Objective To explore the antigenicity of the recombinant respiration syncytial virus (RSV)fusion protein (amino acids 168-289) encoded by 546-881 bases of the fusion gene expressed in insect baculoviruses expression system.Methods The fragment F' of fusion gene 546-881 bases was amplified from viral RNA( Long strain ) by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).F' was inserted into transfer vector pBacPAK9 and the recombinant plasmid pBacRSV F' was constructed.Sf9 insect cells were then co-transfeeted with a mixture of recombinant plasmids pBacRSV F' and linearized BacPAK6 viral DNA( Bsu36 Ⅰ -digested).The recombinant baculoviruses BacPAK F' was constructed and was able to express the recombinant protein in Sf9 insect cells.The recombinant protein was purified by Ni2+ NTA chromatography and its antigenicity was identified by Western blot(WB) analysis.Specimens including the nasopharyngeal aspirates(NPAs) and sera were collected from 33 infants and young children with acute lower respiration tract infection. Indirect immunofluorecenee assay (IFA) and WB were used to detect the RSV antigen in NPAs and the anti-RSV antibody in sera respectively.Results The recombinant protein (molecular weight 13 000) was expressed in Sf9 insect cells.WB analysis demonstrated that the purified recombinant protein had a specific RSV antibody-binding activity. The recombinant protein could be recognized by positive serum infected by RSV.The positive rate was 27.3% and 33.3% respectively.There was no significant difference between them(X2 = 0.29 ,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The recombinant respiratory syncytial virus fusion gene (546-881 bp) encoding protein is expressed in Sf9 insect cells and it has strong antigenicity and could have clinical application value for detection of RSV infection.

Objective: To compare the protective effect of Phytolaccae Radix and its processed products on nephropathy induced by doxorubicin (DOX) in rats, and explore its mechanism. Method: A rat model of nephropathy was established by a single tail intravenous injection of DOX hydrochloride. Content of esculentoside A (EsA) in Phytolaccae Radix and its processed products was determined by HPLC-ELSD. Contents of serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), total cholesterol (TC) and urine protein (UP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in renal tissue of rats was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Result: A single intravenous injection of DOX could induce a severe nephrotic syndrome associated with decreased serum TP, Alb and elevated serum BUN, SCr, TC, and a high urinary excretion of protein (P<0.05). Expression of BUN, SCr, TC in serum and UP in urine of model rats could be decreased by Phytolaccae Radix and its processed products to some degree, expression of TP and Alb in serum of model rats could be increased by Phytolaccae Radix and its processed products to some degree, vinegar processed products had the most significant effect. Expression of TGF-β in renal tissue of model group rats was significantly higher than that of blank group (P<0.01), which could be significantly reversed by Phytolaccae Radix processed with vinegar, Phytolaccae Radix boiled with vinegar, Phytolaccae Radix steamed with water(P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: Phytolaccae Radix and its processed products can improve the symptoms of DOX nephropathy model rats in different degrees, among which the vinegar prepared products have the strongest effect, and this effect may be related to the reduction of TGF-β expression in renal tissue.

To compare the blood-cooling and hemostasis effects of Rehmanniae Radix before and after carbonizing on rats with blood heat and hemorrhage syndrome. The blood heat and hemorrhage syndrome rat model was established. Indexes including rectal temperature,whole blood viscosity,plasma viscosity,thrombin time(TT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),fibrinogen content(FIB),red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),hematocrit(HCT),blood platelet count(PLT),mean platelet volume(MPV),serum IL-1,serum IL-6 and lung histopathology were detected to investigate the blood-cooling and hemostasis effects of Rehmanniae Radix and its carbonized products. Compared with the blank control group,the rectal temperature was significantly increased with rise of the high,middle and low whole blood viscosities and plasma viscosity(P<0.05); both the high and low whole blood restore viscosity and the high and low whole blood relative viscosity were increased significantly(P< 0.05); TT,APTT and PT were notably prolonged with the increase in FIB content(P<0.05); RBC,Hb and HCT increased significantly(P< 0.05); concentrations of serum IL-1 and IL-6 were also increased(P< 0.05) in model group. Additionally,obvious hemorrhages in lung and stomach were observed in rats of the model group. Rehmanniae Radix and its carbonized products can significantly reduce rectal temperature,high middle and low whole blood viscosities and plasma viscosity(P<0.05). TT and APTT were shortened,with lower expression of FIB in group of Rehmannia Radix and its carbonized products. Hemorrhages of lung and stomach were improved by Rehmannia Radix and its carbonized products. The results indicated that Rehmannia Radix before and after carbonizing had the hemostasis and blood-cooling effects by promoting coagulation,improving blood rheology and inhibiting expressions of IL-1 and IL-6.
Animals ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Viscosity ; Body Temperature ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Hemostasis ; Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plant Roots ; Rats ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Thrombin Time

In the thermal analysis, the pyrolysis characteristics of crude Kansui Radix, alcohol extract of Kansui Radix, petroleum ether extract, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract, n-butanol extract, and licorice vinegar were analyzed with simulated air (N₂-O₂ 4:1) as the carrier gas, at a temperature increase rate of 10 °C·min⁻¹ and a volume flow rate of 60 mL·min⁻¹, respectively. The results showed that due to the different polarity of the extraction solvent, the type and quantity of the chemical components contained in each polar part were different, and with the increase in the amount of solid powder of licorice, the peak of the maximum heat loss rate occurred in advance. For petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions, (157.40±1.06), 3.50, (25.83±1.66) °C in advance respectively, but the weight loss rate of the chloroform fraction was increased by (2.62±5.19) °C, while decreased by (33.90±1.72), (19.28±1.11) °C for the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions. So we can conclude that with the addition of licorice, the pyrolysis rate of the petroleum ether and chloroform fractions in the toxic part of Kansui Radix was increased; the temperature point at the peak of the maximum weight loss rate was decreased, and the ethyl acetate fraction (effective part) showed a decrease in temperature rising process, but its overall ratio of weight loss and weight loss rate were relatively small, retaining the effect of medicinal ingredients. This proved the mechanism of licorice system Kansui Radix on attenuating toxicity after processing and the scientificity and rationality of licorice system Kansui Radix. At the same time, as the proportion of glycyrrhizin was increased, the peak of the maximum heat loss rate of petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions occurred in advance; the peak temperature was decreased, with easy pyrolysis. Among them, the thermogravimetric rate of the mixture of petroleum ether and chloroform fractions (10:1) was relatively large, with a low peak temperature, while ethyl acetate fraction showed opposite results. This conclusion has certain guiding significance for the ratio of gansui to licorice.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Temperature

Objective:To develop the specific molecular markers of Codonopsis plants and better identify their germplasm resources considering the significant difference in active ingredients of Codonopsis Radix from various origins and producing areas. Method:Such bioinformatics software as Primer 5.0， NTSYS-pc 2.10e， and PopGene 32 were used for searching the simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers of C. minima chloroplast genome， C. tsinlingensis chloroplast， and C. lanceolata mitochondrial sequences， and 120 pairs of SSR primers were designed by Primer 5.0. Then 16 pairs of cpSSR primers and 10 pairs of mtSSR primers with good screening effect and high polymorphism were selected for analyzing the interspecific versatility of 20 samples. Result:The results showed that 66 cpSSR primer sites and 26 mtSSR sites were identified from the genome sequences， with 86.20% of single nucleotide， 6.9% of dinucleotide， and 6.9% of trinucleotide for C. minima chloroplast， 83.78% of single nucleotide，13.51% of dinucleotide， and 2.71% of trinucleotide for C. tsinlingensis chloroplast， and 46.15% of single nucleotide and 53.85% of dinucleotide for C. lanceolata mitochondria. As demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） identification results， the developed 26 pairs of SSR primers had good applicability in the genus Codonopsis. The analysis by NTSYS-pc 2.10e revealed that the genetic similarity coefficients of 20 samples were within the range of 0.38-1.00， and they were divided into two subgroups at a threshold of 0.69. Four pairs of polymorphic primers were screened out in the diversity analysis of 20 samples using PopGene 32. The number of observed alleles （Na） was 12， and the effective number of alleles （Ne） ranged from 1.362 9 to 2.605 9. The percentage of polymorphic loci （PPL） at each site was 100%， and the average values of genetic parameters Ho， He， and I at each site were 0.555 8， 0.444 2， and 0.753 2， respectively， indicating high polymorphism at each site. The screened four pairs of primers were utilized for DNA fingerprinting of the 20 samples， and it was found that the DNA fingerprints enabled the identification of these 20 samples. Conclusion:This study has provided a molecular basis for the study of the genetic relationship between plants in species Codonopsis and the intraspecific genetic differentiation.

Objective:To systematically analyze the chemical constituents of Qizhi Jiangtang capsules by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS）. Method:Analysis was conducted on a ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.8 μm） with acetonitrile （A）-water （B） as the mobile phase for gradient elution （0-13 min， 1%-25%A； 13-21 min， 25%-35%A； 21-28 min， 35%-85%A； 28-30 min， 85%-100%A； 30-32 min， 100%-1%A）. The flow rate was 0.2 mL·min^-1， the column temperature was 30 ℃， and the volume of sample injection was 3 μL. Electrospray ionization （ESI） was used to collect data in the negative and positive ion modes with the scanning range of m/z 100-1 500. Meanwhile， a variety of MS analytic methods were used， including comparing with the information of control substances， self-built compounds database and literature references， diagnostic ion filtering， Compound Discoverer 3.0 software， for identification of the chemical components. Result:Based on the above strategy， a total of 52 compounds were identified in Qizhi Jiangtang capsules， and the sources of these compounds were identified. Amino acids were mainly derived from Hirudo， phenylpropanoids were derived from Astragali Radix and Rehmanniae Radix， iridoid glycosides were derived from Rehmanniae Radix， coumarins and triterpenes were derived from Astragali Radix， flavonoids were from Astragali Radix and Polygonati Rhizoma. Conclusion:The established UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS analytical method can comprehensively and rapidly analyze and identify of the chemical constituents in Qizhi Jiangtang capsules. Many of the ingredients have been proved by modern pharmacological studies to have the effect of improving related symptoms of diabetes and its complications， reflecting the characteristics of synergistic action of multiple components in Qizhi Jiangtang capsules. This study can provide reference for the further research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and the quality control of Qizhi Jiangtang capsules.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the homogeneity level of four different functional mRNA （PUM2, TAB2, Cx45 and CHRNA1） expressions in rats with skeletal muscle contusion. METHODS: The relative expressions of PUM2, TAB2, Cx45 and CHRNA1 mRNAs were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR）. The coefficient of variation （CV） of the relative expressions for different individuals in each injury group was calculated. The extreme value of CV, cumulative variability, and CV_CV were compared. RESULTS: A high CV of PUM2 and TAB2 mRNAs appeared on several different time points. However, the CV of Cx45 and CHRNA1 mRNAs was relatively low. The cumulative variability from high to low was PUM2, CHRNA1, TAB2 and Cx45 mRNAs. The relative expression of PUM2 mRNA was significantly higher than that of TAB2, Cx45 and CHRNA1 mRNAs （ P<0.05）. There was no statistical significance （P>0.05） in the CV_CV of the relative expression of TAB2, CHRNA1 and Cx45 mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS As the mRNAs involving in biological process regulation, PUM2 and CHRNA1 mRNAs show a lowest individual homogeneity of the relative expression followed by TAB2 mRNA. As the mRNAs participating in the composition of cellular structure, Cx45 and CHRNA1 mRNAs show a high individual homogeneity of the relative expressions. The functional classification should be considered for the screening of the mRNA indicators used for wound age estimation.
Animals ; Contusions/diagnosis* ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing

Objective To study the expression of the three autophagy-associated proteins, BECN1, LC3 and p62, after the injury of the skeletal muscle of rats and to explore its application in differentiation between antemortem and postmortem injury. Methods The 72 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the undamaged control group, the antemortem injury group （0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h and 24 h） and postmortem injury group （0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h）. A model of the injured right hind limb of rats was constructed. The expressions of the autophagy-associated proteins, BECN1, LC3-2/LC3-1 and p62, in the control group, the antemortem injury group and postmortem injury group were detected by Western blotting method. The data were respectively centralized and standardized and the orthogonal partial least square-discrimination analysis （OPLS-DA） identification model of antemortem and postmortem injury groups was constructed. Results The expression of BECN1, p62 protein and LC3-2/LC3-1 after the injury of the skeletal muscle of the rats showed different degrees of changes, but the differences among the 3 groups had no statistical significance. Antemortem and postmortem injury groups can be distinguished by centralizing and standardizing the expression levels of autophagy protein BECN1 and the ratio of LC3-2/LC3-1. The principal components extracted from OPLS-DA model of antemortem injury and postmortem injury had a relatively good interpretation of the model （R_x²=0.563, R_y²=0.439）, but it were less predictive （Q²=0.366）. Conclusion The expression of BECN1 and the ratio of LC3-2/LC3-1 in injured local tissue of the rat skeletal muscle can be used for the differentiation of antemortem injury group and postmortem injury group.
Animals ; Autophagy ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Postmortem Changes ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in myocardial tissues of rats with sudden coronary death (SCD), and to provide ideas for the forensic identification of SCD. METHODS: The rat SCD model was established, and the transcriptome sequencing was performed by next-generation sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in myocardial tissues of SCD rats were screened by using the R package limma. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.8.2 on DEG, and hub genes were screened based on cytoHubba plug-in. Finally, the R package clusterProfiler was used to analyze the biological function and signal pathway enrichment of the selected DEG. RESULTS: A total of 177 DEGs were associated with SCD and were mainly involved in the renin-angiotensin system and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The genes including angiotensinogen (AGT), complement component 4a (C4a), Fos proto-oncogene (FOS) and others played key roles in the development of SCD. CONCLUSIONS Genes such as AGT, C4a, FOS and other genes are expected to be potential biomarkers for forensic identification of SCD. The study based on mRNA expression profile can provide a reference for forensic identification of SCD.
Rats ; Animals ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Biomarkers

Objective To establish a method for determination of escitalopram in biological samples by ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （GC-MS/MS） and provide evidences for forensic determination of cases related to escitalopram. Methods The 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate （[C₆MIM][PF₆]） was selected as an extract solvent to process biological samples. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was used on the samples. Then the samples were detected by GC-MS/MS. Results The linear range of escitalopram in blood and liver were 5.56-1 111.10 ng/mL and 0.025-5.00 mg/g, respectively. The correlation coefficient （r） were greater than 0.999, limit of detection （LOD） were 4.00 ng/mL and 2.00 μg/g, limit of quantitation （LOQ） were 14.00 ng/mL and 6.00 μg/g, respectively. The extraction recovery rates were all greater than 50%, the interday and intraday precision were less than 20%. Escitalopram was detected in blood and liver samples from the actual poisoning case by this method with a content of 1.26 μg/mL and 0.44 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion The ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with GC-MS/MS is environment friendly, rapid, has good enriching effect and consumes less organic solvent and can be used for forensic determination of escitalopram related cases.
Citalopram ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Limit of Detection ; Liquid Phase Microextraction ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry