Grasses infected by endophytes have an extraordinary impact on the ecology and economy of pasture and turf. In this review, we presented recent research progress on origin and evolution, biological and ecological impact, and perspective of the association in order to make full use of the widely distributed endophyte resources.

A PCR assay used for detection and quantification of Neotyphodium lolii in tissues of the grass Lolium perenne L. was developed. Compared with the Microscopic analysis of stained tissues, this method was more accurate. For quantitative applications, real time PCR was used to quantify Neotyphodium lolii in Lolium perenne L.. The results showed that there were some variations between different individuals, but no variance existed between different tillers from the same plant. Thus it can be concluded that fungal content in the plant is not only associated with species/variety specific, but also with the genotype of the host plant as well.

Cerebral Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

A total of 61 Strains were isolated from five perennial ryegrass(Lolium perenne L.)varieties——SR4000, CalypsoⅡ, Pinnacle, Topgun and Justus. By subculture, the stable strains were separated into four morphological groups(MGs). Based on the morphological characteristics and the results of AP-PCR, 57 strains of them were identified as Neotyphodium lolii.

Objective To investigate clinical features and therapeutic protocols of vulvovaginal-gingival syndrome(VVGS). Methods Clinical data were collected from 11 female patients with VVGS and analyzed. Results Among the 11 patients, the mean and median ages at a definite diagnosis of VVGS were both 46 years, and the average disease duration was 4 years. Painful erosive erythema was found on the vaginal vestibule in 7 patients, on the gingiva in 10, as well as on the bilateral buccal mucosa in 5. Additionally, 8 and 4 patients reported dyspareunia and vaginal hemorrhage, respectively. Seven patients were treated with low-dose oral methylprednisolone combined with hydroxychloroquine or colchicine, and the other 4 were treated with oral hydroxychloroquine alone. Furthermore, all of the 11 patients applied topical tacrolimus 0.1%ointment. Finally, 8 patients were cured or markedly improved. No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any of the patients. Conclusions VVGS mostly occurs in middle-aged women, with the vaginal vestibule and gingiva as predilection sites of painful erythema and dyspareunia as common symptoms. Patients have good responses to methylprednisolone combined with hydroxychloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine alone also shows good efficacy in patients with mild VVGS. Tacrolimus 0.1%ointment can be one of drugs for topical maintenance treatment of VVGS.

In order to further improve the curative effect of the herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus, we collected a wide range of literature on herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus and then systematically arranged them to analyze and summarize the technology and operating methods of herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus. We also briefly discussed issues on application of medicine, locust tree skin and ginger, the method of kneading dough for medical uses, and the appropriate size of moxa cone and its using frequency in order to form clear concepts and standardized operations to provide theories and operational basis for the clinical application of modern herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus.
China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Moxibustion ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Umbilicus ; physiopathology

Objective To explore the changes of PH values of N,O-CMC/β-TCP compositive materials with different mass fractions in simulated body fluids (SBF)and their influence in the growth of MG63 cells, and to illustrate their mechanisms, and to provide reference for the further research on the bone repair materials. Methods The N,O-CMC/β-TCP with mass fractions of 2/1,1/1 and 1/2 were used as experimental groups,and the collagen nano calcium phosphate bone repair material as control group. The materials with different mass fractions were immersed in SBF and the pH values were measured by pH meter after soaking for 7,14,21 and 28d,respectively.The MG63 cells with the concentration of 1 × 105 mL-1 were inoculated and co-cultured in experimental and control groups,the adhesion and morphological changes of MG63 cells in each group were observed by scanning electron microscope and the cell proliferation was detected by MTT method after co-culturing for 2,4 and 6 d.Results The pH values were 6.70-7.25 in N,O-CMC/β-TCP (1/2)group and N,O-CMC/β-TCP (2/1)groups and the pH value in N,O-CMC/β-TCP (1/1)group was basically 7.15. The cells in N,O-CMC/β-TCP (2/1)group formed owe full,spreading face small and less secretion,but the cells in N,O-CMC/β-TCP 1/2 and 1/1 groups formed in full, pseudopodia interconnection, widely spreading and more secretions under electron microscope. The proliferation rate of the cells in N,O-CMC/β-TCP with (1/1 ) and N,O-CMC/β-TCP (2/1)groups had no statistical difference compared with control group (P>0.05),but there was significant difference between control group and N,O-CMC/β-TCP (1/2)group (P<0.05).Conclusion The changes of pH values of N,O-CMC/β-TCP materials with different mass fractions in SBF are small and the pH values are neutral;the order of the mass fraction of N,O-CMC/β-TCP to promote the growth of MG63 cells is 1/1,2/1,and 1/2.

OBJECTIVETo explore correlation between lung and large intestine and the two meridians under pathological condition in the view of meridian theory.

METHODSNinety-six cases of bronchial asthma were applied palpation at the running course of 12 regular meridians under the elbow and knees and back-shu points. And abnormal reactions were recorded, the affected meridians and back-shu points were discovered.

RESULTSThe abnormal reactions most frequently appeared on the Lung Meridian, followed by the Large Intestine Meridian, the Spleen Meridian, the Liver Meridian, the Stomach Meridian and the Triple Energizer Meridian. And the unusual reaction of the back-shu points most frequently appeared on Feishu (BL 13), and Dachangshu (BL 25) and Pishu (BL 21) followed as the next two.

CONCLUSIONThe existence of correlation between the Lung Meridian and the Large Intestine Meridians under pathological condition can be proved through meridian and acupoint palpation on bronchial asthma patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of grain-sized moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) on early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) in transgenosis AD mice.

METHODSThe genotyping of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1(APP/PS1I) double-transgenic AD mice were detected by PCR method. Seventeen 1.5-month female transgenic (Tg 6799) mice were randomly divided into a model group (9 cases) and a treatment group (8 cases). Nine female C57BL/6J wild-type mice with identical age and background were selected into a normal group. The treatment group was treated with grain-sized moxibustion at bilateral "Xinshu" (BI. 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), once a day, ten treatments were considered as one course, and total 9 courses were given. The model group and normal group were treated with stimulus such as grabbing, immobilization and non-ignited moxa cone. Morris water maze (escape latency, crossing times and dwell time in the target quadrant) was applied to evaluate the learning and memory ability. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was used to observe morphology changes in the brains of AD mice. beta-amyloid protein 1-42 (Abeta(1-42)) in the area of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSAfter the treatment of grain-sized moxibustion, learning and memory ability in the treatment group was increased; compared with the model group, the escape latency was shorten, crossing times was increased, and dwell time in the target quadrant was prolonged (all P<0. 05). The crossing times and dwell time in the target quadrant in the treatment group were not significantly different from those in the normal group (both P>0.05). Compared with the normal group, the positive area and integral optical density of Abeta(1-42) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the model group were increased (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive area and integral optical density of Abeta(1-42) in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the treatment group were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe grain-sized moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL 15) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) could significantly improve the learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 double- transgenic AD mice, and inhibit the over expression and accumulation of Abeta(1-42).

Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Moxibustion ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. Methods The MICs of six fluoroquinolones(norfloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) against 35 clinical isolates of E.faecium from eight hospitals in Tianjin were determined by agar dilution method in the absence or presence of multidrug resistance efflux pump inhibitor reserpine.The quinolone-resistance determining region(QRDR)of parC and gyrA were amplified and sequenced.Results No less than twofold decrease in MIC values of the six fluoroquinolones in the presence of reserpine was observed in 35,29,1,0,6 and 2 of the 35 strains of E.faecium respectively.One fluoro- quinolone-susceptible isolate and five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were selected randomly to analyze the QRDR of parC and gyrA.All five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates had single amino acid alteration in both GyrA and ParC.Ser-80 in ParC was substituted by lie(4 isolates)or Arg(1 isolates).Glu-87 in GyrA was replaced by Lys(2 isolates)or Gly(2 isolates). The other one had an Ser-83-to-Ile substitution.The one fluoroquinolone-suseeptible isolate had no alteration in the QRDR of either ParC or GyrA.Conclusions Both target alteration and active efflux are responsible for the resistance to fluoroquinolone in clinical isolates of E.faecium.