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.

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 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.

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

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

AIM: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and stability of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens ( ICL ) implanation and clear lens extraction for the correction of high myopia.
METHODS: The study enrolled 56 cases ( 100 eyes ) of high myopia. Group I comprised 32 cases ( 58 eyes ) receiving ICL implantation and Group II comprised 24 cases (42 eyes) undergoing clear lens extraction. In this study, we evaluated the two groups of subject's the visual and refractive results, intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , endothelial cell density ( ECD ) , anterior chamber depth ( ACD) , lens transparency, the surgical complications as well as visual adverse symptoms before and after surgery.
RESULTS: The postoperative subjects in group I and group II were followed, uncorrected vision acuity ( UCVA)>0. 5 were 69. 0% in group I and 71. 4% in group II after 3mo. UCVA>0. 5 were 72. 4% in group I and 73. 8% in group II after 1a. Predictability of the manifest spherical equivalent refraction within±1. 00D was achieved in 62. 1%of eyes in group I and 57. 1% in group II after 1a. The central vault of the ICL ( distance from posterior surface of ICL to the crystalline lens ) measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography ( AS-OCT ) was 0. 35-0. 54 (0. 40±0. 16) mm. Twelve point one percent of eyes in group I and 7. 1% of eyes in group II had transient mild increase in IOP. Here were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative ECD (P<0. 001 ). Complications of surgery: 1 eye had ICL spontaneous rotation, 2 eyes had anterior subcapsular cataract, 4 eyes noticed halos around lights at night in group I. Three eyes had posterior capsule mild opacification, 3 eyes noticed halos around lights at night, 12 eyes had difficulty in near vision in group II.
CONCLUSION: ICL implantation and clear lens extraction are effective, safe and predictable surgical option for the management of high myopia. No severe complications occurred, but its long time effect and safety still need more time to prove.

Objective To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of skin diseases in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods Clinical out patient records for both elderly and non-elderly individuals with T2DM were collected from the dermatology department of Beijing Hospital.Statistical comparisons were performed between the elderly group and the non-elderly group on the prevalence of common skin complications and disease characteristics.Analysis was performed in the elderly group to identify any association of common skin disorders with gender,age,duration of T2DM,or level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).Results Among 679 elderly T2DM cases,pruritus was the most common complication (26.1％),followed by eczema (21.t ％) and tinea pedis/onychomycosis (18.3％).Pruritus was more prevalent in the elderly group (177 cases,26.1％) compared to the non-elderly group (34 cases,9.8％) (x2 =6.006,P＜0.01).On the other hand,tinea pedis/onychomycosis was less prevalent in the senior group (124 cases,18.3 ％) than in the non-senior group (112 cases,32.2 ％) (x2 =37.437,P＜0.01).In the senior group,pruritus was more prevalent among male patients (105 out of 358 cases,29.3％) than among female patients(72 out of 321 cases,22.4％) (x2 =4.181,P =0.041).On average,patients with eczema were older[(72.3 ± 2.2)years] and had a longer history of T2DM [(8.3 ± 0.3)years] compared with patients without eczema[age:(65.2±1.9)years,history of T2DM:(5.2±0.1)years] (t=1.250,P=0.023 for age;t=1.680,P=0.033 for disease duration).Patients with tinea pedis/onychomycosis had higher HbA1c levels (6.7 ± 0.4) ％ than patients without tinea pedis/onychomycosis (6.1 ± 0.3) ％ (t =0.790,P＜0.01).Conclusions Pruritus is the most common skin complication in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and is more common in elderly patients and male patients.Risk factors for developing eczema in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes may include older age and long disease duration.High levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes indicates increased risk for foot fungi infections.