In order to explore reasonable artificial cultivation pattern of Thesium chinense, the biological characteristics and nutrients change in the process of winter dormancy of T. chinense was studied. The phenological period of T. chinense was observed by using fixed-point notation and the starch grains changes were determined dynamically by PAS-vanadium iron hematoxylin staixjing method. Soluble sugar and starch content were measured by anthrone-sulfuric acid method and amylase activity was determined by DN'S method. The results showed that the normal life cycle of T. chinense was two years. T. chinense was growing by seed in the first year, but growing by the root neck bud in the second year. During the process of dormancy, starch and soluble sugar could mutual transformation in different periods. T. chinense had sufficient carbohydrate to maintain growth and also a lot of small molecules to improve their ability to fight against adversity.
Plant Dormancy ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Santalaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Seasons ; Starch ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the functions of pancreatic islet α-cells and β-cells in different disease courses of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods Two hundred and eighty three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into 4 groups according to their disease courses:group A (course of disease ≤1 years),group B (1 years ＜ course ≤ 5 years),group C (5 years ＜ course ≤ 10 years) and group D (course ＞ 10 years).Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT),insulin releasing test and glucagon releasing test were performed to observe the differences of glucagon,glucagon/insulin,ratio of insulin increment/glucose increment 30 min after glucose-load (△I30/△G30),area under curve (AUC) of insulin in receiver operational characteristic (ROC) curve of insulin (AUCI) and glucagon among 4 groups and the correlation analysis was performed between glucagon and other indicators.Results (1) Glucagon,glucagon/insulin and AUC of glucagon increased significantly with the prolonged course of disease (P ＜0.05),0、30、60、120、180 min of group A were (71 ± 20)、(106 ± 36)、(143 ± 54)、(133 ± 68) 和 (87 ± 55) ng/L respectively,glucagon increased significantly with the prolonged course of disease,0、30、60、120、180 min of group D (80 ±19)、(125 ± 36)、(167 ± 47)、(178 ± 64)、(129 ± 65) ng/L respectively.(2) There were no significant differences in homeostasis nodel assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitive index (ISI) among 4 groups (P ＞0.05); compared to group A,HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-β),△I30/△G30,AUCI in groups B,C and D were significantly lower (F =3.75,3.77 and 3.07 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).(3) Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that glucagon was positively correlated with FPG and AUC of glucose (AUCG) (t =6.23 and 3.41,all P ＜ 0.05),and negatively correlated with AUCI/AUCG (t =-2.13,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In order to reach the blood glucose control target,in the early stage of diabetes attentions should be given to regulation of glucagon while protect the β-cell function.

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of animal plague in Horqin Right Front County and provide scientific bases for prevention and treatment of the disease.Methods Plague surveillance was carried out according to the requirements of National Plague Monitoring Programme at 3 monitoring points in Horqin Right Front County in 2012.Squirrel density,the number of small rats,rat fleas,pathogenic and serological surveillance of Yersinia pestis were included in the study.Results A total of 356 dauricus were captured,the average density was 0.88 rats/hm2; female and male ratio was 1 ∶ 1.31 and the female embryo rate was 96.46％.The captured 13 small nocturnal mice belonged to 2 species,which included 10 cricetulus barabensis and 3 cricetulus longicaudatus,and the capture rate of small nocturnal mouse was 4.33％ (13/300).A total of 98 rat fleas were collected from 25 rats; rat flea carrying rate was 100％(25/25) and flea index was 3.92.Eighty rat burrows were detected,and flea index was 0.188.Pathogen test results were negative.Indirect hemagglutination test was used to examine 356 rat sera and 1 serum was positive.Conclusions Detection of positive rat sera has proved the existence of plague epidemic in Horqin Right Front County.Therefore,the work on plague prevention and control has a long way to go.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on oxidative stress of hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats.

METHODSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, namely the normal control group (NG), the model group (MG), the G. lucidum polysaccharides groups of low, middle and high dose (GLPs-LG, GLPs-MG, GLPs-HG) and the Simvastatin group (SV). The rats were fed with high fat diet to establish the model of hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats. After administration for 12 weeks, rats in each group were tested with the following indexes: total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum as well as the contents of SOD, MDA, GSH-Px and T-AOC in hepatic tissues. Histopathological changes of hepatic tissues were observed under light glass.

RESULTSThe contents of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, both the GLPs-M group and the GLPs-H group showed significant decreases in TC, TG and LDL-C (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), while the GLPs-H group showed a notable increase in HDL-C (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, both the GLPs-M group and the GLPs-H group showed significant decreases in MDA (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and notable increases in SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The GLPs-M group and the GLPs-H group proved a remarkable alleviation in fatty degeneration of hepatic cells.

CONCLUSIONG. lucidum polysaccharides can significantly reduce the blood fat level of hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats and effectively inhibit oxidant stress, showing the effect on preventing and treating hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats to some extent.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reishi ; chemistry ; Triglycerides ; blood

To separate and identify chemical signals which induce Thesium chinense haustorium formation, the components of T. chinense roots secretion collected with XAD-4 resin were detected by GC-MS. The effect of DMBQ as exogenous signals to induce haustorium formation in T. chinense was studied. Fifty-three compounds of 9 types had been detected, including hydrocarbons, esters, organic acids, ketones, alcohols, nitrogen containing compounds, phenolic acids, aldehyde and quinine. It is worth noting that the 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone has the core structure of 1,4-benzoquinone, which may play an important role in the parasitic relationship of Prunella vulgaris and T. chinense: DMBQ worked effectively on inducing haustoria, but induction effects vary widely in different concentrations. DMBQ with the concentration of 1 μmol x L(-1) showed the best effect of the inducing ability with a ratio of 110.52 when treated to induce haustoria.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; physiology ; Prunella ; chemistry ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the result of removing impurity from water-extraction of Gutianquan-capsule with macro-reticular absorbing resin, chitosans clarification, water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation methods.

METHODCoefficient of Unguent of macro-reticular absorbing resin, chitosans clarification method, water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation methods were compared, and qualitative assay of Ginsenoside Rg1, Re, and snide measurement of Ginsenoside Rg1, Ferulic acid, and stability experiment were made.

RESULTCoefficient of Unguent of water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation method was 17.2%, Coefficient of Unguent of chitosans clarification method was 12.8%, and macro-reticular absorbing resin method was 3.1%. They could clarify liquor of water-extraction.

CONCLUSIONChitosans clarification method is suitable for process of Gutianquan-capsule.

Animals ; Capsules ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; Chitosan ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Contamination ; Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Mantodea ; chemistry ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification(NASBA) is a sensitive,isothermal,transcription-based amplification system specifically designed for the detection of RNA targets,which could amplify templete RNA in 2h under isothermal condition at about 42?C and without any special equipment.NASBA is now widely applicated in diagnosis of many pathogenic microorganism.It is mainly about principles and applications of NASBA in viral diagnosis.

Objective: To observe the difference in clinical efficacy between acupuncture with point selection based on syndrome differentiation along the meridians and acupuncture at non-meridian and non-acupoint points for functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: A total of 74 FD patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 37 cases in each group. Both groups received acupuncture treatment. Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) were selected in the observation group, with Taichong (LR 3) and Neiting (ST 44) added for excess syndrome, and Gongsun (SP 4) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) added for deficiency syndrome. Four non-meridian and non-acupoint points were selected in the control group. The treatments in both groups were performed once a day with a 2-day break after 5 consecutive treatments, which constituted one treatment course. A total of 4 courses were performed. The scores of Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) and Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire (LDQ) were recorded before and after treatment, and during follow-up (8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after recruitment) to assess the clinical efficacy. Results: The NDI scores in the two groups after treatment and at each time point during follow-up were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the LDQ scores were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05). The NDI scores after treatment and at each time point during follow-up in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.01); the total LDQ score and scores of upper abdominal pain, postprandial satiety and upper abdominal burning sensation after treatment and at each time point during follow-up in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).. Conclusion: Acupuncture with point selection based on syndrome differentiation along the meridians has a better curative effect than acupuncture at non meridian and non-acupoint points in the treatment of FD.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of subchronic benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure on the neurobehavior and hippocampal acetylcholine (Ach) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and mRNA and protein expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subtype (nAChR α7) in rats, and to investigate the neurotoxic mechanism of B[a]P.

METHODSSixty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, and B [a]P exposure groups. Each rat in the exposure groups was intraperitoneally injected with B[a]P at 1.0, 2.5, or 6.25 mg/kg once every other day for 90 days. The learning and memory ability of the rats was examined by Morris water maze test and step-down test; the hippocampal Ach level was measured by alkaline hydroxylamine method; the AChE activity was measured by DNTB method; the mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal nAChR α7 were measured by quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe 2.5 and 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure groups showed significantly lower learning and memory abilities than the blank control group and solvent control group (P < 0.05); also, the two groups had significantly lower hippocampal Ach levels than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). The 6.25 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group showed significantly lower hippocampal AChE activity than the blank control group, solvent control group, and 1.0 mg/kg B[a]P exposure group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the mRNA and protein expression levels of nAChR α7 among all groups (P > 0.05). The hippocampal Ach level was negatively correlated with the mean escape latency period and total distance travelled (r = -0.567, P < 0.01; r = -0.503, P < 0.01) but positively correlated with the time in platform quadrant (r = 0.800, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSubchronic B[a]P exposure may impair the learning and memory ability in rats, which is related to the downregulation of hippocampal Ach level.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cholinergic ; metabolism ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor ; metabolism