The genus Commiphora: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The resinous exudates of the Commiphora species, known as 'myrrh', are used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of trauma, arthritis, fractures and diseases caused by blood stagnation. Myrrh has also been used in the Ayurvedic medical system because of its therapeutic effects against inflammatory diseases, coronary artery diseases, gynecological disease, obesity, etc.

Aim Of The Review: Based on a comprehensive review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological data on the genus Commiphora, opportunities for the future research and development as well as the genus' therapeutic potential are analyzed.

Clusters of sudden unexplained death associated with the mushroom, Trogia venenata, in rural Yunnan Province, China.

Introduction: Since the late 1970's, time-space clusters of sudden unexplained death (SUD) in northwest Yunnan, China have alarmed the public and health authorities. From 2006-2009, we initiated enhanced surveillance for SUD to identify a cause, and we warned villagers to avoid eating unfamiliar mushrooms.

Methods: We established surveillance for SUD, defined as follows: sudden onset of serious, unexplained physical impairment followed by death in <24 hours.

Panax notogingseng saponins suppress RAGE/MAPK signaling and NF-kappaB activation in apolipoprotein-E-deficient atherosclerosis-prone mice.

Background: Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) extracted from the roots of panax notoginseng are free radical-scavenger, with an antioxidant property, capable of inhibiting expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines. This study was designed to test the effects of PNS administration in apolipoprotein (apo)-E-deficient mice on the activation of JNK, p38(MAPK), ERK1/2 and NF-κB, and the expression of RAGE, adhesion molecules and chemokines in the atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods: Wild type and apoE-null mice (male, 10-week-old) were treated with PNS for 4 weeks.

Mn-promoted aerobic oxidative C-C bond cleavage of aldehydes with dioxygen activation: a simple synthetic approach to formamides.

A novel Mn-promoted aerobic oxidative C-C bond cleavage of aldehydes with dioxygen activation has been developed. The usage of molecular oxygen (1 atm) as oxidant, reactant, and an initiator to trigger this transformation makes this transformation very green and practical. A plausible radical process is proposed on the basis of mechanistic studies.

Rapamycin inhibits lymphatic endothelial cell tube formation by downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 protein expression.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) controls lymphangiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. Here we show that rapamycin suppressed insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)- or fetal bovine serum (FBS)-stimulated lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) tube formation, an in vitro model of lymphangiogenesis.

Cryptotanshinone activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2 leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells.

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a natural compound isolated from the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we show that CPT induced caspase-independent cell death in human tumor cells (Rh30, DU145, and MCF-7).

[Expression and localization of ArgBP2 in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells].

Aim: To construct an eukaryotic expression vector GFP-hArgBP2 and identify the expression and localization of hArgBP2 in osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Methods: Using pcDNA3.1-hArgBP2 as a template, we obtained human ArgBP2 coding sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and cloned it into the eukaryotic expression vector.

Qualitative-(semi)quantitative data acquisition of artemisinin and its metabolites in rat plasma using an LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Artemisinin (QHS) is one of the first-line antimalarials, and autoinduction of CYP-mediated metabolism can result in its reduced exposure. To better understand the autoinduction of QHS, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of QHS and its phase I metabolites in rats using an liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method. The LC separation was improved, allowing the separation of QHS and its metabolites from their diastereomers, and seven metabolites of QHS with relatively high exposure were identified in rat plasma, including deoxyartemisinin (DQHS), three monoyhydroxylated plus deoxyl metabolites (M1-M3) and three monohydroxylated metabolites (M4-M6).

[Analysis on detection of enterovirus nucleotides in feces samples of hand-foot-mouth disease patients after recovery].

Objective: To explore the duration of enterovirus (EV) nucleotides positive in feces samples of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) patients after recovery.

Methods: A consecutive 6-week follow up were carried out towards 49 cases of laboratory-diagnosed HFMD patients. A total of 5 - 8 g feces sample was collected from each patient once a week.

Dual transcriptional activator and repressor roles of TBX20 regulate adult cardiac structure and function.

The ongoing requirement in adult heart for transcription factors with key roles in cardiac development is not well understood. We recently demonstrated that TBX20, a transcriptional regulator required for cardiac development, has key roles in the maintenance of functional and structural phenotypes in adult mouse heart. Conditional ablation of Tbx20 in adult cardiomyocytes leads to a rapid onset and progression of heart failure, with prominent conduction and contractility phenotypes that lead to death.

[Construction of eukaryotic plasmid of human hCAP gene and the expression and localization of fusion protein].

Aim: To construct the expression plasmid of human c-Cbl-associated protein (hCAP) gene and identify the expression and localization of fusion protein.

Methods: Total mRNA was extracted from CV-1 cells, and cDNA was formed by reverse transcription. The hCAP coding sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pEGFP-C1 plasmid.

Curcumin inhibits protein phosphatases 2A and 5, leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and death in tumor cells.

Curcumin can induce p53-independent apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be defined. Here, we show that curcumin-induced apoptosis in a panel of tumor cells with mutant p53.

The role of Cdc25A in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Cell division cycle 25 A (Cdc25A), a dual-specificity protein phosphatase, is one of the most crucial cell cycle regulators, which removes the inhibitory phosphorylation in cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), such as CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6, and positively regulates the activities of CDKs that lead to cell cycle progression. In addition, Cdc25A also acts as a regulator of apoptosis. Overexpression of Cdc25A promotes tumorigenesis, and is frequently observed in various types of cancer.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of PAK4 modulates β-catenin intracellular translocation and signaling.

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a central role in development and cancer. The p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) involves in a wide range of cellular processes, including cytoskeletal reorganization, cell proliferation, gene transcription and oncogenic transformation. However, the cross talk between the Wnt and PAK4 signaling pathways is poorly understood.

Thymosin beta 4 is dispensable for murine cardiac development and function.

Rationale: Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) is a 43-amino acid factor encoded by an X-linked gene. Recent studies have suggested that Tβ4 is a key factor in cardiac development, growth, disease, epicardial integrity, and blood vessel formation. Cardiac-specific short hairpin (sh)RNA knockdown of tβ4 has been reported to result in embryonic lethality at E14.

Upregulation of Polo-like kinase 2 gene expression by GATA-1 acetylation in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Polo-like kinase 2 (Plk2) is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family involved in cell-cycle regulation and cellular response to stresses. It is of great interest to investigate the molecular mechanisms that control the expression of Plk2. Here, using real-time PCR and Western blot assays, we show that trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, upregulated Plk2 mRNA and protein expression in the human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line.

Tbx20 regulates a genetic program essential to adult mouse cardiomyocyte function.

Human mutations in or variants of TBX20 are associated with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias. To investigate whether cardiac disease in patients with these conditions results from an embryonic or ongoing requirement for Tbx20 in myocardium, we ablated Tbx20 specifically in adult cardiomyocytes in mice. This ablation resulted in the onset of severe cardiomyopathy accompanied by arrhythmias, with death ensuing within 1 to 2 weeks of Tbx20 ablation.

Simvastatin suppresses apoptosis in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques through regulating the expression of p(53), Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL.

Purpose: Simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are independent of lipid-lowering abilities. This experiment was carried out to explore the effects of simvastatin on apoptosis in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques of apoE-deficient mice.

Methods And Results: Eight weeks-old apoE(-/-) mice were fed a Western-type diet.

[Correlation and path analysis on agronomic traits of Gentiana rigescens].

Objective: The interrelation of yield and agronomic traits of Gentiana rigescens was studied for the germplasm and breeding variety of this species.

Method: Twelve agronomic traits, root diameter, root length, root number, root biomass, stem diameter, plant height, the first branch number, leaf length, leaf width, leaf length/leaf width ratio, calyx length, and calyx number of G. rigescens from 26 wild populations in Yunnan were determined for correlation analysis, multiple stepwise regression analysis and path analysis.

PPM1A dephosphorylates RanBP3 to enable efficient nuclear export of Smad2 and Smad3.

Smad2 and Smad3 (Smad2/3) are essential signal transducers and transcription factors in the canonical transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway. Active Smad2/3 signalling in the nucleus is terminated by dephosphorylation and subsequent nuclear export of Smad2/3. Here we report that protein phosphatase PPM1A regulates the nuclear export of Smad2/3 through targeting nuclear exporter RanBP3.

Association of TNF-alpha genetic polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility: a case-control study in a Han Chinese population.

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) gene promoter region have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to various types of cancers. A case-control study (126 hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] patients and 126 normal controls) was conducted to elucidate their possible association with the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC in a Han Chinese population. TNF-alpha polymorphisms -1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -308G/A, and -238G/A were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits lymphatic endothelial cell tube formation by suppressing VEGFR-3/ERK and small GTPase pathways.

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), isolated from the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be defined. Here, we show that CPT inhibited lymphangiogenesis in an in vitro model (tube formation).

The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine promotes atherosclerotic plaque stabilization through suppression of RAGE, MMPs and NF-κB in ApoE-deficient mice.

Aims: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To explore the mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic plaque stabilization induced by NAC, we examined the effects of NAC administration in apoE-deficient mice on the expression of the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods: 10-week-old ApoE(-/-) mice fed with atherogenic diet were treated with NAC (200 mg/kg/ day) for 8 weeks.

A higher correlation of HCV core antigen with CD4+ T cell counts compared with HCV RNA in HCV/HIV-1 coinfected patients.

Development of HCV infection is typically followed by chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in most patients, while spontaneous HCV viral clearance (SVC) occurs in only a minority of subjects. Compared with the widespread application of HCV RNA testing by quantitative RT-PCR technique, HCV core antigen detection may be an alternative indicator in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infections and in monitoring the status of infectious individuals. However, the correlation and differences between these two indicators in HCV infection need more investigation, especially in patients coinfected by HIV-1.

Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus in a Chronic HBV-Infected Patient over 2 Years.

Mutations in full-length HBV isolates obtained from a chronic HBV-infected patient were evaluated at three time points: 1 day, 6 months, and 31 months. While 5 nucleotides variation, and an 18 bp deletion of preS1 have been kept in during at least the first two years, C339T mutation occurring in the hydrophilic region of HBsAg and T770C that caused polymerase V560A substitution were the new point mutations found existing in sequenced clones of the 3rd time point. Internal deletion of coding region obviously appeared in the 3rd time point.