Objective The best combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and application amount of fertilizer were studied to provide technical support and theoretical basis for rational fertilization in the production of Chuanmingshen violaceum. Methods The effects of N, P and K application on yield and main effective components of C. violaceum were studied by L9(34) orthogonal experiment design. Results Reasonable N, P, and K application could significantly increase the yield of C. violaceum, and was beneficial to the accumulation of total polysaccharides and the content of imperatorin. Among them, the yield of 75.22 kg/hm2 under the combination of N2P1K2 was the highest, the increase rate was 60.67%, the total polysaccharide content was 25.46%, and the content of imperatorin was 0.489 mg/g. The yield of 44.82 kg/hm under the combination of N3P2K2 was the lowest, the total polysaccharide content was 2.40%, and the content of imperatorin was 0.379 mg/g. The effects sequence of N, P, and K fertilizers on the yield of C. violaceum were N > P > K. The nitrogen fertilizer had the most obvious effect on the yield of C. violaceum, followed by phosphate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer had the worst effect. Conclusion Under the conditions of this experiment, the best combination of fertilization was N2P1K2 or N2P3K1. The optimum amount of fertilization of N, P2O5, and K2O were 1.08, 0.73, and 0.83 kg/hm2, respectively; or 1.08, 1.10, and 0.50 kg/hm2, respectively.

Objective: To comprehensively compare and evaluate the yield and quality of Chuanmingshen violaceum and provide a basis for breeding and high-yield cultivation. Methods: The principal component analysis of eight main agronomic characters and two quality characters from 25 cultivated populations of C. violaceum came from different origins in Sichuan Province were analyzed, and the comprehensive evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. Results: The results showed that fresh and dry weight of stem and leaf, fresh and dry weight of root and polysaccharide content had greater coefficients of variation among species, while plant height, length, and diameter of taproot had smaller coefficients of variation. Principal component analysis showed that the 10 main traits might be represented by four principal components, and the cumulative contribution rate was 87.304%, and induced that high yield factor, quality factor, plant type factor, and plant height factor respectively. The comprehensive score of sample 1 was the highest, which was the low-height, high-yield, and good-quality material, and the comprehensive score of sample 13 was the lowest, which was the high-height and high-quality and low-yield material. The test materials could be divided into five types by cluster analysis, namely, long-term and high-yield and high-quality material, heavy-root and poor-quality material, low-yield and poor-quality material, high-height and low-yield and good-quality material, and dwarf and high-yield and good-quality material. Conclusion: The comprehensive evaluation method is reliable by the principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The resource of C. violaceum in Sichuan is rich. We can choose some high quality resources among them to provide the basis for the selection of new varieties of Sichuan Province.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of transfected microRNA-146a (miR-146a) on mice with sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in vivo.Methods Twenty-four healthy male BALB/C mice were randomly divided into sham group, sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group, eachn = 6. Mice in transfection group were given miR-146a agomir loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM via airway before reproduction of model, and mice in transfection control group were given negative control loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM only via airway. The septic model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) 12 hours after transfection , and the mice in the sham group underwent laparotomy and closure only without ligation and puncture of the cecum. The mice of each group were sacrificed at 24 hours post-operation. The expression of miR-146a in lung tissue was determined by real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the quantity of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The wet/dry ratio of lung (W/D) was determined. The pathohistological changes in the lung were observed and scored. Results The expression of miR-146a showed a significant increase in sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group, which were (3.56±0.43), (27.64±3.46) and (3.72±0.54) folds of that in sham group, respectively (P< 0.05 orP< 0.01). The miR-146a expression in transfection group was significantly increased compared with sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01), but no statistical difference in the expression was found between sepsis group and transfection control group (P> 0.05). Compared with the sham group, higher level of TNF-αin the BALF was found in the sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group (ng/L: 511.65±43.47, 305.74±34.76, 492.27±42.21 vs. 50.72±7.23, allP< 0.01). The level of TNF-α in transfection group was significantly lower than that in sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01). Compared with the sham group, the W/D ratio of lung in sepsis group, transfection group and transfection control group showed a significant increase (6.11±0.32, 5.02±0.29, 6.05±0.43 vs. 4.18±0.10, allP< 0.01). The W/D ratio of lung in transfection group was significantly lower than that of sepsis group and transfection control group (bothP< 0.01). The lung injury score of transfection group was significantly lower than that of sepsis group and transfection control group (6.12±0.75 vs. 10.53±1.52, 9.73±1.08, bothP< 0.01).Conclusions miR-146a agomir loaded by in vivo-jetPEITM instillation into airway was able to increase the expression of miR-146a in the lung tissue of septic mice. Up-regulation of miR-146a inhibit the release of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α stimulated by sepsis, and alleviate inflammatory reaction and lung tissue injury in mice with sepsis-induced ALI.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammatory model of rat alveolar macrophages, and to observe the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (Phy) on the anti-inflammatory effect of ACh.Methods The rat alveolar macrophages NR8383 were cultured in vitro, which were divided into five groups: blank control group, LPS group (stimulated with 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours), LPS+ ACh group (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100μmol/L of ACh were added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation), LPS+ Phy group (1 mmol/L Phy was added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation), and LPS+ ACh+ Phy group (1 mmol/L Phy and 10μmol/L ACh were added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation). The supernatants were collected in each group, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β, and IL-6). The activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE ) in the supernatant was also determined.Results① The contents of TNF-α (ng/L: 605.09±57.13 vs. 34.07±8.62), IL-1β (ng/L: 377.09±28.55 vs. 32.33±10.62) and IL-6 (ng/L: 558.04±77.45 vs. 42.62±11.21) in the LPS group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (allP< 0.05). These results indicated that the inflammatory model of rat alveolar macrophages was constructed successfully.② ACh with the final concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1μmol/L had less influence on the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages stimulated with LPS compared with LPS group (allP> 0.05). Nevertheless, 10μmol/L and 100μmol/L ACh notably reduced the production of TNF-α (ng/L: 451.19±30.67, 332.19±32.19 vs. 604.96±22.56), IL-1β(ng/L: 261.08±24.78, 143.98±28.39 vs. 367.06±10.44) and IL-6 (ng/L: 342.75±54.60, 235.48±29.75 vs. 562.69±63.34) in the culture supernatants compared with the LPS group (allP< 0.05).③ The activity of AChE in the LPS group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group (kU/L: 5.21±0.63 vs. 3.09±0.10,P< 0.05). The activity of AChE was successfully inhibited by 1 mmol/L acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Phy pretreatment compared with that in the LPS group (1.51±0.12 vs. 5.21±0.63,P< 0.05).④ The level of TNF-α (ng/L: 183.17±35.44 vs. 451.19±30.67), IL-1β (ng/L: 91.49±12.27 vs. 261.08±24.78) and IL-6 (ng/L: 108.17±22.82 vs. 342.75±54.60) in the culture supernatants of LPS+ ACh+ Phy group was significantly decreased as compared with LPS+ ACh group (allP< 0.05).Conclusions ACh with the final concentrations of 10μmol/L and 100μmol/L can inhibit the LPS induced inflammatory reaction in alveolar macrophages. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Phy can reinforce the ACh-mediated anti-inflammatory effect on alveolar macrophages inflammatory model.

Objective To explore the mechanism and effect of miR-146a on alveolar macrophages and to observe the changes of miR-146a expression in the LPS-induced alveolar macrophages. Method NR8383 alveolar macrophages were divided into LPS-stimulated group and control group, and the cells of former group were treated with LPS ( 1 μg/mL) and then incubated for 3 h, 6 h and 12 h, respectively. The level of TNF-α in the supernatant of cells was assayed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of miR-146a of cells was detected by using Real-Time PCR (TaqMan probe).Statistical analysis carried out by using SPSS 13.0 software package in which One-way ANOVA and Student's t-test were used. Results Compared with control group, the levels of TNF-α in the supernatant of cells were significantly increased 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after LPS challenge (P ＜ 0.01 ). The expression of miR-146a increased 6 h and 12 h after LPS stimulation in NR8383 cells( P ＜0.01 ), and it had an upward tendency.Conclusions The expression of miR-146a in alveolar macrophages increases after LPS-stimulation. It hints miR-146a may be involved in the regulation of the inflammatory responses produced by alveolar macrophages.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of exosomes derived from human-induced pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC-Exos) on alveolar macrophages (AM) pyroptosis.Methods:The exosomes in the culture supernatant of human-induced pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC) were extracted by rotating ultrafiltration, and the extracted exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blotting and high-resolution adjustable resistance pulse. The rat alveolar macrophage cells (NR8383 cells) were cultured in vitro and the logarithmic growth phase cells were divided into three groups: the control group was added with an equal volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in the AM supernatant; in LPS/ATP group AM cells were stimulated with 500 μg/L LPS for 23 hours and then 5 mmol/L ATP was added for 1 hour to induce pyrolysis; iMSC-Exos group was incubated with AM and 100 mg/L iMSC-Exos for 3 hours before giving LPS and ATP. The cytotoxic activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis, the apoptosis and the expression of caspase-1 were observed by immunofluorescence, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukins (IL-1β and IL-18) released by AM were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway and the expression level of pyroptosis related protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) were detected by Western blotting. Results:The extracted exosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy as round vesicles, expressing exosomal markers CD63 and CD9 showed by Western blotting, high-resolution adjustable resistance pulse showed the average diameter of the particles was 130 nm, and could be uptaken by AM. Compared with the control group, the cell activity decreased [(0.56±0.05)% vs. (1.06±0.07)%, P < 0.01], the release of necrotic substance LDH increased (U/L: 1 218.86±22.73 vs. 188.30±1.61, P < 0.01), the expression levels of inflammatory factors increased [IL-1β (ng/L): 958.91±32.78 vs. 194.63±5.14, IL-18 (ng/L): 870.89±21.86 vs. 288.85±24.48, both P < 0.01], and the apoptosis rate [(55.35±6.19)% vs. (12.01±1.32)%, P < 0.01] and caspase-1 expression (fluorescence intensity: 41.06±3.65 vs. 2.80±0.54, P < 0.01) elevated in the AM after LPS/ATP stimulation, suggesting that LPS combined with ATP successfully induced alveolar pyroptosis. Compared with the LPS/ATP group, AM pretreated with iMSC-Exos showed increased cell viability [(0.81±0.05)% vs. (0.56±0.05)%, P < 0.01], decreased LDH secretion (U/L: 535.05±42.55 vs. 1 218.86±22.73, P < 0.01), decreased expression of inflammatory factors [IL-1β (ng/L): 381.82±19.50 vs. 958.91±32.78, IL-18 (ng/L): 533.77±31.54 vs. 870.89±21.86, both P < 0.01], and decreased apoptosis rate [(19.74±2.96)% vs. (55.35±6.19)%, P < 0.01] and caspase-1 expression (fluorescence intensity: 12.16±1.31 vs. 41.06±3.65, P < 0.01). At the same time, the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 0.62±0.06 vs. 1.89±0.11; cleaved caspase-1 protein (cleaved caspase-1/β-actin): 0.42±0.07 vs. 1.22±0.17, both P < 0.01] and pyrolysis-related protein was significantly inhibited [GSDMD protein (GSDMD/β-actin): 0.57±0.05 vs. 1.22±0.05, P < 0.01]. Conclusion:iMSC-Exos successfully reversed the AM pyroptosis and inflammatory factor expression induced by LPS/ATP, which may be due to the targeted inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, suggesting that iMSC-Exos can exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the pyrolysis of AM.

AIM:To investigate the role of microRNA-132 (miR-132) on alveolar macrophage inflammation. METHODS: Rat alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383 was transfected with miR-132 mimic, mimic negative control ( NC) , miR-132 inhibitor, or inhibitor NC.The cells were divided into transfection group, transfection +lipopolysaccha-ride ( LPS) group, and transfection +LPS +acetylcholine ( ACh) group.The mRNA expression of acetylcholinesterase ( AChE) was detected by real-time PCR.The protein levels of AChE, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in the cells, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the cytoplasm and nu-cleus were analyzed by Western blot.The activity of AChE in the culture supernatant was measured by AChE activity assay kit.The nuclear translocation of NF-κB was detected by immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS: Up-regulation or down-regulation of miR-132 had no effect on the mRNA expression of AChE.However, up-regulation of miR-132 decreased the protein level of AChE compared with mimic NC group (P<0.05).Transfection with miR-132 inhibitor increased the pro-tein expression of AChE compared with inhibitor NC group ( P<0.05 ) .In the alveolar macrophages treated with LPS+ACh, the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in miR-132 mimic group was more effective than that in mimic NC group ( P<0.05) .The inhibitory effect in miR-132 inhibitor group was weaker than that in inhibitor NC group ( P<0.05 ) .The inhibitory effect of miR-132 mimic on the protein levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 was stronger than that of mimic NC (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:miR-132 in LPS-stimulated alveolar macrophages reinforced ACh-mediated anti-inflam-matory reaction by targeting AChE to suppress ACh hydrolyzation, which was related to the suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 activation.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the catheter to vein ratio and the formation of peripheral insertion of central venous catheter (PICC) related upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (PICC-UEDVT) in cases having undergone PICC in patients at intensive care unit (ICU) and further identify the best optimal ratio cut-off point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 69 patients having undergone PICC with complete clinical data admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from August 2013 to December 2016; their ages were > 18 years old and catheter indwelling times were > 1 week; the patients' basic information, disease related laboratory parameters and catheter insertion situation were collected. According to the occurrence of PICC-UEDVT, they were divided into PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the catheter to vein ratio versus the incidence ofPICC-UEDVT was plotted to assess the optimal ratio to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT.Results In the 69 patients, there were 7 patients in the PICC-UEDVT group and 62 patients in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT being 10.14%. Four, 5 and 6 French (Fr) catheters were indwelled in 43, 23 and 3 cases respectively, and the range of catheter to vein ratio was 20% - 67%. The comparisons between PICC-UEDVT group and non PICC-UEDVT group in various aspects were as follows: the incidence of DVT in the PICC-UEDVT group was significantly higher than that in non PICC-UEDVT group [42.9% (3/7) vs. 6.5% (4/62)], the rate of using vasopressor drugs [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)], D-dimer level [mg/L: 9.0 (3.0, 12.3) vs. 1.8 (1.0, 3.6)], patients of indwelling 5Fr catheter [71.4% (5/7) vs. 29.0% (18/62)] and the percentage of patientsapplying catheter to vein ratio 45%-67% [57.14% (4/7) vs. 17.74% (11/62)] in PICC-UEDVT group were all higher than those in the non PICC-UEDVT group, the differences being statistically significant (allP < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that the catheter to vein ratio 44% was the optimal cut off or critical point, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) at that point was 0.755, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.554-0.955, sensitivity = 71.4% and specificity = 79.0%; compared with the patients using 45%-67% catheter to vein ratio, the incidence of PICC-UEDVT was 6.182 times higher than those using the ratio 20%-44% [odds ratio (OR) = 6.182, 95%CI = 1.208-31.634,P = 0.036]; however, there was no significant difference in incidence of PICC-UEDVT between 20%-32% and 33%-44% (P = 1.000).Conclusion It is found that the 44% catheter to vein ratio was the optimal critical point to reduce the incidence of PICC-UEDVT, possessing relatively high sensitivity and specificity; applying <44% catheter to vein ratio can decrease the risk of PICC-UEDVT occurrence in patients at ICU.

Objective To determine kinetics of TNF-α and miR-146a (microRNA-146a)expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NR8383 alveolar macrophages (AM) at different intervals and their relationships in order to explore regulatory effect and mechanism of miR-146a on alveolar macrophages inflammatory responses.Methods NR8383 alveolar macrophages were seeded in a 6-well plate,and stimulated with 1 μg/ml of LPS for 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h separately after 90 min.Cells were harvested and supernatant were collected 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h after incubation.The expressions of miR146a and TNF-α mRNA in cells were detected by real-time qPCR and the levels of TNF-α protein in the supematant of cells were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-146a and TNF-α mRNA.Results ①The level of TNF-α protein in the supernatant of cell was significantly increased 3 h after LPS challenge ( 359.80 ±57.54) pg/ml (P ＜0.01 ),and peaked 12 h later (729.22 ±50.40) pg/ml (P＜0.01 ) ; ②the expression of TNF-α mRNA peaked 3 h after LPS challenge (67.48 ±24.52) fold,P ＜0.01 ),and then decreased gradually; ③the expression of miR-146a mRNA increased continuously until 6 h or 12 h after LPS challenge 6 h:(5.33 ±0.81) fold,12 h:(8.21 ±1.19) fold,(P＜0.01),and it showed an upward tendency;④ the expression of miR-146a mRNA was negatively correlated with TNF-α mRNA ( r =-0.895,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The miR-146a mRNA showed a negative correlation with TNF-α mRNA present in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated alveolar macrophages,suggesting miR-146a mRNA involved in regulating the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages.

AIMTo study the fingerprint of Ezhu by GC-MS.

METHODSGC-MS analysis was performed for 18 samples of three species of Curcuma used as Ezhu. TIC profiles were evaluated by "Computer Aided Similarity Evaluation System" (MATLAB5.3 based, Ver. 1.240, developed by Research Center for Modernization of Chinese Medicine, Central South University). The characteristic peaks in chromatograms were identified by comparing mass data with literatures. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed by SPSS based on the relative peak area (RPA) of identified peak to germacrone in 18 samples.

RESULTSResemblance values of 18 samples of Ezhu were pretty low. The mutual mode fingerprint plots of Ezhu were failed to develop. However, 18 samples were divided into two main clusters based on hierarchical clustering analysis, Curcuma wenyujin cluster and Curcuma phaeocaulis cluster, but the samples of Curcuma kwangsiensis were dispersive. Therefore, based on hierarchical clustering analysis, two mutual mode fingerprint plots of Curcuma wenyujin and Curcuma phaeocaulis were developed. But that of Curcuma kwangsiensis was failed because of low resemblance among samples.

CONCLUSIONThe mutual mode fingerprint is the basis for quality control of Chinese materia medica from multi-origins. Development of GC-MS fingerprint of Ezhu was failed, which indicates that the chemical components in different species of herbs used as one Chinese materia medica may be significantly different. The relationship of chemical components and pharmacological activities should be further studied so as to elucidate the rationality of Chinese materia medica from multi-origins.

Cluster Analysis ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; classification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane ; analysis