双重实时荧光PCR快速鉴别人参和西洋参＊

目的 建立一种能够快速鉴定人参和西洋参的双重实时荧光PCR方法。方法 通过对人参属及其近似种基因序列的分析比对，设计特异性的引物探针，建立双重实时荧光PCR检测方法。PCR反应体系为Premix Ex Taq （Probe qPCR） 10 μL，人参上下游引物各0.5 μL，西洋参上下游引物各0.3 μL，人参与西洋参特异性探针各0.4 μL，DNA模板2 μL，灭菌去离子水补至20 μL。反应条件为95℃预变性30 s；然后以95℃变性5 s，60℃退火延伸30 s进行40个循环。应用该方法测试了27份DNA样品，包括7份人参、6份西洋参、4份人参与西洋参混合样、10份其他人参属样品及其他常见中药材样品的DNA，以确定该方法的特异性。将人参与西洋参样品DNA混合后10倍稀释成不同浓度后进行检测，用以确定该方法的灵敏度。结果 人参及西洋参样品均在特定的荧光通道下出现典型的阳性扩增曲线，人参与西洋参混合样品均同时出现两条阳性扩增曲线，其它对照样品及空白对照均没有出现阳性扩增曲线。灵敏度检测结果显示该方法检测人参及西洋参的最低检测限均为2 pg DNA/反应。结论 本实验建立的双重实时荧光PCR方法能够同时快速、准确、灵敏地鉴别出人参和西洋参。     

Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.     

基于网络药理学和分子对接法探索复方一枝蒿颗粒治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜在分子机制

目的 通过网络药理学及分子对接技术探寻复方一枝蒿颗粒治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎的作用机制。方法 应用TCMSP数据库、BATMAN-TCM数据库及文献收集复方一枝蒿颗粒活性成分及潜在靶点。通过TTD、GeneCards和OMMI数据库检索新型冠状病毒肺炎相关的靶点。将复方一枝蒿颗粒药物靶点和新型冠状病毒肺炎相关基因取交集，使用String数据库构建靶蛋白相互作用（PPI）网络。通过Cytoscape构建“药物–活性成分–靶点基因–疾病”网络。对交集靶点进行GO功能、KEGG通路富集分析。利用Autodock_vina软件对活性成分和靶点进行分子对接。结果 共筛选92个活性成分，1 627个靶点，新型冠状病毒肺炎疾病靶点464个，两者取交集筛选出87个潜在靶点。GO功能富集得到2 040个条目（P＜0.05），与病毒过程、参与共生相互作用的生物过程、活性氧代谢过程的调节、与宿主相互作用的生物过程、病毒生命周期、炎症反应的调节等生物学过程有关。KEGG通路分析共得到150条通路，与新冠肺炎密切相关的有人巨细胞病毒感染、结核、COVID-19、IL-17信号通路等。分子对接结果证实，筛选的靶点受体蛋白与活性成分可以较好地结合。结论 复方一枝蒿颗粒可通过多组分、多靶点和多途径的方式对新型冠状病毒肺炎产生治疗作用。     

Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly different fingerprints between these species, and these fingerprints maintained good stability between the species and within the same species. Some VOCs have high species specificity, while VOCs of human fresh muscle tissues from different individual sources have little difference, demonstrating that all tested muscle tissue samples could be distinguished based on different VOCs. HS-GC-IMS has proved to be a rapid, high-throughput, highly sensitive and specific species identification method, which can be used for forensic species identification in criminal cases and disaster accidents, as well as detection in the field of food safety, such as meat fraud and adulteration.     

Self-assessed preoperative level of habitual physical activity predicted postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery: A prospective observational cohort study

IntroductionThere is a growing interest in physical activity in relation to recovery after surgery. One important aspect of measuring recovery after surgical procedures is postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between the preoperative level of habitual physical activity and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.Materials and methods115 patients scheduled for elective surgery due to colorectal cancer between February 2014 and September 2015 answered a questionnaire regarding physical activity and other baseline variables. Physical activity was assessed using the Saltin-Grimby physical activity level scale. Complications within 30 days after surgery were classified according to Clavien-Dindo, and the Comprehensive Complications Index (CCI) was calculated. Primary outcome was difference in CCI and key secondary outcome was risk for CCI ≥20.ResultsPhysically inactive individuals had a CCI that was 12 points higher than individuals with light activity (p = 0.002) and 17 points higher than regularly active individuals (p = 0.0004). Inactive individuals had a relative risk for a CCI ≥20 that was 65% higher than for individuals reporting light activity (95% confidence interval (CI) for relative risk (RR) = 1.1–2.5) and 338% higher than for regularly active individuals (95% CI for RR = 2.1–9.4).ConclusionSelf-assessed level of habitual physical activity before colorectal cancer surgery was associated with fewer postoperative complications measured with CCI, in a dose-response relationship.