components from Antrodia camphorata have been identified, among which triterpenoids account for the most. Studies have revealed that triterpenoids, including ergostanes and lanostanes, have significant anti-inflammatory activities. Because of their structures, especially those of the ergostanes, are similar to the structures of cholesterol and steroid hormones, their anti-inflammatory mechanism may be related to mimic the steroid hormones or interfere with the effect of cholesterol.     

Dynamic changes of biochemical indexes and time-effect relationship of antivenin in a rat model with Naja atra Cantor snake envenoming

AIM: In order to optimize the clinical treatment strategy for Cobra snakebite, the changes of biochemical indexes and blood gas, pathological alteration and time-effect relationship of antivenin application were observed in a rat model with Naja atra Cantor snake envenoming.METHODS: SD rats were injected with 2-4 LD₅₀ cobra venom, and the dynamic changes of biochemical indexes, blood gas and the pathological alteration of muscles were observed at the time points of 20 to 140 min after venom injection.The anti-Cobra venom serum (antivenom/venom=125 kU/g) were injected at the time points of 40 to 120 min after snakevenom administered and the indexes above were also measured.RESULTS: After injected with 4 LD₅₀ venom, the cardiac enzymes, liver enzymes and bilirubins in blood were increased significantly at 20th min, but the TCO₂, BE and pH were decreased.Two peaks of cardiac enzymes, liver enzymes and bilirubins were detected at 60th min and 120th min.The peak values of AST, CK and CK-MB were significantly higher than the values at 0 min (P<0.05).The markedly widespread cloudy swelling, coagulation necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the sections of myocardium and skeletal muscles at the time point of 40th min after injection of 4 LD₅₀ venom.The peak values of some indexes in the animals injected with 2 LD₅₀ venom were lower and delay onset than those in the animals injected with 4 LD₅₀ venom.The protective rate in the rats injected with 4 LD₅₀ venom was elevated to 60% or more when the antiserum treatment was conducted before the first peak of cardiac enzymes in blood. However, the therapeutic effect of antiserum was not effective as the rats received the treatment after the second peak of cardiac enzymes in blood.CONCLUSION: The bimodal variation of cardiac, liver enzymes and related indicators is observed in the rat model of snake envenomin.The animals can be effectively protected by the antivenom administered before observing the second peak of cardiac enzymes in blood.     

Overexpression of SSTR2 inhibits growth of SSTR2-positive tumors via multiple signaling pathways

AIM: To study the anti-proliferation effect of overexpressed SSTR2 in experimental cancer with different profiles of endogenous SSTRs expressions and the possible signaling pathways involved. METHODS: In the first experiment, the growth of the tumor xenografts of the inoculated capan-2 cells and A549 cells overexpressing SSTR2 or LacZ was investigated in nude mice. In the second experiment, the adenoviral vector expressing SSTR2 were introduced into experimental capan-2 xenografts by intratumoral injection. The growth inhibition of these experiment tumors was observed and the potential influences on different signaling pathways were analyzed by immunoassays. RESULTS: Overexpression of SSTR2 inhibited the growth of tumors with different profiles of endogenous SSTRs, including experimental capan-2 xenografts that had endogenous SSTR2 expression. Overexpression significantly affected a number of components in apoptotic pathway, MAPK pathway and angiogenesis. CONCLUSION: SSTR2 is a promising candidate for gene therapy in a wide spectrum of cancers.     

Multi-level,multi-scale habitat selection by a wide-ranging,federally threatened snake

Context

Although multi-scale approaches are commonly used to assess wildlife-habitat relationships, few studies have examined selection at multiple spatial scales within different hierarchical levels/orders of selection [sensu Johnson’s (1980) orders of selection]. Failure to account for multi-scale relationships within a single level of selection may lead to misleading inferences and predictions.

Objectives

We examined habitat selection of the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) in peninsular Florida at the level of the home range (Level II selection) and individual telemetry location (Level III selection) to identify influential habitat covariates and predict relative probability of selection.

Methods

Within each level, we identified the characteristic scale for each habitat covariate to create multi-scale resource selection functions. We used home range selection functions to model Level II selection and paired logistic regression to model Level III selection.

Results

At both levels, EIS selected undeveloped upland land covers and habitat edges while avoiding urban land covers. Selection was generally strongest at the finest scales with the exception of Level II urban edge which was avoided at a broad scale indicating avoidance of urbanized land covers rather than urban edge per se.

Conclusions

Our study illustrates how characteristic scales may vary within a single level of selection and demonstrates the utility of multi-level, scale-optimized habitat selection analyses. We emphasize the importance of maintaining large mosaics of natural habitats for eastern indigo snake conservation.

     

P-selectin on activated platelets promotes hematogenous metastasis of primary lung cancer via P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1

AIM: To investigate the relationship between platelets/P-selectin on activated platelets and clinico-pathological features, hematogenous metastasis and prognosis of lung cancer, and to explore the effect of P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) interaction on the hematogenous metastasis-related integrin β3 (ITGB3). METHODS: The expression of P-selectin on activated platelets was detected by flow cytometry, and its effects on lung cancer and the risk of hematogenous metastasis were analyzed. The expression of PSGL-1 in different types of lung cancer tissues and cell lines was determined by Western blot. By co-culturing platelets and lung cancer cells in vitro, the effects of up- and down-regulation of PSGL-1 on invasion and migration abilities of lung cancer cells were observed. RESULTS: The peripheral blood platelet counts and P-selectin expression on activated platelets in the patients with lung cancer were significantly increased (P<0.05). The P-selectin expression on activated platelets was significantly associated with hematogenous metastasis of lung cancer (r=0.256, P<0.05). The strongest expression of PSGL-1 was found in the lung adenocarcinoma samples, next in the lung squamous-cell carcinoma samples, and the weakest in small-cell lung cancer samples. P-selectin promoted transmembrane invasion of lung cancer cells. Inhibition of P-selectin and its ligand PSGL-1 reduced ITGB3 expression, invasion and migration of lung cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The P-selectin level on activated platelets is significantly associated with hematogenous metastasis of lung cancer, which is related to the binding of P-selectin and its ligand PSGL-1. Up-regulation of ITGB3 level after their binding might be one of the mechanisms of the remodeling of extracellular matrix to facilitate hematogenous metastasis of lung cancer.     

不同品种厚皮甜瓜果实成熟过程中挥发性物质成分分析

采用固相微萃取(SPME)与气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用的方法,对品质差异较大的山农黄金1号、Sweet delight(美国)和Takami(日本)厚皮甜瓜果实成熟过程中挥发性物质进行分析鉴定。结果表明,不同品种厚皮甜瓜果实成熟过程中挥发性物质组成和相对含量不同。山农黄金1号、Sweet delight和Takami果实成熟过程中共分离出156种挥发性物质,主要为酯类、醛类和醇类等化合物。山农黄金1号甜瓜果实未成熟时挥发性物质以醛类物质为主;随着果实的发育,近成熟时醇类、醛类物质含量急剧降低,酯类物质含量迅速升高;果实成熟时挥发性物质以酯类物质为主。Sweet delight果实未成熟时挥发性物质以醛类、醇类物质为主;随着果实的发育,醇类物质含量逐渐降低,醛类、酯类物质含量逐渐升高;果实成熟时挥发性物质以醛类物质为主。Takami果实未成熟时挥发性物质以醇类、醛类物质为主;果实成熟时挥发性物质以酯类、醛类物质为主。     

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy mediated by endocannabinoid N-arachidonic acid aminoethanol in ovarian cancer cells

AIM To study the effect of endocannabinoid N-arachidonic acid aminoethanol （AEA） on ovarian cancer and its mechanism. METHODS The serum levels of AEA in healthy control group and ovarian cancer group were analyzed by ELISA, and the diagnostic value of AEA in ovarian cancer patients was evaluated by ROC curve. The effects of AEA on the viability, migration and invasion abilities of the ovarian cancer cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, Transwell cell invasion test and Scratch test. The effect of AEA on ovarian cancer was further verified by the measurement of tumor volume, tumor weight and visual map of tumor tissue. Meanwhile, flow cytometry and Western blot were used to determine the effect of AEA on the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, so as to explore the mechanism of AEA promoting the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells through detecting the endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy related proteins by Western blot. RESULTS The serum levels of N-arachidonic aminoethanol in the patients with ovarian cancer were significantly decreased. ROC results suggested that AEA was a sensitive biological marker to distinguish the patients with ovarian cancer from healthy dedividuals. In addition, AEA inhibited the cell viability, migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer cells, and inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer tissues. CONCLUSION By promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress and affecting autophagy of ovarian cancer cells, AEA promotes apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells.     

秦岭地区春兰和蕙兰的花挥发性成分研究

采用顶空固相微萃取和气相色谱-质谱联用技术（HS–SPME–GC–MS）对原产于秦岭不同地点的春兰和蕙兰的鲜花进行了挥发性成分测定。结果表明该地区春兰的花中挥发性成分有40多种,主要成分有3–乙基–2–甲基–1,3–己二烯、(E)–2–辛烯醛和2–壬烯醛等;不同产地的春兰花中主要的挥发性物质构成比较类似,花香类型比较单一,且多数为无香型。而该地区蕙兰的花中挥发性成分多达50种以上,主要成分有(E)–橙花叔醇,二十二碳六烯酸和[1à,2à(Z)]–茉莉酸甲酯等。蕙兰花中挥发性成分中大多为有芳香味的物质,从而使得蕙兰的花具有更浓郁的香味。此外,蕙兰花挥发性成分构成也比春兰复杂,因此比春兰具有更多的花香类型。     

The impact of artificial light at night on human and ecosystem health: a systematic literature review

Context

Artificial light at night (ALAN) provides an array of important benefits but might also adversely affect humans and other living organisms. Yet, the existing reviews of accumulated knowledge about the multifaceted effects associated with exposure to ALAN focus on distinct ecosystem components. As a result, our understanding of potential system-wide impacts of ALAN exposure is insufficient.

Objectives

This paper attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by reviewing a wide range of studies, with a particular focus on identifying the impacts of ALAN exposure that are common to different species.

Methods

The survey is conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and covers peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2019.

Results

Seventy-four eligible articles, out of 1223 initially identified, were selected and synthesized. 20% of them focus on humans, while the rest explore other living organisms, such as vertebrates, avian species, arthropods, aquatic organisms, and vegetation. The review demonstrates that similar adverse effects of ALAN exposure, ranging from sleep disturbance, depression, weight gain, eating and movement disorders, to elevated risk of cancer, are manifested across different components of the ecosystem, and therefore entail wider and more complex risks to its stability and integrity.

Conclusion

To reduce ecosystem risks, associated with constantly increasing ALAN levels, illumination policies should be based on directional and reduced nighttime lighting, which can help to avoid unnecessary exposures. The study highlights knowledge gaps that warrant further research attention.

     

Long non-coding RNA PVT1 regulates effect of miR-551 on migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer through Wnt signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA PVT1 in ovarian cancer and the role of PVT1 in migration and invasion abilities of ovarian cancer cells.METHODS: The expression of PVT1 in ovarian cancer tissue, normal ovarian tissue and different ovarian cancer cell lines was detected by qPCR. Transwell assay was used to detect the invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells after PVT1 silencing. The migration ability of the ovarian cancer cells after PVT1 silencing was detected by scratch test. The interaction between PVT1 and microRNA (miR)-551 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effect of miR-551-inhibitor on the invasion and migration abilities of ovarian cancer cells after PVT1 silencing was detected by Transwell assay and scratch test. The expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins was determined by Western blot after PVT1 silencing. The effects of PVT1 silencing on tumor weight and volume of ovarian cancer were examined by subcutaneous tumor transplantation in nude mice.RESULTS: The expression of PVT1 in ovarian cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in normal ovarian tissue (P<0.05). The expression level of PVT1 in ovarian cancer cell line ES-2 was the highest. PVT1 silencing inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of the ovarian cancer cells. After PVT1 silencing, miR-551-inhibitor promoted the invasion and migration abilities of the ovarian cancer cells. The expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins was decreased after PVT1 silencing (P<0.05). Compared with negative control group, the tumor volume and weight in PVT1-siRNA group were significantly decreased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: PVT1 plays an important role in the development of ovarian cancer. PVT1 regulates the invasion and migration abilities of ovarian cancer cells through Wnt signaling pathway.     

黄栌属种质资源、栽培繁殖、化学成分、叶色调控研究进展

就黄栌属种质资源分布、栽培管理、繁殖及资源利用、化学成分及叶色研究等方面归纳总结了国内外的研究成果,对黄栌光照、水分、土壤营养等栽培管理条件,病虫害防治办法及种子繁殖、嫁接、扦插、组织培养等繁殖技术进行了详细总结,重点对叶色研究、药用成分进行了阐述,从遗传育种、叶色、化学成分利用等方面对今后的研究方向进行了展望,指出黄栌新品种选育、叶色人工调控、功能成分研究利用及黄栌枯萎病的防治是黄栌属植物今后研究的重点。