Adult ; Aged ; Altitude ; Echocardiography, Stress ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND:The reported time of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s induced to differentiate into chondrocytes is different. Few studies have observed and compared the cel s’ dynamic transformation during the induction process.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the dynamic differentiation and the mature time of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s which were directional y induced to chondroblasts for 8, 11, 14, 17, 20 days.
METHODS:Bone marrow was aspirated from the femur of New Zeal rabbits, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were isolated by gradient centrifugation. After cultivation and amplification, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s at passage 3 were directional y induced to chondrocytes by the serum-free medium containing transforming growth factor beta-1. The experiments were divided into five groups according to different induction time points:8 days, 11 days, 14 days, 17 days, 20 days. Then cel ular morphology, toluidine blue staining, typeⅡ col agen immunohistochemistry, aggrecan content in induction medium, and chondrogenic differentiation in each group were observed and compared.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s had apparently transformed in morphology at 8 days of induction, and presented obvious chondrocytes’ morphology at 14 days. The aggrecan in induction medium could be detected at a low level at 4 days, significantly increased at 8 days, and maintained slow increasing at 20 days. At 14 days, the metachromatic particles could be found by toluidine blue staining, and the col agen type Ⅱimmunohistochemistry was significantly positive in cel climbing slice. Experimental findings indicate that, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s that are monolayer cultured in a high density can be induced into chondroblasts at the effect of transforming growth factor beta-1 and other factors. There are a few chondroblasts in the early induction process, then cel s begin to have chondrocytes morphology and function after induced for 8 days, and may differentiate to mature chondrocytes at 14 days. In addition, they can keep a high biological activity in the induction process.

Objective To explore diagnostic value of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation ( ALFF) on cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) .Methods Sixteen ALS patients from neurological clinic in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled between November 2013 and April 2015.The patients were divided into two groups by the presence (ALSi, n=7) or absence (ALSu, n=9) of cognitive impairment. Routine MRI structural images and resting-state functional MRI were collected for comparison between groups through voxel-based morphometry ( VBM ) and ALFF.Results ( 1 ) Neuropsychological analysis showed significant differences in Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (22.9 ±2.0 vs 25.8 ±2.3, t=2.622, P=0.020), Frontal Assessment Battery score (12.4 ±1.6 vs 15.1 ±1.4, t=3.600, P=0.003), animal listing test (13.6 ±1.8 vs 16.7 ±2.9, t=2.482, P=0.026), naming test (2(1) vs 0(1), Z=-2.746, P=0.006), similarity test (7.9 ±3.7 vs 17.3 ±2.8, t=5.846, P=0.000) and clock drawing test (2(2) vs 3(0), Z=2.516, P=0.012).(2) VBM analysis showed no significant differences in both gray matter and white matter density between the two groups .(3) ALFF analysis showed significantly increased signals in widespread areas of bilateral cerebrum and cerebellum in ALSi group compared to ALSu group . Conclusion ALFF value has the potential to provide more valuable imaging basis for early diagnosis on cognitive impairment in ALS.

The specification of decoction pieces and quality uniformity are the important factors to influence the efficacy of clinical medicine. Considering the deficiency of diversity, poor quality uniformity and confusion of decoction pieces specifications, we first propose a new idea of precision decoction pieces (PDP) based on clinical demands and fresh-processed technology. In order to explain the idea, a study case of aconite SUP is provided, including the optimized specification design, processing technology, extraction effects, quality uniformity, and toxic and efficacy variation and so on. The results showed that preparing 5 mm PDP by fresh-cutting is rather simple and practicable, with high efficiency and large yield; then, this technology could significantly decrease the ingredients loss and increase the efficacy components; moreover, it was helpful for achieving the quality uniformity and best extraction effects. This work revealed the quality superiority of PDP, and provided a good strategy and example for the standard of decoction pieces specification and modernization of processing technology.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Particle Size ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Quality Control

To explore the relationship between microecological environment and Paeonia lactiflora the effects of growth years of P. lactillora on rhizosphere bacterial communities were studied by PCR-DGGE and the paeoniflorin content determined by HPLC. Results showed that the soil pH increased with growing years of P. lactillora. In the fourth year, soil pH and enzyme activity reached the highest level, while organic matter content was the lowest. The bacterial diversity had a positive correlation with growing years varied from 3.38 to 3.61. Sequencing results demonstrated that Gammaproteobacteria, llphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacte- ria and Firmicutes were predominant bacteria kinds in the soil of P. lactillora. Gammaproteobacteria was only detected in the bulk soil, while llphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria G1l, Actinobacteria were only in the rhizosphere soil and the bacterial community among different growing years were similar except few species. HLPC results showed that paeoniflorin content was 3.26%, 3.30%, 3.36%, 3.41% separately from one to four-year-old P. lactiflora with an upward trend. The correlation analysis indicated that the paeoniflorin content had a positive correlation with soil pH and bacterial diversity, conversely, had a negative correlation with organic matter con- tent. During the growth years the rhizosphere bacterial diversity increased without changes of predominant bacteria and the paeoniflorin content increased without significant differences while its production increased significantly, which was different from the plants showing replanting diseases. This is in line with the farming practice choosing 4-year-old P. lactllora, but not the 1-3 year old one. In addition, the accumulation of paeoniflorin is closely related to soil pH, organic matter content and bacteria diversity, confirming that the geoherblism of P. lactiflora is closely related with microbial environment in the soil.
Bacteria ; classification ; Biodiversity ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Monoterpenes ; metabolism ; Paeonia ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Rhizosphere ; Soil ; Soil Microbiology ; Temperature

To reveal the effect of rotation cropping and bacterial manure on the growth of Chrysanthemum morifolium and screen the beneficial endophytic, the diversity of endophytic and dominant genera of different treatment groups were analyzed. Four different treatments were continuous cropping, rotation, self-made organic fertilizer and commercially available fertilizer, respectively. Endophytic bacterial diversity and dominant genera in different organs were examined using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP). The results showed that enzyme Hae III was more appropriate than enzyme Hinfl because the number of TRFs digested by enzyme Hae III was more than that of enzyme Hinfl. In comparison of diversity, the endophytic bacterial communities' diversity index in group of cropping rotation and fertilizer was higher than that of continuous cropping which indicated that the addition of exogenous microorganism in soil could increase the diversity of plant endophyte. 18 dominant species were selected, including 3 kinds of Firmicutes, 4 kinds of Actinomycetes and 11 kinds of Proteobacteria. The results of dominant species comparison showed that the number of dominant species in continuous cropping of Ch. morifolium was significantly less than that of the rotation group. Some dominant bacteria in rotation group and fertilizer group such as Arthrobacter, Streptomyces, Streptomyces, Flavobacterium and Mycobacterium were not found in the continuous cropping of Ch. mortfolium group. Dominant species of fertilizer treatment group was similar with the rotation group, and the continuous cropping group's dominant species was more abundant. It indicates that these bacteria may be able to mitigate hindrance in continuous cropping, especially the Flavobacterium which can decompose the pathogenic fungi is worthy of further attention. Compared with leaves, there are more dominant species in roots and stems. The diversity of edophytic bacterial communities in continuous cropping of Ch. morifolium stays below than that in the rotation of Ch. morifolium, and fertilizer treatment can increase the diversity of continuous cropping so that it could mitigate hindrance in continuous cropping.
Actinobacteria ; physiology ; Agriculture ; Biodiversity ; Chrysanthemum ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; Endophytes ; Fertilizers ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Proteobacteria ; physiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; chemistry ; genetics ; Soil ; Soil Microbiology

To explore the mechanism of soil microbial ecology, the differences of fungal diversities in rhizosphere of different provenances of Fritillaria thunbergii were analyzed. The diversities and compositions of rhizo-fungi of the samples were analyzed by using DGGE and 454 pyrosequencing. DGGE results showed the Shannon index of Ninbo provenance planted in Ninbo was the highest one. And its dominant fungi were Ascomycota, Deuteromycota and Zygomycota. Except the same fungi, every provenance planted in Ninbo had its own special ones. From the 454 pyrosequencing, the fungal diversity in Panan producing was the highest which was similar with DGGE result. Among the ten phylum detected in its rhizosoil, Fungi_incertae_sedis, Ascomycota, Mucoromycotina, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota almost amounted to 90% of the whole community. The fungal types and amounts in Panan were more than those in Ninbo indicating the differences between producing areas and the advantage of macro genome sequencing. There were 10 phyla, 29 families, 28 genus and 159 species of fungi in Panan provenance, 6 phyla, 20 families, 19 genus, 136 species in Ninbo provenance, 8 phyla, 37 families, 47 genus, 289 species in Nantong provenance and 7 phyla, 25 families, 24 genus, 102 species in the bulk soil. Some genus such as Dothidea, Capnobotryella and Conidiobolus were only existed in Nantong provenance, while Pyrenochae- ta, Glomus and Pseudonectria were only in Panan provenance, which implied these species could grew because F. thunbergii influenced the existence of fungi. Experiments of provenance and producing area of F. thunbergii showed that the fungal diversity of indigenous provenance was higher than that of exotic provenance and each provenance had unique fungal species in the rhizosphere, which indicated that the diversity and structure was shaped cooperatively by the species and soil type. These fungal species are interacted with the soil-rhizhosphere-microbe microecological system, which in turn influence the growth of F. thunbergii.
Ecosystem ; Fritillaria ; genetics ; microbiology ; Fungi ; genetics ; Rhizosphere ; Soil ; Soil Microbiology ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of xiaomi granules (XMG) for treatment of HIV/AIDS oral candidiasis.

METHODSForty patients in the treated group were treated by XMG and 40 patients in the control group were treated with anticandine. The therapeutic course for both groups was two weeks. Changes of clinical symptoms, oral candida microscopic examination and cultured before and after treatment as well as the safety of treatment were observed, and a follow-up study was implemented two weeks after ending medication to compare the relapse rate between groups.

RESULTSSymptoms as oral greasy-sticky, thirsty, asthenia, abdominal distension and anorexia were improved after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05). The improvements of oral greasy-sticky and thirsty in the treated group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The effective rate and relapse rate in the treated group was 90.0% (36/40) and 11.1% (4/36) respectively, while in the control group, 72. 5% (29/40) and 31.0% (9/29) respectively.

CONCLUSIONXMG could improve the clinical symptoms with high efficacy and low relapse rate, shows a better effect than that of anticandine in treating HIV/AIDS oral candidiasis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections ; drug therapy ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; microbiology ; Adult ; Candidiasis, Oral ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of eonnexin 43 (Cx43) and clinicopathologieal characteristics of gastric cancer, and to study the role of Cx43 in peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. Methods Thirty-two patients who had gastric cancer and with peritoneal metastasis had been admitted to Southwest Hospital from January 2000 to December 2008. Gastric cancer tissues, adjacent tissues and metastatic peritoneal tissues were obtained postoperatively, and the expression of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between Cx43 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer was analyzed. All data were analyzed via Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Fisher exact probability and chi-square test. Results The expression of Cx43 was mainly detected in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. The positive expres-sion rates of Cx43 in gastric cancer tissues, adjacent tissues and metastatic peritoneal tissues were 34% (11/32), 100% (32/32) and 94% (30/32), respectively. There were significant differences in the Cx43 expression between gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues (X~2=28.350, P < 0.01), and between gastric cancer tissues and metastatic peritoneal tissues (X~2 = 21.989, P < 0.01). The expression of Cx43 did not correlate with age and sex of patients (r = -0.030, - 0.169, P > 0.05), but with tumor differentiation, histological type and lymph node metastasis (r = 0.750, 0.642, - 0.357, P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a decreased expression of Cx43 in gastric cancer tissues and a up-regulated expression of Cx43 in metastatic peritoneal tissues. Cx43 may play a positive role in the peritoneal metastasis.

BACKGROUND:More and more evidence suggests that macrophages and inflammation reactions are involved in the formation and development of nephrolithiasis. Previous studies have found that calculi crystals can stimulate macrophages to release high mobility group protein B1.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the synergistic effect of high mobility group protein B1 in calcium phosphate induced release of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 from human macrophages.
METHODS:(1) The induced U937 cells were respectively stimulated with RPMI (blank), 100 mg/L calcium phosphate, 100μg/L high mobility group protein B1 and 100 mg/L calcium phosphate+100μg/L high mobility group protein B1 for 1, 2 and 4 hours to col ect cellsupernatant. (2) The induced U937 cells were respectively stimulated with 100 mg/L calcium phosphate, 100 mg/L calcium phosphate+10μg/L high mobility group protein B1, 100 mg/L calcium phosphate+50μg/L high mobility group protein B1, 100 mg/L calcium phosphate+100μg/L high mobility group protein B1 for 4 hours to col ect cellsupernatant. Levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 were determined by ELISA.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 in the cellculture supernatant of 100 mg/L calcium phosphate group and 100μg/L high mobility group protein B1 group were both higher than those in the blank group in a time-dependent manner (P<0.05). The levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 in the cellculture supernatant of different concentrations of high mobility group protein B1 groups were al higher than those in the 100 mg/L calcium phosphate group in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The results suggest that both calcium phosphate and high mobility group protein B1 can induce the release of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 from human macrophages and the high mobility group protein B1 has the synergistic effect with calcium phosphate to induce interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factorαand monocyte chemotactic factor 1 from human macrophages.