Objective To explore the effect of open storage and peeling on the fluorine content of dried com in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and treatment of coal-combustion fluorosis. Methods In October 2006, 34 samples of freshly dried and 3-month old dried com were sampled in Zhenxiong county, Zhaotong city, Yunnan province. Fluorine content in corn was determined by combustion-hydrolysis-ion selective electrode method. Results The average fluorine content of freshly dried corn by coal-combustion was (4.29 ±1.87)mg/kg,and increased to (6.64±2.64)mg/kg after they had been openly stored for three months and the average content increased by 54.74%. But if corn was peeled off, their fluorine content decreased to (5.03±2.04)mg/kg at a rate of 24.25%. The amount of fluorine absorbed by the skin of corn was more than other parts of com during corn desiccation. Conclusions The inhabitants in coal-combustion fluorosis areas ingest less fluorine through dry com if they eat the peeled corn and take measures to keep it airtight and moisture-proof during storage thus reducing the harm of coal-combustion fluorosis.

Objective To evaluate the efifcacy and safety of hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) under the guidance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for treating splenic trauma in canine model. Methods A total of 24 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy with creation of uniformly blunt splenic trauma lesion of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm×2.5 cm (length, width and depth, respectively) by hemostatic clamp. Subjects were prospectively randomized into two groups. The treatment group was treated with HIGM under the guidance of CEUS and the positive control group received thrombin solution. Conventional ultrasound and CEUS were performed to record the ascites and the splenic lesion areas at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day. The ifne needle biopsy and splenectomy were performed for histopathologic examination. The weight, free intraperitoneal lfuid and injury site were compared with t test between HIGM and postive group. Results All animals in two groups survived. All dogs stopped hemorrhage after injection of HIGM under CEUS guidance. The area of injury site was (12.91±0.89) cm2, (4.45±0.75) cm2 and (1.38±0.23) cm2 at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and splenic lesions were not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The splenic lesion was (16.74±0.91) cm2, (11.26±0.99) cm2, (8.02±0.82) cm2 and (1.58±0.36) cm2 in the postive group at 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day and splenic lesions were not found at 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 7th and 14th day post-injection, lesion areas were statistically significant between two groups (t=27.162, P=0.008;t=15.129, P=0.001). Free intraperitoneal lfuid was (0.91±0.05) cm at 1st day detected by conventional ultrasound and free intraperitoneal fluid was not found at 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12) of HIGM group. The free intraperitoneal fluid in thepositive group was (1.96±0.17) cm, (1.30±0.11) cm and (0.81±0.12) cm at 1st, 3rd and 7th day and free intraperitoneal lfuid was not found at 14th and 21st day in all dogs (n=12). At 1st, 3rd and 7th day post-injection, free intraperatitoneal lfuid was statistically significant between two groups (t=20.934, P=0.003; t=41.310, P=0.000; t=22.520, P=0.000). Histopathological examination showed that there was no foreign body and foreign body granuloma and the structure of red pulp was recovered at 7th, 14th and 21st day. Gross anatomy showed that the splenic injury site was recovered completely without complications. Conclusion This study explored the value of HIGM for splenic trauma and provided a preliminary experimental evidence for clinical treatment.

This study is to establish the HPLC fingerprint and determine eight components of Callicarpa nudiflora, and provide a scientific basis for the identification and quality control. The Waters sunfire C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm) was used and the detection wavelength was 330 nm . The column temperature was 30 °C. The mobile phases were acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% formic acid (B) eluting in a gradient program at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation system for tradition Chinese medicine(2012) was used for analysis. C. nudiflora from different samples were of high similarity in fingerprint and the separation of ten components was good. There was an obvious difference between other samples and C. nudiflora leaves. In quantitative analysis, the ten components showed good regression(R2 > 0 999 0) with linear ranges, and their recoveries were in the range of 96.0%-105.0%. The established qualitative and quantitative methods are highly specific, simple and accurate, which can be used for the identification and quality control of C. nudiflora.
Callicarpa ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Abstract: Viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 is a continuous dynamic process, which can be divided into latent stage, initial stage, peak stage and decreasing stage according to the characteristics of viral shedding. After being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the infected person generally stays in the latent period for 1-3 days, which is characterized by continuous negative nucleic acid test results and no infectiousness, and the risk of infection for close contacts is very low. At the initial stage of viral shedding is characterized by a rapid decline in the Ct value of nucleic acid tests in a short time, and clinical symptoms gradually appear. The infectiousness of the infected person gradually increases during this period, and the risk of infection for close contacts also gradually increases, but it is still in the early stage of infection, the possibility of viral shedding is low, and the risk of infection of secondary close contacts is low. The peak of viral shedding is characterized by low Ct value in nucleic acid test and obvious clinical symptoms; during this period, the infected person is the most infectious, and the risk of infection of the contact is the highest, so the scope of close contacts should be expanded appropriately. The decreasing period is characterized by the gradual increase of Ct value of nucleic acid test and the gradual disappearance of clinical symptoms; during this period, the infectiousness of the infected person gradually decreases to disappear. In an outbreak, an infected person in the decreasing phase is more likely to be an early infected person in the transmission chain. If infected individuals in the decreasing phase are found in an area without a SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, it suggests that the local outbreak epidemic has been spreading for some time and may be larger in scale. According to the characteristics of viral shedding, risk personnel can be determined more scientifically and accurately, so as to minimize the risk and reduce the waste of epidemic prevention resources.

Objective Study on the epidemiological characteristiCS of poliomyelitis virus in Yunnan, from 2003 to 2007.Methods Surveillance data of acute flaccid paralysis(AFP) cases from year 2003 to 2007 was gathered.All the stool specimens were identified to contain polio virus.Results 1171 AFP cases were reported.Out of the total number of 1138 stool specimens from 2003 to 2007,57 cases showed polio virus(5.0%),159 showed NPEV(14.0%),922 cases showed virus negative.In those virus,polio type II took the lead(31.6%).57 AFP cases appeared in 37(28.7%) counties in Yunnan.Most of the cases were under 2 years of age.29 cases had taken more than 3 OFV (oral poliovaccine) dosages and 41 cases had fever before paralysis occurred.Most of the cases appeared paralysis on single lower limb,but 26 cases leaving deformity.Significant difference was found between the two groups:having received vaccination more than 3 OPV dosages or less than 3 dosages.Conclusion High quality AFP epidemiological and labomtory surveillance program,together with OPV routine and supplemental immunization strategy to cover the poorly immunized area/population appeared to be most effective.

Objective Changes in relevant indexes in the mouse model of early-onset ovarian insufficiency caused by Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside were analyzed,and the optimal time point for intervention was determined.Methods Forty female ICR mice were randomly divided into control and A,B,C,and D model groups with eight mice in each group.The control group was gavaged with purified water for 14 days(0.01 mL/10 g),and the remaining groups were administered a Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside suspension(80 mg/kg,0.01 mL/10 g)for 1 day(A model group),3 days(B model group),7 days(C model group),or 14 days(D model group),and samples were collected.Body weight and wet weights of the uterus and bilateral ovaries of mice were determined in each group.Serum FSH,LH,E2,P,AMH,INH-B,and T contents were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays.HE staining was used to observe the number and developmental status of follicles and corpus luteum at all levels in mice of each group.TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis in the ovaries of mice in each group.IHC detected expression of VEGFA,CD34,and EPO proteins in the ovaries of mice in each group.mRNA expression of HIF-1α,SDF-1,and CXCR4 in each group of mice was detected by PCR.Results Compared with the control group,changes in indicators in model A mice did not meet the POI modeling standard.The ovarian index,uterine index,and body weight of mice in the B model group were decreased significantly(P＜0.01),the weight of the C model group was decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and the ovarian index of the D model group was decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Serum contents of FSH and LH in B,C,and D model groups were increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),the E2,PROG,AMH,INH-B,and T contents were decreased(P＜0.01).The numbers of basal follicles,pre-sinus follicles,sinusoidal follicles,antral follicles,preovulatory follicles,and corpus luteum were decreased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and the number of atresia follicles was increased significantly(P＜0.01)in B,C,and D model groups.The apoptotic area of TUNEL staining in A,B,C,and D model groups was increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Expression of CD34,VEGFA,and EPO in B,C,and D model groups was decreased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).mRNA expression of HIF-1α,SDF-1,and CXCR4 in A and B model groups was significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the B model group,the relevant indexes of C and D model groups were changed significantly,indicating that C and D models were more serious and tended to develop POF.Conclusions The B model group is the turning point of ovarian function from impaired POI to irreversible POF,suggesting that 3 days of administrating Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside is optimal to induce a POI disease model for effective drug intervention.

italic>Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) is a Chinese herbal medicine in China. The main active components are volatile oils, flavonoids, and other compounds, which have various pharmacological activities. Methoxylated flavonoids are the main active ingredients in A. argyi. Flavonoid O-methyltransferase (FOMT) is a key enzyme in the O-methylation of flavonoids. In order to further understand the function and characteristics of FOMT proteins, this paper carried out the whole genome mining and identification of FOMT genes in A. argyi and performed phylogenetic, chromosomal localization, gene sequence characterization, subcellular localization prediction, protein structure, gene structure analysis, and expression pattern analysis. The results showed that a total of 83 FOMT genes were identified in the genome of A. argyi. The phylogenetic tree shows that FOMT genes are divided into two subgroups, CCoAOMT (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase) subfamily (32 genes) and COMT (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase) subfamily (51 genes). Gene sequence analysis showed that the number of amino acids encoded by FOMT was 70-734 aa, the molecular weight was 25 296.55-34 241.3 Da, and the isoelectric point was 4.51-9.99. Compared with 32 members of the CCoAOMT subfamily, nearly 1/3 of the 51 members of the COMT subfamily were hydrophobic proteins and 2/3 were hydrophilic proteins. Subcellular localization prediction showed that more than 80% of CCoAOMT subfamily members were located in the cytoplasm, and 96% of COMT subfamily members were located in the chloroplast. COMT subfamily members have more motifs than CCoAOMT subfamily members. The N-terminal motifs of COMT subfamily proteins are relatively variable, while the C-terminal motifs are relatively conserved. Expression pattern analysis showed that CCoAOMT subfamily members were mainly expressed in roots, while COMT members were mainly expressed in leaves. Some FOMTs showed the tissue expression specificity by real-time quantitative PCR analysis, especially in leaves. In this study, we identified and analyzed the FOMT gene family in A. argyi, and provided a theoretical basis for further research on the function of FOMTs and the biosynthesis of methylated flavonoids in A. argyi.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced angiogenesis and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in rats.

METHODSAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 24 rats each. ICH was induced in 3 groups by stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII into the right globus pallidus; of these, one group was not further treated, the second group underwent Zusanli (ST36)-acupuncture, and the third group underwent non-acupoint acupuncture. The fourth group underwent sham operations. Acupuncture was performed by stimulation with electrical needles at frequencies of 2-20 Hz for 30 min per day. Angiogenesis on days 3, 7 and 14 was assessed by double immunolabeling, and expression of HIF-1α was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

RESULTS5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled nuclei in cerebral endothelial cells (ECs) resided around the hematoma and the labeling peaked from 7 to 14 days (P<0.01). HIF-1α positive microvessels with a dilated outline were detected in perihematomal tissues after ICH, with the vessels extending into the clot from the surrounding area beginning on day 7. Following ICH, HIF-1α protein levels increased (P<0.05), but HIF-1α mRNA levels did not change. Electro-acupuncture at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint increased BrdU-labeled nuclei in cerebral ECs (P<0.05) and up-regulated the expression of HIF-1α protein (P<0.05), but had little effect on the spatial distribution of HIF-1α or on HIF-1α mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONSElectro-acupuncture treatment at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint may accelerate ICH-induced angiogenesis by up-regulating HIF-1α protein, and may enhance recovery following hemorrhagic cerebral injury.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; genetics ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo compare sonoporation effect of two phospholipids-based vectors-liposomes and microbubbles on cultured cell membrane.

METHODSA breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 was exposed to ultrasound alone, 2% or 5% liposome + ultrasound and 2% or 5% microbubble + ultrasound, separately. Immediately after the experiment and 24 h after ultrasound exposure, atomic-force microscopy (AFM) scanning was used to observe the membrane change of SK-BR-3 cells.

RESULTSAfter ultrasound exposure, normal SK-BR-3 cells more or less lost their natural shape, showing elliptic outline with obtuse curved boundary. In groups added with phospholipids-based microbubbles, more obtuse curved boundary of cells was observed. The membrane pores of SK-BR-3 cells had apparent changes after ultrasound exposure. With AFM technique, membrane pores under ultrasound alone or ultrasound with liposomes conditions were enlarged, the diameter of some pores exceeding 1 microm. But all the membrane pores in these conditions returned to normal appearance after 24 hours. In ultrasound with 2% microbubble condition, most membrane pores were about 1 - 3 microm in size and returned to normal appearance after 24 h. In ultrasound with 5% microbubble condition, however, pores of most cell membrane porosity was about 2 - 4 pm and did not totally return to normal appearance after 24 h.

CONCLUSIONAt 2% concentration, phospholipids-based microbubble could enhance ultrasonic sonoporation effect and produce reparable membrane pores on SK-BR-3 cells, which appeared to be a promising vehicle for drug and gene delivery.

Cell Membrane Permeability ; Drug Carriers ; Liposomes ; Microbubbles ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Sonication ; instrumentation ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of homemade hemostatics of injected gelatin matrix (HIGM) for immediately treating blunt hepatic trauma in canine model without additional pressure.

METHODSA total of 27 commercial hybrid dogs underwent celiotomy to establish hepatic trauma model after general anesthesia. The dogs were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: the treatment group (n=9, with the direct application of homemade hemostat), the positive control group (n=9, with thrombin solution), and the negative control group (n=9, with 0.9% normal saline). Time to hemostasis and intra-abdominal blood loss were recorded, and heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and hematological parameters were compared among these three groups. Gross examinations were performed 30 minutes after surgery.

RESULTSSignificantly shorter time to hemostasis [(1.20±0.33) min] and less blood loss [(47.22±8.61) ml] were observed in the treatment group than in control groups (P 0.05). No cases of bleeding occurred in any animals in the treatment group, and no signs of infection and adhesion formation were evident due to exposure to HIGM. Two cases in the positive control group (22.22%) were found to have rebleeding. All animals in the negative control group experienced visible bleeding.

CONCLUSIONHIGM is effective for controlling bleeding after hepatic trauma without the additional compression, and therefore may be valuable in field surgery.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Gelatin ; administration & dosage ; Hemostatics ; administration & dosage ; Injections ; Liver ; injuries