Crosstalk between HO and Ca signaling is involved in root endophyte-enhanced tanshinone biosynthesis of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Tanshinones are bioactive ingredients derived from the herbal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza and are used for treating diseases of the heart and brain, thus ensuring quality of S. miltiorrhiza is paramount. Applying the endophytic fungus Trichoderma atroviride D16 can significantly increase the content of tanshinones in S.

Sesquiterpenoids from Vitex pierreana.

A new germacrane sesquiterpenoid with an epoxy moiety, pierreanin A (1), and a pair of unique cyclobutyl-containing sesquiterpenoid diastereoisomers, pierreanins B and C (2 and 3), were isolated from the branches and leaves of Vitex pierreana, together with 2 known analogues, identified as germacrone (4) and epiprocurcumenol (5). The structures of all isolates were evaluated by detailed analyses of NMR, IR, and MS data. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were determined by comparison of the experimental ECD spectra with reported data of analogues containing the same chromophore.

Therapeutic effects of standardized Vitex negundo seeds extract on complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in rats.

The seeds of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) have been commonly used as a folk remedy for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the extract of V.

False homozygosities at CSF1PO loci revealed by discrepancies between two kits in Chinese population.

During the course of paternity test, three samples in two cases were apparently homozygous at the CSF1PO locus using AmpFlSTRs Identifiler PCR Amplification kits, but using the PowerPlexs 16 kit, the three individuals were found to be heterozygous. This puzzling problem was solved by using multiple analytical approaches, including the use of different primer pairs and the characterization of the mutation causing the ''null allele.'' Dropout was caused by a single mutation event in the presumptive binding site of the forward primer.

XRCC1 codon 280 and ERCC2 codon 751 polymorphisms and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population.

Numerous candidate genes have been proposed as susceptibility factors for the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). XRCC1 (X-ray cross-complementing group 1) codon 280 and ERCC2 (excision repair cross complementing group 2) codon 751 polymorphisms were studied in ESCC in a Chinese population. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of XRCC1 codon 280 His and ERCC2 codon 751 Gln polymorphisms and ESCC.

[The application of PCR-SSCP in forensic mtDNA typing].

Objective: To study the application of PCR-SSCP in forensic mtDNA typing.

Methods: Primers flanking the mtDNA HV-I and HV-II regions were designed. By PCR-SSCP techniques, 70 family trios and 140 unrelated Wuhan Han individuals were investigated and analyzed.

[Polymorphism of DXYS267 locus and application of its Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions].

Objective: To investigate the polymorphism of DXYS267 locus in China Han population and find the application and characters of its Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions.

Methods: The locus was analyzed by PCR and PAGE in silver-staining. The Y-specific STR was amplified with newly designed primers according to the Y-specific single nucleotide substitutions.