Anthocyanins are a ubiquitous group of water-soluble plant pigments of the flavonoid family, with anticancer property through HER-2 signaling pathway. Nowadays, molecular docking plays an important role in exposing the active sites and obtaining the bioactive conformation involving protein-ligand interactions. According to the crystal structure of HER-2 kinase domain and 12 main antitumor compounds of anthocyanins as well as ATP, a molecular docking study was performed by MVD program. All 12 compounds could bind to the same cavity of HER-2 kinase domain by high affinity (MolDock Score < -105 kJ/mol for anthocyanidins, < -130 kJ/mol for anthocyanidins-glc), where hydrophobic force and hydrogen bond played key roles. Additionally, this cavity overlapped with ATP binding (MolDock Score = -161 kJ/mol) domain; the binding of anthocyanins presumably interfered the H bond formation between ATP and HER-2. These results indicate that anthocyanins may competitively bind to ATP binding site in HER-2 kinase domain by suppressing HER-2 activation and downstream signaling cascade. This may provide useful theoretical instruction for the molecular mechanism of HER-2 kinase activity inhibition by anthocyanins in cancer prevention and treatment.
Anthocyanins ; chemistry ; Catalytic Domain ; Hydrogen Bonding ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; chemistry

Objective: To identify Euryales Semen and its closely related species using the ITS2 barcode. Method:The total genomic DNAs were extracted from twenty samples of Euryales Semen and its closely related species. The ITS2 regions of the samples were amplified and bidirectional sequenced. Obtained sequences were submitted to the GenBank with Sequin 12.3. ITS2 sequences of 102 samples belonging to thirty species were downloaded from GenBank. The 122 ITS2 sequences were aligned and the genetic distances were analyzed with MEGA 5.1. Identification analyses were performed using BLAST1 and nearest distance methods, and were presented intuitively by constructing neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. Result: The length of ITS2 region of Euryales Semen was 214 bp, which was only one haplotype. There was significant divergence of the ITS2 regions among the samples. The NJ tree showed that Euryales Semen could be obviously differed from its closely related species, which had good 408 monophyly. Conclusion: ITS2 regions as a DNA barcode can stably and accurately distinguish Euryales Semen from its closely related species and also provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of tradi-tional Chinese medicines. The new exploration could broaden the application of DNA barcoding technology in identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of apolipoprotein (apo) C1 (APOC1) gene rs4420638A/G and -317H1/H2 polymorphisms with the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE) and the influence of their genotypes on the clinical and metabolic indexes among Chinese women. METHODS: In total 289 PE patients and 824 women with uncomplicated pregnancies were included. The rs4420638A/G genotype was determined by a Taqman real-time PCR allelic discrimination assay. The -317H1/H2 genotype was measured through PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Serum lipid and apo levels were measured by an enzymatic kit and a PEG-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. RESULTS: Allelic and genotypic frequencies of the APOC1 gene rs4420638A/G and -317H1/H2 were not significantly different between the two groups (all P> 0.05). However, patients carrying the G allele of the rs4420638A/G locus had higher serum levels of triglyceride, non-HDL-C and apoB, and a higher apoB/apoA1 ratio compared with those with an AA genotype (all P< 0.05). Patients carrying the H2 allele of the -317H1/H2 polymorphism had smaller delivery gestational weeks compared with those with the H1H1 genotype (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of the APOC1 gene rs4420638 and -317H1/H2 sites may be associated with abnormal lipoprotein metabolism among Chinese patients with PE, though no association was found between variants of the APOC1 gene and the risk of PE among them.

Objective:To explore the establishment of the interconvertible injury parameters of same severe blast injury in mice at plain and plateau.Methods:A total of 157 C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into plain control group (8 mice), plain injury group (77 mice), plateau control group (8 mice) and plateau injury group (64 mice) according to random number table method. The mice in plateau control group and plateau blast injury group had been placed in animal experimental low-pressure oxygen chamber to simulate 4 000 meters plateau environment for 5 days in advance. Then the mice in plain blast injury group and plateau blast injury group were put into biological shock tube, respectively. Different pressures of the driving section were selected to establish the severe blast injury models in mice at plain and 4 000 meters plateau to reach approximately 70% mortality within 72 hours. The equivalent traumatic condition at 24 hours after blast injury in different groups was verified by the series of experiments including gross autopsy, lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and histological scoring.Results:The mice mortality were basically consistent between the plain injury group (65%) and plateau injury group (75%) when 5.4 MPa and 4.0 MPa of the driving section pressures were chosen, respectively. Compared with the corresponding control groups, the lungs showed massive hemorrhage (patchy and diffuse) with significant pulmonary edema in both plain 5.4 MPa-injured group and the plateau 4.0 MPa-injured group at 24 hours after blast injury. Compared with the plateau control group, the pulmonary W/D ratio were significantly increased in the plateau injury group (5.579±0.646 vs. 4.476±0.076, P < 0.05), while the difference between plateau injury group and the plain control group was not statistically significant (5.303±1.020 vs. 4.015±0.144, P > 0.05). Also, compared with the corresponding control groups, the analysis of lung histopathological sections showed that there were several pathological changes including large alveolar rupture and fusion, thickened alveolar walls, and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the alveolar lumen in the groups of plain 5.4 MPa and plateau 4.0 MPa. In addition, the histopathological scores of lung in the groups of plain 5.4 MPa and plateau 4.0 MPa were significantly higher than that in corresponding control group (8.67±0.82 vs. 1.67±0.52, 9.00±1.10 vs. 2.17±0.41, both P < 0.05), however, there was no statistical difference for the above score between plain blast injury group and plateau blast injury group. Conclusions:The pressures of driving section 5.4 MPa and 4.0 MPa are injury parameters to establish equivalent severe blast injury in mice at plain and plateau, respectively, which can be converted to each other. This study provides support for the application and evaluation of prevention and treatment technology for severe blast injury in special environment.

BACKGROUND:Due to the unstable drug release rate of uniaxial bone scaffolds,multi-structure composite printing methods have been sought in and outside China in recent years.Currently,coaxial drug-loaded bone scaffolds,which combine drug-loaded sustained release system with bone transplantation and repair technology,not only replace the defective bone after implantation,but also release drugs slowly,providing a microenvironment conducive to bone formation at the implant site. OBJECTIVE:To explore and assess the in vitro antibacterial properties of uniaxial and coaxial minocycline hydrochloride bone scaffolds. METHODS:Rapid prototyping technology was used to prepare uniaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,uniaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,coaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,and coaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,respectively,which were named S1,S2,T1 and T2.The morphology,porosity,degradation performance,in vitro sustained-release performance and cytotoxicity of scaffolds were characterized.Four kinds of bone scaffolds were immersed in PBS to prepare the extracts at different time points(1,3,5,7,14,21,and 28 days).The qualitative filter paper was placed into the extract for 24 hours.The filter paper was co-cultured with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 72 hours.The bacteriostatic effect of four groups of scaffolds was detected by the agar diffusion method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scaffold characterization:Four groups of scaffolds were well formed.The surface of micro-wires in the S1 and S2 groups was dense and smooth,and the surface of micro-wires in the T1 and T2 groups was rough.Porosity was between 40%-47%and met the requirements of bone scaffolds.Compared with the S2 group,sustained release time was longer in the T2 group.The sustained release concentration of the drug was between 1-10 μg/mL for a long time,which was more conducive to bacteriostasis and osteogenesis.After 10 weeks of immersion in PBS in vitro,the degradation rate of the coaxial printed bone scaffold was faster than that of the corresponding uniaxial printed bone scaffold,and the degradation rate of the coaxial loaded bone scaffold was lower than that of the coaxial non-loaded bone scaffold.The four groups of scaffold extracts were co-cultured with osteoblasts respectively.CCK-8 assay displayed that the cell proliferation rate was greater than 75%,which met the requirements of biocompatibility.(2)In vitro antibacterial effect:S1 and T1 did not have antibacterial activity.S2 and T2 had an obvious antibacterial effect.Under the extraction solution on day 28,the diameter of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum inhibition zone in the S2 group was smaller than that in the T2 group(P<0.05).(3)These findings exhibit that hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffolds with coaxial minocycline have good physical properties and bacteriostatic properties.

BACKGROUND:Polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)with piezoelectric properties,good biocompatibility and nontoxicity make it a suitable candidate for periosteal repair. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the cytotoxicity of PVDF bionic periosteum by electrospinning with zinc and magnesium ions in vitro. METHODS:Pure PVDF,zinc-doped PVDF,magnesium-doped PVDF and Zinc-magnesium ion PVDF piezoelectric bionic periosteum were prepared by electrospinning technology,respectively.They were named PVDF,PVDF-Zn,PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg,in which the mass fraction of zinc and magnesium ions were all 1%.Osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells were co-cultured with four groups of bionic periosteum.Cell compatibility of bionic periosteum was determined by alkaline phosphatase staining,CD31 immunofluorescence staining,and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Osteoblasts:Alkaline phosphatase staining after 7 days of culture showed that the PVDF-Zn group secreted more alkaline phosphatase than the other three groups.Under a scanning electron microscopy,after 1 day of culture,the cells had a certain spread on the surface of PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg bionic periosteum,and the pseudopod extended to all sides.On day 3,the cell edge of each group extended pseudopods to the material.By days 5 and 7,the cells were fully spread,well grown and firmly covered the surface of the fibers,and the cellular pseudopods extended around and into the interstitial space of the fibers.CCK-8 assay showed that the cell proliferation on the bionic periosteum of each group showed an increasing trend over time and the relative proliferation rate of cells at 1,3,5,and 7 days was≥75%,and the cytotoxicity was≤grade 1.(2)Vascular endothelial cells:CD31 immunofluorescence staining for 3 days showed that the cells adhered and spread well on the bionic periosteum of each group and connected with each other,and the number of cells in the PVDF-Zn-Mg group was more than that in the other three groups.Under scanning electron microscope,the cells began to adhere to the surface of each group of fibers after 1 and 3 days of culture.On day 5,the cells were well spread on the surface of the fibers and extended obvious pseudopods.On day 7,the cells on the PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg bionic periosteum grew in multiple layers and extended the pseudopod into the fibrous void.CCK-8 assay showed that the cell proliferation on the bionic periosteum of each group showed a downward trend over time,and the relative proliferation rate of cells at 1,3,5 and 7 days was≥125%,and the cytotoxicity was grade 0.(3)The results showed that Zn-Mg electrospun PVDF piezoelectric bionic periosteum had good cytocompatibility.

Synthetic Biology is one of the most promising fields of modern Biology and a frontier interdisciplinary subject in the 21st century. With the rapid development of synthetic biology, the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition has emerged. The iGEM competition, based on the subject foundation of Synthetic Biology, intends to solve the biological problems in our daily life by applying modern biological technology. In recent years, with the continuous increase of participating teams, the iGEM competition has received extensive attention and achieved great progress. On the basis of the development of Synthetic Biology, we analyzed the 2018-2020 award-winning projects of the iGEM competition and illustrated the role and significance of the iGEM competition in cultivating college students' innovative thinking and ability with the participation experience of the iGEM team of Southwest Jiaotong University as an example.
Genetic Engineering ; Humans ; Students ; Synthetic Biology ; Universities