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Background: Existing studies for ferroptosis and prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) were limited. In this study, we aim to investigate the prognostic role of ferroptosis markers in patients with CRC and exploration of its micro‐environmental distributions. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed for CRC patients' tissue microarray. Selection and prognostic validation of markers were based on mRNA data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to indicate relative immune landmarks and hallmarks. Ferroptosis and immune contexture were examined by CIBERSORT. Survival outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan‐Meier analysis and cox analysis. Results: A panel of 42 genes was selected. Through mRNA expression difference and prognosis analysis, GPX4, NOX1 and ACSL4 were selected as candidate markers. By IHC, increased GPX4, decreased NOX1 and decreased FACL4 indicate poor prognosis and worse clinical characteristics. Ferroptosis score based on GPX4, NOX1 and ACSL4 was constructed and validated with high C‐index. Low ferroptosis score can also demonstrate the better progression free survival and better adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) responsiveness. Moreover, tumor with low ferroptosis score tend to be infiltrated with more CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and less M1 macrophage. Finally, we found that IFN‐γ was potentially the central molecule at the crossroad between ferroptosis and onco‐immune response. Conclusion: Ferroptosis plays important role on CRC tumor progression, ACT response and prognosis. Ferroptosis contributes to immune‐supportive responses and IFN‐γ was the central molecule for this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is considered to be critical in the pterygium progression and recurrence. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Herein, we investigated the potential role of RNA binding protein human antigen R (HuR) responsible for the impact of inflammation on pterygium development. The expression of HuR and matrix metallopeptidase‐9 (MMP‐9) in pterygium and normal conjunctiva was detected with immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The influence of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) on HuR expression and cellular distribution was determined with western blot and immunofluorescence. The pterygium fibroblast (PTF) migration was determined with scratch wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. MMP‐9 production was determined with qRT‐PCR and gelatin zymography. The interaction between HuR and MMP‐9 was investigated with RNP immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by RT‐PCR and messenger RNA (mRNA) stability analysis. HuR and MMP‐9 expression are elevated in pterygium, especially progressive pterygium compared with normal conjunctiva. IL‐1β could increase the expression and nucleus–cytoplasm shuttle of HuR in cultured PTFs. HuR mediated the stimulatory effect of IL‐1β on PTF migration and MMP‐9 production. HuR bound to MMP‐9 mRNA and in turn increased it stability. Our results suggest that posttranscriptional regulation of MMP‐9 via stabilizing mRNA by HuR might contribute to the stimulatory effect of inflammatory factor IL‐1β on pterygium progression. These findings shed light on the pathogenesis of pterygium and provide a promising target for adjuvant treatment of pterygium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombosis is considered to be closely related to several diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and stroke, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperuricemia, and various inflammatory conditions. More and more studies have been focused on understanding the mechanism of molecular and cellular basis of thrombus formation as well as preventing thrombosis for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. In reality, there is considerable interest in the role of natural products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of thrombosis related disorders. This paper briefly describes the mechanisms of thrombus formation on three aspects, including coagulation system, platelet activation, and aggregation, and change of blood flow conditions. Furthermore, the natural products for antithrombosis by anticoagulation, antiplatelet aggregation, and fibrinolysis were summarized, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free and polymeric carbohydrates in Cordyceps, a valued edible mushroom and well-known traditional Chinese medicine, were determined using stepwise pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) extraction and GC-MS. Based on the optimized PLE conditions, acid hydrolysis and derivatization, ten monosaccharides, namely rhamnose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose, mannitol, fructose and sorbose in 13 samples of natural and cultured Cordyceps were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed and compared with myo-inositol hexaacetate as internal standard. The results showed that natural C. sinensis contained more than 7.99% free mannitol and a small amount of glucose, while its polysaccharides were usually composed of mannose, glucose and galactose with a molar ratio of 1.00:16.61∼3.82:1.60∼1.28. However, mannitol in cultured C. sinensis and cultured C. militaris were less than 5.83%, and free glucose was only detected in a few samples, while their polysaccharides were mainly composed of mannose, glucose and galactose with molar ratios of 1.00:3.01~1.09:3.30∼1.05 and 1.00:2.86∼1.28:1.07∼0.78, respectively. Natural and cultured Cordyceps could be discriminated by hierarchical clustering analysis based on its free carbohydrate contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chinese medicinal herbs may use more than one species of Curcumae Radix (Yujin) is the tuberous roots of Curcumae wenyujin, C kwangsiensis, C phaeocaulis and C longa. This study aimed to characterize the chemical profiles of these different species of Curcumae Radix, and develop a method for rapid discrimination of these species by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOFMS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis. Methods: The metabolomes of 33 different batches of Curcumae Radix derived from four Curcumae species were profiled by UHPLC/Q-TOFMS. The resulting sample codes, tR-m/z pairs and ion intensities were processed by unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to characterize the chemical composition of Curcumae Radix across the four different species. Results: Obvious differences were observed in the chemical compositions of the Curcumae Radix samples derived from the four different species according to PCA and OPLS-DA. These results suggested that curcumin, curcumenone, curcumenol and zederone could be used as unique chemical markers for C longa, C wenyujin, C phaeocaulis and C. kwangsiensis, respectively. Conclusions: This study developed a UHPLC/Q-TOFMS method coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to discriminate between Curcumae Radix samples from four different Curcumae species, i.e., C longa, C wenyujin, C phaeocaulis and C kwangsiensis. Notably, this new approach resulted in the identification of curcumin (a), curcumenone (b), curcumenol (c) and zederone (d) as unique chemical markers for the identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Permian Shaiwa Group of the Ziyun area of Guizhou, South China is a deep-water facies succession characterized by deep-water assemblages of pelagic radiolarians, foraminifers, bivalves, ammonoids and brachiopods. Here we report 20 brachiopod species in 18 genera from the uppermost Shaiwa Group. This brachiopod fauna is latest Changhsingian in age and dominated by productides. The palaeoecologic and taphonomic analysis reveals that the brachiopod fauna is preserved in situ . The attachment modes and substratum preference demonstrate that the Shaiwa brachiopod fauna comprises admixed elements of deep-water and shallow-water assemblages. The presence of the shallow-water brachiopods in the Shaiwa faunas indicates the involuntary settlement of shallow-water brachiopods. The stressed ecologic pressure, triggered by warming surface waters, restricted ecospace and short food sources, may have forced some shallow-water elements to move to hospitable deep-water settings and others to modify their habiting behaviours and exploit new ecospace in deep-water environments. We infer that the end-Permian global warming and subsequent transgression event may have accounted for the stressed environmental pressure in the shallow-water communities prior to the end-Permian mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aloe barbadensis Miller 1768, A. vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berger 1908, A. ferox Miller 1768, and A. arborescens Miller 1768 are the most widely cultivated species of Aloe and are used in Asia along with 400 other Aloe species worldwide because of their potent and potential bioactivity. Objective: The objective was to analyze and compare the soluble proteins of four commonly used medicinal Aloe species. Methods: Aloe protein samples were obtained by TCA/acetone-saturated phenol-methanol/ ammonium acetate combined extraction (phenol extraction), and then were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Finally, the differentially expressed proteins of four Aloe species were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight–MS analysis. Results: The phenol extraction method was the most suitable method for the protein extraction of Aloe. Fifty differentially expressed proteins in four Aloe species were successfully identified and divided into eight functional categories. Furthermore, Malate dehydrogenase and ran-binding protein in A. barbadensis, cytoskeletal-related protein tubulin in A. vera var. chinensis and auxin-induced protein PCNT-115 in A. arborescens are closely related to their morphological characteristics. Conclusions: There are differences in the soluble proteins of the four Aloe species. Those proteins, related to the difference of their morphology of Aloe, might be used to identify different species. Highlights: Fifty differentially expressed proteins in four medicinal Aloe species were identified, and these proteins were classified into eight categories according to their biological functions. Four special proteins closely related to the morphological characteristics of Aloe were found and might be used to identify these four Aloe species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cornea is the outmost structure of the eye and exposed directly to the air pollution. However, little is known about the effect of PM2.5 on corneal epithelium, which is critical for maintenance of cornea homeostasis and visual function. Objective: We investigated the influence of PM2.5 exposure on corneal epithelial migration and the possible mechanisms involved in the process. Methods: We observed wound healing in mouse model of cornea abrasion, evaluated the migration and mobility of cultured corneal epithelial cells with wound scratch assay and Transwell migration assay, detected the phosphorylation and interaction of FAK/paxillin with immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation, and determined the RhoA activity and actin reorganization, in response to PM2.5 exposure. Results: Exposure to PM2.5 remarkably inhibited corneal epithelial cell migration both in mouse model of corneal abrasion and in cell culture model. We found the phosphorylation and interaction of FAK/paxillin, RhoA activity as well as actin reorganization were suppressed by PM2.5 exposure. Moreover, formation of ROS might play a role in the action of PM2.5. Conclusions: PM2.5 exposure could result in delay of corneal epithelium wound healing by inhibiting cell migration, thus more attention should be paid to the potential risk of corneal infection and effort should be made to protect eyes against impairment induced by PM2.5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asini Corii Colla (ACC) (namely donkey hide gelatin, E'jiao in Chinese) was one of the most valuable tonic traditional Chinese medicines which is an infallible remedy to promote hematopoiesis. It should be produced by fresh or dried donkey hide according to Chinese Pharmacopeia (2015 edition) with a long-time decoction, while as donkey and horse (or mule) all belong to equids so their hides or their hide gelatins are share much in common, that cause the difficult in distinguishing raw materials donkey hide from horse/mule hide for manufacturer, and the challenge in the quality evaluation of ACC for regulatory authority to identify the adulterated with horse hide. Objective: To establish an effective quality evaluation methods for ACC focused on the qualitative-based identification of the raw material's authenticity, mainly to identify the species origin of the gelatins. Materials and Methods: DNA extracted from (1) Raw materials (hides of donkey, horse, mule, bovine and pig); (2) Five hide-glues (bovine, pig, donkey, horse and mule hide-glue); (3) 11 batches of ACC commercial products made by different manufactures from local drug stores. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with newly designed horse-specific primers I and primer pair II. Results: Use the primer pair I, a 234 bp target product could be amplified sensitively from the DNA sample of horse/mule adulterated commercial ACC products, though the DNA in commercial products is severely degraded. A 219 bp product could be amplified specifically from the DNA sample of horse/mule hide, while the results were all negative for the DNA templates of donkey hide, its gelatin and ACC products without adulteration. Conclusion: The developed PCR method based on primer I and II provide an effective approach to identify the species origin of highly processed product ACC (primer pair I) as well as to distinguish the raw material donkey hide (primer pair II), which might enlighten a new strategy to the Quality Evaluation of ACC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As one of the bioactive components in Cordyceps sinensis (CS), proteins were rarely used as index components to study the correlation between the protein components and producing areas of natural CS. Objective: Protein components of 26 natural CS samples produced in Qinghai, Tibet, and Sichuan provinces were analyzed and compared to investigate the relationship among 26 different producing areas. Materials and Methods: Proteins from 26 different producing areas were extracted by Tris-HCl buffer with Triton X-100, and separated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Results: The SDS-PAGE results indicated that the number of protein bands and optical density curves of proteins in 26 CS samples was a bit different. However, the 2-DE results showed that the numbers and abundance of protein spots in protein profiles of 26 samples were obviously different and showed certain association with producing areas. Conclusions: Based on the expression values of matched protein spots, 26 batches of CS samples can be divided into two main categories (Tibet and Qinghai) by hierarchical cluster analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three different oil phases include 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (BMPy[NTf2]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMImPF6) and n-octane were compared for the MEEKC analysis (SDS as surfactant and n-butanol as co-surfactant) of eight isoflavones from pueraria. The investigated isoflavones can bewell separated by all of those three microemulsion systems after careful optimization, and the MEEKC with n-octane as the oil phase was the best choice (good symmetry and high resolutions of peaks with short analysis time) for the analysis. The optimum conditions of MEEKC method were as follows: 70 mM SDS, 0.7 M n-butanol and 0.5% (w/v) n-octane in 10 mM sodium tetraborate (STB) at pH 8.5, applied voltage was 23 kV and cassette temperature was set at 30°C. And then the developed method was fully validated (limit of detection, limit of quantification, intraday precision, interday precision and recovery) and successfully applied to determine the eight analytes in three Radix Puerariae samples. In addition, although the MEEKC with classic oil phase (n-octane) showed better results for isoflavones analysis in this study, the MEEKC with ionic liquids (BMPy[NTf2] and BMImPF6) also showed great separation potential for analytes, which may be further applied in the analysis of other natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgroud: The efficacy and safety of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) as a bridge for patients with acute malignant colorectal obstructions (AMCOs) are still controversial. We conducted this study to evaluate the outcomes of patients with AMCOs treated by different strategies. Methods: From January 2010 to March 2014, a total of 171 patients with AMCOs from Zhongshan Hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. One hundred twenty patients successfully received stent placement followed by one-stage laparoscopic or open resection in the stent group, and 51 patients received emergency operations in the emergency group. Results: The operation duration and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the stent group (114.51 ± 28.65 vs. 160.39 ± 58.94 min, P < 0.001; 8.00 ± 3.97 vs. 12.59 ± 9.07 days, P = 0.001). The stent group also had significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss and the incidence of postoperative complications compared with the emergency group (61.00 ± 43.70 vs. 121.18 ± 85.90 ml, P < 0.001; 16.7 vs. 37.3 %, P = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the median survival time in the stent group was significantly longer than that in the emergency group (53 vs. 41 months, P = 0.034). In subgroup analysis of stent group, the stent laparoscopy group had significantly decreased postoperative complications ( P = 0.025), and similar long-term survival ( P = 0.81). Conclusions: Stent placement as a bridge to surgery is a safe and feasible procedure and provides significant advantages in terms of short-term outcomes and favorable prognoses for patients with AMCOs. Laparoscopic surgery could be considered as an optimal treatment after stent placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-origin Chinese herbal medicines, with herbs originating from more than one species of plants, is a common phenomenon but an important issue in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). In the present study, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based fatty acid profiling approach to rapidly discriminate multi-origin Chinese medicines in terms of species and medicinal parts was proposed and validated using tuberous roots (Curcumae Radix) and rhizomes (Curcumae Rhizoma and Curcumae Longae Rhizoma) derived from four Curcuma species (e.g., C. wenyujin, C. kwangsiensis, C. phaeocaulis and C. longa) as models. Both type and content of fatty acids varied among different species of either tuberous roots or rhizomes, indicating each species has its own fatty acid pattern. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) based on dataset of global fatty acid profiling showed that either tuberous roots or rhizomes samples could be clearly classified into four clusters according to their species. Furthermore, those tested samples could also be discriminated in terms of their medicinal parts (e.g., tuberous root and rhizome). Our findings suggest that the proposed GC-MS-based fatty acid profiling followed by multivariate statistical analysis provides a reliable platform to discriminate multi-origin Chinese herbal medicines according to species and medicinal parts, which will be helpful for ensuring their quality, safety and efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]