Effects of genetic variation and environmental factors on bergenin in Rodgersia sambucifolia Hemsl.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bergenin is a well-known active compound that exhibits antioxidant, antiarrhythmic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the resource reserve of Rodgersia sambucifolia, one of the main raw materials for extracting bergenin, have sharply declined, and the bergenin content in different germplasms differs vastly, resulting in a serious shortage of the market supply of bergenin.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the influence of genetic diversity and environmental factors on bergenin content in Rodgersia sambucifolia.

Bone mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium induces the upregulation of Smad6, which inhibits the BMP-4/Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) conditioned medium on BMP4-induced activation of the Smad signaling pathway during the process of neural stem cells differentiation.

Methods: We designed four experimental groups: (A) control group, (B) BMP-4 treatment group, (C) BMSC-CM group, and (D) BMSC-CM (BMSC-conditioned medium) combined with BMP-4 group. The expression of microtube-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) detected by immunocytochemical staining and western blot.

Label-free silicon quantum dots as fluorescent probe for selective and sensitive detection of copper ions.

In this work, label-free silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) were used as a novel fluorescence probe for the sensitive and selective detection of Cu(2+). The fluorescence of the SiQDs was effectively quenched by H2O2 from the reaction of ascorbic acid with O2, and hydroxyl radicals from Fenton reaction between H2O2 and Cu(+). The fluorescence intensity of SiQDs was quenched about 25% in 15 min after the addition of H2O2 (1mM).

Bilateral central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Purpose: This is the first report of a bilateral nonischemic central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 22-year-old Chinese (male) with a positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection developed bilateral nonischemic central retinal vein occlusions combined with artery occlusions and severe vision loss.