This study was aimed to apply the electronic nose (E-nose) in the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The discussion was made on difficulties of using E-nose. The solution plan was proposed and the discrimination model was established. It provided a simple, rapid and effective analysi method in the identification of TCM. It also provided new ideas for the research and application of gas sensor arrays. E-nose was used in the ex-traction of TCM scent characteristics. Based on ion mobility spectrometry of MOS sensor, the fingerprint of TCM scent was established. The maximum response value of the sensor was used as analysis index. According to the diffi-culties of identification, two solution plans were proposed. Firstly, different detectors were employed to complete the classification. Secondly, radial basis function (RBF) and random forests (RF) were combined and then a cascade classifier was constructed in order to achieve the maximum of information obtained in conditions where the number of measurements, metal oxide semiconductor sensors in E-nose was limited. The results showed that both plans were accurate and practical with relatively high upper correct judge rate and better cross-validation (The highest upper correct judge rates were 95% and 100%, 96% and 80%, respectively). It was concluded that this study firstly ap-plied cascade classifier in the establishment of TCM identification by E-nose. With limited amount of sensors, the maximum information was received through data mining. Using E-nose in the identification of TCM was rapid and accurate. The established pattern recognition method was maneuverable with accurate identification rate and stability compared to conventional sensory identification method. It provided a simple and rapid analysis method for the iden-tification of TCM.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between odor and contents of the chemical compounds in Lonicera japonica, including chlorogenic acid, galuteolin and polyphenols. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the contents of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin in L. japonica. The ponptent of polyphenols was determined by UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. Electronic nose was used to extract and measure the odor of L. japonica. Then SPSS 17.0 software was employed for data processing. There is a significant positive correlation between the comprehensive index value of aroma and the contents of chlorogenic acid and polyphenols. The regression equations have been established. However, the relationship between the comprehensive index value and the content of galuteolin is not obvious. This is proof that the odor of L. japonica has close connection with the chemical compounds. Therefore, this research offered a new method for initially determine or predict the content of the chemical composition in L. japonica,
Chlorogenic Acid ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Electronic Nose ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Odorants ; analysis ; Polyphenols ; chemistry ; Smell

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetics on LPS-induced inflammatory responses of primary cultures of rat glial cells in vitro. METHODS: The primary cultures of rat glial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide( LPS) to produce inflammatory responses. Glial cells were divided into 8 groups (n=4): blank control (Group C), LPS(Group L), 100micromol/L ketamine with LPS(Group K1), 1000micromol/L ketamine with LPS (Group K2), 30micromol/L propofol with LPS (Group P1), 300micromol/L propofol with LPS (Group P2), 3micromol/L midazolane with LPS (Group M1), and 30micromol/L midazolane with LPS (Group M2). TNF-alpha released into the culture media was measured by radioimmunity assay. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control Group C, LPS-induced TNF-alpha productions in Group L, K1, K2, P1, P2, M1 and M2 increased significantly. The levels of TNF-alpha in Group K1 and K2 were significantly lower than those in Group L (P<0.05), but TNF-alpha productions in Group P1, P2, M1 and M2 were not significantly different as compared with that in Group L. CONCLUSION Ketamine can reduce LPS-induced TNF-alpha production of glial cells, thereby inhabiting some of the inflammatory responses. Propofol and midazolam have no effect on the production of TNF-alpha from LPS-stimulated glial cells.
Anesthetics, Intravenous ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ketamine ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Neuroglia ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

AIMTo study the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) on the kidney of diabetic rats by observing the mRNA expression of PDGF and TGF-beta1.

METHODSSD rats were divided into three groups: Group C (uni-nephrectomy control group), Group D (diabetic model control group), Group T (Ang-(1-7) treated group). We evaluated blood glucose,urea nitrogen, creatinine and urine albumin excretion respectively, studied the renal morphology by light microscope, and detected the gene expression of PDGF, TGF-beta1 in renal tissue by RT-PCR technique.

RESULTSThere was significant difference between the group D and T about the RW/BW, renal morphology, the total urine protein and the mRNA expression of PDGF and TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONAng-(1-7) can relieve the renal process of diabetic rats.

Angiotensin I ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo edit the sentence list for mandarin speech test materials (MSTM) and to test their equivalence in order to use the list as routine clinical speech tests for evaluation of cochlear implants and hearing aids in different stages of the intervention and rehabilitation.

METHODSFirstly, two groups of professionals were set up: one for establishing the principles of the edit, another for experiments. The criteria to guide the selection of spoken sentences were as following: (1) suitable for everyday speech audiometry, esp. clinically usage; (2) a normal sampling of everyday spoken sentences in mandarin. Totally, 300 sentences were selected in 30 lists for the experiment. The record cassette was used by a male speaker. The college students (54 persons,54 ears) with normal hearing participated in the equivalence test. Two statistic methods were used for equivalence analysis. RESULTS Through speech tests and statistic analysis, 2 sets with 29 lists (290 sentences) were selected as our equivalent lists for further evaluation and clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONSBy setting up the strict criteria of selecting sentences, speech test method and statistic analysis, 2 sets of 29 lists (290) sentences were chosen as our speech evaluation materials, but it was necessary for further analysis in different laboratories and clinics. The sentence lists should also get used for hearing impaired subjects, hearing aid users and cochlear implant recipients.

Adult ; Audiometry, Speech ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the influence of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity in erythrocyte membrane during intestinal I/R and their mechanism of action.

METHODSModels of rabbits intestinal I/R injury were made. The effect of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity and malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocyte membrane, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte, oxidase (XO) in plasma and MDA tissues homogenate were observed.

RESULTSThe administration of astragalus and zinc sulfate decreased viscosity and MDA and XO, prevented the reduction of SOD, and alleviated I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONLipid peroxidation injury of the erythrocyte membrane was one of the pathogenesis of I/R injury, and astragalus and the zinc sulfate possessed effects of anti-lipid peroxide, stabilized erythrocyte membrane, increased red blood cell deform ability and raised microcircular perfusion.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Blood Viscosity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; drug effects ; Female ; Intestines ; blood supply ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidoreductases ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo edit the spondee (disyllable) word lists as a part of mandarin speech test materials (MSTM). These will be basic speech materials for routine tests in clinics and laboratories.

METHODSTwo groups of professionals (audiologists, Chinese and Mandarin scientists, linguistician and statistician) were set up at first. The editing principles were established after 3 round table meetings. Ten spondee lists, each with 50 words, were edited and recorded into cassettes. All lists were phonemically balanced (3-dimensions: vowels, consonants and Chinese tones). Seventy-three normal hearing college students were tested. The speech was presented by earphone monaurally. Three statistic methods were used for equivalent analysis.

RESULTSRelated analysis showed that all lists were much related, except List 5. Cluster analysis showed that all ten lists could be classified as two groups. But Kappa test showed that the lists' homogeneity were not well.

CONCLUSIONSSpondee lists are one of the most routine speech test materials. Their editing, recording and equivalent evaluation are affected by many factors. This also needs multi-discipline cooperation. All lists edited in present study need future modification in recording and testing in order to be used clinically and in research. The phonemic balance should be kept.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Audiometry, Speech ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Speech Discrimination Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo find a good speech material in audiology routine tests and cochlear implant evaluation, the monosyllable lists which were a part of mandarin speech test materials (MSTM) were edited and recorded. The equivalence test was done for all the lists.

METHODSThe professional group was set up at first, which composed of specialists of Chinese, mandarin teaching, linguistics and statistics. The principles of word selection were established according to the coherence with international speech test materials and mandarin. Ten Monosyllable lists, each of which has 50 mandarin words according to phonemic balance and criteria of speech audiometry, were edited. The balance was 3-dimension: vowels, consonants and four Chinese tones. One cassette was recorded by a male speaker (radiobroadcaster). The 72 normal hearing subjects were tested monaurally with ten monosyllable lists and the materials were presented by the earphone. The equivalence evaluation was done at the level of about 50% correct scores.

RESULTSStatistic analysis shows that 7 lists were equivalent in difficulty. They were ready for future research and clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONSThe mandarin monosyllable lists were edited in terms of international standard and Chinese 3-dimension phonemic balance. Seven of them met the demands for research and clinical application.

Adult ; Audiometry, Speech ; Cochlear Implants ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Phonetics ; Speech Discrimination Tests ; methods

BACKGROUND: Long-term complications of cesarean section include placenta praevia, placenta accreta, cesarean scar pregnancy and uterine rupture. These life-threatening complications in pregnant women maybe result from the defects of endometrium and uterine smooth muscle as well as poorly formed decidua in the scar of cesarean section. Mesenchymal stem cells have the function of repairing tissue injuries, and the amount of cells homing to the site of injury may affect the effect of tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution and homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from male rats into rat models of cesarean section. METHODS: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated from male rats in vitro were cultured and identified. Female Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: cesarean section group and control group. Rats in the cesarean section group were given intravenous administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from male rats via the tail vein on day 21 after cesarean section, and non-operative rats in the control groups were given the same amount of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from male rats after natural delivery. Rats in the two groups were sacrificed on days 7 and 28 after cell injection. The distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from male rats in tissues (including heart, lungs, livers, kidneys, and uterine scar) was detected by measurement of the SRY mRNA level using SPY-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the cesarean section group, the SRY gene was most abundant in the lung, followed by the liver and the kidney on day 7 after injection, although the distribution of SRY gene in the heart and uterine scar was low; on day 28 after injection, the levels of SRY gene in the lung, liver and kidney decreased (P < 0.05), but had no significant changes in the heart and uterine scar (P > 0.05). In the control group, the distribution of SRY gene was similar to that in the cesarean section group on both days 7 and 28 after injection, and the levels of SRY gene in the heart and uterus were low. These findings reveal that allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells implanted mainly distribute in tissues with abundant blood flow, including lungs, livers and kidneys. And the cell number decreases gradually over time. Since the amount of implanted cells in the heart and uterus is very low, the change with time is not obvious. Cesarean section injury has no impact on the distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in pregnant rats and there is of course no increase in the homing and colonization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a cesarean scar.

Objective To investigate the effects of regular and irregular mandatory treadmill running (TR) on learning and memory abilities,stress response,survival and maturation of newborn neurons in dentate area of C57 mice. Methods Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into regular running group (n=16,definite time and quantity), irregular running group (n=16,definite time and different quantities) and sedentary group (n=16).Injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU,50 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally to mice from the 1st d to the 7th d of exercise,and then,these mice were subjected to a 4-wk TR training course or sedentary exercise.Double irnmunofluorescence labeling was employed to observe the effect of TR on survival and maturation of newborn neurons. Mice were trained on the Morris water maze to test the abilities of learning and memory. Corticosterone (CORT).level in the venous blood was measured with a radioimmunoassay kit. Results As compared with that in mice of the irregular running group and sedentary group,significant decrease of latency was noted in mice of the regular running group on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th d of place navigation test (P＜0.05). As compared with that in mice of the sedentary group, significant decrease of latency was noted in mice of the irregular running group and regular running group on the 2nd d of place navigation test (P＜0.05),while no significant difference of that was noted between mice of the irregular running group and regular running group (P＞0.05).The platform was removed for a 60-s probe test 4 h after the last trial to test the recall ability, and the times of staying in the target zone in each group were regular running group＞irregular running group＞control group, and significant difference was noted between each 2 groups (P＜0.05). The numbers of double immunofluorescence labeled cells in the dentate gyrus were counted as regular running group＞irregular running group＞control group, and significant difference was noted between each 2 groups (P＜0.05). The serum CORT level was measured as regular running group＜irregular running group＜control group, and significant difference was noted between each 2 groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion Mandatory treadmill running could improve the learning and memory abilities,which may be related to the increment of survival and maturation of neural precursor cells,and decreased level of serum CORT; and the effect of regular mandatory treadmill running is better than that of irregular mandatory treadmill running.