Crystallography-guided discovery of carbazole-based retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) modulators: insights into different protein behaviors with "short" and "long" inverse agonists.

A series of 6-substituted carbazole-based retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) modulators were discovered through 6-position modification guided by insights from the crystallographic profiles of the "short" inverse agonist 6. With the increase in the size of the 6-position substituents, the "short" inverse agonist 6 first reversed its function to agonists and then to "long" inverse agonists. The cocrystal structures of RORγt complexed with the representative "short" inverse agonist 6 (PDB: 6LOB), the agonist 7d (PDB: 6LOA) and the "long" inverse agonist 7h (PDB: 6LO9) were revealed by X-ray analysis.

A novel realgar-indigo naturalis formula more effectively induces apoptosis in NB4 cells.

Realgar as a kind of arsenic agent is currently used to treat APL in China. The effectiveness and low toxicity of realgar have been verified, lower than arsenic trioxide. Although the therapeutic efficacy of realgar is blocked severely by its poor insolubility in water.

Chemical Synthesis and Oxide Dispersion Properties of Strengthened Tungsten via Spark Plasma Sintering.

Highly uniform oxide dispersion-strengthened materials W-1 wt % Nd₂O₃ and W-1 wt % CeO₂ were successfully fabricated via a novel wet chemical method followed by hydrogen reduction. The powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering at 1700 °C to suppress grain growth. The samples were characterized by performing field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses, Vickers microhardness measurements, thermal conductivity, and tensile testing.

-Butylphthalide Improves Cognitive Function in Rats after Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Cognitive impairment is the most common neurologic sequelae after carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and the previous investigations have demonstrated that -Butylphthalide (NBP) could exert a broad spectrum of neuroprotective properties. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of NBP on cognitive dysfunction in rats after acute severe CO poisoning. Rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a CO poisoning group and a CO+NBP group.

[Molecular identification of wild populations of Dendrobium officinale based on target region amplification polymorphism].

In this study, TRAP molecular markers were used in identification of wild populations and hybrids of Dendrobium officinale, based on the sequences of genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Seven polymorphic target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) primers were selected from 54 primer combinations and used in the identification of wild populations. Moreover, hybrids had female polymorphic bands, male polymorphic bands and heterozygous bands, which suggest that seven TRAP markers are able to identify the hybrids from their parents.

[Evaluation of genetic diversity and population structure of Bletilla striata based on SRAP markers].

Bletilla striata has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for several centuries. In recent years, the quality and quantity of wild B. striata plants have declined sharply due to habitat deterioration and human over-exploitation.

[Applylication of new type combined fragments: nrDNA ITS+ nad 1-intron 2 for identification of Dendrobium species of Fengdous].

In this study, 17 kinds of Dendrobium species of Fengdous including 39 individuals were collected from 4 provinces. Mitochondrial gene sequences co I, nad 5, nad 1-intron 2 and chloroplast gene sequences rbcL, matK amd psbA-trnH were amplified from these materials, as well as nrDNA ITS. Furthermore, suitable sequences for identification of Dendrobium species of Fengdous were screened by K-2-P and P-distance.

[Study on Chemical Kinetic Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma].

To reveal the mechanism of plasma (assisted the ignition process of methane/air further, schematic of dielectric barrier discharge plasma system with atmospheric air was designed and set up, the emission spectrum of dielectric barrier discharge plasma with atmospheric air was measured, and the active particles produced by the interaction of dielectric barrier discharge plasma with atmospheric air were analyzed with the spectrum technology, the ignition model and calculation methods of sensitivity analysis and reaction path analysis were given, effects of NO and O3 on the ignition delay time were simulated, and the chemical kinetics mechanism of NO and O3 assisted ignition was revealed via sensitivity analysis and reaction path analysis. The results show that main excited particles of N2 and O3 are generated via effect of plasma on the atmospheric air, which are converted into active particles of NO(ξ) and O3 in the end, the life of which are longer than any other active particles, effects of plasma on the ignition is simplified as effects of NO(ξ) and O3 on the ignition; NO and O3 could reduce the ignition delay time significantly, but the amplitude decrease with increase of the initial temperature, this is because the rate of ignition is decided by the oxidation rate of CH3, the oxidized pathway of CH3 is R155 and R156 for auto-ignition and their rates are slower when temperature is low, so the ignition delay time of methane/air is longer; NO could reduce the ignition delay time significantly because of the oxidized pathway of CH3 is changed to R327 CH3O2 + NO = CH3O + NO2, R328 CH3 + NO2 = CH3O + NO for NO(ξ) (assisted ignition process from R155 and R156 for auto-ignition; and the chemical kinetic effect is the dominating factor of O3 on the ignition and which change the reaction path.

[DNA barcoding research and its application on medicinal plants of Bletilla H. G. Reichenbach].

To identify adulterants from medicinal plants of Bletilla H. G. Reichenbach, the suitable candidate DNA barcoding of Bletilla was evaluated.

[Ophiopogonin D protects cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin-induced injury through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress].

This study aimed to examine whether ophiopogonin D (OP-D) is capable of protecting cardiomyocytes against DOX-induced injury and the mechanisms involved. H9c2 cells were cultured. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability and toxicity.

Comparative chloroplast genomes of photosynthetic orchids: insights into evolution of the Orchidaceae and development of molecular markers for phylogenetic applications.

The orchid family Orchidaceae is one of the largest angiosperm families, including many species of important economic value. While chloroplast genomes are very informative for systematics and species identification, there is very limited information available on chloroplast genomes in the Orchidaceae. Here, we report the complete chloroplast genomes of the medicinal plant Dendrobium officinale and the ornamental orchid Cypripedium macranthos, demonstrating their gene content and order and potential RNA editing sites.

[Sequence analysis of LEAFY homologous gene from Dendrobium moniliforme and application for identification of medicinal Dendrobium].

The LEAFY (LFY) homologous gene of Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. was cloned by new primers which were designed based on the conservative region of known sequences of orchid LEAFY gene.

Identification of the geographic origin of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum on Chinese herbal medicine market using trinucleotide microsatellite markers.

The stems of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum RCHB.F. ex ANDRÉ can be processed into an important class of Traditional Chinese Medicine named "Huangcao Shihu," which has diverse curative effects, such as nourishing yin and clearing away unhealthy heat, benefiting the stomach, and promoting the production of body fluid.

[Evaluation of genetic diversity of Dendrobium officinale wild populations based on RAMP markers].

Random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) markers were used to access the genetic diversity among 112 samples of nine populations of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo. Using 16 informative primers, 123 bands were amplified and 86 (69.92%) were polymorphic.

Anthraquinones from the roots of Knoxia valerianoides.

Five new 9,10-anthraquinones (1-5) were isolated from an ethanol extract of the roots of Knoxia valerianoides. Their structures including absolute configuration of 1 were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate activity against nitrogen oxide production in macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide, at 10(- 5) M, with inhibition ratios of 50.

[Analysis and authentication of cpDNA psbA-trnH regions of Dendrobium species of fengdous].

The psbA-trnH regions of Dendrobium species of Fengdous were sequenced by our research group. The psbA-trnH sequences of fifteen Dendrobium species were analyzed with software MEGA 4.0.

[Molecular identification of heparin from pigs by allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)].

The aim of this study is to develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of heparin from pigs (include Sus scrofa domestica Brisson and Sus scrofa riukiuanus). Based on sequences of D-loop region of pigs and the other animals, two pairs of highly specific primers were designed for distinguishing heparin of pigs from other animals. The primers were employed to amplify D-loop region of DNA templates extracted from pig and seven other animal species that amounted to 49 samples.

[SNP marker and allele-specific diagnostic PCR for authenticating herbs of Perilla].

Aim: To authenticate all the varieties of Perilla (single-species genus), to analyze sequences of rDNA ITS regions and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within them and based on these, to design allele-specific diagnostic PCR primers.

Methods: The rDNA ITS regions of the perilla varieties were sequenced and analyzed by Clustal X 1.8, MEGA 3.

[Studies on population difference of Dendrobium officinale II establishment and optimization of the method of ISSR fingerprinting marker].

Objective: To establish and optimize ISSR-PCR system of Dendrobiwn officinale according to the ISSR-PCR characters of D. officinale.

Method: The effects of ISSR-PCRs was examined by selecting primers and designing different concentrations of the factors in the ISSR-PCRs, the reliable ISSR-PCR systems for D.

[Genetic diversity and molecular authentication of wild populations of Dendrobium officinale by RAPD].

Aim: Genetic diversity, relationship and molecular authentication of total 8 wild populations of Dendrobium officinale were investigated using RAPD markers.

Methods: 10 random decamer primers were screened for Random Amplified Polymophic DNA (RAPD) fragments. A DNA molecular dendrogram was established based on cluster analysis by UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average), and the relationship of the wild populations were analyzed, and all the wild populations were authenticated.

[Authentication of Zanthexylum bungeanum Maxin population and adulterants by analysis of rDNA ITS sequences].

Aim: To study the difference of rDNA ITS sequences between Zanthexylum bungeanum populations and their adulterants in main habitants of China so as to provide molecular markers for identifying Zanthexylum bungeanum populations against adulterants.

Methods: rDNA ITS regions (including ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) of 7 populations of Zanthexylum bungeanum which are separate located in Gansu, Shanxi, Sichuan, Hebei provinces, and 3 adulterants were sequenced by PCR products sequencing method or clone sequencing method.

[Studies on tissue culture of Dendrobium lituiflorum].

Objective: To select optimal media and conditions for the tissue culture of Dendrobium lituiforum.

Method: The basic media, light illumination condition, phytohormone, and natural aqueous extracts. were tested and compared.

[Database establishment of the whole rDNA ITS region of Dendrobium species of "fengdou" and authentication by analysis of their sequences].

Aim: To establish the whole rDNA ITS region sequence database of various Dendrobium species of "Fengdou" and to authenticate exactly the inspected species of "Fengdou".

Methods: The rDNA ITS regions of various Dendrobium species of "Fengdou" were amplified and sequenced. The database of their rDNA ITS regions was established in order to authenticate the inspected species by means of the softwares of CLUSTRAL and MEGA which were used to analyze the rDNA ITS region.