OBJECTIVETo study the identification method of Syngnathus and its adulterants.

METHODRandom amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to construct a dendrogram by UPGMA method based on Nei & Li's coefficient and a genetic affinity pattern for Syngnathus acus, Solenognathus hardwickii, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, Trachyrhamphus serratus, Halicampus koilomatodon, Microphis boaja.

RESULTFour primers, LJ04, LJ09, LJ16 and LJ19, from 18 random primers were used in the dendrogram which can differentiate Syngnathus in genus level and showed a great consistence with the appearance identification. The genetic affinity pattern based on primers LJ09 and LJ19 could be used to identify Syngnathus from its adulterants.

CONCLUSIONRAPD is suitable to identify Syngnathus and its adulterants.

Animals ; China ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Smegmamorpha ; classification ; genetics

Objective: To investigate the analgesic substances in the aerial part of Urtica fissa (Urticae Fissae Herba), commonly used for rheumatoid and rheumatism arthritis. Methods: The analgesic constituents were isolated with the active guidance of hot plate and acetic acid writhing models, and identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. Results: Thirteen alkaloids (1–13), two lignans (14, 15), and three amides (16–18) were isolated from the active fractions. Among them, compound 1 was a new alkaloid, and compound 6 was a new natural product. The activity evaluation in vivo indicated that various pyrrole alkaloids (1, 3, 6, and 12) possessed significant analgesic activities, they could significantly inhibit the mice pain response induced by acetic acid and hot plate at the dosage of 2 mg/kg BW. Conclusion: The study revealed that the pyrrole alkaloids played important roles in the analgesic activities of Urticae Fissae Herba.

Objective To explore the effect of behavior training on abilities of learning and memory in young SD rats received low doses of X-ray and their relevant mechanism.Methods A total of 48 SD rats aged 35 d were randomly divided into irradiated group,training group and control group (n=16);rats in the irradiated group and training group received X-ray once daily for seven d;rats in the training group also received behavior training.Abilities of learning and memory were detected by Morris water maze test;changes of N-acetyl aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) in the hippocampus were observed;the protein expression levels of cytochrome c oxidase Ⅳ (COXⅣ) in hippocampal regions were observed by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting.Morphology of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by HE staining,and mitochondrial morphology was observed via transmission electron microscopy.Results (1) As compared with that incontrol group (1.873±0.032),the ratio of NAA/Cr in the irradiated group (1.611±0.013) was significantly decreased,while that in the training group (1.870± 0.018) was significantly higher than that in the irradiated group (P＜0.05).(2) The escape latency,times crossing the platform and duration of staying in the platform in rats of the irradiated group were significantly longer/fewer than those in the control group,while no significant differences were noted between the training group and control group (P＞0.05).(3) Immunofluorescence indicated decreased COXⅣ protein expression in the CA1 area of irradiated group and increased COXⅣ protein expression in the CA1 area of training group;Western blotting showed that the COXⅣ protein expression in the hippocampal regions of irradiated group (0.298±0.049) was significantly decreased as compared with that in the control group (0.998±0.056,P＜0.05),while no significant differences were noted between the training group (0.987±0.053) and control group (P＞0.05).(4) Karyopyknosis and more damaged mitochondria were found in the irradiated group,while more normal neurons were observed in hippocampal CA1 area of the control and training groups by HE staining.Conclusion Learning and memory abilities of SD rats received low doses of X-ray could be recovered by behavior training,which could be related to the increment of COXⅣ protein expression and mitochondria improvement by behavior training,and neuron damage in the hippocampus would be reversible in an extent.

Schizophrenia is a chronic devastating psychiatric disorder,which severely damages pub-lic mental health. The pathophysiological mechanism of schizophrenia is complex and the etiology of schizo-phrenia is still unclear. Epidemiological study,twins study and family study show that genetic factors play a substantial part in the process of schizophrenia. Previous research indicates that there is a close association between microRNA-137 and schizophrenia,and that the ablation of microRNA-137 significantly affects clini-cal symptoms and prognosis of patients with schizophrenia. So it highlights the relationship between microR-NA-137 and schizophrenia,which reveals its special role in the etiological mechanism of schizophrenia,and may provides new perspective about the treatment of patients in schizophrenia.

Humans ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Pain Management ; Psychotic Disorders/therapy* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Treatment Outcome ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation