The genus Balanophora J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. - Its use in traditional medicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacology: A review.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Natural products, particularly medicinal plants, have been utilized in traditional medicine for millennia to treat various diseases. The genus Balanophora (Balanophoraceae) consists of 23 accepted species. These species are the most controversial flowering plants, with highly reduced morphologies and are found parasitizing on the roots of their host.

A taxonomic revision of (Apocynaceae) with two new synonyms.

, a species widely distributed in north-eastern Asia, is revised to include two new synonyms: Vincetoxicumsibiricumf.linearifolium, described from Shandong, China in 1877, but long neglected and , previously believed to be endemic to Mongolia. Typification for and all its synonyms is given, including lectotypification of V.

Proteomic analysis of glutathione S-transferase isoforms in mouse liver mitochondria.

Aim: To survey glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST) isoforms in mitochondria and to reveal the isoforms' biological significance in diabetic mice.

Methods: The presence of GSTs in mouse liver mitochondria was systematically screened by two proteomic approaches, namely, GSH affinity chromatography/two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE/MALDI TOF/TOF MS) and SDS-PAGE/LC ESI MS/MS. The proteomic results were further confirmed by Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies against GSTs.

[Determination of process variable pH in solid-state fermentation by FT-NIR spectroscopy and extreme learning machine (ELM)].

Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was attempted to determine pH, which is one of the key process parameters in solid-state fermentation of crop straws. First, near infrared spectra of 140 solid-state fermented product samples were obtained by near infrared spectroscopy system in the wavelength range of 10 000-4 000 cm(-1), and then the reference measurement results of pH were achieved by pH meter. Thereafter, the extreme learning machine (ELM) was employed to calibrate model.

Enhanced pressor response to acute Ang II infusion in mice lacking membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase-1.

Aim: To examine the contribution of vascular membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) to acute blood pressure homeostasis.

Methods: Angiotensin II (AngII, 75 pmol·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) was continuously infused via the jugular vein into wild-type and mPGES-1(-/-) mice for 30 min, and blood pressure was measured by carotid arterial catheterization. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression and localization of mPGES-1 in the mouse arterial vessels.

[Role of increased activity of carbohydrate response element binding protein in excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of type 2 diabetic db/db mouse].

Objective: To study the role of the carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) in excessive lipid deposition in the liver of db/db mouse.

Methods: The deposition of neutral lipids in the liver was evaluated by Oil Red O staining. Immunohistochemical assay was utilized to determine the localization of ChREBP protein expression in mouse liver.

[Activation of liver X receptor regulates fatty acid synthase expression in diabetic liver].

Objective: To investigate the effects of liver X receptor (LXR) on the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in diabetic liver.

Methods: Sixteen-week-old male db/db mice with C57BL/6 background were administered via gavaging of T0901317 (TO), a LXR synthetic agonist, at the dose of 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) or dimethyl sulfide (DMSO), a vehicle alone for 7 days. Then the mice were killed with their livers taken out to undergo immunohistochemistry to observe the distribution of FAS protein.

[High glucose downregulates the expression of podocalyxin protein in glomerular podocytes of mice].

Objective: To examine the expression of podocalyxin protein in glomerular podocytes by long-term high glucose exposure in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining and computer image analysis were applied to detect the expression of podocalyxin protein in glomeruli from db/db mice and Wt mice. The effects of high glucose on the expression of podocalyxin protein were analyzed by Western blotting.