To explore the growth and development and analyze the quality of the parthenocarpy fruit induced by exogenous hormones of Siraitia grosvenorii. the horizontal and vertical diameter, volume of the fruit were respectively measured by morphological and the content of endogenous hormones were determined by ELISA. The size and seed and content of mogrosides of mature fruit were determined. The results showed that the fruit of parthenocarpy was seedless and its growth and development is similar to the diploid fruit by hand pollination and triploid fruit by hand pollination or hormones. But the absolute value of horizontal and vertical diameter, volume of parthenocarpy fruit was less than those of fruit by hand pollination, while triploid was opposite. The content of IAA, ABA and ratio of ABA/GA was obviously wavy. At 0-30 d the content of IAA and ABA of parthenocarpy fruit first reduced then increased, content of IAA and GA parthenocarpy fruit was higher than that of fruit by hand pollination. Mogrosides of parthenocarpy fruit was close to pollination fruit. Hormones can induce S. grosvenorii parthenocarpy to get seedless fruit and the fruit shape and size and quality is close to normal diploid fruit by hand pollination and better than triploid fruit by hormone or hand pollination.
Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Diploidy ; Fruit ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology

Siraitia grosvenorii is a traditional Chinese medicine also as edible food. This study selected six candidate reference genes by real-time quantitative PCR, the expression stability of the candidate reference genes in the different samples was analyzed by using the software and methods of geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, Delta CT method and RefFinder, reference genes for S. grosvenorii were selected for the first time. The results showed that 18SrRNA expressed most stable in all samples, was the best reference gene in the genetic analysis. The study has a guiding role for the analysis of gene expression using qRT-PCR methods, providing a suitable reference genes to ensure the results in the study on differential expressed gene in synthesis and biological pathways, also other genes of S. grosvenorii.
Cucurbitaceae ; genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reference Standards

Total RNA was isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii fruit by the method of modified Trizol, according to S. grosvenorii fruit characteristics of rich phenols, polysaccharide, oil and proteins. The OD260/280, OD260/230, RNA integrity (RIN) and yield of the total RNA with this method were 2.01, 2.02, 9.50 and 260 mirog.g-1, respectively. The open reading frame (ORF) of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), named as SgDHAR, was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and RT-PCR method from S. grosvenorii. The GenBank accession number for this gene is KC907731. The SgDHAR gene contains a full-length cDNA of 1,252 bp including ORF of 819 bp and encodes a predicted protein of 272 amino acids. The molecular mass is 30.217 7 kD and the isoelectric point is 8.76. Homology comparison showed that it shared 87% nucleotide sequence homology with Cucumis sativus. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that SgDHAR was mainly expressed in fruit and stem, followed by flower, and was lowest in root, while the expression level was 6.83 times in triploid. T than that in diploid. Therefore, SgDHAR gene may be involved in abortion of triploid seedless S. grosvenorii.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Flowers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Fruit ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Conformation ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; RNA, Plant

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Perfusion ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo explore the effect of the ginkgo bioba extract on the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in bronchial asthma.

METHODS30 guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): (1) Normal control group; (2) Asthmatic group; (3) Therapeutic group. Blood carbon monoxide Hb (COHb) percent value, Airway resistance and eosinophilic inflammation of airway wall were observed, the expression of HO-1 in lung tissue were observed by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSThe expression of HO-1 was mainly located in airway epithelium in these 3 groups, the optical densities were 0.170 +/- 0.020, 0.707 +/- 0.058, 0.397 +/- 0.034, respectively. The asthmatic group showed higher optical densities than that of the normal control group (P < 0.01), and the therapeutic group showed lower optical density than asthmatic group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of HO-1 is inhibited significantly by the treatment of the ginkgo bioba extract, which may be one of the mechanism for treating asthma by ginkgo bioba extract.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ginkgo biloba ; Guinea Pigs ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA in asthmatic rats.

METHODSTwenty-four SPF level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, low dose of LPS group, high dose of LPS group and asthma group. Using ovalbumin (OVA) to sensitize and challenge to establish asthmatic rat model. Observed pathological changes of lung tissue by HE staining, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by airway wall eosinophils (EOS) counts; airway resistance was determined; image analysis software was used to determine the thickness of airway wall, detected airway smooth muscle TLR4 expression levels by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe rat airway resistance and the EOS number of airway wall and the thickness of airway wall in asthma group, low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of high dose of LPS group showed significantly lower than those in asthma group and low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). The expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in asthma group (P < 0.01). And the expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in high dose of LPS group was significantly higher than that in low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTLR4 plays an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling, LPS may play double-sided regulation in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling by activated TLR4.

Airway Remodeling ; drug effects ; Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Lung ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of triptolide on airway remodeling and the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB, Bcl-2 in asthmatic rats.

METHODS40 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8): (1) Control group; (2) Asthmatic 4 week group; (3) Asthmatic 6 week group; (4) Therapeutic 4 week group; (5) Therapeutic 6 week group. The airway resistance and eosinophilic inflammation of airway wall were observed. The airway wall thickness (WA/Pi), the bronchial smooth muscle thickness (smooth muscle area/Pi) and the number of bronchial smooth muscle nucleus (N/Pi) were measured by image analysis system. The expression of PCNA, nuclear factor-kappaB and Bcl-2 protein were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).

RESULTS(1) The expression of NF-kappaB protein in asthmatic 4 week group and asthmatic 6 week group was significantly higher than that in control group, respectively (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of therapeutic 6 week group were significantly lower than those of asthmatic 4 week group, asthmatic 6 week group and therapeutic 4 week group, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 P < 0.05). (2) The expression of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA of asthmatic 4 week group and asthmatic 6 week group were significantly higher than those in control group respectively (P < 0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 protein of therapeutic 6 week group was significantly lower than those of asthmatic 4 week group, asthmatic 6 week group and therapeutic 4 week group respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly higher than the above-mentioned groups respectively (P < 0.01), the expression of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA of therapeutic 6 week group were higher than control group respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) The expression of PCNA protein of asthmatic 4 week group and asthmatic 6 week group were significantly higher than those of control group respectively (P < 0.01). (4) The WA/ Pi, the smooth muscle area/Pi and the N/Pi of asthmatic 4 week group and asthmatic 6 week group were significantly higher than those of control group, respectively (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of therapeutic 6 week group were significantly lower than those of asthmatic 4 week group, asthmatic 6 week group and therapeutic 4 week group, respectively (P < 0.01). (5) The airway resistance of asthmatic 4 week group and asthmatic 6 week group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of therapeutic 6 week group were significantly lower than those of asthmatic 4 week group, asthmatic 6 week group and therapeutic 4 week group, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation of airway smooth muscle(ASM) is related with apoptosis of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma. NF-kappaB may be involved in the process. Triptolide may prevent apoptosis of ASMCs and decrease the proliferation of ASM by inhibiting the expression of NF-kappaB, Bcl-2.

Airway Remodeling ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley