Silibinin, a natural flavonoid antioxidant isolated from extracts of the milk thistle herb, has recently been identified as having anti-hepatotoxic and anticancer properties. In this paper, we investigated the effects of silibinin on behavior and neuroplasticity in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS, the mice were treated with silibinin (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by oral gavage) for 3 consecutive weeks. The results showed that silibinin administration significantly alleviated the CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior, including the total number of squares crossed and the frequency of rearing in the open field test, the immobility time in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. Furthermore, silibinin treatment increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our study provides new insight into the protective effects of silibinin on the depressive status of CUMS mice, specifically by improving neuroplasticity and neurotransmission.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Hippocampus ; Mice* ; Milk Thistle ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Norepinephrine ; Physical Exertion ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Serotonin ; Synaptic Transmission

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; pharmacology ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Hepatocytes ; virology ; Nanofibers ; Primary Cell Culture ; Swine ; Transplants ; virology

Objective To identify the Y-chromosomal genetic types for the soldier's remains from Huaihai Campaign,and to offer a clue for search of their paternal relatives.Methods DNA of the remains were extracted by the ancient DNA extraction method.Yfiler kit was used for the multiplex amplification of 17 Y-STR loci.The haplogroups of the samples were speculated.Detailed genotyping of the selected Y-SNP was performed based on the latest Y-chromosome phylogenetic tree.Haplotype-sharing analysis was done based on the data of Y-SNP and Y-STR,the closest modern individual information to the genetic relationship of remains was gained.Results A total of 8 Y-STR haplotypes were observed on 17 Y-STR loci of 8 male individuals.Furthermore,6 Y-SNP haplogroups were identified,which were O2a1-M95+,O1a1-P203+,O3*-M122+/M234-,D1-M15+,C3*-ST and R1a1-M17+.Conclusion Identification of Y-chromosomal genetic types for the soldier's remains from Huaihai Campaign shows a reference value on inferring the geographical origins of old materials.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the head and face traits of Han, Li, Uygur and Tibetan population. Methods From 2008 to 2011, sixteen head and face measurement traits were measured in Chinese young individuals from Jiangsu, Hainan, Xinjiang and Tibet, with sample size of 1034 (348 Han, 165 Li, 305 Uygur, 216 Tibetan). The gender difference analysis, commonalities and differences between populations and principal component analysis were earned out. Results Most of the sixteen head and face measurement traits showed significant gender differences, the mean measurements of most features of males were bigger than those of females in four populations. Samples of the four populations usually had brachycephaly and hyperbrachycephaly. Most Han, Li and Uygur belonged to euryprosopy. Han, Li and Tibetan were typically mesorrhiny. The homogenous features of head and face of the four populations were shown. However, the head and face of the four populations also had some heterogeneous features. For instance, Han had the broadest face and Li had the broadest nose among all four populations. Furthermore, Uygur had the narrowest nose and Tibetan had the narrowest face. The result in population relationships presented that the head and face measurement traits of Han and Li were relatively similar, while those of Uygur and Tibetan were narrower. Conclusion There are commonalities and differences in the head and face measurement traits among the four populations. The group relationship between Han and Li is relatively similar, and that between Uygur and Tibetan is relatively close. The homogeneity and heterogeneity between populations can provide data and theoretical support for genetics, forensic science and other fields.

Objective To explore the regional differences of body anthropometric traits in the Han population. Methods From 2015 to 2019, thirty-one body anthropometric traits of three Han ethnic groups were measured from Nanning (Guangxi), Zhengzhou (He'nan), and Taizhou (Jiangsu). The gender and regional difference analysis of each trait, and the correlation analysis between age and traits were carried out. Based on the principal component analysis of individual data of body phenotypic traits, the traits with significant regional difference were extracted to finely describe the physical characteristics of the Han peoplpe in the three regions. Results Most of the anthropometric traits of the three Han populations were statistically different in gender and region, and there was a positive or negative correlation between certain traits and age. The result of principal component analysis based on individual data showed that there were obvious regional differences in body anthropometric traits of the Han people. The difference between the Han Chinese in Guangxi ( south of the Yangtze River ) with He ' nan ( north of the Huaihe River ) and Jiangsu was relatively large, and difference was relatively small between He ' nan and Jiangsu Han Chinese. Meanwhile the Han Chinese in Jiangsu had its own characteristics in part of the phenotypic traits, which could be distinguished from the Han Chinese in He ' nan. Conclusion The research on the body anthropometric traits confirmed that there were significant regional differences in Han population, and suggested that the Yangtze River might be the largest geographic barrier for the population migration and genetic exchange between the north and south population.

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the relationship between the Han, Zhuang and the World populations by comparing the frequency of dental non-metric traits. Methods From 2015 to 2019, ten dental non-metric traits were sampled from He’nan, Jiangsu and Guangxi Zhuang Autonmous Region, with sample size of 1785(674 He’ nan, 547 Jiangsu, 388 Guangxi Han, 176 Guangxi Zhuang). Principal component analysis, multidimensional scaling and neighbor network were carried out. Results East Asian populations could be clearly divided into two major groups, Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian. Han and Zhuang populations were close to the Northeast Asian populations, but were far from the Southeast Asian populations. There were also some north-south differences within Han populations. Conclusion Both Sundadonty and Sinodonty are existed in East Asian populations. Han and Zhuang populations dental non-metric traits are closer to the Sinodonty.