The main shortcomings of using electrocortical stimulation (ECS) in identifying the motor functional area around the focus in neurosurgery are certainly time-consuming, possibly cerebral cortex injuring and perhaps triggering epilepsy. To solve these problems, we in our research presented an intraoperative motor cortex functional mapping based on electrocorticography (ECoG). At first, using power spectrum estimation, we analyzed the characteristic of ECoG which was related to move task, and selected Mu rhythm as the move-related feature. Then we extracted the feature from original ECoG by multi-resolution wavelet analysis. By calculating the sum value of feature in every channel and observing the distribution of these sum values, we obtained the correlation between the cortex area under the electrode and motor cortex functional area. The results showed that the distribution of the relationship between the cortex under the electrode and motor cortex functional area was almost consistent with those identified by ECS which was called as the gold-standard. It indicated that this method was basically feasible, and it just needed five minutes totally. In conclusion, ECoG-based and passive identification of motor cortical function may serve as a useful adjunct to ECS in the intraoperative mapping.
Brain Mapping ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrocorticography ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Motor Cortex ; physiology ; Wavelet Analysis

OBJECTIVE:To develop a detection LC-MS/MS method for global DNA methylation in medicinal plants. METH-ODS:Genomic DNA was isolated using plant DNA extraction kit,and then hydrolyzed by 88% formic acid at 140 ℃. After dried with nitrogen,extracted DNA was dissolved again with mobile phase. LC separation was performed on HILIC column with mobile phase consisted of 7 mmol/L ammonium formate-acetonitrile (gradient elution) at flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The analysis was con-ducted by tandem MS with positive ion electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode. The ratio of genomic DNA methylation in 10 commonly used medicinal plants was calculated. RESULTS:The linear ranges of Cyt and 5mC were 1-500 ng/ml(r=0.999 5)and 0.2-100 ng/ml(r=0.999 6). The relative standard deviations(RSDs)of accuracy were 1.12% and 3.68%(n=6). The RSDs of intra-day precision were 2.36% and 4.02% for Cyt and 5mC,respectively (n=5). The RSDs of inter-day precision were 1.04% and 3.54% for Cyt and 5mC,respectively (n=3). The RSDs of repeatability test were 1.53% and 3.27%for Cyt and 5mC,respectively(n=6). The recoveries of Cyt and 5mC were 98.7%-102.1% and 91.2%-103.5%. The percentages of global DNA methylation in 10 medicinal plants were ranged from 17.63% to 25.18%. CONCLUSIONS:LC-MS/MS method is simple,rapid,sensitive and precise,and can be used for the detection of global DNA methylation in medicinal plants.

This study was to report the effect of Tangshen Formula on phospholipids metabolism in diabetic nephropathy patients. A normal phase-HPLC-TOF/MS method was used in this study for the determination of seven species of phospholipids in human plasma. Then, the concentration changes of potential phospholipids biomarkers were discussed in diabetic nephropathy phase III and phase IV patients among different groups, including before and 3, 6 months after administration of Tangshen Formula. Significant increases of PE750, PI885, PC792, PC826, PC830, PC854 and PC802 levels were observed 6 months after administration of Tangshen Formula and conventional western medicine, as well as a decrease of LPC540 level, when compared with those before medication. Concentrations of all the potential phospholipids biomarkers showed a tendency towards normal levels; however, both the improvement degree and onset time of these compounds were not same. Additionally, Tangshen Formula treatment based on conventional western medicine treatment was more efficient in adjusting the levels of these compounds when compared with western medicine treatment alone, especially for the phase IV patients. These results indicated that Tangshen Formula was capable in regulating and improving phospholipids metabolism in diabetic nephropathy patients, which may be related with the direct or indirect inhibition of protein kinase C pathway and the corresponding reduction of phospholipase A2 activity. Therefore, Tangshen Formula may be used as an effective drug for diabetic nephropathy therapy, at least as an adjunctive therapeutic drug.

Objective To establish a molecular identification method for three cultivars of Amomum villosum Lour.(AVL),thus to provide scientific evidence for the identification,selection and breeding of AVL.Methods The fragments of 26S rDNA D1-D3 region and matK gene of three cultivars of AVL and Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and with corresponding primers,and then their sequences were analyzed,and phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the sequences.Results We obtained 739 bp in 26S rDNA D1-D3 sequence.Differences in 4 basic sites of 739 bp were shown between AVL and Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu.The two cultivars of AVL,Changguo and Yuanguo,had the same sequence,but there was a difference in one basic site of Changguo and Yuanguo from Chunxuan.The phylogenetic tree based on 26S rDNA D1-D3 sequence revealed the difference between Chunxuan and the other two cultivars of AVL.We also obtained 824 bp in matK gene sequence.The three cultivars of AVL showed the consistent sequence,but there was a difference in one basic site of three cultivars of AVL from Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu.Conclusion We can identify the three cultivars of AVL through the sequence differences at the molecular level,and Chunxuan has a closer genetic relationship with Amomum longiligulare T.L.Wu.

Objective To establish a DNA extraction method for DNA barcoding analysis of Chinese medicinal materials.Methods Seven different DNA extraction methods were used to extract DNA from 6 medicinal recalcitrant plants which are rich in secondary metabolites.Results CTAB method 3 was fast,simple,universal and effective,by which a high DNA concentration and qualified ratio were obtained as compared with the other methods.The DNA extracted by this method could provide good results for DNA barcoding analysis.The main improved steps of this methods were as follows:①adoption of 3 %CTAB rather than 2 %CTAB in the exaction;②adding 1 %polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) and 0.2 %?-mercaptoethnoal in extraction solution to remove secondary metabolites and to prevent DNA degradation;③centrifuge at 10000 r/min for 15 min to remove protein and impurity.Conclusion CTAB method 3 is a proper method of DNA extraction for DNA barcoding analysis of Chinese medicinal materials.

Objective An investigation of new cultivars of Amomum villosum Lour.(AVL) with high yield and good quality was carried out,thus to supply evidences for the identification of AVL cultivars in accordance with the morphological features of their flowers and fruits.Methods An investigation of AVL species from the genuine producing areas of Yangchun city of Guangdong province was performed.The morphological features of flowers and fruits of two cultivars(Changguo and Yuanguo) as well as one breeding type(Chunxuan type) were examined.Results Specific and significant features were screened out in different cultivars of AVL.Conclusion There exit specific features in flowers and fruits of different cultivars of AVL from Yangchun.