A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of multi-indicators in corni fructus by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) based least squares support vector machine was investigated to increase the levels of quality control. The calibration models of moisture, extractum, morroniside and loganin were established using the PSO-LS-SVM algorithm. The performance of PSO-LS-SVM models was compared with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). The calibration and validation results of PSO-LS-SVM were superior to both PLS and BP-ANN. For PSO-LS-SVM models, the correlation coefficients (r) of calibrations were all above 0.942. The optimal prediction results were also achieved by PSO-LS-SVM models with the RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) and RSEP (relative standard errors of prediction) less than 1.176 and 15.5% respectively. The results suggest that PSO-LS-SVM algorithm has a good model performance and high prediction accuracy. NIR has a potential value for rapid determination of multi-indicators in Corni Fructus.

Aim To study the effect of EA on the injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons.Methods Rat hippocampal neurons in primary culture were used,and a apoptosis model was induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation.MTT assay and LDH releasing rate were used to detect the cell viability.The apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons was analyzed by Hoechst 33258 staining,flow cytometry with AnnexinV-FITC and PI staining.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of AKT and p-AKT.Results Compared to control group,three hours of hypoxia followed by sixteen hours of reoxygenation induced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.EA could raise the neuronal viability and reduce apoptosis rate and the damage degree of rat hippocampal neurons.EA could increase the expressing of p-AKT.Conclusions EA has protective effects on damaged neurons,and the mechanism may be related to activating the PI3K-AKT signal transduction pathway.

Aim To observe the neurological protective effects of astragalosides(AST) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods Male SD rats received right middle cerebral artery occlusion for 120 min,and were decapitated 1,3,7,and 14 days after reperfusion.AST(40 mg?kg-1) was orally administered after I/R.Neurological deficit score was daily determined,the expressions of BDNF and p75NTR mRNA were detected by RT-PCR,and the expression of TrkB mRNA was detected by real-time PCR.Results AST reduced the neurological deficit score on days 3,increased the expression of BDNF mRNA on days 3,7 and 14,decreased p75NTR mRNA and increased TrkB mRNA on days 3 and 7.Conclusions AST improves the neurological deficits after I/R in rats.The mechanism may be related with increasing BDNF,and TrkB mRNA,and decreasing p75NTR mRNA.

AIM:To study the telomere maintenance mechanism in mesenchymal stem calls(MSCs).METHODS:MSCs were isolated from healthy human bone marrow by their adherence to plastic and then were checked with CD14-FITC,CD45-FITC,CD44-FITC,HLA-DR-FITC,CD34-PE,CD29-PE and CD166-PE.Telomere length and ECTR DNA in MSCs were detected by Southern blotting.The localization of TRF1 and promyelocytic leukemia(PML)in MSCs were detected with immunofluorescence staining.TRAP protocol was performed to detect the telomerase activity in MSCs and MSCs-derived adipocytes.Western blotting and TRAP protocol were applied to measure telomerase activity of MSCs,which were synchronized by serum starvation and aphidicolin treatment.RESULTS:The telomere in length seemed shorter and relatively more homogeneous in MSCs and HeLa cells than that in WI-38-2RA cells.TRF1 did not concide with PML nuclear body in MSCs and HeLa cells while it exclusively did in WI-38-2RA cells.ECTR DNA was negative in MSCs and HeLa cells but positive in WI-38-2RA cells.Telomerase was negative in MSCs but it was positive in MSCs-derived adipocytes detected by TRAP.Moreover,a cell cycle-dependent expression profile of telomerase was found in MSCs when they were synchronized by serum starvation and aphidicolin treatment.Untreated MSCs expressed very low level of telomerase probed by Western blotting with 2C4 mAb,but the telomerase level had significantly increased when these cells were trapped in S phase.CONCLUSION:The telomere of MSCs is maintained by telomerase pathway instead of alternative lengthing of telomere(ALT)and the level of telomerase expression is associated with cell cycle stage.[

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects and mechanisms of astragaloside (AST) and astragalus saponin I (ASI) on the memory impairment in senescent rats treated by glucocorticoid (GC).

METHODY maze test was performed to determine the effects of AST and ASI on memory impairment of hydrocortisone(HC)-induced senescent rats. Using Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent indicator (Furo-2), free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by double wavelength fluorescence sepectrophotometer in thymocytes and hippocampal neurons induced dexamethasone (DEX). And apoptosis was detected by DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry.

RESULTCompared with HC control, AST and ASI can improve the memory of the senescent rats treated by HC, lower [Ca2+]i and suppress apoptosis of thymocytes and hippocampal neurons induced by DEX.

CONCLUSIONAST and ASI can delay the aging in rats treated by HC, and its mechanism may includ lowering[Ca2+]i and suppressing the apoptosis of thymocytes and hippocampal neurons.

Aging ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; adverse effects ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; adverse effects ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Intracellular Space ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Rats ; Saponins ; pharmacology

Objective:To explore the effect of combined orbicularis muscle double stitch operated on blepharoplasty.Methods:A total of 90 patients, 79 females and 11 males, aged 18-49 years, were treated by using combined orbicularis muscle double stitch procedure, that is, to fix upper lifting muscle, to remove partial fat, and to perform blepharoplasty.Results:All 90 cases＇ incisions were healed at the first phase, no obvious swelling and bleeding. Within 3-24 months follow up, all patients＇ upper eyelids were significantly improved. The skin was smoothy when closing eyes, and eyelash was up when opening eyes, and arc was natural and satisfactory.Conclusions:This method can improve the shape of the upper eyelid swelling and get long-lasting and stable physiological eyelid.