Based on collections and researches of Pesudostellaria heterophylla germplasm resources from different areas of China, by using Shibing SB-4 provenance as materials, the new variety "Shitai No.1" was bred by mass selection, small plot variety comparative test, regional variety comparative test and field trial planting. Compared with "Qian taizishen No.1" and P. heterophylla land races. The disease and lodging resistance, root yield, polysaccharide content and the first grade rate of "Shitai No.1" have obvious advantages. In addition, it is relatively stable of yield in "Shitai No.1" in different places. It is demonstrated that "Shitai No.1" is a fine variety that adapt to the producing areas of P. heterophylla in Guizhou province, it is worthy to be promoted.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the neuroprotective function of alpha7 nicotinic receptor (nAChR) and its roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSpecific RNA interference to alpha7 nAChR mRNA expression was performed by gene specific small interference RNA (siRNA). SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with the siRNA or treated with 20 micromol/L 3-[2, 4-dimethoxybenzylidene] anabaseine (DMXB), an alpha7 nAChR agonist. After 48 hrs culture, levels of alpha7 nAChR mRNA and protein were monitored by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. In the second experiment, SH-SYSY cells treated with siRNA or DMXB were exposed to 1 micromol/L Abeta(25-35), followed by protein analysis of alpha-form of secreted beta-amyloid precursor peptide (alphaAPPs), and total APP was assayed by Western blotting. In addition, lipid peroxidation and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] reduction were measured by spectrophotometry.

RESULTIn RNA interference group, as compared with controls, alpha7 nAChR mRNA and protein levels were decreased with inhibitory efficiency by 80% and 69%, respectively, along with a decrease in protein levels of alphaAPP and reduction of MTT. However the product of lipid peroxidation was increased. There was an enhanced gene inhibition of alpha7 nAChR by Abeta. While cells treated with DMXB, the alpha7 nAChR protein was increased by 23% as compared with that of the control, along with decrease of alphaAPP and ERK 1/2 at the protein level. The enhanced expression of alpha7 nAChR reduced the neurotoxic effects resulted from Abeta.

CONCLUSIONThe findings indicate that alpha7 nAChR may play a significant neuroprotective role by enhancing cleavage of APP, improving antioxidant defenses and limiting the toxicity of Abeta, which has been implied in the pathogenesis of AD.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Alzheimer Disease ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Nicotinic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Protease Nexins ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; metabolism ; physiology ; alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Male ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prognosis

In this study, the changes of bullatine A in plasma and skin of mice with time in microemulsion gel and ordinary gel of Aconitum brachypodum total alkaloids were compared through UPLC-MS/MS, and their pharmacokinetic parameters were also compared and analyzed, to investigate the feasibility of microemulsion agent in the transdermal drug delivery. UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of bullatine A in plasma and skin had high sensitivity and was in line with the pharmacokinetic study requirements for transdermal drug delivery. The main pharmacokinetic parameters for microemulsion gel in the plasma were as follows: Cmax=(37.62±14.31) μg•L⁻¹, Tmax=(3.40±1.34) h, AUC0-∞=(1 027.7±260) μg•L⁻¹•h⁻¹, MRT=(34.80±12.31) h, MRTlast=(10.68±0.57) h, t1/2=(23.11±9.20) h; main pharmacokinetic parameters for ordinary gel in the blood: Cmax=(52.23±15.90) μg•L⁻¹, Tmax=(4.00±0.00) h, AUC0-∞=(728.60±280.80) μg•L⁻¹•h⁻¹, MRT=(20.69±3.98) h, MRTlast=(9.34±0.42) h, t1/2=(14.69±3.15) h. The results showed that the microemulsion gel had more stable transdermal absorption, longer duration of action and higher bioavailability than ordinary gel, indicating that the microemulsion gel had a good and stable transdermal effect. There was no significant difference in bioavailability of bullatine A in skin between microemulsion gel and ordinary gel.

Objective To explore the effects of sole desensitization physical therapy on standing balance and walking function among recovering stroke patients.MethodsStroke patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the observation group (40 cases) or the control group (40 cases). All patients received traditional rehabilitation. In addition, the observation group received sole densensitization physical therapy. The total course of treatment lasted for 1 month. The Berg balance scale (BBS) and Holden's functional ambulation classification (FAC) were used to evaluate balance and walking ability before and after treatment. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to assess the motor function of the affected ankle, and footprint analysis was used to measure and record any changes in time and distance walked and to analyze improvements in gait.ResultsAfter the sole desensitization training, the BBS (37.41 ± 8.14), FAC ( 3.91 ±0.92) and FMA motor function (6.42 ± 1.12) results of the observation group were all significantly better than before training. Walking time and distance also improved.ConclusionsSole desensitization can affect foot proprioception. As a result, stroke patients' soles adapt to the surroundings, recover their ability to provide physiological support and promote improved motor function of the ankle.Sole desensitization can thus improve the standing balance and walking of stroke patients.

We constructed several recombinant Escherichia coli strains to transform phosphoenolpyruvate: carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS system) and compared the characteristics of growth and metabolism of the mutants. We knocked-out the key genes ptsI and ptsG in PTS system by using Red homologous recombination in E. coli and meanwhile we also knocked-in the glucose facilitator gene glf from Zymomonas mobilis in the E. coli chromosome. Recombinant E. coli strains were constructed and the effects of cell growth, glucose consumption and acetic acid accumulation were also evaluated in all recombinant strains. The deletion of gene ptsG and ptsI inactivated some PTS system functions and inhibited the growth ability of the cell. Expressing the gene glf can help recombinant E. coli strains re-absorb the glucose through Glf-Glk (glucose facilitator-glucokinase) pathway as it can use ATP to phosphorylate glucose and transport into cell. This pathway can improve the availability of glucose and also reduce the accumulation of acetic acid; it can also broaden the carbon flux in the metabolism pathway.
Biological Transport ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Sugar Phosphotransferase System ; genetics ; Zymomonas ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic accumulation of biomass and secondary metabolites from different cultivation forms, reproduced by different modes in different growth periods of Pesudostellaria heterophylla in Shibing district, Guizhou province, in order to provide guidance for variety breeding and rational harvest method of P. heterophyila. METHODS: Taking three cultivation forms and two kinds of breeding materials as the main research subjects, the dynamic accumulation of biomass was periodically recorded with growth period change, and the contents of pseudostellarin B in the roots of P. heterophyila were analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS: The underground biomass in cultivation form of vegetative propagation XZ-1, XZ-2 and XZ-3 reached the highest levels of 9.86, 3.61 and 10.40 g · plant- in early July, late June and the beginning of July, respectively. The content of pseudostellarin B reached the criterion of Chinese Pharmacopoeia only in XZ-1 in early July, which was 0.0213%. In the harvest time, the contents of biomass in XZ-1 and XZ-3 were significantly higher than that in XZ-2, while the contents of pseudostellarin B in XZ-1 and XZ-2 were significantly higher than that in XZ-3. The content of biomass in sexual reproduction material, XZ-1Y, was significantly lower than that in the vegetative propagation one, XZ-1 of the same cultivation form, but the content of pseudostellarin B in XZ-IY was significantly higher than that in XZ-1. CONCLUSION: According to the comprehensive consideration of the contents of biomass and secondary metabolites, the XZ-1 of P. heterophyila has better quality, and it is worth popularizing and being used for variety breeding. The optimal harvest time of Pesudostellaria heterophyila is about 10 days after the plant is withered.

Objective: To study the genetic diversity and medicinal quality of Pesudostellaria heterophylla and to provide a reference for rational utilization on germplasm resources and fine variety breeding of P. heterophylla. Methods: The genetic diversity of the 12 cultivated provenances of P. heterophylla were analyzed by ISSR molecular markers, and Heterophyllin B (HB) in the root of P. heterophylla was analyzed by HPLC. Results: A total of 82 bands were produced by 10 primers, among which 73 bands were polymorphic bands, and the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPL) was 89.02%. The average value of Nei's genetic diversity index (H) was 0.2579, Shannon's information index (I) was 0.3884, genetic differentiation coefficient (Gst) was 0.2741, and the gene flow (Nm) among provenances was 1.3238. Cluster analysis based on genetic identity indicated that 12 provenances could be divided into three groups. There were great differences of HB content among and within provenances. Heterophyllin B content (0.0494%) in provenance 4 was significantly higher than those in the others, and their coefficient of variation (9.51%) was less in this provenance. Conclusion: The high genetic diversity could be attributed to the provenances exchange in different production areas of P. heterophylla and its biological characteristics. Comprehensive consideration of genetic diversity and HB are made, and the provenances 3 and 4 of P. heterophylla have better quality, which are suitable for germplasm conservation and variety breeding.

Periploca forrestii, a traditional medicine commonly used by Miao people, is one of the "three treasures of Miao medicine", which mainly contains various components such as cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, ceramides, terpenoids, phenylpropanoid and volatile oils. It has significant pharmacological effects including cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pain-suppressing, and antibacterial activities, and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, bruises, stomach pain, dyspepsia, amenorrhea, and dysentery. Relevant domestic and abroad literatures were summarized, and a comprehensive review of the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, clinical application, quality control and spectrum-effect relationship of Periploca forrestii was conducted, to provide evidences for further investigation of Periploca forrestii Schltr.

OBJECTIVETo establish coal arsenic poisoning rat model by feeding the rats with the corn powder baked by high arsenic coal as the main raw material.

METHODSFifty Wistar rats, healthy, were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the figures of their weights, including control group, drinking arsenic poisoning water group, low, medium and high arsenic contaminated grain group, 10 rats for each.Rats in control group and drinking arsenic poisoning water group were fed with standard feed without any arsenic containing. Rats in water group would drink 100 mg/L As2O3 solution and the rats in arsenic grain groups would be fed with the arsenic contaminated grain at the dose of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. The duration would last for 3 months.General situation and weight were observed. At the same time, the arsenic contents of urine, hair, liver and kidney of the rats in each group were detected, as well as the histopathology changes of liver and kidney, and the ultra structure of liver was observed.

RESULTSThe arsenic contents of urine (median(min-max)) of the rats in the arsenic water group, low, medium and high arsenic grain groups were separately 3055.59 (722.43-6389.05), 635.96(367.85-1551.31), 1453.84 (593.27-5302.94) and 3101.11 (666.64-6858.61) µg/g Cr; while the arsenic contents of hair of the rats in the above groups were separately (23.07 ± 10.38), (8.87 ± 3.31), (12.43 ± 6.65) and (25.68 ± 7.16) µg/g; the arsenic contents of liver of the rats in the above groups were separately (5.68 ± 3.13), (2.64 ± 1.52), (3.89 ± 1.76) and (5.34 ± 2.78) µg/g; and the arsenic contents of kidney were separately (6.90 ± 1.94), (3.48 ± 1.96), (5.03 ± 2.08) and (7.02 ± 1.62) µg/g; which were all significantly higher than those in the control group (86.70 (49.71-106.104) µg/g Cr,(1.28 ± 0.37) µg/g, (1.01 ± 0.34) µg/g and (1.82 ± 1.09) µg/g, respectively). The difference showed significance (P < 0.05). Under electron microscope detection, we observed the reduction of mitochondrial, the blurred mitochondrial cristae, some disappeared ridges, the reduced rough endoplasmic reticulum, and irregular uneven nuclear in the liver cells of rats in arsenic contaminated grain group. The contents of aspartate transaminase (AST) and total bile acid (TBA) in medium and high arsenic contaminated grain group were respectively (196.17 ± 46.18), (212.40 ± 35.14) U/L and (11.74 ± 4.07), (19.19 ± 4.68)µmol/L, which were higher than it in the control group (separately (143.10 ± 29.13) U/L and (6.23 ± 2.95)µmol/L). The contents of glutathione-S-transferases(GST), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)in high arsenic contaminated grain group were separately (196.21 ± 47.38)U/L, (1.71 ± 0.66)U/L, (9.54 ± 1.95)mmol/L, which were higher than that in the control group ((134.93 ± 24.80 )U/L, (0.75 ± 0.36)U/L, (7.67 ± 1.02)mmol/L, respectively). The contents of cholinesterase (CHE) in low, medium and high arsenic contaminated grain group were separately (259.90 ± 52.71)U/L, (263.44 ± 66.06)U/L and (244.90 ± 36.14)U/L, the contents of total protein(TP) in rats of high arsenic contaminated grain group were (62.64 ± 5.50)g/L, which was all lower than that in the control group ((448.33 ± 59.67)U/L, (69.38 ± 4.24)g/L, respectively). The contents of TBA in high arsenic contaminated grain group ( (19.19 ± 4.68) µmol/L) was higher than that in drinking water arsenic poisoning group ((15.15 ± 2.64)µmol/L). The differences of the above indexes were all significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results showed the arsenic poisoning rat model produced by coal-burning were successfully established.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Arsenic Poisoning ; etiology ; Coal ; Disease Models, Animal ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Flour ; Food Contamination ; Food Handling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Zea mays