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Halophilic phage are a type of virus that exist in salty environments within halophilic archaeal or bacterial hosts. However, relatively few reports on halophilic bacteriophages exist, and our overall understanding of halophilic bacteriophages is quite limited. We used SYBR Green I fluorescent staining to detect the abundance of viruses in Yuncheng Saline Lake, China. Using the double-layer plate method, a lytic phage that could infect halophilic bacterium Salinivibrio sp. YM-43 was isolated and named YXM43. We studied host range, optimal host, morphological characteristics, nucleic acid type, protein composition, and other biological characteristics of the virus. Results reveal a high abundance of this halophilic virus in Yuncheng Saline Lake. The newly isolated bacteriophage YXM43 has a narrow host range, with the most suitable host being Virgibacillus sp. SK39. After purification and enrichment, YXM43 is observed as a spherical particle with a diameter of approximately 30 nm, with no tail. No lipid envelope can be seen in YXM43. The capsid protein of the virus can be separated into seven proteins with molecular weights ranging from 62.0 to 13.0 kDa. YXM43 is a DNA virus with a genome approximately 23 kb. The virus is tolerant of low salinity, and its activity is highest at a temperature of 60 °C and a pH of 10. YXM43 is temperature and pH tolerant, and can adapt to environmental change, even withstanding chloroform treatment. The results indicate that bacteriophage YXM43 is a novel halophilic bacteriophage with broad tolerance to environmental change.

Leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LepROT) is co-transcribed with the leptin receptor (LepR). However, the function and mechanism of LepROT in insulin pathway is unclear. In this study, we report the function of LepROT in maintaining consistent FoxO transcription. LepROT is constitutively expressed during larval development. 20-Hydroxyecdysone, methoprene, and insulin have no effect on the transcription of LepROT. However, the knockdown of LepROT by dsRNA injection in larvae causes delay of the development of Helicoverpa armigera. Knockdown of LepROT results in the upregulation of FoxO and downregulation of PI3K. The knockdown of LepROT also results in the subcellular translocation of FoxO from cytoplasm to nuclei. By contrast, overexpression of LepROT in the HaEpi cell line inhibits FoxO expression. Results suggest that LepROT participates in insulin signaling.

Objective To investigate the potential effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (the control group, GBE group, high-fat diet [HFD] group and HFD + GBE group). The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was treated with GBE and its flavonoid ingredients. The fatty acid composition of the rat liver was analyzed with gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOFMS). Triglyceride contents of both the rat liver and HepG2 cells were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. The expressions of fatty acid metabolism-related genes were analyzed with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression and enzymatic activity were subsequently measured. Results In rat livers, GBE reduced the elevations of hepatic triglyceride contents caused by HFD and the increased hepatic fatty acids were differentially affected by GBE. Notably, the expression and total activity of the fatty acid β-oxidation rate-limiting enzyme, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A), were also promoted with GBE ingestion. In HepG2 cells, GBE and its ingredients, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, could decrease the cellular triglyceride content and upregulate the expression and total activity of CPT1A, respectively. Conclusions The triglyceride-lowering effect of GBE on the HFD rat liver is closely associated with the increased expression and activity of CPT1A, and the flavonoid ingredients are the major contributors of GBE.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs which can often act as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor. Several miRNAs are associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We demonstrated that miR-125b significantly suppresses HCC cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by inhibiting the gene expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the 3'UTR of Bcl-2 has binding sites for miR-125b. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the ability of miR-125b to dramatically suppress Bcl-2 transcription, suggesting that Bcl-2 is a target gene for miR-125b. We concluded that miR-125b acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatic tumor development by targeting Bcl-2 and inducing cancer cell apoptosis.

Further investigation on the leaves of Isodon sculponeatus afforded two new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, sculponeatins J and K. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral properties, as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis. The cytotoxicities of these two new compounds against human tumor cells K562 and T24 were also tested, and sculponeatin J showed significant inhibitory effects with IC50 values less than 1.0 μg/mL.

Focal loci are often required in earthquake location. However, it is extremely difficult to analytically express them when the earthquake lies in a complex model. Therefore, the calculation of focal loci is usually limited to simple media. In this paper, we present a method for calculating focal loci in complex media by means of a minimum traveltime tree algorithm for ray tracing. The focal loci are constrained with observed arrival time differences at seismic stations so that the problem of origin time is evaded. From all the model nodes, we select a small part with smaller absolute residuals between observed and calculated traveltime differences (or double differences) as reference points of the focal locus. The reference point with minimum double difference is assigned as an initial point. The ray paths from the initial point to the other selected reference points in the doubledifference field actually represent the focal locus, which are traced with a minimum traveltime tree algorithm. When the obtained focal locus is rather rough due to the excessive amount of selected reference points, it can be improved by removing some ray paths to the reference points that there are less rays go through. Additionally, the stop condition of the minimum traveltime tree algorithm is modified to reduce computational time. The results of numerical tests including velocity perturbations and noisy arrival data in a laterally heterogeneous model indicate that the presented method is feasible.

The minimum travel time tree algorithm for tracing rays in isotropic media is extended to transversely isotropic (TI) media, which exist extensively in the Earth. The extended algorithm is suitable to heterogeneous TI media with tilted axes of symmetry. Construction of the minimum travel time tree is implemented efficiently with a modified algorithm in which propagation areas of secondary waves are not fixed but adjusted dynamically with spread of seismic waves in media. As for weakly anisotropic media, we use a new approximate formula of group velocity in terms of the ray angle. The approximate velocity formula is based on the expression of phase angle in terms of ray angle, and fits well the exact values for three independent modes of seismic waves (qP, qSV and qSH). Homogeneous and heterogeneous modes are calculated with the extended minimum travel time tree algorithm. We compare our results corresponding to the heterogeneous model with those obtained by a finite-element method for elastic anisotropic waves and find that they are in excellent agreement. The extended ray tracing method can be applied to further researches on depth migration and seismic tomography for TI media.

Emerging evidence suggests that epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) play important roles in tumor metastasis and recurrence. Understanding molecular mechanisms that regulate the EMT process is crucial for improving treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in HCC; however, the mechanisms by which miRNAs target the EMT and their therapeutic potential remains largely unknown. To better explore the roles of miRNAs in the EMT process, we established an EMT model in HCC cells by transforming growth factor beta 1 treatment and found that several tumor-related miRNAs were significantly decreased. Among these miRNAs, miR-125b expression was most strongly suppressed. We also found down-regulation of miR-125b in most HCC cells and clinical specimens, which correlated with cellular differentiation in HCC patients. We then demonstrated that miR-125b overexpression attenuated EMT phenotype in HCC cancer cells, whereas knockdown of miR-125b promoted the EMT phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we found that miR-125b attenuated EMT-associated traits, including chemoresistance, migration, and stemness in HCC cells, and negatively correlated with EMT and cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expressions in HCC specimens. miR-125b overexpression could inhibit CSC generation and decrease tumor incidence in the mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, our data revealed that miR-125b suppressed EMT and EMT-associated traits of HCC cells by targeting small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)2 and 4. Most important, the therapeutic delivery of synthetic miR-125b mimics decreased the target molecule of CSC and inhibited metastasis in the mice model. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic treatment of miR-125b for liver cancer. Conclusion: miR-125b exerts inhibitory effects on EMT and EMT-associated traits in HCC by SMAD2 and 4. Ectopic expression of miR-125b provides a promising strategy to treat HCC. (Hepatology 2015;62:801–815)

The chemical constituents of the leaves and stems of Schisandra plena are described for the first time. This investigation has resulted in the isolation of a new sesquiterpenoid, plenoxide (1). In addition, eleven known compounds, including sesquiterpenoids, coumarins, flavanones, triterpenoids and steroids have also been isolated. The structure and stereochemistry of 1 has been determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Detailed analysis of 2D NMR data led to the conclusion that the chemical shifts of earlier compounds similar to bullatantriol need revision.

Layered and blocked homogeneous models are usually used in interpreting wide-angle reflection data to forward model travel times and ray paths of wide-angle reflection waves when we research crust structure by deep seismic exploration. In order to make the model approach the Earth, the size of the model has to be large. On the other hand, for obtaining accurate travel times and rays calculated with minimum travel time tree algorithm, the model elements have to be small, and thus the efficiency of calculation is decreased. In this paper, a double-grid scheme is employed in calculation of travel times and ray paths in order to fast and reliably interpret deep sounding data. In the double-grid algorithm, the model is covered with sparse and dense grids. Nodes in the sparse gird are calculated in the same way as in the single-grid algorithm; as for the ones in the dense gird, they are done only if they are in the neighborhoods of source and geophone nodes, and the ones where velocity gradients are not zero, and the propagation areas of secondary waves are larger for interface boundary nodes than for the ones within homogenous media. The numerical example shows that the double-grid algorithm has much higher calculation efficiency than the single-gird one under the same accuracy condition for large layered and blocked homogenous models.

Reinvestigation of the aerial parts of Isodon melissoides has afforded two new ent-diterpenoids, melissoidesins V (1) and W (2), together with five known ones, glabcensin W (3), melissoidesin C (4), melissoidesin A (5), melissoidesin B (6) and melissoidesin D (7), one new ionone derivative 3alpha,4alpha-isopropyliden-beta-ionol (8), as well as three analogues, 3-hydroxy-4-oxo-beta-ionol (9), megastigma-7-en-3,5,6,9-tetraol (10) and blumenol A (11), and three phenolic compounds salicylic acid (12), syringic acid (13) and cirsiliol (14). The new structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques, especially the 2D-NMR spectral analysis.

The computational efficiency of the basic minimum travel time tree (MTTT) algorithm for seismic ray tracing is improved by means of dynamically adjusting the pre-defined propagation area of secondary waves according to the spread of seismic waves. The improvement on the MTTT algorithm is achieved explicitly by limiting the calculation of seismic rays and travel times to a small pre-defined propagation area of secondary waves and to the secondary waves from the points around the straight elongation of the incoming ray. Numerical examples verify that a good approximation of travel times and ray paths can be obtained with the improved algorithm using a small pre-defined propagation area of secondary waves even for complex models. Furthermore, the denser a grid coverage a model has, the greater the improvement in computational efficiency the new algorithm makes. The computational efficiency is more obvious for a 3D model than for a 2D one.

It is one of important contents of multiwave exploration seismology to calculate traveltimes of converted waves in complex media. This paper puts forward an improved minimum traveltime tree algorithm for fast calculation of converted wave traveltimes in 3-D complex media, which is based on Huygens' principle and Fermat's principle. First, we improve the basic minimum traveltime tree algorithm for first-break waves in order to speed calculation of 3-D converted wave traveltimes. Second, we extend the improved algorithm for first- break waves to converted waves by separating converted waves into downward and upward traveling waves and tracing them respectively. The numerical example shows that the method introduced in this paper for calculating converted wave traveltimes is fast and robust, and can be applied to practical multiwave seismic exploration.

Two new compounds, baiyecrystals D and E ( 1 , 2 ), together with eight known analogues, xerophilusin B ( 4 ), macrocalin B ( 5 ), oridonin ( 6 ), rosthorin A ( 7 ), lasiocarpanin ( 8 ), rabdoternin A ( 9 ) and phyllostachysin A ( 10 ) and B ( 11 ), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon leucophyllus . The structures of 1 and 2 and 4 - 11 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially the 2D NMR spectral analysis. Compounds 2 , 6 - 8 and 10 were evaluated for their antineoplastic activities in vitro . Among them, lasiocarpanin ( 8 ) showed significant inhibitory activities against K562 and Bcap37 cells, with the IC50 values of 0.13 and 1.26 mug mL(-1) , respectively, which were lower than those of the positive control.

Two novel tricyclic diterpenoids rubescensins U (1) and V (2) were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis. They were elucidated as a 8,15-seco-ent-kauranoid and an ent-abietanoid, respectively, by 1D and 2D NMR spectra, and single crystal X-ray analysis. Compound 1 is the first example of an 8,15-seco-ent-kaurane from the plants genus Isodon. A discussion of their biogenesis is described. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel 13(12 --> 11)abeo-abietane skeletal diterpenoid, micranthin C (1), was isolated from Isodon lophanthoids var. micranthus. Its structure was determined by various spectroscopic techniques and finally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Five new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, ludongnins F-J (1-5), along with 10 known compounds, guidongnins A-C (6-8), angustifolin (9), 6-epiangustifolin (10), sculponeatin J (11), gardenin D, 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, pedalitin, and quercetin, were isolated from the leaves of Isodon rubescens var. lushiensis. The structures of 1-5 were determined by spectroscopic analysis, as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated against K562 leukemia cells for their cytotoxic effects.

A new ent-kaurane diterpenoid maoyecrystal F (1) and its acetonide derivative (2), together with seven known compounds, lasiodonin, maoyerabdosin, odonicin, enmenin, oridonin, beta-sitosterol and daucosterol, were isolated from the leaves of Isodon japonica. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), H2S and odor unit from the surface of a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill working area were measured with a wind tunnel sampler. The results show that the emission rate of odor from the non-point source of landfill is the function of environmental temperature and surface sweeping velocity. The emission rate measured in the high temperature season can be 6 times higher of that in the low temperature season. Within the experimental range of 0.6-4 m x s(-1) wind sweeping velocity, the emission rate shows a linear relationship with wind sweeping velocity. In summer, the emission rates of VOCs (measured by PID as isobutylene), H2S and odor unit are 385-680 microg x (m(2) x s)(-1), 4-7 microg x (m(2) x s)(-1), and 46.5-136 OU x (m(2) x s)(-1) respectively. The continuous sweeping experiment shows that the emission rate measured with clean air sweeping is the maximum possible emission rate, which needs to be adjusted when it is used to estimate the odor concentration of more than 10 min sample time or an area emission load.

Further investigation on the aerial parts of Isodon enanderianus afforded a novel asymmetric ent-kauranoid dimer, enanderinanin J (1). The structure of the dimer was elucidated by mews of spectroscopic methods (Including 2D NMR techniques). Enanderinanin J was a dimer of xerophilusin A and probably formed by [4 + 2] cycloaddition.

Carbonate was added into a co-culture of glucose and fresh leachate under alkaline condition to enhance batched acidogenesis and fermentative hydrogen production simultaneously. Results indicated carbonate has positive effect on both H(2) production and acetic acid generation. The highest hydrogen yield (about 1.40 mol/mol glucose) was obtained at [CO(3)(2-)] = 280 mg/L with pH 8.0 and [CO(3)(2-)] = 560 mg/L with pH 9. The dominant liquid metabolites were ethanol, acetic and butyric acid. The highest total volatile fatty acid yield (0.38 g/g glucose) was achieved at [CO(3)(2-)] = 560 mg/L with pH 9. In this case, the acetic acid yield reached 0.13 g/g glucose. Verification tests using simulated wastewater as substrate were also carried out at pH 9. Results demonstrated calcium ions inhibit hydrogenogens activity while carbonate addition can alleviate the suppression effect caused by Ca(2+).

To optimize the extraction and purification procedure for polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus.The orthogonal test was used to determine the optimal extraction technology in terms of the extraction rate of crude polysaccharides and the concentration of polysaccharides. The efficiency of deproteinization and decoloration with different methods were evaluated with the ration of protein and colorant removing as the indices. Their influence on the content of Astragalus polysaccharides was calculated as well.The optimum extraction procedure was as follows: 8 times of water extracting three times at 100 degrees C, 90 minutes per time. Deproteinization using pepsase combined with Sevage solvent and depigmenting with DEAE fibrin achieved a high purification rate.The optimized extraction and purification procedure is simple, quick and efficient. The result establishes the foundation for the further study of the polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus.

To observe the activities of baicalin, berberine and Astragalus polysaccharides and their combinative effects on aldose reductase (AR) by a screening model of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) in vitro.The inhibition of AR by baicalin, berberine and Astragalus polysaccharides and positive drug (Epalrestat) in different concentrations were evaluated, and their combinative effects were studied according to orthogonal t design.Baicalin and berberine had remarkable inhibitory effects on AR, the inhibitory rates were (88.4 +/- 7.4)% and (69.0 +/- 9.4)% at the concentration of 300 microg/mL. However, the combinative effect of the inhibition on AR by the two compounds was antagonistic action. Astragalus polysaccharides had no activity of inhibition on AR.Baicalin and berberine are the potential AR inhibitors as they can inhibit the activity of AR in vitro.

To establish a method for quality control of non-alkaloids from Radix Sophorae tonkinensis.Sugar, organic-acid, polyphenolic and saponin were identified by TLC. The contents of Sugar, polyphenolic and saponin were determined by spectrophotometry and the content of organic-acids was determined by acid-based titration.The contents of sugar, polyphenolic and saponin were 54.37%, 4.74%, 4.40%, respectively. The average content of organic-acid was 9.40%.The established method is simple, accurate, reproducible and suitable for the quality control of non-alkaloids from Radix Sophorae tonkinensis.

To profile urinary metabolite variations from 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced precancerous colon rats, Jinfu Kang treated rats and healthy controls.We used ethyl chloroformate derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabonomic method to analyze rat urines.The time-dependent variations of metabolite profile showed a progressive deviation of the metabolism in the model group from the initial pattern over time and a systemic recovery of the metabolism in the treatment group, which is consistent with the histological results. The in-depth analysis indicated that the disorder of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), tryptophan metabolism, polyamine metabolism and gut flora structure were associated with DMH intervention.Metabolic study revealed that Jinfu Kang can effectively reverse metabolic departures in DMH-induced precancerous colon rat, which is consistent with pathological results.

To explore the effects of acidic fraction of Pheratima extract in an ovalbumin (OVA) induced asthma mouse model, and to provide the experimental evidences for the anti-asthmatic application of Pheratima extract with further purification and development.Mice model of allergic asthma was established through the OVA challenge. To investigate the inflammatory cell level and Th1/Th2 levels as well as the therapeutic effects of acidic fraction from Pheratima extract, cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed to evaluate the secretion of eosinophils (EOS) cells, and IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-y levels were detected by ELISA.Compared with control group, the EOS count of BALF in the model group was remarkably increased (P0.01), and IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels were also increased (P0.01), while IFN-gamma decreased (P0.01). Acidic fraction from Pheratima (S) extract and its 30% ethanol washed fraction (S30) significantly inhibited the increase of EOS count (P0.01), decreased the IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels (P0.05), and inhibited the decrease of IFN-gamma level (P0.01).The results indicate that inhibition of the EOS secretion and balancing of the altered Th1/Th2 levels may be important mechanisms of Pheratima's therapeutic effect in asthmatic mice model, and S30 is pharmacologically effective as evaluated with the above mentioned parameters, as a representative fraction of the Pheratima extract.

To develop a method for the determination of matrine and oxymatrine in Kushensu injection by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS).The analysis was performed on a Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 microm) with the gradient elution of 10 mmol x L(-1) amine acetate (pH 8, adjusted by aqueous ammonia) and methanol. The flow rate was set as 0.30 mL x min(-1). The column temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C. The peaks were detected at 210 nm and the injection volume was 2 microL.The calibration curves showed good linearity within the test ranges of 0.084-3.36 microg for matrine and 0.086-3.44 microg for oxymatrine, respectively. The mean recoveries were 103.2%, 98.7%, and the RSD were 1.5%, 1.2%, respectively.The established method is simple, rapid and sensitive, can be used for the quality control of matrine and oxymatrine in Kushensu injection through the manufacturing process and clinical implement.

Metabolomics, a branch of systems biology, has gained extensive attention and profound achievements in the plant. Although plant metabolomics is to be explored, it has been one of the most effective methods to study the physiological and biochemical process and gene modification in pattern plants. We herein summarized the concept, development, and application of metabolomics and prospected the potentials in the metabolite profiling for plant. Metabolomics provides an omics' methodology to elucidate the whole biological process, identify and quantify the complex components in the plant. A number of metabolites present in the plant are active components of traditional Chinese medicine, and these bioactive components are influenced by the multi-factors such as environment, species, and processing methods etc. Therefore, it is of great importance to analyze a wide spectrum of compositions with diverse chemical characteristics and varied concentration, which is the foundation to quality control, allowing the elucidation of the pharmacological effectiveness, and further exploiting of traditional Chinese medicine.

Nine new diterpenoids, melissoidesins M-U (1-9), along with five known analogues, melissoidesin F (10), xindongnin B (11), melissoidesin G (12), melissoidesin E (13), and dawoensin A (14), were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon melissoides. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by analysis of spectral evidence including extensive 2D NMR data. Compounds 2, 3, 7, 11, 12, and 14 showed cytotoxicity against the human tumor BGC-823 cell line with IC(50) values less than 10 microg/mL, respectively.

A novel 13(12 --> 11)abeo-abietane skeletal diterpenoid, micranthin C (1), was isolated from Isodon lophanthoids var. micranthus. Its structure was determined by various spectroscopic techniques and finally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Three new 11beta,16beta-epoxy-ent-kauranoids melissoidesins 1-K (1-3) and one new ent-abietanoid melissoidesin L (4) were obtained from the aerial parts of Isodon melissoides (BENTHAM) H. HARA, their structures were established on the basis of the spectral methods, especially two dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy.

Two novel octanortriterpenoids, micranoic acids A (1) and B (2), along with three known compounds, kadsuric acid (3), 3beta-hydroxy-lanost-9(11),24(25)-dien-26-oic acid (4) and schizandronic acid (5), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Schisandra micrantha. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Micranoic acids A and B represent a new group of triterpenes in which the entire C-17 side chain has lost. This is the first report of octanortriterpenoids isolated from the family Schisandraceae.