Effects of Arsenic Treatments on Saponin Content and Heterogeneity Extracted from Rhizome and Main Root of Panax notoginseng Plants Grown in Shaded Field

As contamination is one of important factors to Panax notoginseng quality and safety. Saponin is one of important compounds with the medicinal values of P. notoginseng. The impact of soil As on production of saponin of P. notoginseng knew very little. This study was performed to determine content and heterogeneity of saponins from P. notoginseng and its mechanisms upon treatments with different concentration levels of As in soil. Plants of P. notoginseng were treated with arsenic [As (V)] at 0, 20, 80, 140, 20 and 260 mg/kg concentration levels which were supplied as sodium arsenate (Na3AsO4). These experimental plants were grown in shade condition in a greenhouse. Plants were harvested at vigorous vegetative growth and fruit ripening stages, separately. Effects of As treatments on saponin content, and heterogeneity of monomers in the mixtures of notoginesenosides and ginsenosides, enzymatic activity and gene expression level of squalene synthetase were determined for rhizome and main root tissues. Results show that:(1) Of all the As treatments from the lowest to the highest concentration levels, the As content in both rhizome and main roots from As-treated plants was within the standard level for superior products derived from P. notoginseng. The content of notoginsenosides from all tissues except the main roots at fruit ripening stage, was 5% higher than the standard level specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia;(2) The treatment of As at 20 mg/kg led to an 3.5% - 183.9% increases in total notoginesenosides content in rhizome and main roots, respectively. Treatments with the highest As concentration at 260 mg/kg resulted in a significant decline in total notoginsenosides content, and lower enzymatic activity and gene expression levels of squalene synthetase;(3) Under As treatment conditions, the ratio of Rb1/Rg1 decreased but the ratio of (Rb1 + Rg1)/R1 increased in both rhizomes and main roots. Conclusively, this study demonstrated that low As concentration (20 - 80 mg/kg) treatments resulted in higher notoginsenoside content in P. notoginseng. However, treatments with high As concentrations had an adverse effect. The repression in the synthesis of notoginsenoside and interruption of the conversion process from propanaxadiol into propanaxatriol are responsible for more heterogeneous monomer mixtures and low notoginsenoside content. For plants treated with the highest As concentration of 260 mg/kg, both gene expression and enzymatic activities of squalene synthetase were greatly repressed thus leading to a significantly low saponin content in rhizome and main root tissues.

Changing patterns and survival improvements of young breast cancer in China and SEER database, 1999-2017

Objective: Breast cancer in young females was usually considered more aggressive and requires aggressive therapy. We investigated whether early detection and improved treatments changed the patterns of characteristics,management and outcomes of young breast cancer patients over time.Methods: Females under 40 years of age diagnosed with breast cancer during the periods 1999-2017 and1999-2015 were identified in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center(FUSCC) and the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results(SEER) registry, respectively. Clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment information were collected. Patients diagnosed before 2013 were followed up.Results: The proportions of young breast cancer patients were 15.0% and 5.3% in the FUSCC and SEER cohorts, respectively. In the FUSCC cohort, there was a significant increase in the proportion of ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)(from 8.8% to 16.9%;P<0.0001) and it remained stable in SEER cohort. The proportion of T1-stage tumors increased dramatically in the FUSCC cohort(from 35.3% to 41.9%;P=0.008), whereas it decreased in SEER cohort(from 42.4% to 33.0%;P<0.0001). The percentage of estrogen receptor(ER)-positive cancers was consistently increased in both the invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) and DCIS patients in the two cohorts. Breastconserving surgery and immediate implant reconstruction after mastectomy both exhibited increased use over time in the FUSCC cohort. Both the FUSCC and SEER cohorts showed a significantly better prognosis in the recent time period.Conclusions: With the increased early-stage and ER-positive diseases in young patients as well as better systemic treatment strategies, improved survival has been observed in recent years. There has been a substantial deescalation in surgical therapies in young breast cancer patients.

Multifaceted p21 in carcinogenesis,stemness of tumor and tumor therapy

Cancer cells possess metabolic properties that are different from those of benign cells.p21,encoded by CDKN1A gene,also named p21Cip1/WAF1,was first identified as a cyclin-dependent kinase regulator that suppresses cell cycle G1/S phase and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation.CDKN1A(p21)acts as the downstream target gene of TP53(p53),and its expression is induced by wild-type p53 and it is not associated with mutant p53.p21 has been characterized as a vital regulator that involves multiple cell functions,including G1/S cell cycle progression,cell growth,DNA damage,and cell stemness.In 1994,p21 was found as a tumor suppressor in brain,lung and colon cancer by targeting p53 and was associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis.Notably,p21 plays a significant role in tumor development through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways.In addition,expression of p21 is closely related to the resting state or terminal differentiation of cells.p21 is also associated with cancer stem cells and acts as a biomarker for such cells.In cancer therapy,given the importance of p21 in regulating the G1/S and G2 check points,it is not surprising that p21 is implicated in response to many cancer treatments and p21 promotes the effect of oncolytic virotherapy.

Micro RNAs in cancer therapeutic response: Friend and foe

Cancer initiation and development engage extremely complicated pathological processes which involve alterations of a large number of cell signaling cascades and functional networks in temporal and spatial orders. During last decades, microR NAs(miR NAs), a class of noncoding RNAs, have emerged as critical players in cancer pathogenesis and progression by modulating many pathological aspects related to tumor development, growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. The major function of miR NAs is to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression depending on recognition of complementary sequence residing in target mR NAs. Commonly, a particular mi RNA recognition sequence could be found in a number of genes, which allows a single miR-NA to regulate multiple functionally connected genes simultaneously and/or chronologically. Furthermore, a single gene can be targeted and regulated by multiple miR NAs. However, previous studies have demonstrated that mi RNA functions are highly context-dependent,which leads to distinct pathological outcomes in different types of cancer as well as at different stages by alteration of the same miR NA. Here we summarize recent progress in studies on miR NA function in cancer initiation, metastasis and therapeutic response, focusing on breast cancer. The varying functions of mi RNAs and potential application of using miR NAs as biomarkers as well as therapeutic approaches are further discussed in the context of different cancers.

Factors associated with upstaging in patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ by core needle biopsy

Objective: Patients preoperatively diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) by core needle biopsy(CNB) exhibit a significant risk for upstaging on final pathology, which leads to major concerns of whether axillary staging is required at the primary operation. The present study aimed to identify clinicopathological factors associated with upstaging in patients preoperatively diagnosed with DCIS by CNB.Methods: The present study enrolled 604 patients(cN0 M0) with a preoperative diagnosis of pure DCIS by CNB, who underwent axillary staging between August 2006 and December 2015, at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center(Shanghai, China).Predictive factors of upstaging were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Of the 604 patients, 20.03%(n = 121) and 31.95%(n = 193) were upstaged to DCIS with microinvasion(DCISM) and invasive breast cancer(IBC) on final pathology, respectively. Larger tumor size on ultrasonography(> 2 cm) was independently associated with upstaging [odds ratio(OR) 1.558, P = 0.014]. Additionally, patients in lower breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS) categories were less likely to be upstaged(4 B vs. 5: OR 0.435, P = 0.002;4 C vs. 5: OR 0.502, P = 0.001). Overall,axillary metastasis occurred in 6.79%(n = 41) of patients. Among patients with axillary metastasis, 1.38%(4/290), 3.31%(4/121)and 17.10%(33/193) were in the DCIS, DCISM, and IBC groups, respectively.Conclusions: For patients initially diagnosed with DCIS by CNB, larger tumor size on ultrasonography(> 2 cm) and higher BIRADS category were independent predictive factors of upstaging on final pathology. Thus, axillary staging in patients with smaller tumor sizes and lower BI-RADS category may be omitted, with little downstream risk for upstaging.

Applied Technology of Botanical Pesticides against Empoasca pirisuga Matumura

[Objectives] The paper was to explore the control effects of different botanical pesticides against Empoasca pirisuga Matumura. [Methods] 5% Eucalyptol SL, 0.5% matrine SL and 50% thiacloprid WDG were used to control E. pirisuga , and the decline rate of insect population was investigated. [Results] Eucalyptol had good control effect on E. pirisuga , with slow effect but long duration. It was harmless to natural enemies in tea gardens, with high safety and no chemical injury. [Conclusions] The study provides a theoretical basis for the application of botanical pesticides in tea production.

Effects of Sinochem Microbial Organic Fertilizer on Tea Plants

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the application effects of Sinochem microbial organic fertilizer on tea plants.[Methods]Through the experiment and demonstration of Sinochem microbial organic fertilizer,its effects on the yield and quality of tea and the physical and chemical quality of soil were explored.[Results]Compared with the conventional organic fertilizer cake fertilizer,the fertilizer could increase the weight of freshly picked bud leaves,increase the yield of tea,and thus promote the growth of tea plants.It increased the contents of chlorophyll components,amino acids and tea polyphenols,the main functional substances of tea,which was conducive to improving the internal quality of tea.It improved the physical and chemical properties of soil,and increased the contents of organic matter,alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and available phosphorus in tea garden soil.It also had a good effect in improving soil environmental health indexes and physical and chemical properties,and did not contain heavy metals and plant growth hormones.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of Sinochem microbial organic fertilizer.

Inflammatory response-based subtyping and potential therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer

objective:Inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the development and treatment of cancer.However,the role of inflammatory response in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)remains unclear.Based on the heterogeneity of the inflammatory response,we classified TNBC,elucidated its subtype features,and revealed potential therapeutic strategies.Methods:We established inflammatory response subtyping based on the RNA sequencing data of TNBCs derived from a cohort at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center(FUSCC).Next,we explored the features and potential therapeutic strategies for each subgroup by analyzing transcriptome data.Using a machine-learning method,we validated and generalized the TNBC inflammatory response subtypes in an external dataset.Results:A total of 360 TNBC samples and 88 normal tissues were collected from a cohort at FUSCC.Patients with TNBC were divided into four inflammatory response groups(IRGs)based on the expression of inflammatory response genes:high inflammatory response gene expression with pronounced pyroptosis phenotype and high immune cellinfiltration(IRG 1),low inflammatory response gene expression and low immune cell infiltration(IRG 2),ITGB8 specific inflammatory response with a predominant proliferation phenotype(IRG 3),and low M1/M2 ratio with a marked angiogenesis phenotype(IRG 4).Relapse-free survival(RFS)was better in iRG 1 and 2 and worse in IRG 3 and 4.Owing to their poor prognosis,we mainly focused on IRG 3 and IRG 4 to investigate potential treatment strategies.ITGB8 was highly expressed in IRG 3;thus,targeting ITGB8 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients in IRG 3.IRG 4 had a lower M1/M2 ratio and a marked angiogenesis phenotype;therefore,therapeutic strategies,such as anti-angiogenesis or M2 to M1 repolarization of macrophages,could be recommended for these patients.Additionally,we validated and generalized the TNBC inflammatory response subtyping in an external dataset using a machine-learning method.Conclusion:TNBC patients with different inflammatory response subtypes have different characteristics and may need subtype-specific treatment strategies.

Intercropping of Sonchus asper and Vicia faba affects plant cadmium accumulation and root responses

The cadmium(Cd)pollution of farmland soil is serious in the world.The present study investigated the effects of intercropping Vicia faba and the hyperaccumulator Sonchus asper on the Cd accumulation and root responses(morphology and secreted organic acids)of plants grown on soil from a mining area in Yunnan Province,China,under different Cd stress levels(0,50,100,and 200 mg kg-1).Intercropping increased the biomass of both S.asper and V.faba,as well as the Cd accumulation and Cd transfer coefficient from roots to shoots of S.asper,but decreased those of V.faba in the 200 mg kg-1Cd treatment.The Cd concentrations in roots,shoots,and grains from intercropped V.faba plants were positively correlated(P<0.05)with the N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide-extractable Cd content in soil.In the 50 mg kg-1Cd treatment,intercropping decreased citric and malic acids in root secretions of S.asper.Intercropped V.faba secreted more citric,oxalic,acetic,and malic acid compared with S.asper.Intercropping also increased root length and root surface area of both S.asper and V.faba.At 50 mg kg-1Cd,root length for S.asper was higher than that at 0 mg kg-1Cd,whereas V.faba roots had significantly decreased length and mean diameter.Intercropping of S.asper and V.faba is suggested as an in situ phytoremediation strategy of Cd-contaminated soils and may improve the food quality of V.faba.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in novel dual-band metamaterial excited by toroidal dipolar response

We demonstrated a novel metamaterial with dual-band electromagnetically induced transparency(EIT)via simulation,experiment and numerical analysis,with resonance frequencies of the trans-parency peaks of 7.60 and 10.27 GHz.The E-εmetamaterial unit cells were composed of E-shaped and e-shaped patterns.By analyzing the surface current distribution and the magnetic field,we qualitatively verified the toroidal dipole response in the E-εmetamaterial at 10.27 GHz.Meanwhile,by calculating the multipole's radiated power,we found that the two transparency peaks were due to the excitation of the electric and toroidal dipole responses.By changing the incident angle from 0°to 60°,we observed changes in transmission spectra,and the quality factors(Q-factors)of the two transparency peaks increased.In addition,the proposed E-εmetamaterial can be designed to act as a refractive index sensor or other electronic equipment for the control of electromagnetic waves.

CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Breast Cancer

Purpose:Breast cancer is now the most common malignant tumor worldwide.About one-fourth of female cancer patients all over the world sufer from breast cancer.And about one in six female cancer deaths worldwide is caused by breast cancer.In terms of absolute numbers of cases and deaths,China ranks frst in the world.The CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Breast Cancer were edited to help improve the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment in China.Methods:The Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation(GRADE)was used to classify evidence and consensus.Results:The CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Breast Cancer include the epidemiology of breast cancer,breast cancer screening,breast cancer diagnosis,early breast cancer treatment,advanced breast cancer treatment,follow-up,rehabilitation,and traditional Chinese medicine treatment of breast cancer patients.Conclusion:We to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in China through the formulation of the CACA Guidelines.